:wall: I was trying out my new set up in a undisclosed location this evening and I was disapointed. I was using 50# fireline and I kept getting tangles every 3rd cast. Was was I doing wrong. I thought this stuff was the cats arse. Please help.

Was it windy??? Light lure???

-spence

Was it windy??? Light lure???

-spence

I thought of the lure weight. I was using a 5 inch habs wooden needle. Mabey it was to light? :huh:

I also wondered if a has too much line spooled on. It looks ok though. Penn 650ss

50 lb fireline is like cable try goin down to 30 or even 20lb.

also needle fish are the most braid unfriendly lure that there is.the reason being they retrive with almost no resistance an lay the line on the spool soft.when u cast out the line digs into the loose wrappings from the previous cast an pulls out a loop from several wraps in thats how u get notted up.Some guys will hold the line on the retrieve apply some tension with their fingertips so it don't lay too soft othere we'll use mono for needle's.

I set up the 50# for bombing the cape cod canal. I have a lighter set up I use as well. Thanks for the tip on needle fish.

Always had problems throwing FL on Penn reels. They throw a very tight loop which means tangles. Like Nib said , plus you can also try peeling off 5 or 6in of line after resetting your bail which prevents a backover loop.
Switched to a Daiwa Capricorn which has a very large spool,throws large loops and never had a problem since.

50 lb fireline??? you must have bought firelinexds, that stuff is no longer being made I heard. I never tried the XDS, but must be a reson they are discontinueing it.
I have never had a problem at all with the regular fireline. Try 14 lb. for light stuff, and 20 lb for medium all around duty, and 30 lb if the line will be rubbing rocks qute often.

also needle fish are the most braid unfriendly lure that there is.the reason being they retrive with almost no resistance an lay the line on the spool soft.when u cast out the line digs into the loose wrappings from the previous cast an pulls out a loop from several wraps in thats how u get notted up.Some guys will hold the line on the retrieve apply some tension with their fingertips so it don't lay too soft othere we'll use mono for needle's.

:thanks: my problem has been solved :D

50 lb fireline??? you must have bought firelinexds, that stuff is no longer being made I heard. I never tried the XDS, but must be a reson they are discontinueing it.
I have never had a problem at all with the regular fireline. Try 14 lb. for light stuff, and 20 lb for medium all around duty, and 30 lb if the line will be rubbing rocks qute often.

I'm with Slip, unless it's more then a few years old it's got to be XDS which was intended for casting reels and didn't seem to impress anyone. Berkley did at one point make 50# Fireline; I may still have a spool of it somewhere, it was like cable though so I never used it.

Strength wise I think 30# Fireline corresponds to 50# Power Pro. Fireline has always seemed under rated while Power Pro may be over. I've never done any scientific testing or anything, but that's what it feels like. :D

If it kinks waaay too easily you put it on the reel bass ackwards. Did you have the spool of fireline rolling all around the floor this way and that way when you were putting it on?

Your problem is not the needle nor is it the line though fifty is a tad heavy even in the small diameters of tech line. It's the reel. Penn reels do not have the oscillaltions vs revolving of the spool nescesary to properly lay line over it self and lock itself in. The oscillations are slower ( up and down movement of the spool when the handle is turned). They are famous for this problem, especially when using poppers and needles where a pause and pulse is required in the action of the lure. Get yourelf a faster oscillating reel like a shimano/ Daiwa etc.

Also couple things to remember when using any tech line or braid is, 1. have your line put on the spool with a line machine that provides the proper tension. 2. Constantly monitor your bail roller ( I clean and oil mine weekly) 3. Always use a quality ball bearing welded ring swivel between the line and leader.

This should take care of your problem. Monofilament is more forgiving on a slower oscillating reel like a penn 650, braid or tech lines are totally different animals.

20# Fireline on a 704Z is the balls, absolutely no problems

704z has less oscillation than a 650, that's why no problem, shallower, wider spool. :bl:

14# isnt so hot on my 4500 :think:

Info like this is why I am addicted to this site! Plus I have nothing else do.

Plus I have nothing else do.

Fish man!Fish!