Ice Fishing Line

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

I do not want to start anything I just want to hear what people use for ice fishing line for panies, eyes, and northerns? Or is there some forums for this. I looked but could not find any . I just must not know what I am doing because I know there has to be some forums on this subject. It is time! I have not changed my line for like four years now but it still hanged in there last year did not loose a fish due to broken line just a broken heart. You know the story when the big one gets off just under the ice....how do they always do that?

[tsande00]

I don't change my line religiously either. Usually my line outlasts my reel, lol. Then again, the biggest thing I usually catch in the metro area is a 10" crappie.

If you were banging 18"-30" walleyes all day on LOW I would suspect that line would wear out pretty fast.

[crappiebuster]

Tried out some gamma ice line last year. No memory whatsoever it seemed. Hard to find around here though. P-Line makes a good ice line also.

[Survyr]

I second the Gamma ice line and the P-Line. They are both good and I've had good luck with both.

[Rippinlip]

Sufix Ice Magic for me in the 2 lb variety for me on the pannies, I use 4-6 for Walleyes, sometimes I use the Cajun Red line too.

Northerns when I fish for them is on tip-ups.

[hydro]

I don't change my line very often either, it's just too expensive. When using the "superbraid" type line for ice fishing, I just spool up with 100' or so. You don't need any more than that unless something bad happens, then just replace it with a new 100' off of the bulk spool. For mono, it usualy lasts a couple years at least, or until it gets twisted or frayed.

In both cases I put a backer of old fashioned braid on the spool to keep the new line near the lip.

[CJH]

I use Fireline or comparable braid for my fast action jigging rods and Gamma on my deadstick/stealthy presentations. Don't think Gamma is being made anymore, so I will probably use Pline this year. I tried Vanish and didn't like it.

[Woody61]

I use fireline ice for bigger baits and triline ice 3lb for panfish and 6lb for bass I have been happy with both. I have 1 rod that has cajun on it and it does a good job also.

[Chris Barlage]

I use a copoly line. Have been for awhile now. I used to use gamma before they went out of buis. now it is pline

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

Thanks for all of your input. I see Northland has come up with some new line this year...Bionic Ice... I might have to give that a try. I also hear that Power Pro from my coworker is a good choice. Anyways, can not wait to get all spooled up and get on the hard water. Good Luck this comeing ice season!

[tsande00]

Any line a guy should stay away from?

(Everybody seems to like the line they use, but anything NOT to use?)

[Ed Carlson]

I'm eager to get some of the new Sufix Ice Braid Line wet. I like the feel of it, should be very ice resistant in the guides. Ask me again in about a month.

I'll be missing the Gama Ice Line, since it is no longer made, it's a Bummer...that's for sure. ;(

[DTro]

I stocked up on some Gamma last year, so I'm good for a while.

I can say this, I've been a huge fan of Sufix braid for the open water and it's all I will trust on my big cat/sturgeon gear. So I was anxious to try their small diameter mono for ice fishing last year. I was really disappointed when I started breaking off fish after fish on 3lb test. So I checked it coming of the mother spool and I could literally break it like a piece of weak thread. 2 brand new spools went right into the trash.

Just as an across the board trusty dependable line (open water and ice), it's tough to beat good old Trilene XL.

I have played around with braid a bit and really liked it in the house, but I want the option of running outside and hole hop and the braid holds to much water and you end up fighting with the ice when it is cold.

[Jim Hudson]

I love Berkley Crystal Micro-Ice for most deep panfish (2lb) application and also for any jigging for walleye(6lb) and pike (20lb - Actually this is regulal FireLine Crystal).. If I have too, because of clear water, I will blood knot in a short length of Fluorocarbon for an invisibility factor. Now, this stuff works good (like all braid) inside a warm house or on those warmer days... But, freeze-up is a big concern when it is cold out outside, so I always have mono available too (except for pike, where I deal with the freeze-up issue and still use braid).

For mono, I just use either Berkley Sensation (for panfish - 2lb) or Trilene XL 6 or 8lb for walleye..

Most reels come with an extra spool, so it is easy to have both at the ready.

Good luck,

[BartmanMN]

I loved the 2lb Gamma ESP ice. I would love to find some extra rolls of that at a store. I guess I will likely try pline. I respool all the reels every Winter. Gives me something to do and keeps the line twist down.

[eurolarva]

Makes a big difference on your selection if you fish in a heated house or out in the cold. I have not had much luck with the polymer lines out in the cold. For pan fish especially shallow trilene xl works all year for me. Lake of the woods I use power pro because I feel setting a hook at 30 ft is a lot easier then when using mono. Problem with power pro is when I have a camera down it is very obvious and I fished with a guy using the stuff while I was using mono and I outfished at least 10 to one. He put a mono leader on then started catching fish. Lake of the Woods is a real dirty lake so the Power pro is not as big an issue but I still use a flurocarbon leader up there.