What is the best line for Jigging?

[BrookTroutOnly]

Hi I wa sjust wondering what the best line for jigging is. Can I put just regular florocarbon on it or does it have to be cold weather line? Thanks

[slipperybob]

I'd say depends on the weight of the jig (or size of lure).  Flourocarbon line is useful for light jigs since the line helps to sink.  Flourocarbon is also less stretchy in comparison to your typical nylon monofilament lines.  Sometimes stretch is good, sometimes deeper water presentation makes stretch a bad combination.  Super lines like Fireline or Power Pro offers a virtual no stretch feedback.  It's really good to make your jigs reaction immediately as well as putting power into the hookset. 

[bullpine]

If jigging deep with heavy jigs or even 1/4 or 3/8 oz. jigs use braid like Power Pro or Fireline with a florocarbon leader tied with a UNI-KNot and superglued.   

[amcmullen]

If jigging deep with heavy jigs or even 1/4 or 3/8 oz. jigs use braid like Power Pro or Fireline with a florocarbon leader tied with a UNI-KNot and superglued.   

Heavy must be the key,  I used Fireline crystal one time.  I couldn't fish with it because the coils made it impossible to know where the jig was and I couldn't detect strikes.  This was 100% my fault since it was completely wrong for the type of fishing I mostly do. Light jigs for panfish and small trout.  For this I use 2lb Vanish Flouro. LOVE

[blacktrap]

Fireline is what I have had the best luck with.  We fish in water 30-60 feet deep and the fireline really helps with detecting bites and hookset.

[Wiener]

I like Fireline Crystal usually in 4 to 6 lb test.

I jig deep (30 feet or so) for perch, deeper for whitefish, and I want to get a good hook set when I'm fishing that deep.

If you are regularly in shallow water, Mono or Fluorocarbon would be ok.


Wiener

[BrookTroutOnly]

Thanks, I just bought a new jig pole this year and thought I probably should re-spool it because i don't know how long that line has been on there or what pound test it its. I have some blue cold weather fishing line, but it is only 4 lb test. About how much does fireline cost?

[blacktrap]

Fireline is reasonably priced if you remember that you will get a lot more fishing time out of than you will mono.  I also only spool on 50-75 yards or so over mono.  If that blue stuff you have is trilene cold weather, it is ok for backing but I dont like it to fish with.

[BrookTroutOnly]

yeah its not Triline, I don't exactly remember the name brand of it, its not top of the line. Ill probably buy some fireline. What pound test is best for trout? I thoght maybe 4 but I also want to have something strong in case i get a strike from a bass, I don't want it to break my line. Thanks

[loonman]

Whats nice with the fireline is you can run heavier line with a small diameter, 12lb is 4lb diameter. I just put this on my new touge jig rod and I was able to feel 1/4 oz bucktail jigs at 100 ft down last weekend.

[slipperybob]

That must be some really old Trilene cold weather blue line that they stopped making in blue color for years.    Now blue is back.

[walley29]

I use 6# Chrystal Fireline with a expensive barrel swivel tied on the end with a Palomar knot. Off of that swivel, tie a 18" leader with a snap on the end. I use 6" Lindy Ice line for the leader it is very tough stuff. Make sure you put the line on the right way to eliminate line twist. I have never lost a fish too big with the drag set right including a 12# walleye. Good fishin.

[BrookTroutOnly]

How does Northland Bionic Ice line compare to Fireline?

[mattg]

Heavy must be the key,  I used Fireline crystal one time.  I couldn't fish with it because the coils made it impossible to know where the jig was and I couldn't detect strikes.  This was 100% my fault since it was completely wrong for the type of fishing I mostly do. Light jigs for panfish and small trout.  For this I use 2lb Vanish Flouro. LOVE

My thoughts are that you must have been using too heavy of line for the jig

[ICEano]

trilene micro-ice , size depends on size if jig and depth

[fishermantim]

"Here fishy, fishy!"
"Don't jerk it too hard! You just want to twitch it!"
"You have to go REEAALL Deep, and pull up SLOWLY!"

Is that enough?

[bullpine]

Just to be clear I prefer Power Pro over fireline as it is bullet proof and doesn't break like the original fireline after heavy use.  I hear the next or newest generation of fireline and the new Strewn micro ? product are better.  But I am sold on Power Pro braid in green as I can put it on in spring and get a whole season out of the #14, maybe.   If I use fireline I use #14 instead of #10 as it last longer, doesn't fail so much and not much difference in size or performance.   I am talking about casting plugs though, not jigging micro flies under ice.  You would want to go with much lighter lines for that as some of the above posts point out.  Fluorocarbon absorbs water and mono floats, so Flori stays down better and is better for strike detection.   Going deep?  A small diameter braid with fluorocarbon leader.  With any of this stuff you have tie good knots. For leaders joining Flori carbon to braid use  Uni Knots and superglue and test them. 

[slipperybob]

IMO - Original Fireline was like 10 times better than Original Power Pro.  30# PP snapped off on casts and was not intended for heavy use.  Never had that problem with 14# Fireline.  14# Fireline pulled up 8 feet of sunken timber of about 10 inch diameter after pulling the boat and dislodging the 20# anchor.  Original FL frayed and fluffed with fuzz.  Original PP sprayed green gunk all over and the coating peels off like a reptilian skin shed.  Comparing those qualities to the current line offering of today.  You don't hear all the crazy complaints nor the hyped marketing of it as much anymore.  Well Fireline Smoke still stain your hands with it's dye.   Power pro is still only about 4 strands weave, while there's other braids out there with 8 strands.


Flourocarbon doesn't need to absorb water to sink.  It just sinks because it is heavier than water.