Looking for a line recommendation

[Scoot]

I'm looking for a very soft, very thick braided line to use for red salmon fishing next month. I need something in the 50 to 80 lb. range that I can handle all day without cutting up my hands. Any superline won't work- they have too small of diameter and would cut my hands up too bad.

Does anyone have any specific suggestions on what I should use?

[Deitz Dittrich]

dacron?

[Scott K]

Suffix Braid, 80# test. I have it on all of my cat rods. The stuff is smooth, and does not fray. Ask this question in the cat forum, you will get the majority to tell you the same. There just isnt much bigger fish around these parts then cats.

[mn_bowhunter]

We use 40lb mono for kings, reds, and silvers since it's easier to untangle in combat fishing scenarios. If you are set on braid original tuff line is very strong and larger than other braids. How are you cutting your hands, hand over hand?

[fivebucks]

I never used more than 15 lb mono when I lived in AK and that was for reds, kasilof kings, silvers - you name it.

[Nick Kuhn]

I'd go with Dacron, not many people use it anymore but it's strong and pretty soft to the touch.

[Scoot]

We use 40lb mono for kings, reds, and silvers since it's easier to untangle in combat fishing scenarios. If you are set on braid original tuff line is very strong and larger than other braids. How are you cutting your hands, hand over hand?

We certainly don't need heavy line for it- I'm sure 15 lb mono would be fine, regarding the strength of the line. However, I'm told that we should use a line that'll be soft and easy on our hands, and a heavy braided line in a very large diameter (50-80 lb) is ideal. We'll be constantly handling the line with the left hand to pull out extra line for each individual drift- swing rig in the air upstream, drop in water, drift downstream, repeat. My buddy did it his first year up there and used 30 lb mono- cut his hands to shreds. He switched to a heavy braided line and won't ever switch back. So... I'd like to use a similar set up to his.

BTW, the leader we'll be using will be 20 lb. mono. I just want the heavy line with thick diameter for the main line, not the leader.

[fivebucks]

Very familiar with the Kenai flip. Never had any issues with cutting up my hands though but I can see it happening. Have a fun trip up there.

[mn_bowhunter]

Never had any issues with cutting our hands on the flip with 40 lb mono. The only reason I suggest mono is the locals seem to give everyone with braid a hard time since it is so hard to untangle. My dad was on the kenai three days ago and got his limit in 20 minutes. 80 lb tuffline is smaller and less smooth than 40 lb mono. If you are stuck on braid I'd go with dacron since it is so large and relatively smooth.

[Scoot]

Thanks guys- I really appreciate your thoughts and input. This is new to me- I'm going off of what my buddy has told me. He made it sound like a dacron-like line is the "only way to go". Apparently not. But... he's my closest source of info and I'll try get a rig set up like he's trying to explain to me.

Again, thanks for the info and help.

[traveler]

Scoot; because you're fishing so close to shore (10-20 ft of line in play), and need to keep the fish close after hookup (due to other fishers, and heavy current), you will only be useing (and abusing!) a small amount of line at a time.

Seems like a great time for some experimenting...bring some 20+ mono, some dacron, etc...and see what works best for you. I've done a LOT of flipping for reds (I'm jealous, wanting badlky to get back there!), and persaonally 20 lb mono has worked OK for me, but your hands WILL take a beating, I can't see dacron helping that much, but I'd be willing to try it.

It's just a tough technique on your hands, add to that you're constantly trying to land "green" fish as quickly as possible and you can expect line cuts aplenty! But it's all (very!) good:) Have a blast....!!

PS...bring plenty of bandaids, triple A ointment, possibly some fishing gloves (I couldn't get used to 'em, but saw some guys wearing them).