Best line for hard water

[jaywroe]

2 weeks ago i went ice fishing for the first time in 35 years and now I am hooked!
For the last 2 weeks I have combed threads on here and youtube to figure out what I need to have to get started.
I am looking for advice on a rod/reel/line set up. I will be mostly fishing on Gull or Sylvan lake. What line do you recommend?

Thanks,
J

[HuyFishin]

so many choices!

What kind of fish will you be targeting also what is your budget? You could get a cheap combo for 35 dollars, a good quality entry level rod and reel set up for 100-120 dollars. I have high end set ups for 350 dollars. They all catch fish.

If you fish in a tent then i would say braid is a good all round choice. If you fish outside then I prefer mono only cuz its doesnt ice up and freeze like braid does.

[Poppa]

"You can do anything with 10lb Power Pro" -- Aaron Wiebe

^^^ Gospel...

[Chief16]

15lb braided ice specific braided line is my go to. I then use a leader that is situational specific and connect them with a swivel.

[old dog]

I use super slick power pro 15 lb test. With flouralcarbon leader. Mostly use a st croix 36 inch ML and M rod.

[jaywroe]

Originally Posted by old dog

I use super slick power pro 15 lb test. With flouralcarbon leader. Mostly use a st croix 36 inch ML and M rod.

Why the flouralcarbon leader?

[pinelakeperch]

Originally Posted by jaywroe

Why the flouralcarbon leader?

*fluorocarbon. Fluoro is essentially invisible underwater, while ice braids are often high visibility. If you're fishing in clear water, a fluoro leader is a must. You'll also find it easier to tie knots with fluoro vs braid.

[jaywroe]

Originally Posted by pinelakeperch

*fluorocarbon. Fluoro is essentially invisible underwater, while ice braids are often high visibility. If you're fishing in clear water, a fluoro leader is a must. You'll also find it easier to tie knots with fluoro vs braid.

If I am targeting pike, walleye, burbs and whites would you not want a wire leader?

[pinelakeperch]

Originally Posted by jaywroe

If I am targeting pike, walleye, burbs and whites would you not want a wire leader?

Fluorocarbon is highly abrasion resistant. You absolutely do not want to use a wire leader for whites, and fluoro is sufficient for walleye and burbs as well. You can go the wire leader route for pike, although many still stick with fluoro.

[jaywroe]

Originally Posted by pinelakeperch

Fluorocarbon is highly abrasion resistant. You absolutely do not want to use a wire leader for whites, and fluoro is sufficient for walleye and burbs as well. You can go the wire leader route for pike, although many still stick with fluoro.

Wicked advice. Thanks.

[dustinjoels]

If you’re expecting a fair share of pike amongst other species, make sure you use the fluorocarbon leader material line as opposed to regular fluorocarbon line. Much more abrasion resistant.

[jaywroe]

Originally Posted by dustinjoels

If you’re expecting a fair share of pike amongst other species, make sure you use the fluorocarbon leader material line as opposed to regular fluorocarbon line. Much more abrasion resistant.

Thanks. Noted

[riderprider]

I’ve found Berkley NanoFil works well in the cold. As do most of the ice braids but then you don’t have to flip flop lines summer and winter. Plus I always use a fluorocarbon leader as well. Anything to up the odds.

[old dog]

Thats why I use flouralcarbon. And also find it very abrasive resistant on the edge of the ice especially when bringing in large fish just as u get them close to the hole. I never use a wire leader anymore. I check for nicks on the line after every fish and never had a issue. We’ve brought in 30 lbs pike on this set up. I use same setup for my long rods in the summer for the most part

[Speckle55]

I use Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon 8#

I fish Trout n Lake Whitefish

I use a one man box tent

Wire worms work well with Vanish

Just saying

David

[bitterrootfly]

Originally Posted by old dog

I use super slick power pro 15 lb test. With flouralcarbon leader. Mostly use a st croix 36 inch ML and M rod.

I run the exact same setup, it just plain works!

[BPman]

I use 8 or 10 lb clear MagnaThin mono for walleye, burbs, whites and anything else when jigging and will lose an occasional pike to a bite off but a wire leader is a no no for whites which are my primary target. On my bait (dead smelts) set ups for pike a 24" 15 or 20 lb TUFLINE TUF LEADER on clear 20 lb mono has proven sufficient for pike to about 20 lb. I have never had a bite-off in winter with only 20 lb mono/no leader but like the leader anyway because it is flexible, very thin and bite proof.