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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: craigthor on Sep 22, 2010, 01:08 PM

Title: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: craigthor on Sep 22, 2010, 01:08 PM
What are your favorites? I'm looking at getting a couple of Thorne Bros Finesse Rods and Tica reels. Here are some of the ones I'm looking at:

Power Pro Ice Blue or Yellow 5#
P-Line FloroIce 2,4, or 5#
Suffix Ice Braid 6#
Suffix Ice Magic 2, 4, or 5#

Kind of leaning towards the Power Pro but which color and why or does the color really matter.

Craig
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: jasond37 on Sep 22, 2010, 01:30 PM
On my sunny rod I have 2# Trilene crystal blue or something like that.  Transfers well onto my UL 5' rod for summer too.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: H.T. on Sep 22, 2010, 01:56 PM
all i run is trilene 2# XT for pan fish. i will run 4# on my walleye jigging rods though. 4# feels like rope to me in the winter  ???
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: jasond37 on Sep 22, 2010, 02:09 PM
all i run is trilene 2# XT for pan fish. i will run 4# on my walleye jigging rods though. 4# feels like rope to me in the winter  ???

It does.  I also use 4# on my walleye rod but that is the max.  Just seems too heavy for the UL reels.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: RLWagner on Sep 22, 2010, 02:09 PM
Nothing heavier than 1#. Prefer Berkly or Trlene Cold Weather.

Will use 3/4# test sewing thread if and when I find thin enough diameter for real togh bites.

2# for the ginormous 12 inch gills in the Irish Hills Area of Michigan.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: craigthor on Sep 22, 2010, 02:19 PM
Thanks for the replies. Here is my rod list for this year I'm pretty sure I got it hammered out.

1- Thorne Bros Panfish Sweet Heart 28" Outside Rod

1- Thorne Bros Perch Sweet Heart 32" Outside Rod

1- Thorne Bros Power Noodle 24"

1- Thorne Bros Finesse 19" Rod for those really tough bites

I will be pairing each with a Tica Cetus LE500 reel. I was thinking 2# for the 19-24". 3# for the 28" outside and 4# for the 32" Perch rod. I could even drop to 1# for the finesse rod if I go with berkley micro ice or suffix Ice Magic.

Craig
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: RLWagner on Sep 22, 2010, 02:24 PM
If you drop to one a super fine flippy tip is needed or you will just sanp line even with light drag. Quality drag is needed. Paired with a proper rod and reel, you will find landing Largemouth over 20 inches, and pike up to 29 a very real opportunity.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: slipperybob on Sep 22, 2010, 05:45 PM
The following lines are what I've used for ice fishing in the past.  The ones that are my favorites are highlited in red.

Asso Tetramax .160 mm 3# line break 4# 8 oz.
Asso Tetramax .180 mm 4# line break 7# 1 oz. Mfg claim break of 7.5#
Asso Flourolight .200 mm 4# line break 7# 9 oz. Mfg claim break of 7.9#
Asso Ice Fishing .140 mm 3# line break 3# 6 oz. Mfg claim break of 3.4#
Asso Ice Fishing .160 mm 4# line break 4# 11 oz. Mfg claim break of 5.4#
Asso Ice Heavy .127 mm 2# knot break 2# 8 oz. Mfg claim break of 3.3#
Asso Ice Heavy .150 mm 3# knot break 3# 4 oz. Mfg claim break of 4.2#
Asso Micron 3 .153 mm 4# knot break 4# 8 oz. Mfg claim break of 4.8#

Gamma High Performance .200 mm 4# line break 7# 9 oz. Mfg claim break of 8.5#
Gamma High Performance .250 mm 6# line break 11# 10 oz. Mfg claim break of 13.0#
Silverthread Super .179 mm 4# line break 5# 2 oz.
Silverthread Super .22 mm 6# line break 7# 7 oz.
Silverthread Excalibur .179 mm 4# line break 5# 12 oz.
Silverthread Excalibur .245 mm 6# line break 9# 11 oz.
Yozuri Hybrid .235 mm 4# line break 7# 4 oz. Mfg claim break of 8.5#
Yozuri Hybrid .263 mm 6# line break 10# 4 oz. Mfg claim break of 11.9#

Gamma ESP Ice .10 mm 2# line break 3# 1 oz. Mfg claim break of 2.8#
Gamma ESP Ice .15 mm 4# line break 5# 2 oz. Mfg claim break of 4.9#
Gamma ESP Ice .20 mm 6# line break 7# 9 oz. Mfg claim break of 8.5#
Gamma Flourocarbon Ice .15 mm 4# line break 3# 15 oz. (knot 3# 0 oz.) Mfg claim break of 4.4#
Gamma Flourocarbon Ice .20 mm 6# line break 5# 15 oz. (knot 4# 7 oz.) Mfg claim break of 8.2#
Berkley Trilene Microice .18 mm 3# line break 4# 1 oz.
Berkley Trilene Microice .23 mm 6# line break 7# 10 oz.
Berkley Trilene Microice .25 mm 8# line break 9# 12 oz.
Pline Flouroice .15 mm 3# line break 3# 3 oz.

Sufix Ice Braid .14 mm 6# knot break 7# 11 oz.
Sufix Ice Braid .20 mm 10# knot break 10# 0 oz.

Berkley Fireline Crystal .06 mm 1# line break 3# 5 oz.
Berkley Fireline Crystal .08 mm 2#knot break 3# 9 oz.
Berkley Fireline Crystal .10 mm 3# line break 6# 4 oz.
Berkley Fireline Original .13 mm 4# knot break 6# 12 oz.
Berkley Fireline Original .18 mm 8# knot break 10# 6 oz.
Berkley Fireline Original .20 mm 10# knot break 14# 10 oz.

Stren Microfuse .08 mm 2# line break 4# 9 oz.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: JokersWild on Sep 22, 2010, 11:15 PM
1# fireline crystal...
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Doubles Shooter on Sep 23, 2010, 09:15 AM
I like Berkley Trilene XL 2&4lb. My go to rods are spooled with Berkley Micro ice 1lb.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: mealworm on Sep 23, 2010, 05:40 PM
trilene micro ice line 3#
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: BaitWrangler on Sep 23, 2010, 05:49 PM
+ for Trilene Micro Ice. I've used it in #7 for rods that I spoon and jig minnows with.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: ice 45 on Sep 23, 2010, 07:14 PM
2# p-line myself
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: nute7810 on Sep 23, 2010, 10:13 PM
1# or 2# floro for panfish  4# or 6# for walleyes and bass - but most of my fishing is in incredibly clear water
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: ice dawg on Sep 24, 2010, 10:44 AM
4# Trilene XL. Same line in 6# when using jigging spoons for Walleyes.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: shwung79 on Sep 26, 2010, 11:44 PM
I like micro ice.  Has anyone tried the power pro? Just curious.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: CrappieBuster on Sep 27, 2010, 12:23 AM
Gamma Ice 3lb Clear best pannie line ive ever used.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: surflizard on Sep 27, 2010, 05:12 AM
I've been using 8lb Power Pro with 36" of 6lb pink Yozuri Fluorocarbon leader. This gets even my smallest jigs down quick without the coiling effect of Mono.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Sep 27, 2010, 08:25 AM
i use micro ice  in 2#for pannies but it gets  coily quick.ive got a spool of cajun line laying around somewhere that im gonna try this year on 1 jiggin pole.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: slipperybob on Sep 27, 2010, 09:24 AM
That cajun line gets coily also.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: jasond37 on Sep 27, 2010, 11:38 AM
That cajun line gets coily also.

I've tried that cajun line before too, I wasn't real impressed.  It did hold the coil pretty good, I remember that.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Sinnian on Sep 27, 2010, 12:41 PM
[color]
Berkley Fireline Crystal .10 mm 3# line break 6# 4 oz.[/color]

SlipperyBob ~ how was the memory and line stretch?

Thanks - Jeff
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: slipperybob on Sep 27, 2010, 09:09 PM
SlipperyBob ~ how was the memory and line stretch?

Thanks - Jeff

Fireline Crystal doesn't really have a memory like nylon does but it will coil some after a season of use and sitting around.  It's more like becuase it flattens out or like most people call it ribbon effect.

Fireline stretch isn't felt like nylon stretch.  No elasticity, so no stored energy to feel.  Also means you don't feel it until the line is already at a pulled tension.  That's why you can't feel anything on a slack line.  Per manufacture specification on superlines, the thread will stretch up to 3-4% before failure.  If you aren't fishing over 60' deep then you probably wont even notice the delay of slack line to stretched tension.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: fin-n-feather on Sep 28, 2010, 12:06 PM
P-Line Floroclear 3#. Fin
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: shwung79 on Sep 29, 2010, 09:26 PM
I've tried that cajun line before too, I wasn't real impressed.  It did hold the coil pretty good, I remember that.
I really feel this line is almost like a red colored Shakespear line from Kmart!  Very disappointing after I had a real spooled with it.. :-\
 
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: slipperybob on Sep 30, 2010, 01:58 AM
I really feel this line is almost like a red colored Shakespear line from Kmart!  Very disappointing after I had a real spooled with it.. :-\
 

It's part of the Shakespeare/Pfleuger company.  Walmart and Kmart may get some slightly different packaging.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: tightline3 on Sep 30, 2010, 09:16 AM
I like Maxima Perfexion. I found some on e-bay last year and love it. I am looking for more. 2lb. test. Great stuff.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: bearbgone on Oct 12, 2010, 09:39 PM
I'm going on my third year using Cajun Red Ice 2# and 4#. I like it and I use it in the summer as well.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: waterwizard on Oct 12, 2010, 10:35 PM
I have used P-line and Gamma the last few years and have been very happy with both. Now that Gamma is out of the line business I guess I will be using mostly P-line, however I am going to try Asso Heavy on a few rods as well.  Always good to try new things.   
 
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: icejunky on Oct 28, 2010, 11:17 AM
Im a sucker for new line, and buy spools each season of the "new and improved" one line I keep going back to is ASSO, that stuff is great, you dont want a full spool, just as a leader, but it is a great panfish line
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: ianripken on Oct 28, 2010, 05:16 PM
2# Stren GOLD. Kinda tough to find here in South Dakota, so when I do find it, I buy it up. I'm a tight-liner, so it is indispensable to me.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: mbart on Oct 28, 2010, 07:23 PM
2# Stren GOLD. Kinda tough to find here in South Dakota, so when I do find it, I buy it up. I'm a tight-liner, so it is indispensable to me.
Purchase my Stren 2 lb. Hi-Vis Gold, from Cabelas. Use 2 lb. & 4 lb. hi-vis on all my panfish rods. I'm a line watcher, no spring bobbers, match the line test to the lure weight. Use Bass Pro, Mr. Crappie, Hi- Vis 4 lb. on my perch rods with good results.  Crappie 18.5", 3 lb. 2 oz. on 2 lb. Stren Hi-Vis Gold.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Krazykaiser on Oct 28, 2010, 07:50 PM
Sunline Fc Sniper Fluoro #3
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: bassrat on Oct 28, 2010, 07:53 PM
p-line cx premium green 2lb for perch and pannies and 4lb for eyes...really nice co-polymer at a great price...something like $6 for 1000 yards on e-bay.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: topher7694 on Oct 28, 2010, 09:19 PM
I tried quite a few different lines last year. My favorites were 2# Stren Hi Vis gold, and 3# and 4# P Line Floroice
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: ianripken on Oct 28, 2010, 11:36 PM
Purchase my Stren 2 lb. Hi-Vis Gold, from Cabelas. Use 2 lb. & 4 lb. hi-vis on all my panfish rods. I'm a line watcher, no spring bobbers, match the line test to the lure weight. Use Bass Pro, Mr. Crappie, Hi- Vis 4 lb. on my perch rods with good results.  Crappie 18.5", 3 lb. 2 oz. on 2 lb. Stren Hi-Vis Gold.

Yeah, I have a cabelas about 90 Miles away, but out of my way to anything. But my folks live in a town with Cabelas, so I make it there every few months. I do occasionally find it when I get to town, so I buy it up when I do. I'm a line watcher too. No spring bobbers.

I use 2# with all panfish from gills to big specks and find that the line cooperates well with the drag set right. Even caught plenty of 5#+ Pike here and 3-5# Chain Pickerel when I lived in Canada.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: SINX53 on Oct 29, 2010, 07:29 AM
I am going to try the new Northland Bionic Ice Line this year in the camo blue color.

24" UL - 2 lb
28" L - 3 lb
26" ML - 4 lb
28" M - 5 lb

Before this year I used the Red Berkley Micro Ice.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Preacher_man on Oct 30, 2010, 03:57 PM
 I've tried quite a few different lines out there but the one I've always had the best luck with has been Berkley's Micro Ice #2. Once in awhile when I can't get 2# I'll go to 3#.
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: jeffro9023 on Nov 24, 2010, 03:52 PM
i use 4# trilene XL and have no problems...i use a fly fishing line straightener frequently for spin and away i go landed big pike to dink perch even catch the shyest biters its cheaper than premium ice lines and can spool several reels for 6 bucks
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Timber on Nov 24, 2010, 04:32 PM
Another vote for Berkely Micro Ice 3# .
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: jackhollio on Nov 28, 2010, 12:42 PM
I like the P-Line Floroice in #2 test.
Hard to see but the fish cant see it either.
Stays limp and not much for memory.
 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Timber on Nov 28, 2010, 07:23 PM
I like the P-Line Floroice in #2 test.
Hard to see but the fish cant see it either.
Stays limp and not much for memory.
 8) 8) 8)

What color ? Clear ?
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Rat-Man on Nov 28, 2010, 07:57 PM
SEAGUAR ; Why settle with the rest when you can go with the best
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: iluvcrappie on Nov 29, 2010, 11:23 PM
I found that the 4 lb test fireline crystal works wonderful for all types of fish I have pulled 7-8 lb walleyes thru the ice with it all the way down to the smallest of sunfish.......its got the sensitivity u need to feel the most subtle bites and the strength to handle even the lager game fish as well.........
Title: Re: Favorite ice line for pan fish?
Post by: Ludwikowski21 on Nov 30, 2010, 01:05 PM
My usual has always been Berkley Cold Weather in either 2 or 4 lbs. test.  Just hard to beat.  This year I am thinking of trying the P-Line Flouroice or the Suffix ice line on a couple of rods and see how they compare.