Ice line for hole hoping

What is everyone’s preference when it comes to ice line for hole hoping? Have tried most braids and never had much luck with it, spending more time peeling ice off the line and guides. Usually run fluoro but haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t coil up coming off the spool.

Try a inline reel to solve the coiling problem. When its really cold I do not think there is a line that does not ice up, it physics. Cold and water= freezing

Happy with Sufix Performance Ice Braid (not 832 Ice Braid) and Sun Line Sniper fluorocarbon leader.

Haven’t done a ton of hole hopping with it yet.

Use a cold weather mono and pull the line out of your reel using the drag when you drop it down the hole. This will completely uncoil your line.

I did this on LOTW this week in 28’ and had no issue with coiling whatsoever. Unless you’re fishing lake trout in 150’, it doesn’t take much to do this every time.

Just be like me, so salty it never freezes up

P-line sheds water pretty well-If you have to use braid coating it with Chapstick helps.

tim hurley wrote:

P-line sheds water pretty well-If you have to use braid coating it with Chapstick helps.

Another thing is spraying guides/eyelets with cooking spray, ie pam. Helps them to not ice up

Best fluorocarbon line I’ve ever used for ice fishing is ASSO Ice Heavy. Problem is you probably won’t find it available.

I also used Gamma Ice fluorocarbon line before but no longer made either. I currently have Gamma Touch fluorocarbon on one reel. Line still jumps off the spool but that is how fluorocarbon behaves. However being on the Stradic 1000Ci4 reel it spools nicely and is pretty straight as most premium copoly lines.

Been hearing how Clam Frost lines are great, but I’ve never personally used it. Pline Floroclear is usually readily available and is overall a reliable performer.

I do not use any type of house if the weather is about 24F or higher … maybe 20F if not windy. Hole hopping is easier, but if I have the spot … I do not move.

I have upgraded my reels to be better in cold weather. Most all lines struggle a bit in the cold, but very manageable. I am not sure I have it down which line does best.

Rods with larger guide holes certainly do much better in preventing any ice crystals from plugging / slowing line movement.

I use a deadstick … well actually just a rod&reel with a bobber with the spinning reel open and the rod on a holder. The line feeds fine when the bobber starts to drop down.

I’ve gone back and forth from mono to braid to fluoro and back to mono. Just less issues all together with mono. 6-8 lb clam frost mono is my favorite for walleye. The 4 lb is great for pans. Haven’t had issues with breaking off even for 30+ inch pike. Fluoro leader every now and then just for a little more abrasion protection. But I’ve settled on mono.