Ice fishing line

[flyhaven]

Do I really need Ice Fishing Line?What sets it apart from a good fluorocarbon?

[mono_mono]

There are a lot of successful fisherman her that use everything from braid to mono to florcarbon. It all works

[Dave R]

The short answer is no. I don't use Fluorocarbon, but have heard of issues with it if you fish outside.

[fishermantim]

The only real difference would be based on personal preference.

Sure, flouro might ice up more than mono, and braid will DEFINITELY ice up more than flouro and mono, but you will have to see what the pros and cons of each are when YOU use them in YOUR given applications.

I don't use flouro (my choice) but I do have reels with mono and others with braid.

What you will also find is that each line will act/react differently when paired with different reels and rods, so you will have your work cut out for you.

I tried different lines on different rigs to see what performed best for my needs, and that's what I use now.

Heck, the best part of it all is YOU get to field test these options, so you are doing "work" while you are fishing....can't beat that!

[Bartb]

I tried fluorocarbon suffix this year, I lost 3 fish in 3 outings...that crap came off and I switched to Pline.   

I was using braid for years with great success but wanted to try something different.

I would use braid or Pline again in a heartbeat, fluorocarbon...NO WAY.

[Papa Sly]

I use flouro and love It for leaders on tip-ups but not on rods but my basic rule is "IF IT'S NOT BROKEN DON'T FIX IT!"

[Gills-only]

The short answer is no. I don't use Fluorocarbon, but have heard of issues with it if you fish outside.

.        I have used fluorocarbon line for years and have yet to fish in a shanty. Never had any problems, I guess what ever you have the best luck with, use it!!

[Unclegillhunter]

No you don't need ice line. There are other posts on this forum that have gone over and over this question. If you are happy with what ever type of line don't spend extra money on a box the has the word ice on it!
Keep it safe! JDL

[NateD]

I tried fluorocarbon suffix this year, I lost 3 fish in 3 outings...that crap came off and I switched to Pline.   

I was using braid for years with great success but wanted to try something different.

I would use braid or Pline again in a heartbeat, fluorocarbon...NO WAY.

Just curious, what kind of knot were you using? Line doesn't just break for no reason unless you somehow got a bad batch.

[Bartb]

Just curious, what kind of knot were you using? Line doesn't just break for no reason unless you somehow got a bad batch.

I used palomar and improved clench.  I talked to the guys at scheels and they said many customers had been having issues.  In the garbage it went!

[NateD]

I used palomar and improved clench.  I talked to the guys at scheels and they said many customers had been having issues.  In the garbage it went!

Weird, those are the exact knots i use with flouro and I don't get break offs.  I'm usually using 6 pound though that might make a difference.

[Bartb]

I was using 6 and 8 pound on different rods.  They said ALOT of bad comments were coming to the store. Must be a bad batch or something. 

[PikeChaser198]

I use normal seagur and love it. My buddy turned me on to it this year.

[gorf37]

Disclaimer: I'm not informed about ice braids.  Normal braids have performed so poorly for me, and I end up hand-lining often enough, that I haven't bothered to try.  In theory they could be great.

The difference is the limpness when it gets cold.  It has a narrow window where it really shines, and for the most part it's a nice to have, and the 'is it worth it' question is just about your personal preference and how rich your tackle budget is.

The window, where in my opinion ice mono is absolutely worthwhile:

1. You will be routinely fishing in temperatures below -20C.
2. You want to fish line that is heavy relative the jigs you'll be using.

Not 'it was -20C when we hit the ice this morning!', actual low of -30, high of -20.  At this temperature, line memory on heavy monos and especially the relatively stiffer fluoro mainlines is brutal.  It's like you're fishing with a slinky.  Bait casters and level winds are a little better in my experience, but still not great.  I still run a lot of mono without worrying about it, because if there's enough weight of lure to pull the memory coils out of the line, and sensitivity isn't paramount b/c you're fishing aggressive fish, it's not needed.

For my personal use, it's key for kokanee fishing, because I'm in 20-40 fow, fishing 1/16 or 1/8 oz jigs for 1/2 to 1lb fish.  I could go to a 2lb mono, and probably not have too much trouble, but I end up hand-lining fairly often, and can get into 10lb rainbows in the same hole, so I stick with a 6lb mono and fluoro leader.  The kokanee bite is very soft and the strikes are quick, so sensitivity is critical.  That's where I notice the benefits of the ice line.  Plain 6lb mono has enough line memory that sensitivity is lost beyond 20ft.  The ice mono is so supple even in the cold temps that I can get the sensitivity I need in the 40ft holes.

That's my 2cents.

[slipperybob]

The entire fishing rig has to work.  Just the line and/or line type isn't always the culprit to lousy line performance.  Anyway just talking about line types, fluorocarbon lines are made of a harder material than your nylon type lines.  They also will have less elasticity.

The most important thing about ice lines are, they will be offered in smaller test pounds than your regular open water line. 

[walkinboss]

monofilament and floros spring off the reel to easy. I prefer fireline or nanofil

[charger7022]

I switched to Berkley vanish transitions floro in 4lb this year and I love it, its very strong (landed a 23" northern 20" largemouth and a 20" catfish and many many  panfish with it so far). Its really hard to see and seems super strong. so far I love it. I also use it outside on homemade jaw jackers and never had and issue with line iceing up and I get good hooksets with it.

[Iceballs204]

I use a variety of braids. I love 10lb nano. After a few outings you'll have to inspect for frays but never had a break off in 4/5 years. I also have fire line ice on my very first rod/reel set up. Line is 5 yrs old frays like nano but can't get rid of it, caught my first fish on that bad boy. The best line in my opinion suffix ice braid I orange. In the 6lbs was able to ice many pike, biggest being 39in. This stuff rarely frays. 

I normally bring 3 rods with me   1 jigging 1 dead stick and 1 backup. When I go fishing I always set up a hub for home base   I'll drill holes around and start fishing   When my line ices up bad ill switch out to my back up rod and let the other one defrost. Nano is easier to clear than suffix IMO. This set up has worked for me for years and I don't plan on changing.

I fish for Wally's, pike, and burbots primarily hence the 10lb line. Good luck and tight lines

[chompmn]

.        I have used fluorocarbon line for years and have yet to fish in a shanty. Never had any problems, I guess what ever you have the best luck with, use it!!

I used fluorocarbon had it break so often went back to braid

[flyfish413]

Ice braid is treated with a water repellent to minimize holding water and freezing up and it definitely does work better than standard braid when it's well below freezing out. All my ice reels have braid from 3 to 10 lb.

[Pickledpike270]

Always used mono in the past gonna try out some braid this year and see how it goes.

[bootstrap]

mono-small swivel-fluoro. pline is good.

[wyogator]

I have Fireline on all of my jigging rods from 4 to 10 lb Test.  I find myself using mono less and less these days.  I keep it spooled up on spare reels for jigging outside of the shack.  About the only other time I use mono is maybe when I'm trolling crankbaits for walleye or surf fishing in Florida.

[Tye]

P-Line Floroice and Trilene Micro Ice have been alright for me this season.

[fishonthebrain]

Any fused braid works well.

[Icefishing83]

nanofil line seems to help with sensitivity for light biters