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Here's a question I have been pondering for awhile now. If Berkleys Fireline is 1/3 as thick as normal line (mono). Then can you put a heavier weight line on a reel that is measured for 4/6 pound line? In other words if 6# Fireline is the same dia. as 2# pound mono, could you put 10# fireline on a reel set up for 4# line? The equation could continue to rise. Like 20# Fireline on a 6# reel. Or would you run into problems when you hooked that larger fish on the smaller reel?
I ask this because I just spooled a shakespere ultralite reel with 4# fireline and it took 125 yards to fill a 100 yard spool. And it still isn't full but pretty close. I wont be casting with this as it is on the ice pole. But it does raise an interesting question.
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I normaly put no more than 50 feet of new 4 or 2 pound test line over top of my old heavy 6 pound test that I use in the summer. In all my days of ice fishing I have yet had a fish drag all my 4 pound line off the reel but even if it did i still have the backing conected to the 4 pound test.
with 4 pound test I never use it on any thing bigger than a bass cisco or trout. when I am fishing for the bigger fish I have a seperate spool or dedicated rod and reel set up with 12 pound test for walleye lakers and pike.
as for what the reel will handle, stick to what it is rated for, I have striped out a dozen reels putting heaver line than what the reel is rated for and have striped gears burned barings and worn out the drags from trying to land a fish that is just way out of class for that particular reel.
there are pleanty of inexpencive reels you can put heavery test line on with out jepordising your ultra lites.
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These days I think you have to go by the actual line diameter rather than the pound test. I am not sure what the comparison is to anymore. For years even mono lines like the stren magnathin have claimed to be mono with less diameter than mono. If the old standard is the line diameters from 50 years ago, everything may be smaller. But most all the lines now come with the actual average diameter on the box. Its pretty accurate too, as it gets stretched on the roller, the line runs through a laser that is measuring every inch of the line as it rolls through. I dont know about problems with the smaller reel, I dont own any small stuff. I dont catch big fish either!
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Thanks guys I was wondering because I wore out my old Mitchell 300 to the point that it was not repairable. I know I used it for eveything and landed a whole lot of fish out of it's size range. It was not designed for 15 to 25 salmon but handled them just fine. When I upped the size of the line (had never had more than 6# on it before) to 12# test it died within a year. But then it was more than 20 years old at the time. Now I have this new Quatum and with the extra spools and the thinner lines I was wondering if I would hurt the reel by uing a line that was heavier than what the reel is rated for. The ultralight is an inexpensive reel as it only cost 19 bucks. I can't think of any situation with that reel that I would ever need more line on the spool than it is rated for. Thus the question of upping the line weight for it.
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[cool] Unlike most members on this board, I am a light tackle specialist. I seldom fish a reel rated at more than 8# test. If you buy quality reels and lines, your only occasional tuneup expense will be new drag washers.
I have several "10-1" club fish...fish more than 10 times the rated line strength. These include both salmon and stripers over 40 pounds on 4 lb. mono...and the old Mitchell 408 lightweight reels. These days I fish lightweight Shimanos and seldom use heavier than 6#, unless I am fishing the salt for toothy critters that like to dive into the rocks.
There isn't a fish in Deer Creek or Strawberry that you couldn't whip on the 4# or 6# Silver Thread Excalibur line I use. I have taken fish over thirty pounds on the six and over twenty on the four, with no line or knot failures.
Like Dave, I do not spool up completely with the "working line". I start with a base of lesser line, about two pounds heavier rated than what I am casting. I join the two with a good blood knot and make sure the knot is at the bottom of the spool, up snug against it, to eliminate catching on the line as it peels off the spool. In most situations I will not have more than about sixty yards of fresh line on top of the base. By the time I have taken it back a few yards (tieing new lures, snag breakoffs, etc.) it is time to strip off the rest and put on a fresh batch.
Good line is not cheap, but simply topping off your spool with the good stuff brings down the cost. And, if we spend all that money on tooling up for a trip and driving there, why skimp on the final connection between you and the fish?
As far as line ratings on reels, in most cases they are more suggestions than absolutes. Manufacturers rate their gear to help fishermen get the best performance. Some of the pros spool middleweight spinning reels with superlines rated for 50#, when they are pitching or flipping into extreme cover. You have to match your tackle to fhe fishing situation.
PS, Road...you need to check the post office next week for FB2's box that Santa left down here for him. It went out Thursday. HO HO HO.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]"Top-shots" are a very common practice in saltwater applications. Spectra based backings with a mono topshot being the norm. This is done to increase the line capacity of a given reel.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]I think that putting a top shot on an 8# reel is stretching it a bit considering that that the total line capacity is equivalent to about one small spool of line. I see no advantage to saving $3-$4 to go to all that trouble. I realize that saving a dollar is being frugal but what happens when that 40# salmon or striper spools that 4# top shot and hits the "lesser base line" and it doesn't hold up? Great savings? I think not. I agree "if we spend all that money on tooling up for a trip and driving there, why skimp on the final connection between you and the fish?"
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[cool]If I am fishing where the quarry has the potential of running off some line, then I use a full spool of the best line I can buy. No knots, No worries. But, I have had large yellowfin tuna spool two 80# reels, one tied on behind the other. That's different.
I have had few Utah fish run off more than a few feet of line at a time...including a 23# brown on 6#.
The 44# striper on 4# line ate a small summer run steelhead I was reeling in, in the American River, and never left the hole it was hooked in. Never had more than thirty yards of line off the reel at any time. I was lucky.
River caught salmon are much the same. They often slug it out for an hour or more, in the same hole, unless they head downstream. Open water salmon are different. They can make some serious runs. Next time I hear of a run of big salmon in Deer Creek, I'll do the full spool thng. After all, it's only money.
It's all a matter of personal preference, as much as economics. My style works for me. You believe in what works for you. That's what it's all about. Find something you can fish with confidence and you are bound to be more successful. When you are not playing the "what if" game, or worring about using the right lures...or fishing somewhere else...you can concentrate on what you need to be doing...fishing with confidence.
Good luck and have fun.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]Fair enough. I may not agree with the line selections but that's my preference. I prefer a much high margin of error. I'm real good at the "what if's" after I've put too much pressure on a fish and broke off. I'm much more into the power game than the finese.[/size][/font]
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[cool][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]May the FORCE be with you, Mr. Mack. As you so correctly state, it is a matter of personal preference, and I would never presume to suggest you are wrong. Your favorite fish and favorite tackle are a matter of what turns your crank. There is no real right or wrong...well, maybe sometimes. There is only what works best for you.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]I do understand where you are coming from. Like yourself, I put in some time on the West Coast, and I miss the full contact hand-to-fin combat on the big boats. Abusing hatchery pets and perch on wimpy rods is a poor substitute for muscling big salt water beasties on stand up tackle. And, that is a type of fishing that instills an appreciation for both quality gear and tough line...and plenty of it.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]I would not think of challenging or refuting any of your preferences. I'm sure they are all based on loads of successful experience. So be it.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]I suspect we could have some good times together when I get moved back up to Utah. How long in advance do I have to put in for a reservation in the fabled BLM boat?[/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]Where are you taking this? I’m sorry that I have ruffled your feathers by questioning your methods and astonishing results unattainable by someone such as myself and I apologize that I tried to offer an alternative prospective on the subject that contradicted yours and in the process, stepped on your toes. Thank you for pointing out my bias and arrogant attitude concerning fishing related subjects and, once again, showing me my place when I step out of line. I am; indeed, fortunate to have someone concerned enough about me to, graciously and subtly, point out my shortcomings and help me become a better person and online citizen. I truly must be a privileged individual to gain your consideration and favor.
It would be such an honor to have someone of your vast knowledge, prominence, stature, and esteem grace my humble boat, but alias, I must decline, for I am not worthy…
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[cool] Man, that was the most eloquent and verbose putdown I have ever been given. The self-deprecation part was just a mite heavy though.
Neither of us need apologize to anyone for being opinionated. But, as I once heard, "You can always tell an opinionated person. You just can't tell them very much." I resemble that remark.
When you made reference to my "vast" knowledge, etc, you probably should have said half-vast. More accurate.
As far as denying me fishing privileges in your boat...just see if I ever let you in my float tube...at least not on the first date.
'Nuff said. TRUCE?
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[size 4]For sure, TRUCE. [/size]
[size 4]To each his own, and each valid in his own opinion. [/size]
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[cool] [font "Times New Roman"][size 3]I'm cool widdat. Hey, Predator, are you going to mention anything about our new assignment? Also, looking for your intro on the board.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]By the way, my condolences on the loss in your family. Were you close to your grandfather?[/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]You really thought I was a mite heavy with the "self-deprecation part", huh? I'll have to work on that.......[/size][/font]
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[cool]Just stay your own sweet humble self.
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