ice fishing line

[DickUrban]

I'm a novice ice fisherman and need some advice. What type and strength line do you prefer to use. I normally fish for perch at Big Winni - catch an occasional walleye or northern.

[Guest]

Fire Line in my favorite. Then use the smallest diameter possible. I have landed many northern pike over 6 pounds on this stuff when everyone around me is being bit off.

[Gissert]

I like fire line too. I usually tie on a short piece of fluorocarbon for a leader.

[WallEYES]

I'm with the GISSERT on that, leader length about a tad smaller than the length of ice rod. I use seaguar f/c. for my leaders.

[DickUrban]

Thanks for your advice. I have ordered Bobbers With A Brain. Have you used those on ice? What type sinker and how heavy a sinker should you use? Would you attach the leader with a swivel?

[BUSHWAC]

Walleyes & gissert- do you guys ever have a problem with fireline when your fishing ultra lite jigs. when i go super lite the fireline seems to stiff for the small jigs.
any help?

[Gissert]

DickUrban-

I almost never use a bobber ice fishing any more. I dead stick with a Rock -n- Reel that T-Bone makes. There should be some more info out on those units soon for those who are interested.

On the occasions where I do use a bobber, the Ice Busters are my favorite. They do not freeze to the line, and you can trim them down until you have almost nuetral boyancy. There is probably a link on this site for them.

Bushwac - I have not had too much trouble with the stiffness of fireline. Sometimes it will be frozen from the last time I used it, but once it gets wet again that problem goes away.

I have used swivels for leader attachment, but I am going to get one of those devices that you use to tie two lengths of line together.

[Guest]

I like to use Berkely Micro-Ice for panfish. I usually go 2lb test when fishing crappies and gills and 3 or 4lb test when fishing perch in deeper water. I'll use 6lb or 8lb when fishing walleye or pike. If I'm fishing crappie and gill where I know a lot of pike are present I'll drop down 4lb test. I also like Berkely Cold-Weather as well. Gudenbrod is my choice on tip-ups.
Good Fishin, Matt.

[Seabass77]

I use fireline for fishing Walleye, 4 or 6 # test. I like berkley micro ice for crappies and gills. There isn't enough stretch in the fireline for the paper mouths.

[DickUrban]

Thanks guys for the benefit of your experience.

[Guest]

I am in the Minority here but I only use Berkley Vanish. It takes some getting used to but once you get it figured out, it pays divedends.

A lot of guys that fish with me know the difference and have made the switch. I will be the first to admit that it takes some getting used to but it is worth it.Scott Steil

[WallEYES]

SCOTTS
Vanish, I have used. Getting use to or not, this is not a good f.c. line. Breaking strength is great, in it does not take much to break it. After a while the stuff gets all coiled upon your spool. It does not cast very well either, or I just have about 20 spools of it that are defective?

[BUSHWAC]

Walleyes- I am with you on the vanish. didn't like that stuff at all. as mono goes i dont mind the sensi-thin or micro-ice.

[Duffman]

I use Fireline with Seagar F.C. leader for Trout and Walleye. I also use micro ice in the 2-3lb. range for Panfish.

[WallEYES]

BUSHWAC
Have not had a problem with fireline. Some guys have problems wen it gets to cold and the stuff spins around your reel. Just use some electrical tape round the reel and the fireline digs in ...result no spin. I tie the fireline to my f.c. leader with a blood or uni-knot.

I never use bobbers any more, I have to go with GISSERT on using the Rock n Reel for dead sticking...a must for every serious ice fisher person.

[slick2526]

micro ice? the ice fishing mono by trilene right? well anyways. i use that in 2lb for sunnies, and crappies. IF they seen to be biting good ill switch over to 4lb fireline. lots of snotters where i fish. as for walleyes, 6lb fireline. this year i will also be using a small barrel swivel and a leader of segaur flourorcarbon, the ice kind.