The question popped up this week. What type of fishing line do you use? Well my response was like this. It really depends on how you are fishing.
When I am casting with my bait casting rod, I like a line that has some resistance against abrasion. With some stretch because I like to set the hook hard. Colour does not play as much of a role since I figure the bait is moving most of the time. Line strength between 10 – 14lbs test will work for all situations on the Woman River.
Jig fishing is our number one method to catch Walleyes at Woman River Camp. I have been using a medium light rod with an open face reel for my jig fishing lately. So I look for a line with little to no stretch. Fireline is a perfect fit for no stretch. Excellent sensitivity and minimal line twist. I also believe Northern Pike have a better chance of being landed. A little nick in Fireline doesn’t weaken the line to the point it will break so readily. But visibility is an issue for me with Fireline. All I want the fish seeing is the jig and live bait I am presenting. Therefore, a fluorocarbon line is a must for me. There are many quality fluorocarbon lines on the market. We sell P-Line at Woman River Camp. It becomes invisible once it enters the water. Although after landing a pile of fish, line twist can become a problem.
So the solution to the entire line question – Use Fireline with a fluorocarbon leader. I like to tie 8lb. Fireline to a small barrel swivel and then attach a leader of fluorocarbon to the swivel. I don’t want to scratch my eyelets with the barrel swivel so I keep my leader length to just under the length of my rod. this allows me to retie plenty of times before I need to replace the leader completely. It also leaves me enough line to land a fish without reeling the barrel swivel into my rod.
The little extra time it takes to rig up this way is well worth the extra fish you will catch!
Purchase some 40-50 fluorocarbon leader material and use it tied directly to your crankbaits and you will most likely improve your fish strikes when casting too. The heavy leader material is less likely to be bit off and is invisible as well. Of course, tying two lines together is a challenge and a topic for another blog.
Keep your tip up!
Moss
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