Line Dilemma

Hey everyone

I know the subject of fishing line isn’t the most exciting topic to debate, but I have a dilemma on my hands

I just got an absolutely sweet deal on a brand new Shimano Trinidad 16DC, and I need some feedback as to what line to go with

I myself am a Power Pro guy, and have been for about 7 years or so, (even before I got into muskie fishing)

But I’m looking for something that is extremely castable, plus has good abrasion resistance, and won’t soak up a load of water when fishing either

My options are as follows;

1. Cortlant Master Braid

2. Suffix

3. Tuff Line

4. Power Pro

I was thinking 80lb, but would also like some suggestions as to weather to stick with 80lb or to go for 100lb

Thanks

Stick with power pro,you know how it performs and have been happy with it for 7yrs.
Some of the best big fish chasers use it on all there rods.
And BK uses it too.

I have used Tuf-line for years and switched to the new Tuf-line Duracast this year. I liked it and will continue to use it. I like the fact that is limp compared to other lines which makes it easier to tie. It also holds knots extremely well. I’m not sure why you would use 100# line or even 80# for that mater. I’m not sure at all that your rod could take an actual 80# of pressure and perhaps not your reel. We have boated 80# sturgeon this year on 30# test line. The drag and rod have their job to do in keeping shock off of line.

80 or 100 would be fine, it’s more personal preference. I run Power Pro and Invisibraid ( I get this for $6 a spool is why) Both have been good lines. Get yourself a can of Reel Magic and spray your lines down good before you start casting and it will keep you much dryer.

Northstar we use these heavy lines mainly to save our $10-$50 each baits. A backlash on anything lighter than 80 means lost bait. I still loose a few on 80. 6-13oz baits breaks things when you have a professional overrun.

I would think 80 # would be fine. Not to muddy the waters, but I have used Cortland for years and in fact really like the old Cortland Spectron which I just found a nice spool of. Absent that, the below would be a great choice for muskie fishing, I have it all my reels right now..

Cortland Master Braid

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Northstar we use these heavy lines mainly to save our $10-$50 each baits. A backlash on anything lighter than 80 means lost bait. I still loose a few on 80. 6-13oz baits breaks things when you have a professional overrun.

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Your absolutely right. I had a “professional overrun” this September using 30# Fireline Tracer braid. It was so bad, I had to take the reel apart and cut the line off of the spool. Now, I have 300 yards of leader material for sturgeon. Good tip. I think I’m going to go looking for some 80#

80 and 100 are also much easier to get the overruns out of, I have never had to cut a line yet, close though.

First time I ever had to cut line off of a reel. I’ve been fishing with casting rods and reels since 1956. That sucker buried clear to the bottom of the spool and there was no way to get it out. I lost 70% of the line before it came free.

Thanks for putting this post up plungepool, I am sold on power pro also and have no need to change to anything else after reading the answer that shaley said about using Reel Magic to keep the water out of the line.

Earlier this year I just got a calcutta 400s(it is the 400 model without the level wind feature) for chasing skis. I tied on a 1 oz. bell sinker and was doing some practice casts with the reel loaded with 65# power pro. I got pretty good at getting the line out to 150 feet with a 7′ rod. I thought I would try to chuck that sucker as hard as I could but my hands were a little tired from holding the rod and reel differently while reeling and laying the line on the spool. That little 1 oz. sinker sailed pretty good after I got a birds nest in the spool on the reel. BTW 150 feet is the maximum I ever got hucking that sinker with the 7 ft rod with the 400s reel, I thought I would get a longer cast since the reel had less moving parts.

I have a 400(level wind model) spooled with 80# power pro on an 8′ avid and don’t have any problem getting the same 1 oz sinker out 200′.

I really like this term shaley

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when you have a professional overrun.

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A backlash, bird nest, professional overrun, is all the same just painted a little differently.

That is almost as funny as what Stuart said

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And BK uses it too.

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The one and only lover of the uni knot. Don’t get me wrong but I sure as heck cannot tie a uni in the dark like him, I guess I don’t have that cat slime running through my veins like BK…

If you can swing it, spool one of your reels up with Cortland Master Braid and give it a try. I’ve been a die-hard Tuff Line user for heavier lines for the past 6 years and like it a bunch. But, hands down, Master Braid outperforms it in every category. This was proven to me by a well respected fishing guide this fall during a 4 day trip on Vermilion. I had 4 rods w/Tuff and his were loaded w/ Master Braid. Side by side, Cortland outperformed Tuff Line hands down. Professional overruns,I’m a pro,come out waaaaay easier. And, it seems to carry less water. Cortland seems a lot rounder than Tuff Line and runs the guides smoother. Are the two related? Not sure, might be. Power Pro? I love the stuff on my jigging rods, other than that… Suffix and Power Pro have a fairly coarse weave that causes additional friction coming through the tip top, you can feel it and hear it; big time on the 65# and 80#. (Not something I’m too keen on when pulling double 10’s.)

You seem to know Power Pro and Tuff Line. So the best advise I can give you is take Cortland for a test drive.

Good Luck

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So the best advise I can give you is take Cortland for a test drive.

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lure rat, you’re on. I’m always playing with line and trying to get something better. I’ve been using Tuf-Line for many years and really like it but if you have better performance with Cortland, I’m at least going to spool up one line with it.

Joe we’ve talked about this twice now. I have that exact reel and would never put anything but 100lb sufix on it. On that reel you want a thicker line that’s round so it stacks up well on the spool and the added lift from the 100lb is nice when pulling dbl 10’s.

Go with 10 pound mono

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If you can swing it, spool one of your reels up with Cortland Master Braid

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Where do you find Cortland? Cabela’s Master Fishing catalog doesn’t even list it.

Thorne Brothers, Rollie and Hellens, about and shop specializing in muskie gear can get it for you. Cabelas don’t cater to the muskie guys.

Cabela’s used to carry it, I remember seeing it in the catalog for many years. I’m just surprised I can’t find it anymore. They carry a full line of Tuf-Line products, but don’t advertise the original line.

Nortland.

Sorry, posted late last night and headed off to work this morning and didn’t log onto ido all day. (Wow, must have been busy.) 150 yrd spools of Cortland are pretty spendy and you’ll have leftover line after spooling a 6500 or saltist 20 with 80#, (one of my pet peeves.) Bring the reel up to Thorne Bros. and have them fill it with 80 and you’ll save a few bucks in the long run.(Make sure you call them first I think they made their big move this weekend.)

(If you really hate it, PM me and I’ll buy it from you if it’s lightly used.)

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And BK uses it too.

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Stuart

Wouldn’t that be a reason not to use it

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Joe we’ve talked about this twice now. I have that exact reel and would never put anything but 100lb sufix on it. On that reel you want a thicker line that’s round so it stacks up well on the spool and the added lift from the 100lb is nice when pulling dbl 10’s.

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Tim

I know, but when I took that reel for a test drive I really liked the line you had It was very smoothe casting, and the ammount of professional over-runs was very nice, plus if I did get one, it came right out

Joe I am very happy with the Bronzeback. Easy backlash removal compared to Power Pro. Did not bleed out or fade as bad as Power Pro either. I like Suffix also, but think it is very noisy through the line guides.