Nanofil

Has anybody used this for ice fishing, especially panfish?

What is your opinion of braids in general for ice fishing panfish?

My guts tell me that the fish can sense, feel the line. Even if I use a fluorocarbon leader. Logic tells me that it is in my mind. More about confidence and lack of concentration are probably more the issue.

Looking at going light, reduce resistance and drag of line. I want to maximize ability to see the bite and better yet detect the lightest pick up.

Just want to catch more and bigger panfish this ice season.

3lb was to thin and would freeze to the spool. 6lb is the best ice line I have ever used. You get great hook set out of deep water. On cold days you guides stay ice free. It is expensive but better than going crazy on the negative days with ice build up on the guides. If you hole hope a must. Just run a two foot floro leader and your in business.

Interesting that diameter would make a difference in it freezing up or not.

Just my experience (or could be the operater)

Since the smaller line would hold less surface water, it would freeze faster than the water on the thicker line.

Shallow water freezes faster than deep, less water in a pan boils quicker, and light rain freezes on roads faster than heavy. Same concept with all.

I use the 6lbs Nanofil on one ice fishing rod and on my UL trout rod for open water. I like it for both applications. I get away with no leader and don’t feel handicapped by not using a leader. I use it when fishing in and around brush or if there is a chance of tying into a bigger species of fish.

I have used the 2, 3 and 4 lb Nanofil for the last 2 years or so and have found no icing issues on the spool or that if has much effect on the fish coming around it. Playing with my camera when the fish are not biting, I have had fish come right up to the line and brush it with their fins, move back and than continue to swim past it without a notice. I like the thinner diameter for the same lb rating as the braids I have used in the past. It is very strong and does not track water up it as you reel. Just my observations.

When Nano came along I thought it was going to be the cat’s meow. I have used in in 2, 3, 4, and 6 pound sizes and they all have their little glitches.

Most all of the nano that I have used has surface fraying issues. ALL of it will freeze if you fish open ice when its lass than 25 degrees. If the line shows signs of fraying or shedding and its cold, things can get frustrating.

I’ve never notice a difference in hits that could be directly attributed to fish seeing the line except possibly in Lake Superior when casting lures for salmon. Lake trout would hit lures tied directly to 6 pound nano with no problem at all.

I still have a pair of open water reel spools filled with 4 pound nano and use these when tossing lighter jigs, 1/32 and 1/64, without a float or if jigging a jigging spoon vertically. Casting with nano tends to be exceptional for distance but then I think the line is prone to wind bowing when a lot of line gets out and the wind is blowing.

If you are looking for a product that is high in sensitivity for feeling hits, this stuff may be it. Hits are very cleanly felt. Bow caused by wind or current seems to dampen the felt hits some, but you could still feel them. How much line is out and how straight the line runs from rod to lure seems to play a part in this, like the bowing acts as a dampener.

If you are going to use a float at all, don’t use the nano. If the float is adjusted by sliding, it chews the line up. If you are using knots or other static stops, they slide easily when you cast.

Personally I use either XL clear or Vanish fluoro in every instance with better all-around results and fewer issues. Considering the price of nano, the other lines are a way better deal.