Fireline questions

[steelhead]

I have heard a variety of stories about Fireline (And similar products) pluses and minuses. It's very strong, thin, sensitive. It's very limp, can tangle on the spool if you don't manage it just so. That only certain knots work because it's slippery. You don't need to set up the entire reel with it. Etc. From reading posts on this board over the past 6 months, There are a lot of believers in it. I was hoping you all could "demystify" it for me, as I am planning to switch over to it this spring.

[BigFish]

Gimme good ole' mono anyday....never gives me any trouble......don't like that new fangled garbage! but hey, thats just me! Needless to say, I have never used any of those hybrid type fishing lines and I don't think I will, I like to stick with what works for me. Hang in there though, some of these guys will be able to give you the insight you are looking for.

[Mike P]

Fireline is very strong---much stronger than what it's rated (the webmaster of another site tested 14# Fireline and found it to break at about 34# of pull). It's not as thin as the packaging says---based on what yardage of Big Game mono I know my reels hold, 14# Fireline is equal to about 10# BG, 20# is equal to about 14# mono, and 30# is equal to about 20# mono.

It's also not as limp as you think. When it's new out of the package, it has a wiry feel to it and it has a slight bit of spool memory, which actually helps keep it manageable on old fashioned spinning reels, like the Penn Spinfisher and SS series, and the Daiwa BG. It comes off the spool a little tighter than totally limp spun braids like Power Pro or Whiplash. I use a Palomar knot on Fireline and it won't ever slip. The slickness wears off quickly and the line gets a "fuzzy" texture. Doesn't affect the strength.

Of all the spools of it I've used, I only had one bad batch---a spool of 14# that started delaminating.

[BigFish]

Told you someone here would have great insight. Way to go MikeP.

[macojoe]

Same here!! I have used it for the last 3 years and love it. I do not how ever use it on spin gear. I really only have two spin gear out fits and they have mono.
I use the fire line for Fluke fishing and there is nothing better IMO. It does turn a silver color and does get a bit fuzzy as Mike said but stays nice and strong!!
If you are not use to braided lines it will take a little to get use to! There is no stretch and when you set the hook you will like to have a soft tiped rod. You need that little give as if you don't you will rip that hook right out the fish mouth.

[Stewie]

I have used 30lb Fireline on my conventional reels for years and every time I try mono again I hate it. Fireline is so sensitive you can feel the bottom jigging like its your fingertips out there. I haven't tried it on spinning reels because I don't really use them. I will try it on my penn550 though for light jigs in R.I. Once you try Fireline you won't go back.....If only we could get them to spin up some 50 or 65lb stuff for th canal.....

[InshoreAngler]

fireline and powerpro

[justplugit]

What MIKE P said! Had one bad batch in 5 years,sent it back and they replaced it,but not the 3 plugs i lost. Still will not switch,too many advantages.

[Mr. Sandman]

On my what home from the RISSA show, I stopped by a shop yesterday and pulled out 30# braid for PP, the new stren brain, Fireline stealth, and a couple others and had them lined up right next to each other...I wish I had my camera, there is a noticable difference.

I have only fished with PP braid (30 and 50) and have had good experiences with it both on spin and conv. The only problem I have is if you do get a backlash or windknot, it is more difficult it remove it because the line is thin. But it happens no more frequent then mono for me (pretty rare event). The pros FAR out weigh the cons for this stuff, this is a no brainer.

I have heard good things about stealth and the new stren from guys that have used PP in the past and suffered some mystery break-offs which I have been luck to avoid for the most part. I want to try some of the others for mylsef. Just looking at the stealth...it is a lot thicker in dia then PP. I am worried about cansting distance reduction and water friction when fishing bottom. I have to say the stren looks excellent. just as thin or maybe thinner as PP (30=8 ish) and did not seem to have that waxy coating that PP has on there. They claim it is also more round then PP. (PP looks pretty round to me though )

I early in the season I plan to spool up with all three and give them my own taste test. For me the big advanages are sensivity, thinness, strength, durability, casting distance. The disadvantages for me have been sligthy more difficulty un-doing of windknots and make *sure* your guides are in good shape! This like does not like a guide with a nick or a crack in it. It will find its way into the crack and get cut, mono is so thick is is uneffected by a hairline crack. (these should be fixed anyway)

IMO ANY of these are FAR better then mono on a conv for casting or bottom fishing (which it is outstanding for). I have to say (FOR ME) it has spin cast fine on my newer reels. (Before you throw a 3oz plug into a gale with all your strength.....you just better protect you index finger...that line is really thin and will cut the tip of your finger just like a razor!) Also, have the shop install it for you properly. This stuff lasts a loooong time compared to mono. I leave it on all season, most guys leave it on for multi seasons without problems. (Don't try that with mono)

I have not tried it on my older (classic) spinning reels and will probably keep mono (big game) on them.

IMO this line will do for fishing what the "metal wood" and Titlest ProVII ball did for golf. its a whole new game now.