LINE???

[NAMASafetyDirector]

I know I'm prolly opening a can of worms here with all the personal preferences and all, but I would like some input on what line to re-spool with for this year. I fish primarily for walleye using 28" T.B. sweetheart rods with Tica reels. I have been using 8lb. mono up to this point but I would like to hear some other options that I could try that I may be a bit happier with. I'm considering braided but I don't have much experience with it to know what I need for a starting point. Any input would be great thanks in advance!! ...Oh yeah. 4 mile bay this weekend!! Here we come!

[blueroof]

NAMA, what sweetheart are you running? I use 1 lb. diameter powerpro and 3 or 4 lb Pline on perch sweethearts for walleye. With a walleye sweetheart, 6lb or 2lb dia. powerpro.

LB

[hanson]

Could I suggest P-Line Floroice in 4 or 5lb test?

You said you are using 8lb mono now and that is way overkill through the ice IMO. The 8lb is going to be stiff, have a bunch of memory, and won't give you very good feel either with lighter ice lures.

Since you are comfortable with mono however, thats why I suggest P-Line. P-Line is actually a copolymer line, its a mono/fluoro combination. Its incredibly limp, has little memory, and is pretty strong for its size. IMO, its much easier to manage and work with than mono in the winter.

I use 4lb on most of my walleye type rods and use it on Lake of the Woods all the time. Hate to say it but most of Lake of the Woods walleyes & saugers are small (eater sized) so you can get away with a lighter line. The big pigs & pout are obviously in there as well and thats where I'd remind you to double check your drag on that Tica or get in the habit of backreeling when you do connect with something nice.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm with Hans on this one.. I think your line may be a bit over what you need. I suggest dropping to 6 at least... and 4 if you feel you can. I use both 4 and 6 on my walleye rods.. And you can bring in some pretty big fish on it. Floroice is good... I prefer Gamma Ice.

[looneyducer]

Most of the people I fish with run 8 Lb. XT. Overkill in my opinion as well, but they are also running 3/8 oz jigs and bigger, hunting pigs in shallow stained water, so they can get away with it.

While I would never limit myself to one line choice, my go to rod is lined with 6lb XL. While it might not be the best line for every situation, it's a pretty good one for most. Clip on a steel leader and you have a pike rig, tie on some floro, run it through the sneaky-pete, and catch some clear water crappies -- enough, anyway, to know that is what they are and it would be worth my time to walk back to the truck and find a more suitable rod/reel/line combo.

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Thanks for the advice guys I appreciate it. I guess with all that said your probably right on a little overkill with the 8lb. line. I do fish alot on the north end of the lake and just as much on the Ontario side so I may tame it down a little bit but I hate to go any smaller than 6 based on the amount of wall hangers that came out of LOW this year. (more than alot of guys have ever seen!!) Anyway great information, and I'll try a few different combo's this year and see what fit's best. Looks like next weekend is a go for sure. The lake is a little sketchy yet for my comfort level but I did see a couple trailers with sleds and otters headed through Roseau to the lake this morning!! Good Luck Fella's!