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MtnBrowncoat
  
05/29/2020 12:07PM  
I'm heading up to the Boundary Waters for the first time. I just got a Stradic Ci4+ and a Triumph Travel Rod as a graduation gift. What should I spool it up with? I'm planning on mostly targeting trout (lake, brook, splake etc) What type of line do you use and why? Thanks folks!
 
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cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/29/2020 12:35PM  
If you use the search function at the top there's quite a long thread on this just a bit ago. (or just keep scrolling down)

For me, braid for big baits and big fish. Mono/fluoro for walleye, jigging, slip bobbers, panfish.
 
Moonman
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05/29/2020 01:04PM  
Honestly it really depends did on how you fish specifically, more than what species you are targeting. By that I mean presentation/technique. So if you want to absolutely maximize hits/numbers of fish etc, you should fine tune and use the best line or combo of line and leader for each presentation...obviously with overlaps on presentations.

Some people who use braid tie direct to lure or snap but I would only do that if tying to a leader. Other than that I always use and tie a good fluoro leader line to my braid, sometimes for stealth, sometimes in heavier weights for a bite leader.

So for braid, I would recommend it for:

Trolling (with fluoro leader for trout, titanium or heavier fluoro leader for pike)
Jigging (with fluoro leader), especially water deeper than 25’
Casting shorelines (with light titanium leader)

Mono
Live bait presentations (slip bobbers, lindy rig etc) Mono is both limp and stealthier than braid. I’d recommend 8lb trilene xl.

Keep in mind plenty of fish are caught with all kinds of lines, so the difference may not matter in the long run, but we all like to tinker with new things (especially me lol), what we think is the new better way etc.

Also it’s always a good idea to use what you are used to and have had success with in the past when going on a wilderness trip. No stores out there and if you are disappointed or feel you don’t like it, you are stuck. So the best of all worlds would be two spools, one with each line.

Moonman
 
lundojam
distinguished member(2726)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/29/2020 06:54PM  
You know what else? I just heard this on the internet and realized it's true. If your line is not tight, braid is not sensitive at all. If you leave a little slack somewhere in your jigging stroke (which of course you shouldn't) braid is useless. Mono, on the other hand, can still transmit a bite even when semi-slack.
Also braid around rocks is a bad idea.

MONO! MONO! MONO!!! MONOOOOOOOO!!!

Too far? Perhaps.
 
ledhead
member (34)member
  
05/29/2020 08:10PM  
Your first trip to BDub and you just received a new rod & reel as a gift. While a case can be made for braid, keep it simple. Fisherman have been successful with mono for 50 years, go with mono, 8lb Trilene XL isn’t a bad place to start. Focus more on lures, presentations, lakes and depths..... get those figured out and line type will be a non factor.
 
Frankie_Paull
distinguished member (269)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/29/2020 09:47PM  
I am a braid/Fluro leader convert. I always use a Swivel. And in my opinion it’s the best set up by far in all situations. Three tips id give you is look into bringing a anchor bag, drift sock, and rod holder!
 
Zwater
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05/30/2020 12:02PM  
Braid and mono for different applications. Braid for bass and northerns, mono and fluorocarbon leader for walleyes. Or even braid and fluoro leader for walleyes.
Can always catch any fish on 8lb. mono if the drag is set right. Just less sensitive to bites.
 
buzz17
distinguished member (303)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/31/2020 05:55AM  
My main rod last week had 8lb fluorocarbon for jigging. We ended up catching walleye in current, under a bobber. Fluorocarbon line sinks. It was a bit tricky using it in current under a bobber in shallow water. There is nothing wrong with mono. I find it a bit too stretchy for my liking. I either use 8lb fluoro or 6lb Yozuri hybrid line. I use braid for my large pike rod and for my casting/crankbait, fishing the creek at home in Indiana rod.


Roughly 20lb pike on 20lb Spiderwire:


First day walleye stringer caught on 8lb fluorocarbon
 
clambdin
senior member (79)senior membersenior member
  
05/31/2020 07:07PM  
I’ve tried about every kind of line you could think of in the boundary waters, I keep coming back to Trilene XT 8 or 6 pound seems like it is about the best of any I’ve tried.
 
Mattbrome
distinguished member (339)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/31/2020 11:35PM  
After many trips to.the BW and 1000s of hours fishing for all kinds of species I have to agree with previous opinions for braid with a 3-5 foot (or so) fluro leader is the best all around setup. I'd also add that at your braid flouro connection tie in a small swivel to reduce line twist especially if you plan to troll. I tie a snap to the "business" end for quick changes.
 
CityFisher74
distinguished member(534)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/01/2020 09:01AM  
Regardless of how I feel about the benefits of Braid/Mono/Floro, given you seem to be newer to this with a new rod etc. my suggestion would be to keep it simple and get some Berkley Mono. The trouble with the Trout you're targeting is the big size difference. Given you have some Laker hopes I would suggest 8 lb clear mono.
 
GickFirk22
distinguished member (175)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/01/2020 10:56AM  
That's a lovely gift you received. I'm assuming you're an experienced fisherman if you're getting a gift of that pedigree. What do you usually fish with/for? For me, I'm a big believer of Braid (I like the 20 lb Suffix 832 personally) to Fluoro (8-10lb FC Sniper) leader (alberto knot connection) for most applications and a braid to titanium leader for pike presentations. You'll do fine no matter what you bring...for trout...it really depends on your style, if you're jigging for lakers you may want to do the braid/fluoro just to eliminate the stretch. Again, with fresh line I don't think you can really go wrong. May be worth sourcing out a second spool so you can have braid on one and mono on the other. Swap out for different techniques. Looks like a ci4 one can be found online for $40 or so.

Let us know what you decide!
 
backwoodshunter
member (17)member
  
06/01/2020 11:30AM  
I stand corrected. We USE to use Fireline yrs ago, like over 7-8 yrs ago. Have since switched to Tripple Fish Camo line and will never use anything else. I direct order 1/4 spool (8lb test for eyes and 14lb for northern) from FL and every reel I own minus fly line tippet has it.
 
TK77
  
06/01/2020 02:00PM  
Like others have said, it's mainly about personal preference as each line types have their pros and cons.
I personally prefer fluorocarbon and braided lines. So you know where any bias may lie.

Fluorocarbon becomes particularly useful when there is high fishing pressure, or the water has very high visibility such as a spring fed lake. On the other hand it has its flaws the biggest of which, like mono, can get some gnarly twists in the line.

In my opinion..
Mono is the best value line, however will need to be replaced much more frequently than braid or fluorocarbon. For this reason, I use powerpro or daiwa j-braid on my main 3 reels including my baitcaster. The reason is because I hate taking off line and putting on new lines.
The other big disadvange of mono I don't think anyone mentioned is that compared to the other types, it is not as strong for a given diameter This meaning you will get less line on a spool with mono compared to the others.


I saw another use mention sensitivity of mono as a pro.
This is true if you have slack line you can feel through the line. But if this is your biggest concern, I would be using fluorocarbon over mono as it is much more sensitive.

Choosing line also depends on how you are fishing, and what you are fishing for. If you are bobber fishing you might get an advantage for those sneaky worm stealers like perch or walleye with mono/fluoro. However if you are using an kind of cast and retrieve bait I would 100% recommend using braided line.
 
fishEH
member (36)member
  
06/01/2020 02:17PM  
MtnBrowncoat: "I'm heading up to the Boundary Waters for the first time. I just got a Stradic Ci4+ and a Triumph Travel Rod as a graduation gift. What should I spool it up with? I'm planning on mostly targeting trout (lake, brook, splake etc) What type of line do you use and why? Thanks folks!"

If this is your ONLY rod/reel combo you're bringing I would go with braid, 20lb.
For Pike run a titanium leader.
For Walleye run a fluoro leader in 8 or 10lb off a small filler spool.

If you're bringing two rods, it just comes down to personal preference.
 
06/01/2020 05:28PM  
If I had 1 rod, it would be spooled with 8# clear Triline XL. I typically bring 2 or 3 rods. One is a ML 6 footer with 6# XL. The rest are braid/ flouro.
 
racsfear
  
03/21/2023 06:21AM  
MtnBrowncoat: "I'm heading up to the Boundary Waters for the first time. I just got a Stradic Ci4+ and a Triumph Travel Rod as a graduation gift. What should I spool it up with? I'm planning on mostly targeting trout (lake, brook, splake etc) What type of line do you use and why? Thanks folks!"

I will not say a bad idea but I appreciate your idea to gift a Triumph Travel Rod as a graduation gift but you are traveling all time. So there are certainly many things you can gift to someone who loves to travel. Such as gifting him/her A super packable daypack, An embroidered duffel, A mini instant-film camera, A wine holder that shows state pride, and more...
 
Sparkeh
distinguished member (122)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/22/2023 05:45AM  
My all around setup is braid to floro leader.
 
bombinbrian
distinguished member (407)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/22/2023 07:46AM  
I’m not the fishing expert that a lot of people on here are but….

I believe it depends on what time of year you are going too. We go in the spring when fish are more aggressive in my opinion. I have braid on everything without a leader of any kind. If you are going when the fishing is a little slower, less aggressive, I’d add a leader with no swivel.
 
BWfishingfanatic12
distinguished member (359)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/22/2023 12:42PM  
buzz17: "My main rod last week had 8lb fluorocarbon for jigging. We ended up catching walleye in current, under a bobber. Fluorocarbon line sinks. It was a bit tricky using it in current under a bobber in shallow water. There is nothing wrong with mono. I find it a bit too stretchy for my liking. I either use 8lb fluoro or 6lb Yozuri hybrid line. I use braid for my large pike rod and for my casting/crankbait, fishing the creek at home in Indiana rod.


Roughly 20lb pike on 20lb Spiderwire:


First day walleye stringer caught on 8lb fluorocarbon"


I am not a Pike fisherman but that pike is maybe 10lbs at the most and that is pushing it... The conversion chart (are approximations I know) has a 20 pound pike at 42" plus. No way this fish is much over 30 inches, pictures are tough to judge off of though I suppose. Usually, not that guy but when the approximation is so far off had to say something. I guess that is the nature of being a fisherman! :)
 
WesternHills
senior member (54)senior membersenior member
  
03/22/2023 11:42PM  
Mattbrome: "I have to agree with previous opinions for braid with a 3-5 foot (or so) fluro leader is the best all around setup. I'd also add that at your braid flouro connection tie in a small swivel
"


A 3-5 foot leader with a swivel in between the braid and fluoro??? Sounds like hell to cast with. I don't even use an alberto or double uni because they snag on the eyelets.
 
NEIowapaddler
distinguished member (243)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/23/2023 07:24AM  
WesternHills: "
Mattbrome: "I have to agree with previous opinions for braid with a 3-5 foot (or so) fluro leader is the best all around setup. I'd also add that at your braid flouro connection tie in a small swivel
"



A 3-5 foot leader with a swivel in between the braid and fluoro??? Sounds like hell to cast with. I don't even use an alberto or double uni because they snag on the eyelets."


I use 10lb braid with an 8lb flouro leader for most of my fishing, and I've had zero issues connecting the leader and the main line with a double uni knot. If it's snagging, you're either tying it wrong or using a rod with very small guides.
 
BWfishingfanatic12
distinguished member (359)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/23/2023 08:50AM  
WesternHills: "
Mattbrome: "I have to agree with previous opinions for braid with a 3-5 foot (or so) fluro leader is the best all around setup. I'd also add that at your braid flouro connection tie in a small swivel
"



A 3-5 foot leader with a swivel in between the braid and fluoro??? Sounds like hell to cast with. I don't even use an alberto or double uni because they snag on the eyelets."


I've always had that thought as well for people that use the barell swivel. Sounds like a nightmare to manage. There are a few specific techniques where I will use a barell swivel with a 2 or 3 foot fluoro leader but that is only in those specific scenarios.

I tie the braid to fluoro as well but have not had issues with it ever catching or making much impact on my fishing. It probably reduces distance casting very slightly but that is it. When you tie it the profile of the knot should be pretty thin to not impact your casts.
 
missmolly
distinguished member(7681)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/23/2023 12:18PM  
I've used 6 lb. mono in northwestern Ontario. Here's a pike that I landed on that line with no steel leader and I've caught quite a few that size over the years, but didn't bring them aboard for a photo because I had no net big enough for them;



However, now that I fish for largemouth in Maine, there's no way I'd fish with 6 lb. test. I use 20 lb. mono and braid in weeds and 50 lb. braid when froggin'. I fear the weeds more than the fish.
 
vandolomieu
member (10)member
  
03/23/2023 03:44PM  
Moonman: "Honestly it really depends did on how you fish specifically, more than what species you are targeting. By that I mean presentation/technique. So if you want to absolutely maximize hits/numbers of fish etc, you should fine tune and use the best line or combo of line and leader for each presentation...obviously with overlaps on presentations.


Some people who use braid tie direct to lure or snap but I would only do that if tying to a leader. Other than that I always use and tie a good fluoro leader line to my braid, sometimes for stealth, sometimes in heavier weights for a bite leader.


So for braid, I would recommend it for:


Trolling (with fluoro leader for trout, titanium or heavier fluoro leader for pike)
Jigging (with fluoro leader), especially water deeper than 25’
Casting shorelines (with light titanium leader)


Mono
Live bait presentations (slip bobbers, lindy rig etc) Mono is both limp and stealthier than braid. I’d recommend 8lb trilene xl.


Keep in mind plenty of fish are caught with all kinds of lines, so the difference may not matter in the long run, but we all like to tinker with new things (especially me lol), what we think is the new better way etc.


Also it’s always a good idea to use what you are used to and have had success with in the past when going on a wilderness trip. No stores out there and if you are disappointed or feel you don’t like it, you are stuck. So the best of all worlds would be two spools, one with each line.


Ditto


Moonman
"
 
03/24/2023 04:19AM  
I've fully transitioned from all mono to now, all braid. There are only two situations I'd even consider mono- slip bobbers and pitching light jigs in shallow water. Even in these situations, I still use braid because I find the benefits easily outweigh the slight disadvantages. The only advantage for mono with slips, is the slip knots dont always stick well on braid. To get around this, simply using two slip knots works well. For pitching light jigs, the mono will help the jig "float" just a bit longer up above bottom. With braid it'll shoot right to the bottom.

With braid you're always going to get a better hookset (especially with a lot of line out), more sensitivity, and a better chance at landing bigger fish with its far superior strength. Unless I'm pulling crankbaits I always use a flouro leader. Also better to use a slightly more giving rod with braid, as it allows a bit more give to help with them headshakes.

If you're fishing deep water lake trout braid with a flouro leader will suit you much better, jigging or trolling.

I've spent my winter in Idaho catching 18 lb steelhead on slip bobbers. 30 lb power pro and 15 lb flouro leader did the trick.
 
Basspro69
distinguished member(14142)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished membermaster membermaster member
  
03/25/2023 02:05AM  
MtnBrowncoat: "I'm heading up to the Boundary Waters for the first time. I just got a Stradic Ci4+ and a Triumph Travel Rod as a graduation gift. What should I spool it up with? I'm planning on mostly targeting trout (lake, brook, splake etc) What type of line do you use and why? Thanks folks!"
I’ve seen this question about 100 times on this board, for stream trout 4 pound Trilene xl and 8 pound Trilene xl for everything else hands down SRC="HTTPS://PHOTOS.BWCA"> SRC="HTTPS://PHOTOS.BWCA.com/thumbnails/BASSPRO69-100422-005923.JPG" align="left" >
 
mgraber
distinguished member(1486)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/29/2023 11:05PM  
I like Fireline ( performs MUCH better than regular braid with spinning reels) with a fluorocarbon leader, but I think basic mono like Trilene XL is plenty good, easy and simple to use, and very affordable.
 
CoachWalleye74
distinguished member (131)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/30/2023 08:53AM  
Fireline is braid.

I started with all mono, went to all flouro, now on braid to swivel to flouro leader. My only question is with mostly vertical jigging I lose a fair amount of jigs in the rocks. I'm hopeful that the flouro breaks around the jig tie and I'm not re-tieing flouro leaders all week.
 
mgraber
distinguished member(1486)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/30/2023 10:26AM  
CoachWalleye74: "Fireline is braid.


I started with all mono, went to all flouro, now on braid to swivel to flouro leader. My only question is with mostly vertical jigging I lose a fair amount of jigs in the rocks. I'm hopeful that the flour breaks around the jig tie and I'm not re-tieing flouro leaders all week. "


Fireline is most certainly NOT regular braid, it is fused braid. Absolutely HUGE difference and really ridiculous to compare. I use both braid and Fireline for different purposes and they handle completely different. Fireline handles more like mono, braid does not. Fireline has higher Knot strength, casts further, fewer wind knots on spinning reels, etc.
 
CoachWalleye74
distinguished member (131)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/30/2023 01:41PM  
"No other fishing line can rival Berkley® FireLine® Braid for its easy handling, castability, super strength, and sensitivity."

"Berkley FireLine Ultra 8 Superline is a braided line, but it's different than most."

"What is fused braid?
Fused braid is a braided line that has undergone a thermally fusing process, that makes it silky smooth and of a smaller diameter."

Fireline performs much better than braid... Fireline is a braid... Fireline is not a REGULAR braid, it's a FUSED braid... So, Fireline is a braid.

Curiously, is Suffix 832 a "braid"? There description calls it a small diameter braid with precision braiding and fibers...

To each their own...
 
NEIowapaddler
distinguished member (243)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/30/2023 07:20PM  
Coach is right. Fireline is braid. Just because it's not "regular braid" doesn't mean it's not braid.
 
WesternHills
senior member (54)senior membersenior member
  
03/30/2023 08:17PM  
BWfishingfanatic12: "
WesternHills: "
Mattbrome: "I have to agree with previous opinions for braid with a 3-5 foot (or so) fluro leader is the best all around setup. I'd also add that at your braid flouro connection tie in a small swivel
"




A 3-5 foot leader with a swivel in between the braid and fluoro??? Sounds like hell to cast with. I don't even use an alberto or double uni because they snag on the eyelets."



I've always had that thought as well for people that use the barell swivel. Sounds like a nightmare to manage. There are a few specific techniques where I will use a barell swivel with a 2 or 3 foot fluoro leader but that is only in those specific scenarios.


I tie the braid to fluoro as well but have not had issues with it ever catching or making much impact on my fishing. It probably reduces distance casting very slightly but that is it. When you tie it the profile of the knot should be pretty thin to not impact your casts. "


Yeah I use barrel swivels myself in a few situations but not as a standard connection between braid and leader. To each to their own though. If it works, great, I just can't imagine it. I use the FG knot myself for its slender profile.
 
minnesotashooter
distinguished member (228)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/31/2023 07:32AM  
Pretty much every single fishing pole I own has braid, I really like Suffix 832, and then I tie on a fluorocarbon leader. I am not a fan on monofilament.
 
mgraber
distinguished member(1486)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/31/2023 09:31AM  
NEIowapaddler: "Coach is right. Fireline is braid. Just because it's not "regular braid" doesn't mean it's not braid. "

Agreed, but fluorocarbon line is monofilament (single filament) and yet we don't call it mono because that would be confusing and cause people to assume it is the same as regular mono. This is the exact same thing, why complicate the issue? I guess we need to get scientific about it, lol. The point remains, they do NOT fish the same, they are NOT the same line, and I mistakenly assumed people would understand that I preferred Fireline over standard multifilament braids for this purpose without going in to the actual manufacturing specifics. I went back and added the word "regular" to the original post, hopefully that will solve the problem. I swear, some people, smh.
 
missmolly
distinguished member(7681)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
04/01/2023 11:01AM  
I wish I had stronger opinions about line vs. line. You guys argue with passion and precision and I can only shrug. The only time I remember a line failing me was on a 3-week trip in northwestern Ontario when my six-pound mono started to break at the end of the trip. The one time I tried, fluoro, I didn't like it because my knots wouldn't stay cinched, but that was a couple decades ago and it might be much improved.
 
Sparkeh
distinguished member (122)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/27/2023 05:20AM  
Straight up mono for all trout. I usually bring one reel with 10lb braid tied to a 10lb floro leader but im usually fishing for bass with that rig and yes I do use that rig to fish for trout and it works fine.
 
minnesotashooter
distinguished member (228)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/27/2023 07:18AM  
I am pretty much a braid with a mono leader tied directly to the braid. I pretty much only use Suffix 832 or PowerPro 6lb. We primarily fish plastics or jigging for walleyes and bass and we just like the sensitivity. You'll catch fish on both, maybe just try a reel spooled with mono and a reel with braid and decide for yourself.
 
lundojam
distinguished member(2726)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/27/2023 08:20PM  
I learned to fish on mono. For that reason, I guess, I prefer it. Jigging lakers requires a hard line, though.
I seem to lose a lot of fish on braid; they just come off.
 
09/27/2023 08:49PM  
lundojam: "I learned to fish on mono. For that reason, I guess, I prefer it. Jigging lakers requires a hard line, though.
I seem to lose a lot of fish on braid; they just come off."


Is that a BW/Q Walleye in your profile picture?
 
09/28/2023 05:11AM  
lundojam: "I learned to fish on mono. For that reason, I guess, I prefer it. Jigging lakers requires a hard line, though.
I seem to lose a lot of fish on braid; they just come off."


Sharpen your hooks. You are losing fish because you don't have the penetration and with the braid there isn't the spring action to keep the hook in the fish. If the fish gets slack and the hook isn't well penetrated the hook comes out.
 
scottiebaldwin
distinguished member (193)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/28/2023 02:35PM  
Braid to fluoro fan here. I use a 3ft leader of 17lb P-Line Halo and have never have any issues. I like Berkeley products but I've had quite a few issues with their fluorocarbon breaking. When I do the exact same thing with the equivalent P-Line Halo, never an issue. Great advice by everyone here for the OP though. Tight lines!
 
lundojam
distinguished member(2726)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/28/2023 08:54PM  
bobb3, that's a Lake of the Woods 31". Biggest in the BWCA is around 27-28" .
 
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