Super Braids For Walleye?

[JIvers]

It is that time of year when I get ready for the fall walleye bite, which includes re-spooling my jigging rigs. I am thinking about trying a superbraid on one of my spinning reels, as I think it would work really well for vertical jigging. I now use 80 lb. test PowerPro superbraid on my muskie reel, and I really like it. Before I go out and spend $13 on a spool of 8 or 10 lb. test super braid, I thought I would see if anyone else has tried it, and how it works for walleye.

(And before anyone suggests it, I have tried Fireline, and I have no use for it at all.)

[jerkin'm]

I too was curious about the power pro for walleye jigging..I spooled with the 10# test and like it the little I have used it so far....Spend the money..

[Northlander]

Eyehunter go out and get yourself some of the 1# diameter and 8# test PP and you will be glad you did. Huge difference in feel from mono. Just back of on the drag and put a mono backing on the reel 1st and you will be set.

You can thank me later.

[LocalGuide]

I second that!

I use PP for my all my walleye rods except one of them. I really like the 8/1 lb for getting my cranks to troll much deeper. I also like it for the great feel and like Northlander said, back off the drag a bit since the only thing that gives is the rod and the drag. But fishing next to a person with mono line I have found no difference in bites. But there was a difference in performance as PP was much better, IMO.

You can either use mono backing on your reels and attach the PP to that or just tie the PP to it and then put some tape around it to make sure it doesnt move. I do the tape thing on my rods that I troll with just incase I get to close to the spool. But normally I dont have over 300' of line out. Most of the time its about 100'-250'.

Try out the PowerPro, you will like it.

[Big Julie]

I third that.

8# pp

do back off on the drag.

it is so much more sensitive, you'll never go back to mono for jigging; especially deep water from 35 down to who knows where (hows 90 feet?)

i used it on a lindy rig too and like it also for the sensitivity.

feel for the minnow to get rattled, then be watching for that subtle bite.

:-)

[Mike Walerak]

Call me old fashioned but I still like the 8# Fireline! Another line I like is Berkly Sensor. It is a type of mono with limited stretch.

[Jim Hudson]

I'm another power pro supporter. But I opt for the 10lb test. Really for no reason, other then the fact that this is the pound test I also use on my trolling set-ups for 'eyes. Another thing to think about doing, seeing that most reels now come with two spools, is spool one with a superbraid, then the other with a mono or hybrid mono. I do this, having one spool handy with power pro, and the other with Berkley Sensation. Also, I had good luck with the new Berkley Vanish Transition for jigging applications this year. A great line, in wind and other elements that can limit your feel for a bite. The gold color of the line makes watching your line that much easier in these types of situations.

[pegleg]

I am totally sold on Power Pro for lindy rigging using a mono snell (wouldn't go back to mono). I am not as sold on Power Pro for jigging. I tested it up on Lac Seul this last week and mono had more bites on it. Tried this in a couple of different spots with the same results. I feel if I use Power Pro again for jigging I would tie about a 3' mono snell on a swivel to the jig. The feel of Power Pro is great but I think the fish see it easier, which makes a difference if they are biting lite in my own opinion.

[Muddog]

OK. Will someone tell me what makes PP so super fantastic to some fishermen?

I use fireline and I like it. I find 4-6lb test hard for my 48 year old eyes to see. Making knot tying difficult. I also find when using lindy rigs and spinner rigs super lines like to turn back on itself to easily. A mono or such leader is needed.

How many yards of 8lb PP does it take to FILL a standard spinning reel.

Right now with my 7ft fast action med-light rod and 6lb fireline I can feel the blade on a Beetle spin working trolled 70 feet behind to boat. That's with a split-shot 2ft up on the line.

What more do I need? More line capacity?

[croixeyes]

Muddog!!!!

Ihave used both fireline and pp.I prefer pp.It seems like the fireline tends to twist alot and frey faster than pp.It may be because fireline is flat and pp is a round line.both are very sensitive.Pricewise a 150 yard spool of pp is about a buck more than a 125 yard spool of fireline.As far as spooling line goes,i use Shimano1000 and 1500 spinning reels for rigging and jigging.1 spool should easily fill 2 reels ,just use a mono backer.On my jigging rods i spool from one reel to another since theres a decent amount of unused line at the end of a spool,and cause im cheap.hope that helps............

[markkstanley]

Pegleg, the simple trick is to tie a 6 to 8ft fluorocarbon leader to the power pro. This setup is better than mono because of the sensitivity. Walleyes don't see the line and fluorocarbon has almost zip for stretch. Just back your drag off like the guys have said and rachet down your hooksets. Most times and quick pop and start reeling will down the trick.

[pegleg]

Thanks markstanley I will give it a shot...I be up on Gull tomorrow and Friday so I will need to try your jig fishing method.

[walleye_dog]

I used to be a Fireline guy till I put some PowerPro on one of my ice jigging rods 2 years ago. I found out that the PP soaks up much less water than the fireline does, so my hands stay drier and my line does not freeze together on the spool as much. Then last year I switched over my open water gear and like the PP a little better because it does not seem to fray near the knot like fireline does. As far as PP versus mono for jigging applications, I did very well in Manitoba this past June on some very nice eyes. I happened to outfish the guys using mono by quite a large margin. The PP handled 5 Wallys over 28", with the biggest being 32"-11.0 pounds. Also a bonus Laker that was 36"-14 pounds. That trip really sold me on the PP.

[Paradice]

I switched to fireline about three years ago, and I will NOT use anything else. I've had northerns plural chew on my fireline leaders on my tipups all day, and it will not break. You will plainly see fray in the line before it comes close to breaking. The wire core in fireline is dynamite, and it also makes your 4# tough enough to handle just about any walleye on a good spoon rigged spinning reel.

[DARK30]

I finally tried 8# Fireline on one of my open water walleye rods two years ago and love it. I still use a 6# & 8# Trilene on a couple of other rods though. This year I put on some 8# Power Pro and got poor performance...maybe I spooled it wrong or something but I kept getting the ol extra loop coming off the spool. I do however use 65# PP on two of my big poles for Mudeyes and will not switch

[big musk411]

I disagree and have a few reasons. I have power pro or equivelent on most of my baitcasters.

#1 abraison resistance, made a couple of bduds trips and used spiderwire and fire line, the rocks did a number on it resuling in loss of fish!

#2 no stretch. Ideal for pike and muskie, but walleye bite differently. As opposed to when a esox hits and you want to set the hook right away. I like to let the walleyes take the bait, stretchy line is good for this. I am talking lindyrigging and jiggin! Walleyes will feel the line when they bite.

#3 most spinning equipment is not designed for it. Most walleye set-ups are designed for 6-12lb test. putting 20+ pound can resulte in broken rods[when you get snagged].

#4 visibilty. Its not clear. Always dependant on water clairity. Gotta use the mone in clear water.

#5 pound for pound test mono is stronger.

I stick to the mono for walleye, but use fire line for trolling.

Power pro, spiderwire, ect is excellent line, but not for jigging and lindy rigging.

[Dave B]

Quote:

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I disagree and have a few reasons. I have power pro or equivelent on most of my baitcasters.

#1 abraison resistance, made a couple of bduds trips and used spiderwire and fire line, the rocks did a number on it resuling in loss of fish!

I troll cranks aggressively over nasty rocks and have little problems w/ Fireline

#2 no stretch. Ideal for pike and muskie, but walleye bite differently. As opposed to when a esox hits and you want to set the hook right away. I like to let the walleyes take the bait, stretchy line is good for this. I am talking lindyrigging and jiggin! Walleyes will feel the line when they bite.

I use Fireline for rigging or jigging. The sensativity real helps you feel everything. The no stretch is a HUGE advantage when you need to set the hook from a long way away or from an uncomfortable angle. It takes some getting used to (since a firm hookset can break a leader or rip hooks right out), but I love it.

#3 most spinning equipment is not designed for it. Most walleye set-ups are designed for 6-12lb test. putting 20+ pound can resulte in broken rods[when you get snagged].

Set your drag.

#4 visibilty. Its not clear. Always dependant on water clairity. Gotta use the mone in clear water.

#5 pound for pound test mono is stronger.

This is just pure lunacy. NO WAY 6lb mono is tougher than 6lb Fireline. Also, when comparing the two, 6lb mono is the diameter of 14lb Fireline. So you comparing 6lb mono to 6lb Fireline is not of much value. I use 6lb fireline (same diameter as 2lb mono) for rigging and jigging. It slips through current great when jigging rivers and is very sensative.

I stick to the mono for walleye, but use fire line for trolling.

Power pro, spiderwire, ect is excellent line, but not for jigging and lindy rigging.

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[Surface Tension]

One huge is disadvantage is the fact any braid will freeze. PP is less prone to freezing but it still happens.

If its no a bait caster its just a nuisance to peel line out but if its on a spinning reel it can make a big mess by coming off in loops. I don't need that headache when on the ice. Resistance is also a disadvantage.Thats right, IMO diameter may be smaller but because its braided it offers more surface area to the water. If you've ever fished in water say 50'deep you'll see on your sounder how that braid traps air in its fibers. In shallow water thats not a big deal but a depths over 30' it is very noticeable.

Sensitivity with mono at depths up to 50' isn't and shouldn't a problem with me so I'll take the mono over and braid. Call me old fashioned but I'm not sold on super braids in relatively shallow water. I don't like the idea of loosening my drag to compensate for a braid either. What braid manufactures recommend is selecting a rod with a light tip and less backbone to compensate for no stretch, a buggy whip if you will, no thanks.

[JIvers]

I spooled a couple of spinning reels up with 8 lb. test PowerPro, and so far I really like it for vertical jigging. I don't know if I mentioned it in my original post, but I do a lot of my vertical jigging for walleye on the Mississippi, and visibilty on that water ranges from marginal to non-existent, so line visibility is not an issue. Next summer when I fish the Alex. area lakes I will definitely have some flourocarbon leader along, but I have found no need for it on the Mississippi. I have fished the river several times this winter with it, and freezing hasn't been a problem. I also like the feel and no-stretch capacity when it comes to vertical jigging.

I am more skeptical about using it for trolling cranks come summer, but I will give it a try. I also like PP better than Fireline, which I found tangled too much, and did not stand up to abrasion well. I know a lot of people who like Fireline, but I am not one of them.

[JIvers]

I also have a friend of mine who uses PP for ice fishing, but I prefer mono with a fluorocarbon leader for ice fishing. Even thin PP is stiffer and far more visible than mono in clearer winter water, and I catch more fish on any given ice fishing day with mono and fluorocarbon than does the guy with PP, especially when the fish are biting light.