Fishing Forum

Just wondering what lb test of line most would suggest when ice fishing for lake trout, Planning to hit the gorge next weekend.
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I usually use 15 lb for jigging and 20 or 30 lb for trolling in case I snag the bottom I have a decent chance of getting my gear back.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2] I use 20 lb Fireline for my main line and 17 lb. Vanish florocarbon for my leader.[/font][/size]
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thanks for the info, I was told to use 8# test from another guy and
I thought that might be too light of line considering how big lake trout can get.
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fireline fireline fireline got to love snagging a big pile of that junk it is so visible and no strech what is it's good side I would use eny thing from 12lb test too 17lb test heck it all is good line eny more but we all have what we like the best mine is p-line and that is all I use I would hate to have a leader that I was depending on. p-line will hook fish just as good if not better than eny line out there little stretch and low vis alll the guy's that really catch mac use p-line and that is the bottom line period it is the line of the mac fisherman all the guy's that dont know this dont fish mac that well not starting eny thing but fireline is bass fisherman's junk......................ASH[cool]
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I don't think I'll hammer on Fireline as much as fishley (have an opinion would you Ashley!), but I will echo what he says.... All I use on about any pole I own is P-line. Pricey, but it catches fish like nothing else. I'll also add I've found the 100% flourocarbon to work best, not the flourocarbon coated stuff.
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My fishing pal and I fish for macs a lot. He guides on the Gorge. He has all his poles rigged with 15 lb flourocarbon. He believes in using the drag. Set the drag right and you loose very few fish and it is especially good for the not so solid a hook up. It also gives the client a lot better fight. He doesn't like to wench them in. But for jigging I think a braided line with a flourocarbon leader is best. You don't get the line stretch which allows a good hook set. I guess there are a million stories out there and this is mine. And we've caught a lot macs. I guess because he guides and spends a lot of time fishing for them.
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12-17lb P-Line (100% flourocarbon) top to bottom
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Thanks for all the replys, not much of a braided line fan takes all the fun out of it. but i'll try the p-line for sure. thanks again
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Sorry for the dumb question.But what is P-line?
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p-line is p-line the best fishing line on the market flouro coated or 100%flourocarbon which ever you pick you will love if your jigging mack's it is the stuff.
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P-Line is the name of the manufacturer. They make pure fluorocarbon lines (most expensive) to fluorocarbon blends and also braided lines.
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I am surprised to hear so much about P-line, I've never fished for Macs (yet) and I've used the line for about 3 years now. 10# on my baitcating reels, reel strong, low stretch, low vis, and will slice right through the skin on your finger if you're not careful....trust me. I like the Berkley vanish for my spinning reel but I would have to say p-line all the way. A little off the subject but has anyone ice fished with Berkley Vanish? I heard it gets weak, but I hear alot of opinions, or is it fact?
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Don't know if Vanish is any good for ice fishing, but I know that 50 pound Vanish line is the pits for leader when fishing for sturgeon. Ask Bigfishrule about using it for sturgeon.
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I have a hardly used spool of 50# vanish line that will rot on the shelf in my garage before I would use it again. Lost half a dozen sturgeon before Kent gave me some good leader. Tied my same not I had been using with the vanish and didnt lose another fish due to the line.

John
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I've never been a fan of Vanish fluorocarbon but when the Transition came out, I figured what the heck, and spooled one of my baitcaster with it. After using it on the ice this season, I've decided I wasted my money. I can't get decent knot strength with it. Sorry, I'm still not a fan of Vanish or Vanish Transition.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I've also used the P-Line Fluoroclear and wasn't impressed with that either. I've used P-Line mono on my saltwater rigs and have really liked it so I decided to try the fluoroclear. Too hard to get decent knots in it. [/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]As fluorocarbons go, I'm extremely happy with the Bass Pro Shop's own XPS fluoro. No problems with getting decent knots and it doesn't break the bank account. I've used it in a lot of applications and will continue to use it.[/size][/black][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]As for line I use for macks, I'll stick with superlines. I like the sensitivty and now stretch qualities. A six foot piece of fluorocarbon leader with a small 30# swivel will take care of any visibility problems and line twist issues. I prefer the 14 lb but have 20 spooled also. Plus the stuff lasts forever.[/size][/font]
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I've used vanish a fair amount for ice fishing the last couple years. For ice fishing I have mostly used the 2lb vanish but have the 4lb & 6lb vanish on a couple spools. One day I broke off three fish on the 2lb vanish but I think that I was more to blame than the line. After switching a couple of the spools to 4lb vanish I didn't didn't break any more off. I've been using the 2lb and 4lb vanish the last couple weeks at American Falls (Idaho). So far I haven't broke off a hard pulling American Falls Rainbow and the vanish has worked good enough for me.
I mostly use the uni-knot when ice fishing but also use the palomar knot some. I'm not impressed with the 4lb vanish that I put on a spinning reel that I use to cast light lures. The knot strength didn't seem very good and it got twisted up more by spinners than other lines I have used. I've been happy with the 12lb-17lb vanish that I have put on some of my bait casting reels.
I've caught several sturgeon on Vanish and it is worked well for me. I don't have it on either of my sturgeon rods currently because I think the berkley big game or braided line is better. I'm starting to think that braided line is the way to go for sturgeon leader.
Overall I think vanish is a good line but might change my mind after I try P-line.
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