Good ultra-light line?

[Patrick Humphries]

Hey guys I'm new here just signed up tonight. I've been lookin at this site for a while now and love readin about other peoples techniques.But anyway I have a question about line.I use spinning reels and have been havin a problem with birdsnesting and spoolin loosely and it just drives me crazy,and I was just wonderin what kind of line y'all use.I don't know if I'll be able to prevent it by just changin line but if I could at least minimize it that would be awesome.

[LedHed]

We use Yo-Zuri Hybrid 2lb green for the last two seasons. I also use Tectan for the reduced line diameter.

[dick tabbert]

Here are a couple things that will help you minimize your problem. Use a good line, I use flourocarbon you can feel every little thing. Next learn to close your bail with your hand after you make your cast don't use your reel handle to close it. You need to practice this till you can do it automaticly till its second nature to you. The third thing is a biggie never reel line when the fish is pulling drag. Get in the habit of just a little more drag, not a lot but a little. If you can get in the habit of doing these few things it will minimize your birdnest.

[Johnny wilkins]

I am going to weigh in with (none of the above). I find next-to-no lines on the market satisfactory for live bait fishing. While I was formerly suggesting thin ice fishing lines, I find this line to be better but subpar. It is brittle and lacks the strength it should for the diameter that it is coming up on a caliper.

Part of the "Revolution" I have been discussing in my blog and on the radio show is to provide us with proper bluegill line for live bait that is durable, flexible and thin. Bluegills being sight-feeders - thin is what wins. In my honest opinion all Trilene is also very disappointing. It is thick and might be good for lures, but is the pits for live bait fishing. It might be the worst line in the world.

BigBluegill.com Contest - I am running a contest for the next three weeks -guess the number of fish and win a set of bluegill finesse fishing floats. Look for a post soon and you could win $30 in bluegill floats (the Revolution set)...

Also - I will work on good 2 lb. & 3 lb. leader for you - the answer is, it aint out there... [ yet ].
A great leader line must:
• catch a lot of fish
• not have memory - no curls
• have some stretch
• be flexible and supple - provide a smooth drop action
• be THIN

Check out this- and find the contest to enter:
http://bigbluegill.com/forum/topics/win-free-bluegill-tackle
From the photo- you might see my point for a good 1.5 - 2 lb. leader (1/3 the thickness of a Trilene 4 lb.)... and very effective.

[mike needles]

ive been using 6lb zebco, i was using 4lb trilene xt, and was very disappointed with it

[Keith Owen]

 

Hey Patrick,

Another suggestion for getting the twist out of your line; if you have a boat, canoe or belly-boat/float tube...

 

Travel at a moderately slow speed and begin feeding the line out, no lure or anything on the line. It will be a little tough to get it going at first, but as more line feeds out the weight of the water on the line will pull it more easily. Once you get nearly all of the line played out just toodle around in mostly straight lines (a good work out while paddling or flip-kicking). The twist and kinks will ease out with time.

 

I do this several times a year. The Power Pro I use is strong and resilient. The only time I use any up is when I re-tie knots and trim the tag ends. I am careful to keep reel covers on my rods or break them down and store reels in a bag or case so UV deterioration is minimal. I have used a single spooling for more than a year. The line coating does wear some and the color fades. I just re-color with a green Sharpie marker. Eventually I spool it on another reel from the other end. What stays on the reel during casting is pretty much brand new.

 

When initially spooling the Power Pro, a base of a dozen turns or so of monofilament for the fused line to grip make spooling easier. I use a 7 turn Albright knot to connect to the mono base or to attach a leader of tippet material for ultra clear water.

 

After you believe that all the twist and kinks are smoothed out while underway (or you get tired) begin reeling the line back onto your spool. Don't apply any tension to the line, other than what the water applies. As you reel-in, feel the pressure. Once it gets less than what you might feel retrieving a small lure, lightly pinch the line at the lowest eyelet on the rod and finish winding up.

 

 My experience with the Power Pro is that, with a little maintenance, it can last for several seasons and perform very well.

 

Keith

[John Cachel]

I used PowerPro Moss Green Braid line in Florida last week. I dont change line and just retied knot few times per day for a whole week! Caught over hundred bluegills up to 3 over 10 inch! 5 lbs for 1 lb diameter is easy casting on 1/32 oz jig with Gulp Maggots! I perfer Trilene XL 4lbs for live bait! 6lbs for near or in heavy covers as weeds and woods!

[Glen Wagley]

You are getting a lot of great suggestions here. I like 4lb Silver Thread Excalibur. It is a copolymer line and very abrasion resistant. It also has a small diameter so you can still impart action to your lures easily and be able to detect light bites. I had similar problems to you a few years ago when I started fishing seriously again. For years I hadn't used spinning rigs and had only used baitcasters. The first time I spooled up a spinning reel I made two mistakes. The first was not making sure the line was coming off the spool and onto my reel in the proper direction. The other was putting too much line on my reel. Both can make you say bad words in front of your kids and none of us want to do that. :-)

[John Sheehan]

Keith is right make sure the line is coming off the spool and onto your reel in the same direction.Otherwise it creates twists.

[John Sheehan]

Patrick ,I've never tried it but you could hold a piece of leather or bicyle tubing around  the line and wind it through to the spool. That may take out the snarling kinks and curls.

 

[Patrick Humphries]

There's too many choices,mono,floru,polymer,or braid? I CAN'T DECIDE!!!! lol