Super lines for ice fishing

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

Anyone use any superlines for ice fishing? I typically use the micro ice by trilene but this year I strung up 2 of my poles with 6lb strength fireline (2lb width) figuring i can use it for both crappies and eyes, even though its 2lb width since its not clear would i have a problem catching crappies in unstained water?

thanks

[Liar]

I only use fireline summer and winter. For hard water i use a swivel and a 2-3' piece of 4# flurocarbon. The nice thing about that is you can pre tie your favorite jig with a small snap swivel on the end. Makes it easier to switch up out on the ice. Easier than trying to retie in the house or when the fish are waiting for you to put the right jig in front of them. just store them on a rig keeper. The fireline gives you the abrasion resistance, the fluro is hard to see.

[fishnutbob]

Try Power Pro ice fishing line. It's new for them this year. Small diameter and high abrasion resistance.

[PerchJerker]

I'm not a huge fan of fireline for ice fishing. I have it on one rod that I use with larger jigging spoons for perch and walleyes and it works fine for that. But I find that if you use it with small, light baits, they aren't heavy enough to stretch the fireline tight, and the slack in the line will cause you to miss bites. I prefer small mono or fluro for my crappie and bluegill rods. Good luck.

[Sportland_Bait]

I've been using the new Power Pro Ice line this season and so far I really like it. I tie on a section of flourocarbon as a shock absorber. I use a blood knot to connect the leader. Its a very sensitive set up.

Jason Erlandson

[dibbles]

I like using fireline and have set up some tip ups with the new power pro ice. I have a problems with finding a good scissors to cut the small diameter line. Any suggestions on what to use.

[Liar]

nail clippers work best. they wear out, after a while they make a rough cut frayed end.so buy a couple they are cheap.

[Bob Horn]

I don`t use and of the braids for icefishing. I spool up with 2 and 4 lb. CX P-line. I think it`s the rod that is going to be the your biggest help in detecting the bite. I use the new St. Croix Legend ice rods, I have used them for the last couple of years before St. Croix made them. You WILL catch more fish with them!!! I also was fishing the other day with Matt Johnson and he was useing the Thorne Bros. rods and that was a sweet rod also. I have heard alot of good things about Midwest rods also but I have not fished them yet. We spend big money on everything but the rod itself. That is what is going to get you the fish in my opinion. I am lucky to fish with alot of different people(styles) and not one of them useing braid. Being that said if it works for you use it and I would choose Power Pro if I did use one.

[kslipsinker]

I use a small Swiss army knife that I have on my key chain to cut braids. The scissor has a serrated cutting edge that does the job. It works on the 8/1 pound Power Pro and the 50 pound Power Pro that I use for summer muskie fishing.

[Ed Carlson]

I am a big fan of the Power Pro Ice Line. I use mostly the 1/8 and 2/10. For heavier tackle needs I will go up to the 4/15.

Power Pro Ice has several benefits for the ice angler. Thinner diameter means less line sweep in current, less deterioration of lure action, and lower visibility.

Power Pro Ice line can not absorb water so it will not draw water into the spool and cause complications. It resists beading on the line of ice particles but it does not completely eliminate it. The small amount of ice beading you do get on the line near the water mark is easily snapped off with a flick of the rod tip.

Near zero stretch means instant bite detection. It also remains very pliable so coiling is eliminated resulting in a cleaner smoother line wrap on the spool even in -0 conditions. The line is round and not flat like most other superbraids so it will not dig into the spool causing complications.

Knot strength is superior to other braids in my opinion. As long as you do 2 wraps through the eyelet of the connection you can do most any of your favorite knots with Power Pro.

For cutting superbraids I carry a butane lighter. It cuts clean and it also sears the end of the line further preventing any knot slippage. It burns knots off jigs and lures quickly. I tend to loose scissors and clippers but they do work well too.

[Liar]

and all that to, Ed . I thought you were only supposed to use a palomar knot with the fireline? I'll try the lighter Ed. Thanks

[Farley]

Power Pro Ice does not absorb water? Does this mean that Power Pro regular does? I have regular Power Pro on my jigging rod (St. Croix Premier, these are sweet rods) and noticed yesterday I'd get ice built up on the line that was dipping in and out of the water while jigging. I didnt even know Power Pro made ice line utill after I already bought the regular stuff, is it worth changing it out now? That stuff aint cheap you know.

I dont bother with the mono or flouro leaders since I only use this rod for jigging, but my tip ups and rattle reels all have flourocarbon leaders, but I also dont use Power Pro on these, vinyl on the tip ups and some kind of braided line on the rattle reels that's much thicker than power pro. I guess another question is would Power Pro Ice work well on a tip up? I was using a buddy's tip up yesterday that was strung with some braided superline and the line would just freeze into a buched up mess. It was amazing that it even gave out line when we hooked up with a 1.5 pound slimer.

[jtroop]

My problem has been that Fireline freezes to the spool somewhat and the line won't pay out smoothly.

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

i used it for the first time on saturday and then again on sunday. Didnt have much luck but did like the feel of the line. Inside the fishtrap my line was fine but i did notice when i didnt have the shell over me on sunday i did build up some ice on the line pretty quickly