Canal Jiggin'...what line you use?

[partsjay]

I was wondering what kind.....pound....line you guys like to use at the ditch for jiggin'. recently bought a sweet used jiggin' rod from a guy at work....it's a conventional set up....any suggestions?

PS......Mike ( M & D's )......you made it....I'll have to bring it by so you can check it out.

[R.J. Amoroso]

65lb power pro

[fondew]

I use 50lb braid but on a spinning reel. I feel its plenty right now. Maybe this year I will find out I need to go higher.

[gone fishin]

Depending on the reel - 50 or 65 lb braid. Have Mike wind the proper line on for you. He does a heck of a job getting the line tight.

By the way - what reel came with the rod? You wouldn't want to load a 5500 series or a small reel with that beefy a line.

[hyefisherman2]

50lb cortland master braid

scary strong!!!

[Moses]

I have a spinning and conv set up, on both I use 65lb PP.

[Mike P]

50# Berkley Big Game braid on spinning reels.

Cortland Master braid in 30# and 50# on conventionals. Their 30# is about as thick, and stronger, than most other brands' 50# braid. I've seen guys straigthen 7/0 forged jig hooks before the 50# broke.

[plankton]

Cortland braid is great, and they do severely under-rate it's breaking strain. Their 30/35# is really 50# and their 50# is really 80#, the 35# spectron I use is comparable to 50# powerpro as far as thickness, and the 50# spectron is like cable. I haven't had a chance to try the new master braid, but I hear good things.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by plankton

Cortland braid is great, and they do severely under-rate it's breaking strain. Their 30/35# is really 50# and their 50# is really 80#, the 35# spectron I use is comparable to 50# powerpro as far as thickness, and the 50# spectron is like cable. I haven't had a chance to try the new master braid, but I hear good things.

Where do u find the spectron...I used to buy it at a kite store that went out of buisness..It's what I use bridge fishing.Best abrasion resistance,,I miss it..

[plankton]

I got my last batch from the SOL store, he's got 35 and 50. If not there do a google search, lots of muskie shops stock it.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by NIB

Where do u find the spectron...I used to buy it at a kite store that went out of buisness..It's what I use bridge fishing.Best abrasion resistance,,I miss it..

We did an informal test at last year's TFCTFN. Using "constant tension" as best the guy could and running lines over the edge of a brick, Cortland Master Braid actually outlasted Spectron for abrasion resistance. It's not a scientific test but it was interesting. Big Game did pretty well, too. Not as abrasion resistant, but also about 5/1000" thinner.

The worst for abrasion resistance were Stren Superbraid and Power Pro.

These were all 50# test lines.

[partsjay]

Thanks Boys....gonna get it done this week.

[chris L]

50# spectron but I forgot how to get to the canal .

[Saltheart]

I use 50 lb spectron but will probably go to Master Braid when my supply of spectron runs out.

[Mike P]

The other good thing about Master Braid is, it doesn't chew up your thumb like Spectron does, if you use a non-levelwind conventional.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Mike P

We did an informal test at last year's TFCTFN. Using "constant tension" as best the guy could and running lines over the edge of a brick, Cortland Master Braid actually outlasted Spectron for abrasion resistance. It's not a scientific test but it was interesting. Big Game did pretty well, too. Not as abrasion resistant, but also about 5/1000" thinner.

The worst for abrasion resistance were Stren Superbraid and Power Pro.

These were all 50# test lines.

I was mistaken. I was thinking of a different line.
Did U test Fireline...

[5 String Bass]

Interested in the fireline test too... Does the 30 lb work well for most here? I'm debating between that and a 65 lb PP or other similar braid. Also how MUCH line do you typically need to fish that little creek, known as the ditch, when jigging? Does anyone feel the need to load up more than 300 yds of braid?
Thanks.

[partsjay]

1 more thing.....do you use a leader?

[chris L]

yes either 60# or 80# mono . floro is too expensive for my wallet in the canal . wait a damn minute my wallet has been in the canal .

[Mike P]

Fireline wasn't tested. As far as leader goes, I use 40# Ande Premium in clear, right off a 1/4 pound spool in my jig bag. Most economical way to make leaders, considering that going through 10 30" leaders a night isn't unheard of--they get chewed up from abrasion even if you're not losing jigs.

I use 40# because I want to make sure the leader breaks before the line.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by 5 String Bass

Interested in the fireline test too... Does the 30 lb work well for most here? I'm debating between that and a 65 lb PP or other similar braid. Also how MUCH line do you typically need to fish that little creek, known as the ditch, when jigging? Does anyone feel the need to load up more than 300 yds of braid?
Thanks.

I use 30 lb fireline but most don't like it.It's a little on the thick side to make far cast's.65 is kinda thick also it will also take more lead to get to the bottom.On the same token it will float em better..I always spool up my canal reels with 300 yds of line.
I use 40 lb flourocarbon leaders.I believe they have way better abraision resistance.I only tie my leaders 18 inches or so for the ditch.Lots of times the high bank behind u will prevent the use of anything longer..
Hooking a rock behind u is no fun..

[Saltheart]

I use 50 lb Ande pink or 60 LB Ande green (IGFA line) . Forget flouro for the canal. At any price its no good. I would have jigs fall off after 2 casts just from the flouro getting mashed on the rocks. Ande never let me down.

[t.orlando]

65 PowerPro on conv, 40 PowerPro on spinner. 50# Big Game mono for leaders

[riverrat2]

250 # rope, don't want to lose a cow to the mighty canal

[JPowers]

Canal Jiggin'...what line you use?

Here's my usual line:

" Nope, nothin' yet,"

[Saltheart]

Gee , I thought Jim's line was..."Its not a Bill Blass , its a Robucks!".