Superlines?

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

I was just wondering if any of you are using superlines, like Berkley Fireline? I have used it for jigging walleyes, bass and icefishing. I just bought some 3lb crystal fireline.It has a 3/4lb mono diameter. I have always used 4lb mono but want to try something with a smaller diameter. I'm looking for less visability and more sensitivity. The rod that I have this on is a 6ft one piece St.Croix UL that I built myself many moons ago. It casts great with 4lb and is very sensitive, but I'm always looking for an edge!

[Slimdog]

I use Fireline on most everything and love the sensitivity. If you are fishing in clear water or water with extremely good visibility, you will definately need a mono or fluro leader. The crystal isn't clear enough.

Hope this helps...Slim

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Thanks Slim! The water I fish varies alot. Most of it is pretty clear. I will keep the flurocarbon leader in mind!

[Bill "Musky" Modica]

Fireline is my mainstay when it comes to braided line, the no stretch and sensitivity of braid is absolutely paramount.....and although I always use a fluorocarbon leader, many of my colleagues do not. Bullworm, the 3/4 lb dia./3lb test is what I use when targeting bluegills that are holding on the deepest fringe of their existance in 35+ ft of water....it's the only braid that can deliver depth control while working deep flats, deep main-lake humps, and basin water.

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Thanks alot guys! It's always kind of difficult to break away from what you always relie on day after day. I'm very familar with Fireline and its' characteristics, I just need that little extra push! Thanks alot and I will let you know what results I come up with.

[IceWarriorGill]

Hey Bullworm, I use PowerPro Braid 5 lbs test with Vanish 4 lbs Fluorocarbon leader for most of my rods. I agree with what others have said in that the Braid/Fluorocarbon combo tends to be very sensitive and yet quite strong when you have a large fish on the end of your line and need some power and the Fluorocarbon leader helps in very clear water situations where fish may be line spooked!!!

[Fish Chris]

Well personally, I've used pretty much "nothing but" braided superlines for the last 15 years, whether I'm fishing for Sunfish, or Sturgeon.

I used a whole bunch of different brands back in the day, and they were ALL better than any mono I'd ever used, but I started using TUF-Line about 6 years ago, and have been sponsored by them for the last 3.

Nothing personal, but I really hate "fused" lines like the original Fireline. They seem stiff, and crinkly... like dental floss or something weird. The word from factory insiders is that the only reason "fused" lines were ever created, was that the fusing process is much cheaper / faster, than actually braiding the fibers.

I believe they do actually make a true "braided" line now, which goes by "Fireline braid". I'm sure that would be better than the fused stuff.

But anyway, yes, 2/10 TUF-Line XP with a 4 or 6 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon leader.

Peace,
Fish

[John McKean]

Hi Fish, I have to agree with you on the TUF line -in fact, I think it was YOU who put me on to this stuff in correspondense we had on big bass!! But this line is the only braid soft enough to make casting/fishing a pleasure! I understand the company has a new line this year called Dura-cast that's made for spinning and comes in 6# test -have you ever used this product, does it have a thin diameter?

[Fish Chris]

Hey John, yea', I love my TUF-Line :-) But no, I haven't used the Duracast. I'll try to remember to ask my Sponsor for a spool of that in 6 lb, the next time we talk. The only thing though.... it looks like its only available in green. I would actually prefer white, because it's easier to see my end, for line control.... And since I always use a flouro leader anyway, line visibility is never an issue.

Peace,
Fish

[Michael S. Greene]

I have been using 2 lb Fireline Crystal and love it. I have caught bass up to 4 lbs with it and now use it on all my ultra lights. My favorite rod is a Bass Pro Wally Marshall that says you can use baits as light as 1/64th oz. It is great for crappie and blue gills.

[Albinofish]

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[Albinofish]

Sure fish don't know what fishing line is, but they do know to avoid it. It is usually from being caught a time or two before or seeing others dragged to their grave, mouth first. I

In clear water, mainly you have to use a flourocarbon leader. I fish up in the streams at Lake Erie, PA , and those huge steelhead will see your line and move away from it. With the leader there is a noticeable difference.

Gills in Texas where I live, are usually in darker water so it doesn't matter as much, but up north, I would use a leader everytime.

I use braided line when needed, but it is more fun to use light line and actually have to play the fish in.

I have caught fish over 10lb. on 2-4lb test. It takes skill to land big fish on light line.

Almost anyone can horse a fish in on braided or heavy line for that matter. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish, filling a freezer or just enjoying the fight.

Remember even light fireline or braided is like 10-12 lb mono.

Pics are lake record Gill and record Redear in Texas.

Tight Lines to all.

[Fish Chris]

Ya' know Albinofish, a couple thoughts come to mind.

First off, I find that a 2 lb diameter braid, with zero memory, very little stretch, and great sensitivity, is just FAR more enjoyable to use, than any monofilament, of any lb test.

If you feel like braid makes it less challenging, you could always run a REALLY light fluorocarbon, or regular mono leader. I mean heck, a 2 or 4 lb mono leader, would tie / match up perfectly fine, to 2lb diameter / 10 lb test braid.

Finally, I feel that comparing braid to mono is like comparing apples to oranges. As I've always explained to people, if you were to take 2lb diameter / 10 or 12 lb test braid, and put it on a medium weight rod (one designed for 10 or 12 lb mono) then tried to treat it like 10 or 12 lb mono, {hard hooksets, medium drag settings, etc} you would likely be breaking off fish.
I believe 2/10 braid is much better suited, for a micro-light rod and reel, and a lighter drag setting > because of the fact that braid has almost zero stretch.

Of course whatever works for you :-)

Peace,
Fish