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Outdoorsfan69
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02/14/2019 08:28AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Seeking some fishing line advice. I am planning to purchasing Power Pro fishing line this weekend for the upcoming fishing season. I hope to use it this year in the BWCA. The lake I am planning to fish is super clear. What color would be best: green, white or Hi Vis Yellow? I am FINALLY getting away from monofilament.
 
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Savage Voyageur
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02/14/2019 08:38AM  
I have Power pro line on my baitcaster reel. I would suggest you can use green line and the last 15 feet add some fluorocarbon line. The fluorocarbon is almost invisible underwater. So you get the strength and sensitivity with the superline and invisibility with the Fluorocarbon line. There is many ways to attach both lines but I use the blood knot because I have a tiny knot tier that makes it easy. You can also use the Slim Beauty knot, or the uni knot. I always need to look up how to tie these every time I try. Another advantage is the super line is very strong to begin with for its size. Also fluorocarbon line is smaller per mono line so you can bump up the line size/strength with no downside. The problem with superline is that is is very visible underwater, fluorocarbon is just about invisible. So if you are fishing clear water where you don’t want to spook fish you will want fluorocarbon line.
 
02/14/2019 09:48AM  
If you do much vertical jigging or trolling I would consider the depth hunter. I use Fire line Tracer 10lb on all my reels in the BW. I only use a fluoro leader when worried about Northern.
 
GickFirk22
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02/14/2019 10:22AM  
Personally, I've always spooled up either the green Suffix 832 or the brown PowerPro Slick 8 braided lines. I like the slick 8 or the Suffix Advanced 832 better than regular PowerPro on my spinning reels. Actually, I like the 832 better than the slick 8 period but still need to phase the slick 8 out of the inventory. It comes off the spool much smoother than regular powerpro. I do keep regular powerpro or 832 on my baitcasters and may try the Maxcuatro but it has mixed reviews...I get my reels spooled at Thorne Bros in Blaine and find it to have a significant cost savings. I've considered going to the hi-vis on one outfit and adding a fluorocarbon leader for more finesse presentations. I use the Alberto knot to tie the leader on and a palomar knot on most line to lure scenarios.
 
flynn
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02/14/2019 10:32AM  
I use braid to a fluorocarbon leader. If you do this, hi-vis yellow braid is better for watching your line for subtle topwater and finesse baits. I wouldn't tie straight braid to anything except maybe frogs but I haven't used frogs before. My spinning setup uses 15lb PowerPro and 10lb Sunline Sniper fluoro (stretchier than normal fluoro, better action for walking the dog, almost like clearer mono). My baitcasting setup isn't finalized yet; I was going to do 20lb PowerPro to 10lb Sunline Sniper but I might upgrade to 30lb to avoid the line digging into the spool and locking it up if I get a big fish on (which is only a problem with thin line on baitcasters).

As for connecting the braid to fluoro, I have historically just used a swivel which alleviates all issues with line twist which can be a big problem especially when trolling spoons. I just tie the fluoro section to a swivel, then the swivel to the braid, then the lure to the fluoro, all using the Palomar knot. Hasn't failed me yet. You probably lose some sensitivity by using a swivel but in my mind it's easier and more dependable than trying to tie a direct connection knot between thin braid and thin fluoro. Sometimes you want as much sensitivity as you can get but honestly the BWCA/Q are so packed full of fish that if you miss one bite because it was too subtle or you reacted too late because it was subtle, there will be plenty more where that came from.

Would also suggest some titanium leaders when throwing expensive lures, big topwaters, big spoons, basically any time you'd expect to possibly catch a pike even if you're targeting bass, walleye, or trout.
 
thegildedgopher
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02/15/2019 10:10AM  
AmarilloJim: "If you do much vertical jigging or trolling I would consider the depth hunter. I use Fire line Tracer 10lb on all my reels in the BW. I only use a fluoro leader when worried about Northern."


X100

All of my reels with braided line have either depth hunter or Berkley Pro Spec metered braid. Great way to know how much line you've got out without the bulk (and inconsistency) of a line-counter reel. If you're targeting suspended fish it's a lifesaver in my opinion.
 
02/15/2019 12:30PM  
I am a big fan of Suffix 832. I was a Fireline and Power Pro user for many years and made the switch to Suffix 832 three years ago.

Suffix 832 is generally more expensive than Power Pro but I feel it is a better performing line too. It is a smoother line with a softer feel and it casts better and 832 holds its color longer before turning white.

The word 832 means it has 8 fibers with 32 weaves per square inch. 7 Dyneema fibers for strength and water repellancy and 1 Gore fiver for fray resistance and castability.

Power Pro has 4 Spectra fibers strands.

Bottom line you can’t go wrong with either Power Pro or Suffix 832 but in side by side comparisons when walleye and bass fishing in Quetico ... I have to give the nod to 832.

I do use both Green and Hi Vis Yellow. And will use a flouro leader with 832 in clear water.
 
Lannie
member (17)member
  
02/17/2019 07:42PM  
I agree with all those suggesting a floro leader attached to braid. I only use Fireline but don't fish with baitcasters when Power Pro and other braids make sense. Rather than using the uni or blood knot, I usually use a small SPRO power swivel to connect my Fireline to my 6 lb. Seaguar INVIZX floro leader when fishing for walleye. Usually will put on a 3 foot leader. The swivel really helps to reduce line twist when drifting and having lots of line out in order to stay in contact with the bottom. The INVIZX is ridiculously strong and abrasion resistant. When casting and looking for reactionary strikes, you can certainly go with a heavier weight/bigger diameter line, especially when maybe tangling with the pike, but I do a lot of vertical jigging for walleye so will always error on the side of lighter line. That said, we have had 3 guys land walleyes over 30" on Lake Insula using 6 lb leaders. I hate name dropping products, but will swear by INVIZX line...and it is on sale at Bass Pro/Cabelas right now.
 
cyclones30
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02/17/2019 08:50PM  
GickFirk22: "Personally, I've always spooled up either the green Suffix 832 or the brown PowerPro Slick 8 braided lines. I like the slick 8 or the Suffix Advanced 832 better than regular PowerPro on my spinning reels. Actually, I like the 832 better than the slick 8 period but still need to phase the slick 8 out of the inventory. It comes off the spool much smoother than regular powerpro. I do keep regular powerpro or 832 on my baitcasters and may try the Maxcuatro but it has mixed reviews...I get my reels spooled at Thorne Bros in Blaine and find it to have a significant cost savings. I've considered going to the hi-vis on one outfit and adding a fluorocarbon leader for more finesse presentations. I use the Alberto knot to tie the leader on and a palomar knot on most line to lure scenarios."


My thoughts are very similar to these...
 
bwcasolo
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02/19/2019 04:30AM  
Wally13: "I am a big fan of Suffix 832. I was a Fireline and Power Pro user for many years and made the switch to Suffix 832 three years ago.


Suffix 832 is generally more expensive than Power Pro but I feel it is a better performing line too. It is a smoother line with a softer feel and it casts better and 832 holds its color longer before turning white.


The word 832 means it has 8 fibers with 32 weaves per square inch. 7 Dyneema fibers for strength and water repellancy and 1 Gore fiver for fray resistance and castability.


Power Pro has 4 Spectra fibers strands.


Bottom line you can’t go wrong with either Power Pro or Suffix 832 but in side by side comparisons when walleye and bass fishing in Quetico ... I have to give the nod to 832.


I do use both Green and Hi Vis Yellow. And will use a flouro leader with 832 in clear water. "

wally is the green a low vis green similar to trilene, which is good for clear water? what lb test would you go with for a baitcaster set-up for trolling spoons for lakers? thanks
 
02/19/2019 07:22AM  
bwcasolo,

Yes, the color of Suffix 832 Green is similar to Trilene green.

I usually try to fish fairly “stained” water lakes when up in Quetico. I always seem to catch more walleye on darker colored lakes that are more fertile. You can usually catch eyes all day even in bright sun as opposed having to fish early morning or in the evening hours for eyes on “clear water” lakes. I really don’t think line color really makes much difference at all when fishing on darker colored or stained lakes.

However, when chasing walleyes on Clear water lakes I do feel line color can at times make a big difference. I usually add a clear Fluoro leader if I am using 832 braid for stealth.

My go to is 20 lb Suffix 832 low vis green braid that is equivalent to 6 lb mono diameter. I use this when pulling Lindy Rigs and Bottom Bouncers for walleyes ( clear Fluoro or mono leaders). I usually jig with this 832 braid too and add on a Fluoro leader on clear water. I do bring an extra spool of clear 6 lb Trilene especially when using Jigging Raps or Shiver Minnows ... the extra stretch of mono is a real plus when using these baits. If I am jigging with Jigging Raps and Shiver Minnows in deep water +25 feet in August/September I will stick with 832 braid for better feel to make sure I know where the bottom and deep structure is.

For trolling for walleye and lake trout I use 10 lb Trilene XT Green. I use the Precision Trolling App on my IPhone and I use it to tell me how much line to let out on my line counter reel with various sized and depth trolling lures like Husky Jerks or or Deep Down Tail Dancers or Hot n Tots to get to the depths I want the lure to go to. The Precision Trolling Ap uses 10 lb Trilene XT as its reference line. This trolling system has proven itself real well the past 3 seasons. If I am marking walleye on a 22 ft reef ... and I am pulling a Shad Rap SR-9 ... I just look at my Precision Trolling chart and it tells me I should let out 144 ft of line to get the Shad Rap to 20 feet ... and I can run the lure just above the walleyes hugging at the reef at 22 ft.

I have buds who use Sufgix 832 20 lb in their baitcasters and do not use the Precision Trolling Ap and do fine too. I do like the Trilene XT Mono Line Stretch when trolling with a lot of line out. In general I have had better hook sets with XT Mono vs braid. On the other hand, the low stretch braid is thinner diameter and allows one to troll deeper with less line out and strike sensitivity is better than mono. Just go with whatever works for you.

Great topic. I learn a lot from posters on this site.

You really have to play around with different lines and see what works for you. Like many on this site, I used clear Trilene XL mono for 30 years and caught a lot of fish. It’s still on my spools every year. I just like to experiment with new lines to see if they work and catch me more fish.
 
flynn
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02/19/2019 09:40AM  
For braid on a baitcaster, you probably want to use 30-40lb to avoid digging into the spool if you hook a lunker, which could lock up the spool. I just went for 40lb Sufix832 on my baitcasting reel, will tie it to a 10lb FC leader which seems silly but I can't really find anything wrong with doing that. If you use a leader you don't have to worry much about line visibility - but if you are trolling, I would tie on a long leader, as long as your rod is, using a swivel. Since swivels are usually too large to go through the guides, it'll be a 6-7 foot leader. That should be OK. Some people run much longer leaders for this, but I won't troll without a swivel; it's one of the best ways to get line twist.

Your other option is running straight FC on that rod, but that's too specialized for my 2-rod setup. 40lb braid + 10lb FC leader on my baitcasting setup (topwater, cranks, spinners, trolling), 15lb braid + 10lb FC on my spinning setup (vertical jigging, Zulus, wacky Senkos, trolling, anything I feel like really). If I had a third "active" rod, I would spool it with pure FC just for trolling, probably a medium heavy moderate fast action spinning rod. I plan to have a 2piece Ugly Stik as a backup hanging around at camp, but its spool will have 15lb braid on it.
 
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