braided line -vs- pline

[rabbit lake dude]

I guess I am confused. My question is why people use heavy braided line for tip up's, and then put on a light line leader. I guess it don't make sense to me. What are the benifits to this? Why not just us pline for the whole setup?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Here is the reason. When your fingers are cold, they dont work as well. It just so happens during ice season it can get quite cold. You use the heavier line so that you can grab it easier, many times that braided line is black and easier to see on the snow as well, so you can keep it from getting tangled. Its very important that you not use power pro, spiderwire or any other super braid for this as it WILL cut your hands. A braded dacron seems to work best. The mono tippet at the end makes so the fish are not line shy and adds a little shock absorbsion!