Just wondering what you all think the best line for ice fishing is. I have had problems in the past with the line getting really stiff then tangling around the real. I need some line that will stay nice and smooth no matter how cold it is.
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alot of good lines out for the ice. light line that is limp, trilene xl,berkley ice line, stren magnathine, macoy ice line. 4lb is usually a good size.
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I picked up a 1/4 lb spool of Cajun Red line, 4 lb test. I liked it during the summer, and theoretically, it should be good for the ice. Other than that, I don't really have a favorite brand, as long as you go light.
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I've been happily using Trilene XL 4 and 6 lb, and Bass Pro Shops Excel mono 4, 6, and 8 lb. These lines have stayed limp in cold weather. I always put on fresh line for the ice season since old line gets brittle in cold weather.
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If you have had problems with the line becoming too stiff and "leaping" off the spool, you are probably using either a metal spool with a standard type mono, or you are using a long cast spool. Either case is not very good for freezing temperatures.
I use my composite spools for ice fishing if I have one for the reel, and I use a good low memory line in lighter sizes. Berkley, Stren, Silver Thread, Johnson, and even Remmington have low memory lines that work well for ice fishing. I have tended to lean towards the Berkley Ice and Trilene Tournament Strength Photochromic. I have not tried the Cajun Red, but I would bet from the design, that it would also perform well through the ice. I'm sure there are others that I am unaware of. I did try a co-polymer line one year, and I was surprised at how well it performed in the cold weather. A few cracks in the outer layer, but the inner core held strong. Just stay as small as you are comfortable with. 2lb. for most pan fish. 4lb. for most trout, walleye, and larger pan fish. 6lb. for bigger trout, bigger walleye, pike, bass. 8-10lb. for lakers, muskie....you get the idea. These are just my preferred lines, some go lighter, some go heavier. Fish what you are comfortable with, so you are fishing with confidence in your gear. It will help you land more fish.
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