Which Fireline for clear water?

[Slyster]

Which fireline, smoke or crystal, would be BEST for very clear water? I am thinking water such as Demontreville and White Bear Lake...

I'm not sure now... I tried crystal last summer, but with it being kindof white.. I am now wondering if I should move back to smoke?

I am thinking of perhaps going back to two summers ago when I used smoke with a 4 foot vanish leader..

[Central Bassman]

Well... Why Fireline dude???

[Ralph Wiggum]

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Well... Why Fireline dude???

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LOL, my question exactly!

[BAIT956]

Slyster, I primarily fish spinnerbaits. I realize that sometimes a more passive presentation is the way to go, but I like throwing. My new favorite line on the baitcaster for spinnerbait/crankbaits is Fireline Crystal. I like the feel and durability.

When they are not chasing and I go to wacky worms or carolina rigging, I use green Power Pro. I haven't tried Crystal. The Power Pro just lasts a long time. I may try Crystal this summer. I also have a number of spools of PP on hand and need to use it up.

The florocarbon leader would probably be the best way to go, but I just hate to fool with it. If I get a lot of action without it, why bother. It means a couple more knots on the terminal tackle.

I guess the only way to test it would be to use two outfits, one leader and the other without, and compare the catch rate.

I realize that this may not help you, but if I recall from your posts last summer, you had some pretty good success, so you may not need much help.

If you do try comparing the different lines, let us know. I'll do the same.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Sly- Welcome back to the forums.. seems like you have been away for a while.

Go with the crystal if you want.. its a decent line. I prefer mono or florocarbon for clear water.. but thats just me, some people really like the added sensitivity of the braid. and thats fine!!!

So, anyway, go with the crystal and buy a couple of markers.. Green and blue and black all work decent and color the last 5-7 feet of your line to match the water clarity. You can do this wth any color braid, but the white will color the best..

[RK]

Hiya -

Personally, I like Crystal, but that has to do more with ME being able to see it than whether or not the fish can. For horizontal presentations like cranks and spinnerbaits, or if you're in heavy cover where it's a reaction strike deal, I really don't think line visability matters much. The line I flipped with all last summer was Cortland Master Braid, and it was this gawd-awful mint green color. Worked fine. If you're out in space a little, like fishing jerkbaits, or jigworms along a weedline and visibility is a concern, then just add a Fluoro leader. I do that a lot, but it's as much because some baits like jerkbaits seem to work a little better with a stiffer line in front of them than it is because of visibility. Just double up the Fireline when you add the leader.

Really though, if you're windering which is probably less visible to fish, go outside and look up. Which will blend in better against a light sky?

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Slyster]

The marker idea.. I like that one! I'll try it. And I really didn't think of the sky either.. I'll try a number of things... and about the WHY FIRELINE? What help is that? I like the super sensitivity.. every time I've tried mono (or even fluoro) I take it off because I feel like I am fishing with a rubber band!

Yep Deitz.. I was gone for a few weeks! Family vacation to Florida and the Caribbean on a Royal Caribbean cruise to 4 islands.. what fun.. saw SO many fish snorkeling.

Dietz, what kind of line do you use for 'senkos' (wacky rigged) in clear water?

[TNFL]

Doesn't a marker give off a strong scent?

I've wondered the same thing about people that use glues, not that they stink but that the lure does.

Maybe the fish is so high it just bites any way.

[Deitz Dittrich]

TNFL- yes a marker will give off a scent. But I am not sure fish think its a bad scent. I have used the maker thing many times, and I know people who have used the marker thing a ton of times and notice no difference in catch rates... its all about your own confidence anyway.

Sly-Dietz, what kind of line do you use for 'senkos' (wacky rigged) in clear water?.. Depends... if I am skipping docks, I use green 30 lb power pro... If I am not fishing docks, just open water.. 12 or 14 lb Gamma. This year I am going to try the Floro a bit for that application.. just to help the sink rate a bit.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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... and about the WHY FIRELINE? What help is that?

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Didn't mean to insult you, but was just wondering why you are dead-set on Fireline? I prefer Power Pro, myself and have heard some good things about other braids as well.

[TNFL]

I like the Stren Braid!

[Slyster]

Ah I see... I guess I should have stated braid instead of Fireline... I'm not stuck on the brand but was using the term more generically.

Dietz... is gamma and power pro braid line or mono line? Where are they available.. I remember looking for PP once and they didn't have it at Gander nor Fleet Farm.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Sly, PowerPro is a braid, and if we are giving opinions. I feel its the best I have ever used, and they are not one of my sponsors... I saw it at gander mtn many times, and Cabelas as well.. I dont shop at FF so I wouldnt know about that one.

Gamma makes 2 differrent lines.. one is a co-poly (pretty much a mono) the other is a florocarbon... again, sold at gander cabelas and other reputable fishing stores... not sayingthat FF isn't reputable... I just wouldnt know.. there are none near me.

[Rivernut]

I used Stren up until last year. Now, it's nothing but Powerpro for me, as far as braid!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Fleet Farm carries Power Pro. Good prices, too.

[ocf1]

I honestly believe that in chear water the line make a big diff. I dont know though soooo..... im trying out some flouro this summer.

[Slyster]

I'll check out FF tomorrow (thanks Ralph!) and let you all know what I find for Power Pro... I will give it a try... I just LOVE braids... with no give! About time now to put new line on the reels and get set.. considering I'll be putting in the ol' titanic in a week or two!

[enduro67]

Has anyone tried tying a fluorocarobon leader on the end of your braid. I use the 8lb crystal fireline with a 8lb fluorocarbon leader for crappie fishing alot and on my light jigging rod for bass. I realize you have a extra knot to tie and worry about failing and it does cut down a little on your casting distance having a knot pass through your guide....but I have never had a knot fail on me yet (use the uni-knot)

I love the sensitivity and sure hook sets of braid...my only dislike is that it seems to blow more in the wind than mono...or maybe I can just see the bow it creates better.

[JP Z]

enduro,

I use back to back unis when connecting flouro to Braid and haven't had any issues. Maybe a bit of superglue before you cinch the 2 together and you won't have any problems.

[Slyster]

Two summers ago that's what I did. I tied around 6 feet flouro onto Fireline.. then superglued the knot. And it worked fine! I did lost a few at the knot.. but VERY few.. the biggest issue I had was the knot.. catching while casting etc. Wish there was a way to just blend the lines together.

I will be trying it again this summer.. I want to compare Powerpro green braid and PP green braid + Flouro using the same lures. Really not sure if it helps or not.