Ice Line for Panfish

[mvanotterloo]

I have had some problems losing jigs, problably one every trip. I been panfishing for the most part and using some 2lb berkley line(blue line from factory outlet) and when I am setting the hook at times on a descent size crappie or bluegill it snaps right off. I am trying not to set the hook to hard either, I have been careful on that and I look at the line and it is a clean snap. Not as if the knot is coming lose. Is there a good reason for this? Will 4lb test give me the same quick freefall and be stronger or well I will leave it up you guys to fill it in? Possibly heading up to Sioux Falls(I said Sioux (F u) first but I guess that is poor word usage weird) or Sioux City and tempted to restring my panfish poles.

[MJCatfish]

Berkley Micro Ice Crystal works well. I put a small, small clip on it so I don't have to keep retying when changing.

Works for me and hasn't snapped yet.

I can't remember if it's 2lb or not.

MJ

[CrappieAttitude]

If you have a sensitive rod, you should have enough strength in the 2lb test to not be breaking off. My guess is that your knot is failing for some reason or another.

I have been more than happy using Berkley Micro Ice line. All of my crappie rods have this on it. I typically use 2 or 3 lb line. I know that everyone has their favorite, but I string on new line every year and use a polymer or cinch knot. Haven't lost a jig in a while due to line breakage.

My reccomendations is to try different knots. For line, I would go Micro Ice, P-Line or Gamma line. Chances are it is probably the knot failing and not the line itself.

CA

[PerchJerker]

I agree, if it's not the knot itself that's failing you probably weakened the line tying the knot.

What knot(s) are you using to tie on your baits? Are you wetting the line to reduce friction and not weaken the line when snugging up your knot?

My favorite panfish line is 2 lb Gamma.

[mvanotterloo]

 Originally Posted By: CrappieAttitude

I know that everyone has their favorite, but I string on new line every year and use a polymer or cinch knot.

CA

Been using both polymer and cinch knot but I think more of the problems are coming from the cinch knot. I had a largemouth stare straight at my face underneath the hole and I swore he laughed at me and darted off and snap there he goes.

[Todd_J]

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg

[FishinChad]

I dont use mono line anymore for this very reason, it weakens/kinks way too easily. I like the no-stretch that the fireline crystal miro-ice line has, you can really feel the fish grab the bait. I dont think I will ever use anything other than fireline crystal for both summer and winter, I havent lost a fish or jig due to bad line since I made the switch.

[slipperybob]

Maybe the line is old?

Personally I think there's a big diff in free fall between 2# and 4# test.

Typically have to check and strip line, smaller # test a lot more often. I've used 2# Trilene Ice before and would lose bigger fish after two or three fish. To which I had to strip and retie practically after every other fish. Then I switched to 4# and would only happen occasionaly but I become diligent check if necessary to strip and rety after every other fish now. I use 3# and it seems to be a good balance for me.

I've just tried 2# Fireline Crystal and it's performed very well. Ice freeze was significantly different between 2# and 3# test.

I've also just tried summer lines Gamma and Yozuri Hybrid, both 4#. To which I like the Yozuri a little better overall. Also I have not had a need to strip the Yozuri even after 40 crappies and a few pikes to which were jaw hooked only. Overall to which I credit it to my equipment, 32" Thorne Sweetheart rods outside pan and perch and Shimano Sustains 1000. Compared to my St. Croix premiere, Uglystiks, Jason Mitchell, and Cajun ice rods and ugly ice reels and Shaharas, Symetre, and Stradics. There's a place for each set up.

However my line of preference is SilverThread Super as it's has the widest application. I was more successful with Yozuri Hybrid for deadsticking as well as it being the most minimal ice freeze line. Everything is measured against Berkley Trilene Ice. So when I like a line better, it will be becuase I like it better than Trilene Ice.

Future test will be Gamma ice, perhaps next season.

[Deitz Dittrich]

When fishing with line this lite, you have to be very carefull.. Its a good idea to retie every 1/2 hour or so. Just the lure moving around all the time can weaken the line at the knot... I use 2 lb, and have a couple rods rigged with 1.5 lb test as well.. Yes, you loose a fish every so often and a jig, but in my opinion its well worth it because you are going to get more hits becuase of the smaller line.

[FishGUY]

Another thing to consider is the rod and reel, are they made to fish 2lbs line. Are you using ultra light actions rods and reels with a good drag? If not, this can put extra stress on the line and knot and cause a break

[blackdog1101]

If it's from the factory outlet perhaps the line was old? The way you describe the line creaking but not at a knot, it sounds to me like the line was either old or stored improperly.

[IceHawk]

2 lb Golden Stren for me. I prefer the yellow line because I straight line fish alot. By useing a colored line I have found that I can notice (WATCHING THE LINE) subtle bites even when I can't feel them through the rod.

[HUNTFISH69]

I've been using 4lb cajun line or micro ice for the past few years and I rarely have problems with lines breaking or coming undone on panfish, I usually tie the Trilene knot or whatever the 5-7 twist one is called and it works for me in summer and winter.

[reelemin]

4 lb power pro braided. Love it, no problems.

[Dark Cloud]

Sounds like maybe a bad batch of line? That will happen even with new spools...

I use mostly 2 and 3 pound lines and might loose a few jigs a year. Fished a ton this year and lost one.

I good drag set properly is very important! Really like the P-line 2 pound and micro ice 3#...

[hanson]

Lots of good advice!

#1 - Possibility of a bad batch of line. Get rid of it and respool some new fresh line.

#2 - Wet the knot with saliva before you cinch it up. Heat from friction when cinching up a knot is enough to weaken the line, and especially with 2lb line.

#3 - Retie frequently.

My favorite 2lb line... P-Line Floroice! The stuff is incredible.

[Catfishunter]

What he said. Micro-ice for me, have not had a problem it so i don't try anything else.

[tunrevir]

I will typically use 3/4# line on a noodle rod or with a ultralight rod and springbobber. This is actually sewing thread in mono but it works well for finicky fish especially perch aqnd sunfish in clear water. Downside is it is really tough to tie knots without breaking off when cinching them up. It is fairly strong and I have landed small pike, bass and walleyes with it but it just takes a bit longer. It does really perform well for finicky fish and is super for whitefish or tullibees but you can't horse them just fight them, let the reel do the work and you can land most fish. You can get this through fabric shops and sewing supply stores. Just my .02.

Tunrevir~

[mvanotterloo]

Thanks for all the ideas. Might be an old batch of line since it is from berkley outlet but planning on getting some new here pretty quick. Thanks everyone.

[PerchPounder]

The line you often buy at the FFO store is often mill ends. I haven't had very good luck with that line ice or otherwise. I have been testing out several different lines this season. My favorite so far has even topped my old go to line (Vanish) is Gamma Ice. It wasn't too easy find around here but it was well worth the wait. so far the worst performing line that I have used was PLine maybe I got some bad line but I have even stripped the line off of both reals that I had it on and replaced it Gamma.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive started running 2# gamma and so far so good. Ive lost a few jigs but that just comes with the territory when using light line. Like others said retying often helps. Also matching the line to a light action rod will help.

I have one rod rigged with 3# berkley iceline for tiny spoons and I believe it is much stronger than 2#. Rarely do I breakoff with it but to me it is noticeably stiffer/thicker.

I really prefer 2# when fishing small jigs for pannies. I didnt like it much to start with but by sticking with you'll learn how much pressure to use and how to battle bigger fish safely.

[Bob Horn]

I have used Sufix Ice Magic for the last 3 years and love it. 3Lb. is my go to line weight. Very strong and low memory. I wouldn't buy any fishing line in the bargain bins. It's probably old.