I was wondering what line do you guys use?
what test?
what color?
why?
Any help is greatly appreciated
Thanks
I been using 4 to 6 lbs of flouro mainly Trilene & P-line … Only because they were on sale. In my sole opinion when it comes to Ice fishing Brands really dont matter.
I will say stay away from some of the braided lines only cause the thread like texture freezes. Tried allot of the new " Ice Lines" didn’t see them perform any differently.
On one of my outfits I have Berkley vanish when the sun hits it right it a little easier to see the line move but with when in the ice tent with the a spring bobber doesnt make too much of a difference.
Id say get some inexpensive flouro and save the money for ice flies and bait. [;)]
I just use regular stren 6 lb. I caught a 27 lb laker out of Fish lake with it a couple years ago with it and that was proof enough.
To get the best help you gotta give some details of what you’re fishing for. It makes a world of difference if you’re fishing for panfish and 12" trout vs. if you fish for big trout or walleye etc.
Water under the ice is often clearer so I opt for smaller test lines. That’s probably why some go with florocarbons. Smaller diameter lines also allow better lure movement for more attraction. I would never suggest going cheep on line. With cold temps and line rubbing on the ice you need quality abrasion resistant line. I’ve had good luck with Trilene ice line and P-line. I had a friend who loved fishing with Stren yellow 6 lb. (with a clear leader) because he could see line hits easily plus he often watched fish come to his line and follow it down to his lure. Just a thought for you.
For panfish and trout potential to 20" I fish with 2-4 lb mono.
If I have the potential for larger fish (5 lb +), I go with 6-15 lb. depending on what the real potential is.
Like others have already said, it depends on what you are targeting. As a general rule, the lighter line the better. I’ve caught good sized fish on 4 lb. test, and it’s light enough to make the presentation perfecto.
One of my ice fishing buddies swears by 2 lb. and does just fine.
I use 4 lb clear mono and usually just tie my jig strate to that. If the fish are hitting real light, or bump it a whole bunch without grabbing on then I tie a tippet on, just like fly fishing. In that case I use 6x flourocarbon, which is 3lb test. Flourocarbon is much stronger than monofillament, so 3 lb test flouro is about 1/2 the diameter of 3-4 lb mono. Fish have a much harder time seeing it, and I have had days when I am the only one catching fish while everyone around me wonders what is different. I even let them see my jig etc, the difference is the tippet. [;)]
I love using 2 lb for the panfish, but it’s just too freakin’ hard to tie!
This year I’ve been using plain ol’ Trilene mono 4 lb. Set your drag just high enough that it doesn’t spin on your hooksets and you can coax a pretty big fish through the ice!
I’m hooked on Red Cajun, in 2 & 4lb test. Easy to see against the snow & ice when tangles occur, and they will. Strong, too. Have iced some big fish on it. Like it so much that I even use the 6 & 8 on my summer reels.
my take on it is to match the line to the water. at the berry, where the water is greenish, moss colored or walIeye, color is a real positive. If i use clear or light line, at the berry, my catch rate goes way down. If you doubt this, experiment. FL. needs a clear or equivalent line because the water is so clear. 6 # is my choice of line in moss green. Three days of over forty fish at the berry this year and one of 70 +, with that set up. Also works great at Scofield. The hook end was white or sand 2 1/2 tubs tiped with chub. Haven’t bought a worm or meal worm in five yrs. Three of us caught close to 250 # of fish our last trip in the boat just before the cold. It works and its true.
Thank you!
I fish for trout mostly[;)]