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which one? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on how you would compare using fireline versus mono, and why you would choose one over the other. Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
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when these 'gel spun' lines came out there were many articles published explaining their advantages and disadvantages. Primarily gel spun lines have a much smaller diameter than standard nylon or polymer mono. This lets an angler pack more line on a reel and also provides a line with less drag which assists casting and allows lines to sink deeper and somewhat faster for a given lure or trolling weight. They may also be more resistant to abrasion. Gel spuns have disadvantages as well. Some are abrasive themselves and wear rod guides quickly. Knot strength is a problem (due to the slipperyness of the material) and most traditional knots don't work well. The small diameter creates a binding problem as the thin line may dig deeply into the coil of line on the reel. Carefully packing the reel will help avoid this but some anglers have reported problems when fighting a large fish - it's hard to keep this in mind and binding will result in a lost fish. On single action reels (like fly reels where the stuff is used as backing)a second problem is the stuff will gather in humps as the line is gathered in and the humps will slump again resulting in binding. Perhaps the worst problem is that the lines can cut very deeply if an angler touches a line running under pressure (such as when a large fish runs line off the reel) and there have been reports of saltwater anglers being cut to the bone as they tried to palm the line. While this can be a problem with mono it is much worse with gel spuns. None the less people use the stuff. Many writers recommend using the stuff only in 30lb strength and up. Diameter then is close to 10 to 12 lb mono which is workable in most applications. For breaking strength of 10 to 15lbs or less the stuff probably isn't worth the bother.
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I myself have been using Fireline since it came out a few years ago.I have it loaded on 5 of my Abu reel,s.It is much stonger that mono, it cast smoother.It has hardley any stetch to it so when you go to set the hook in a fish it,s done with little force.Also when you compare the price it cost for both line,s Fireline come,s out on top.Because with mono you should change your line atleast 2-3 time,s a year depending if you coho- spring fish.Then you go steelhead fishing and your mono is stretched thank,s to those big spring,s or chum,s you caught in the fall.The reel I use right now has had Fireline on it for the last 2 full season,s.As for wrecking the guides on your rod I myself have not seen any wear at all.
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Lack of stretch is another possibloe advantage. Some people like that (surer hook sets) some people don't (easy to break the leader if you are ham handed) Guide wear may be a problem with metal guides (like fly rod snake guides) but not with ceramics
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An easier hook-set and more accurate casting are why I like the stuff (Fireline). For Bass fishing I like to cast from a lot farther out than many people do and put the lure right 'in tight' to shore, I use 6# test occasionally 10 for that work. For River fishing I find my reflexes are somewhat slower than average so it gives me a moment longer to set the hook when the float goes down. And of course for Jigging Saltwater species there nothing like it. The Stuff that was apparently damaging to Guides was a Kevlar material that is no longer produced. My main Halibut rod has been used with Tufline/Fireline for 6 years now and there's no sign of wear on the plain metal guides at all.
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Fireline all the way!!!!! Its got no stretch..less abbrasions..you can see your line in the water better!! and its hella strong!!!! Have fun breaking your line if you snag your main line!!!!!!! Tight lines!
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Last year I tried a spool of smoke coloured fireline on one of my casting reels. While binding was a problem after busting out of snags, the real drawback for me was that the line (above water) was virtually invisible in all but direct sunlight. A real problem when bottom bouncing. I'm sure a different colour would have helped. Anyway, the line lasted two days, then it was back to the maxima for me.
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I've had the same Tuff-Line on my level wind for over 6 years now and have saved a small fortune in mono. The no stretch as others have said is good but I'm a big fan of the no memory-as limp as the day it was born/spun. I was having problems several years ago with the mainline breaking before my much lighter leader. I thought that the line was deteriorating but traced it down to fraying at the swivel. No problems now that I keep closer eye on it and re-tie when necessary. Actually the Tuff-Line shows no sign of deterioration, unlike mono after several seasons. One downside is that the Tuff-line can be more of a challenge to untangle a birdsnest or when your line has mated with that of the guy beside you.
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For people that have trouble with braided lines binding. I recommend having it spooled on at a tackle shop by machine. If the line is origionally spooled super tight you should have fewer problems. As well..Because many people use these lines in heavier lb test, if you become snagged on bottom...DONT just clamp on the drag, point your rod and pull! This can cause the spool spindles on your reel to bend...UGLY! Instead just wrap the line 5 or 6 times around the frame of your reel. Or find a suitable stick to wrap. Then pull away.
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It's strange to me how some people give up on something new so easily. I was down at Yeagers in Bellingham when Fireline first came out. A fishermen came in b******g about the Fireline he'd bought, claimed it was no d****d good asking for it to be replaced. So I hung around and after he'd been spooled up with Mono and left I asked the Clerk "how much"? for the Fireline that had been removed-he gave it to me for nothing! It turns out the Fisherman had taken 6 casts and not liked it!!! My gain his losss I used that line for 3 years on my Steelhead outfit until a murderous 'professional overrun' in a torrential rainstorm brought it's life to a close. I'm a mite knife-happy at times, well as the saying goes easy come easy go! Marty's advice is good, myself I use a glove to spool it on a reel under pressure the first time, no problem so far with both Casting & Spinning reels.
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Trying to find a lower mainland source for triple fish mono line...I have a non-pc enabled aquaintence who is focussed to the point no other line will do....and there is none that I know of along our hiway 16 corridor. He's used up the last bit he had... anyone know of retailers down there carrying this line. Thanks.
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Ken I haven't seen Triple Fish for sale here for a long time. I think the distributor went out of business. Nikka still carries some but all I've seen is the larger sizes 60#+. http://www.nikkaindustries.com for contact info.
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I had fireline on my reel a couple years ago, and I loved it. It casted like a dream, and breaking it was almost impossibe. (I think the strength labeled on it is actually a bit lower than it's actual strength) The only problem I had, was knots. I didn't get that many, but if I did get one, there was no way it was coming out. It also tended to fray fairly quickly on the last 10 or 15 feet. Other than that, the strength and low stretch make it well worth the money.
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