Line terminology

Well the new Cabela’s and Bass Pro catalogs are here. Providing some nice reading material for sitting on the ice or even the john. This year, I thought about turning my attention to fishing line. I’m doing my first fly-in this spring to a crystal-clear Canadian lake, so I thought I might need to upgrade my presentation.

About 5 years ago, a buddy gave me a spool of SpiderWire Braid, and I really liked it. It quickly found it’s way to all of my reels for all fish except my kids panfish reels (the mono that somes with their cartoon character combo reels is fine – they get a new one every year anyway ). The SpiderWire has worked very well for me, landing plenty of Northern and even a few Muskie when out for Walleye or Bass and not using a steel leader. It seems to work fine in the stained water that I’ve fished in MN, WI and Ont so far. But, will it make me happy for a week-long fly-in where I better be happy with what I bring, cuz their ain’t no tackle store!

Fishing line seems to be a rather ‘taken-for-granted, people just use what they use’ kind of topic. I haven’t seen many articles comparing the pros and cons of different line types other than manufacturer’s hype.

Chime in on any of these:

1. Anyone have any opinions or experience to share?
2. What’s a co-polymer?
3. Is Fire-Line a co-polymer?
4. SpiderBraid vs. Fireline
5. Is Florocarbon the only way to go for clear-water ‘eyes?
6. P-Line cx-premium or Floroclear?
7. Cabela’s RipCord SI+
8. Is micro-dyneema a co-polymer?
9. Is Spectra a co-polymer?
10. Do I ask too many questions?

Hi Thumper,,, sounds like you have a dream trip planned. Wish I could go.

That polymer and co-polymer stuff just means that Poly= multiple, many…. then they add another the “Co” so you have another property added to the line. Remember that for every property you build into a line you give some other property up. If you want it stronger it will not be limp etc. I would stay away from going to fluro-carbons unless you have had experience with them. They can be bad in cold weather and also have knot strength problems. You don’t want problems on this special trip with no stores to buy the right stuff. I would stay with the Fireline and just have fun. Excel from Bass Pro Shop is very good and has a lot of good properties when it comes to mono..

The rip cord has failed me and broke too much,,, just like the Spider wire… the best I have found is Fireline and Power-Pro in the braids. The P line is stiff and stiffer in the cold. Good line but too tricky to learn about in just a few days. Their 6# breaks at about 12#’s,,, so you can use thier 2# and it is like 6#,,, but it is stiffer then other mono’s. I would take just what you have had success with,,, don’t switch now.

I fish Mexico alot and I have found I don’t like to be on the lake trying out new line only to find it breaks and backlashes and ???? I don’t need any surprises out on a lake in the middle of no-where. Hope this helps. Cosmic>

Thanks for the reply, Cosmic. I appreciate your feedback. This is the kind of information and opinion I’m happy to get! Everyone else is invited to chime in, too!

I was hoping you would clarify 1 thing in your post – when you’re talking about the line strength Their 6# breaks at about 12#’s,,, were you talking about the FireLine or the P-Line?

For super-clear water fishing, which works better, the FireLine in Smoke or Green? I’ve really never fished clear water before except a couple times as a kid in trout streams, and without much luck. Maybe I’m too concerned about the clarity, but I figure if a few bucks buys me an edge, why not?

-Thumper
P.S. Wow – Mexico – now THERE’s a dream trip!!

The 6-12 thing in braid is this. Momo is twice as big as braid. 10# mono is as fat as 20# braid. This is good… you get stronger for half the size so diameter is down. Therefore you only see half as much, braid lays on a spinning reel with out any memory and cast like a dream.

In mono I would go with the green for the clear water.. I have used both in 300 ft deep clear lakes… both are fine, I think the green is just clearer. If you use braid you will be surprized that the fish don’t see it. You can see it nice but, the fish don’t seem to mind. Lots of guys going to flurocarbon but they have knot problems and the line is stiff.

This is just my two cents,, I’m sure there are others who disagree. I just found out that I like braid a lot now.. even use it on my light trout rods. Have fun. Cos>