Line

[witter1631]

what line do you guys use or recomend

[LEECH21]

I bet 90 percent or better of these muskie guys on this site will recomend 65#-80# test PowerPro. I have yet to try it this year, but its already spooled up!

[barnyard]

Hard to go wrong with any of the 65-80 lb super braids. I use Tuf Line for muskie fishing and it works well. I use light power pro for jigging, that works well too.

Tom B

[NWO_ANGLER]

I use 80lb PowerPro or Tufline, both work well, PowerPro seems to hold less water, which is nice when fishing in late fall.

[guideman]

I have used them both over the years and Tuffline is my favorite, however PowerPro is good line as well. I rarely use anything less than 80lb test except for when I'm fishing jigs or soft plastic.

There are a couple other brands that work well on

a muskie rig, Stren Super braid and Cortland are good lines. The new Spiderwire Stealth, is just a reincarnation of the old Whiplash line and I used that line for several years as well. It's more a personal choice, as most of the major brands work very well.

"Ace"

[The Grebe]

I'am not a Muskie man by any stretch, I have caught a few, but smaller ones on standard gear. My son did get a whopper out of Minnetonka when we were bass fishing and it kind of peaked my interest.

My daughter got me a nice, heavy duty Shimomo reel, already spooled up with some heavy mono and I got a nice rod to match it, from JR tackle.

I have been practicing casting the beast and the mono seems to back lash alot and I spend my time trying to untangle and usually wind up cutting it.

I know it is'nt the equipments fault and I take full responsibility for the birds nests, but is'nt there a line out there that is a little bit more user friendly, or at the least, a bit easier to untangle if one does get a backlash?

Like I said, I'am not a hardcore Muskie guy, just a dabbler and I don't need line that costs $461.00 a spool...something on the lower end of the spectrum would be more then adequate for me, any suggestions?

[searchingfor55'']

I used to run 80# power pro, but still broke line when I got a backlash casting heavy lures. Last year I stepped up to 100#, and havent had any trouble, but 65-80#, will due 90% of the time.

[witter1631]

how do you think 65# fireline would do...? cuase that line is tough

[cliffy]

I have used 80 to 100lb Tuff line and Power Pro...both work great. I have used 65lb on my lite bucktail rod...worked ok for anything about 1.5oz or smaller. Anything heavier caused the line to bite into the reel to much..and then the nasty birds nests would appear.

[barnyard]

There are a several things that you can do to reduce backlashes.

1. Spool the line on your reel TIGHT. This is expecially true with mono.

2.Set the tension. Tie on a typical lure, hold the rod straight out and push the free spool. The bait should slowly drop and when it hits the ground, the spool should not spin.

3. Keep your thumb on the spool.

4. Don't try to cast a mile. Start with shorter more controlled casts. Most backlashes happen to me when I am really putting the meat to it.

5. Start with heavier lures and don't cast bucktails into the wind.

I suspect that if you are having to cut out backlashes that the line is not spooled on very tight.

Practice and have fun

Tom B

[The Grebe]

Well, I'll tell ya Tom B., I used to cast level winds without to much of a problem, I would snarl up once in awhile, not to often, but this is a much bigger level wind and alot smoother action then the old Plueger!

The line was spooled tight enough, that was'nt the problem, i believe it was a combination of the operator and the type of monofiliment line. I took the advice of some of the more experienced Muskie hunters on this site and went with the PowerPro line. Hav'nt had a chance to test her out yet, but I hope for some good results when I do. Thanks for the input.

[delmuts]

aw gees grebe! you stuggling again? one of these days this iowa boy may have to take you under my wing and help you out ! yep just learn to work the reel and control it. you should be fine! del

[The Grebe]

Del...I'll get er, I'll get er! I have only used the big reel once on the water, got a big old snarl and that was it for the day. Tried it afew times in the yard.

Once the Muskie season opens up, I'm gonna get after them and I expect I'll learn on the job. Once I really focus on something, I can learn pretty quick, I just hav'nt given the Muskie outfit equal time. I also expect to get some big fish this summer, my boys would'nt have it any other way.

But, if for some reason I can't grasp the operation of the muskie outfit after alot of trial and error, I'll get in touch and you can air out that place under your wing.