I was just wondering if any of you guys use superlines for steelhead or salmon in the rivers? I have considerd trying fireline but haven't jumped the boat from mono. What about a supeline mainline and a mono leader? How do superlines stack up to mono as far as visability goes. As far as mono goes Iv'e used stren, trilene, and am currently using maxima ultra green and havent had a problem with any of them.
Thanks
Mark

Mark, I use tuf line on my bobber rods because it floats and is easy to mend. As far as fireline goes a buddy of mine had that on a reel and I didnt like it at all it had a tendancy to fray. I prefer mono for drift fishing and I use maxima myself. When using the new braided lines just remember that they dont have much if any give and it is easier to break leaders. Good luck.

I use flame green fireline on my bobber rod and have had no problems with it. It is very easy to see, and mends easily. I've had no problems with fraying.

I have tried Spyderwire on my drift rods and plug rods. It doesn't have the abraision resistance for drift fishing. I do like it on the plug rods. It has a thin line diameter and doesn't stretch very much so it really lets the plugs get down and gives them good action.

I have tried Spyderwire on my drift rods and plug rods. It doesn't have the abraision resistance for drift fishing. I do like it on the plug rods. It has a thin line diameter and doesn't stretch very much so it really lets the plugs get down. The thin line diameter also seems to give the plugs a little more action.

I'd have to agree, none of the superlines (Spectra) lines I've tried have very good abrasion resistance... but they're great for other types of fishing. I'm tempted to try and rig it with a short mono tip and mono leader for drift fishing, though.
I use Power Pro a lot on my saltwater rigs and love it for that.

-N.

Thinking of trying Fireline this summer for steelies. I'm looking for something that would replace my spool of 10 - 12# mono. What do you guys recommend as far as diameter and line weight?

Thanx,

Bobber Down

"Keep your hooks sharp!"

Ed,

The superlines definitely have their place. I personally would not give you a dime for either Tuffline or Spiderwire. You might take a peek at the related thread here. I am now using Fireline (the black stuff) and it has changed my attitude toward superlines-great stuff. Good luck.

RM

Lets see! 30lb Fireline on my bobber rod,2 yrs old, over 100+ salmon on it and it still is strong as when i got it. It looks like hell, but i have grown use to the fact that fireline is not pretty if you use it alot. 20lb fire line on my medium/heavy drift rod, over 200 salmon and steelhead and still going strong. 14 lb fireline on my jig poles and 6 months old and it has about 50 steelies caught on it, looks frayed, still as strong as when i bought it. I do break my mono leaders, but i would rather lose the hook then everything. Bobbers cost more then hooks or jigs. I have tried other super lines and have not liked them. Fireline mends easy, fishes great, and you feel everything. I talked to a guy that didn't like it because when he caught fish, he felt beat up. Stating that since there is no give in it, you have to fight the whole fish, without out the stretch of mono that you get when fighting a fish. Why do we fish i told him, to feel the power of a scrapper. Trilene knot is a must with fireline. I am sold on it. Good luck, and slam a cromer!
Steve

My set up is 14lb flame green fireline for mainline. It has 6lb diameter. I also use 14lb Berkley Vanish for my leader material. Works great. If you give the Vanish a try, don't use anything less than 14lb. The knots will be weak if you do.

Jacob:

Thanks for the info. One other question, do you use the Vanish as a type of tippet that your float slides up and down on, if so how many feet from the braid blood knot to your swivel?

Bobber Down

"Keep your hooks sharp!"

I don't use it as a tippet. Just a straight leader. I use the polimar(sp) knot and tie a swivel to my Fireline, and then tie my Vanish leader directly to that. I did pretty good with it for the winter run and am waiting to see how well the Vanish works in the summer.