Flouro v. Mono v. Braid

[401TE]

What do you use for ice fishing and why? I realize this can be species/application specific, so please be specific.

For the past 5 years or so I've used Berkley Transition Flouro 4 and 6 pound test for all applications besides lake trout fishing and tip-ups. Also ran some lines with Cajun Red because I had a spool and wanted to see if there was really a difference due to the color red being the first to disappear. Last year I ran a few rods with the mono version of Transition, I think it's called TransOptic, after talking with the guys at the local fishing store. Seemed like I lost some sensitivity and lost a lot more lures and there wasn't a noticeable difference in line twist like they said there would be. My theory was flouro is stiffer giving you better sensitivity and more abrasion resistance.

So, this year I'm running all Transition Flouro on my walleye and crappie rigs and Fireline Crystal to a 10lb Transition Flouro Leader on my lake trout rigs.

Curious to see what others are using for different applications and why.

[CrewJones]

I use the thinest braids on all my lines and thicker braided line for the tip ups. Still catch a lot of fish big and small but i never really break off anymore, and still have to retie from time to time after big pike.

I mostly fish perch, walleye and pike.

the downfall with braid is fishing out of the hut, it holds the water better so freezes harder.

[Bobb-o]

I use copolymer on all my panfish rods, the benefit to this is it doesnt absorb water and freeze up like monos and braids will and it isnt stiff like a fluorocarbon. For my walleye and pike rods I use superlines.

[slipperybob]

I use all three for different applications, but mostly use copolymer type lines.

[Iceboy]

I'm trying Nanofil this year on both my walleye and panfish rods, with a fluoro leader on the walleye rods. I'll let you know how it goes - seems like nice stuff!

[Pat Burch]

I am with Bobbo and slippery Bob on this one. I like to use the copolymer lines especially when outside. I also like to use a braid like crystal when jigging hard bait like the lindy darters.