Since I haven't been fishing lately I was going to throughly clean and lube reels. I was thinking about cahnging the line as well. I was using stren in the green color late in the season and the clear in the spring.

I was thinking about changing to spiderwire mono. Any comments or what do you use?

Scottie

I like to use #6 diameter(#20 test) Fireline with a #20 test fluorocarbon leader attached with a swivel for reds and specks. The small line allows for alot of lenght, positive feel, and is VERY durable(going on 3 seasons with ORIGINAL line). Never had much luck with any Spiderwire product.

Thanks for the info TXSportFisherman. I haven't heard anyone talking about the spiderwire product on this forum.

I assume the Fireline is a braided line? If so I haven't had much luck with braded line. It's super strong and can be good to free line shrimp. However, I have lost a few Alamedas when using this line. I took it off two of the rigs I was using.

Scottie

ive been using stren inshore xtreme and it seems to work great.i also use about a 12 " leader of 30 lb and dont break off many fish.

I put the Alameda shaker on the mono. Snap in the bottom, place mono in slot , then wrap 3X around top and then snap in place. Basically, Fireline as the main, then swivel, then approx 3' mono with shaker set approx. 18" from #4 treble using live shrimp hooked just in front of horn. Have yet to lose a bobber OR fish! Won't use the Fireline for artificials, just 12-14# Trilene big game tied to jighead with plastic. I can bust that off if (or better said, when) I hang up on the bottom.

TXSportFisherman, that is about where I attach the Alameda. I guess when I first used the braided line I was not using a leader. Therefore the shaker was not holding,; either being thrown off or flowing off the line.

I may give it another try this year. What kind of knot do you use when attaching to swivel?

Scottie

[This message has been edited by pscottjr (edited 12-13-2003).]

An improved chinch on both sides of the swivel and a palomar on the hook. I fiquered thats how you were mounting the float(onto the main line). Been there,done that, lost a few floats. I use an Abu Garcia Ascent #4 spinning reel on a 7' MH pole. I can easily cast it 40-50 yards fairly accurately. Just pop off reel after use and rinse in fresh water then hit it with Reel Magic or WD40. I have to change the mono out almost daily due to the salt ,but the Fireline lasts and lasts. Cuts right through the sargasso grass too!

Thanks again TXSportFisherman. I Will give it try on one of my spinning reels as I clean and lube.

One more question? What size swivel are you using? I started using the palomar on all hooks about half way through this year. I like the idea of replacing only the leader as needed (after each trip).

Thanks again.

Anyother suggestions out there?

Scottie

Wouldn't mess with spider-wire mono if you plan on free-lining any. Very stiff and prone to tangle in my experience. I use Trilene XL 10# for free-lining, and 12# XT for my baitcasters. Clear for the spinning and solar green for the 12#.Definitely change it out, and as much as you fished this past year, it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a early summer line change and a early fall change also, if you do that much fishing this coming year.

[This message has been edited by TOO (edited 12-14-2003).]

Not sure of my swivel sizes. Just use a brass one that is big enough so as to not fit through the first guide on the pole. Wouldn't use Fireline(or any braid) on a baitcaster as it will bury itself into the spooled line after your first good fish. Real headache to get loose then and too expensive to cut. Spinning gear...yes, baitcaster...no.
Went out with a guide earlier this year. There was 5 of us. He was laughing about my braided line. Everyone other than me broke off good fish using straight mono on the oyster reef we were fishing. He quit laughing shortly thereafter! We brought our own gear, but I can see why a guide wouldn't want to use the braid with "joe public". That stuff is tough and will slice right into a gloveless hand when pulled. Always wrap the line around a stick if you need to get it loose. Found the best way to cut it is with fire unless you've got very sharp clippers.

Thanks TOO and TXSportFisherman, I am planning on doing as much fishing as I can this coming year.

I know when I was fishing Live Oak Point with all the oyster beds that I was breaking off many times as I would get the fish in closer. Though that one day in particular I was catching reds and black drum, I am sure they were heading to the bottom and my line was running on the beds and would break. Of course I have never tried to horse in a fish...LOL

Got a few spinning reels. I like to give III, and Nelson (son & Son-in-law) different rigs to try for me. They may not like it but since I get to keep them and clean them, I get to determine what line, etc. they have. Gotten pretty damn good at completely disassembling, repairing, cleaning and reassembling, my Shimanos, Abu, and my Penn.

thanks again

Scottie

Hey TXSportfisherman,
I was thinking of changing to Power Pro Braided line on one of my baitcasters. Did you notice a decreased number of bites compared to mono or fluorocarbon?

Nawww, only place braid makes a difference is in gin clear water like Lake Travis. Would NOT use braid on baitcaster reel... digs in!

I use Powerpro on my baitcasting rigs for bass and specs. The stuff is super strong and way more sensitive than mono. (You can feel a fish breathe on your bait) To keep it from digging in just fill the first half of the spool with mono (like backing on a fly rod) then attach the Powerpro. The only issues are that since the line has no stretch you don't need to lean into the fish to set the hook. Do that and you may be reeling in a set of lips..and the it's a bit easier to backlash because it comes off the spool so much quicker than mono. Overall I love it, but it takes some getting used to.