Depth-Hunter vs. Fireline Tracer

[Skillzilla]

I'm looking to put some new line on a Shimano TR-100 conventional/trolling reel and would like something metered as the reel has no counter.

What Would you choose?


Power Pro Depth Hunter 15lb
Power Pro Depth Hunter 40lb
Fireline Tracer 15lb
Fireline Tracer 40lb

Sufix is out - Don't like their metering for how I fish.

THX
SKZ

[Steeleyes]

I use the depthhunter, but looked at the fireline tracer as well. If memory serves the pricing wasn't to different. It will depend on how you will use the reel to determine which will be right for you. The fireline with the colors alternating every 2.5 feet just seemed to frequent for my applications. I typically am running dipseys off of my powerpro 100+ feet back. I would hate to have to count that out in 2.5 foot incriments. With powerpro it's color changes 25' with a 4 color repeat, so every time you repeat a color you've let out 100 feet. With this scheme I can start letting out line, walk away and come back, and quickly know how much line I have out. Then I can use the 5 foot tick marks to make the last adjustments. In my mind the fireline would be better is applications where you aren't letting out as much line and need fine adjustments, where powerpro would be good for long line applications.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by Steeleyes

The fireline with the colors alternating every 2.5 feet just seemed to frequent for my applications. I typically am running dipseys off of my powerpro 100+ feet back. I would hate to have to count that out in 2.5 foot increments.

Thanks again Steeleyes. I was thinking the same thing - too much thinking with the Fireline. Thinking hurts. Even letting out 50ft of Fireline would suck.

I was in contact with Shimano about what capacity my reel might have with some lower #test Power Pro than what is listed on the reel, and they don't recommend going lower than what is shown because the line might find its way behind the spool.

Do you have any experience with using lower #test on your reels than what is recommended?

THX
SKZ

[Steeleyes]

I haven't yet had any braid slip behind the spool since the shimanos are pretty precise, I have had mono slip behind the spool on a cabelas reel. But if they say it in can happen I would believe them.
Only other thing I can think of is that it would take a lot of braid to fill up the reel since it is so thin. Best to fill it with mono and leave enough for a couple hundred feet of braid and your leader. This way you are not filling with expensive line you will never use, but you still feel the reel in order to keep up your retrieve rate.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by Steeleyes

Best to fill it with mono and leave enough for a couple hundred feet of braid and your leader. This way you are not filling with expensive line you will never use, but you still feel the reel in order to keep up your retrieve rate.

The reel has a capacity of 410yards of #40 Power Pro. Right now, it's spooled with mono of unknown #test. I was going to use that as a backing. 166 yards of Power Pro should do.

Should I pull the mono right down to the spool, re-spool 244 yards of mono then tie on 166 yards of Power Pro? The idea being as full a spool as possible for easier line handling?

THX
SKZ

[Just One More Cast]

Originally Posted by Skillzilla

The reel has a capacity of 410yards of #40 Power Pro. Right now, it's spooled with mono of unknown #test. I was going to use that as a backing. 166 yards of Power Pro should do.

Should I pull the mono right down to the spool, re-spool 244 yards of mono then tie on 166 yards of Power Pro? The idea being as full a spool as possible for easier line handling?

THX
SKZ

I use 10/2 PP depth hunter & if I was to do it over I'd only change to 15/?.
Remember the larger the diameter the shallower everything will troll.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by Just One More Cast

I use 10/2 PP depth hunter & if I was to do it over I'd only change to 15/?.
Remember the larger the diameter the shallower everything will troll.

Does your reel allow for that size line or are you going against what is labelled on your reel?
This is for use on a Shimano TR 100 reel - specifications start at 40# Power Pro.

Can the shallower diving braids effectively be counteracted by a diving aide? I'm wanting to get deeper than 20-25 ft which lures can reach on their own anyways.

THX
SKZ

[Just One More Cast]

Originally Posted by Skillzilla

Does your reel allow for that size line or are you going against what is labelled on your reel?
This is for use on a Shimano TR 100 reel - specifications start at 40# Power Pro.

Can the shallower diving braids effectively be counteracted by a diving aide? I'm wanting to get deeper than 20-25 ft which lures can reach on their own anyways.

THX
SKZ

Sounds like your reel has a lot of capacity. I run lead core line to get even 3' shallow lures to that depth.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by Just One More Cast

Sounds like your reel has a lot of capacity. I run lead core line to get even 3' shallow lures to that depth.

The reel has a capacity of 410yrd/#40 test, 405/50, or 395/65.

Decided against lead core because of the damage to the rod. This setup was inherited and I want to fish it without damaging it.

I thought Metered braid with a dipsey, downrigger, or planer boards might be the way to go - gonna figure that one out later. Would #40 braid work for any of these setups?

[h8go4s]

"Decided against lead core because of the damage to the rod."

Huh? What damage does leadcore do to the rod? Please enlighten me.