MCI Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 What does everyone use? decoy string mono braid thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ1657 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Braid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikestabber Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I use a thin super-line/braid. That said, a friend of mine swears by mono in really clear water and I've sat with him and seen a lot of wary fish that still get close enough to ruin their day. Not sure if it matters or not... I just like the assurance of braid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwal Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Old fashioned black Dacron musky line. Durable tough Have thought of trying 50 or 100lb flouro but knots are hard to do in it then you have to use crimps etc more point to fail. Interested to see what others do. Mwal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrklean Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I use 100 pound power pro braid never had any issues with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCI Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 A mixed bag of answers, just what I expected. I want to buy a couple new decoys, they aren't cheap and I fear the line breaking and losing the decoy. On the other hand, I don't want to use bailing twine to protect the decoy and it scares or spooks the fish and keeps them from entering the hole. That is why I posted this question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrklean Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I would be more fearful of dropping a decoy down a 3x4' hole then the line breaking, every wood decoy I have had hit by a northern they hit low not high so not even close to the line to worry about them cutting the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor_guy Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 In my experience when a pike or dogfish hit a decoy it's a hit and hold, not a thrash. There have been many times where I have put gentle tension on the decoy line and pulled the decoy and the fish back into the hole. Braided black tip up line, either Dacron or nylon, in 30-50lb with a snap swivel is all I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike89 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 braid here too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikestabber Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I would add to use a good ball bearing swivel to reduce line twist, regardless of your line choice. In 30+ years of spearing, I've never had a fish cut the line with either a decoy or live sucker/shiner. They go for the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 8 hours ago, mwal said: Old fashioned black Dacron musky line. Durable tough Have thought of trying 50 or 100lb flouro but knots are hard to do in it then you have to use crimps etc more point to fail. Interested to see what others do. Mwal Flouro holds up pretty well. You shouldn't have to go over 30 lb, maybe 40 if yer really skeered. . I'm running 30 on mine. I fish with 20 lb flouro leaders all summer long and rarely get cut off. Sure it gets nicked up here and there but I get the fish or my lure back. Keep an eye on it and re-tie when necessary. For reference, I might re-tie once per outing. Fish catching outings that is. mwal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCI Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 Braid it is. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurfy Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I also use braid line on either an old bait casting real or old fly rod reel. this way when they come in like a torpedo and hit it there's give and they can take line out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike89 Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 51 minutes ago, smurfy said: I also use braid line on either an old bait casting real or old fly rod reel. this way when they come in like a torpedo and hit it there's give and they can take line out. I use the same set up and I think it's the only way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurfy Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Sure wakes ya up when nodding off and that reel goes ZINGGGG!! Mike89 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kettle Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 10lbs mono never had a shear off. I have it on a rod and reel. Have had a fish run with it, have the drag set light. I run pretty cheap decoys, if I ran more expensive ones or carved my own I'm sure my opinion would be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now ↓↓↓ or ask your question and then register. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.