Ice Braids?

[Swedish Pimp]

Looking for more info on ice braids. I am wondering which one absorbs the least amount of water. The only issue I have with the braids is how the line freezes on the spool.  I have used fire line crystal since it came out years ago. I used some suffiix 832 ice also.I have been doing some looking around and they all like to claim there products shed water better than there competitor. I am looking at the new fireline ice fused, nanofil, suffix 832 ice, stren ice. I am looking for just sub freezing input.

[JIMC_ND]

Nanofil for me now, I used to use FireLine. Nano is a super slick line and very thin. Remember it breaks close to it's rated weight unlike most braids or superlines.

Best line I've ever used when fishing in line-icing type conditions.

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

[Tmuskie]

I picked up Suffix's Ice Braid for last season and liked it.

[missoulafish]

How deep are you fishing?

[gloomis21]

X2 on the Nano.  Best braid I've found for cold weather.

[eyedoktr]

I thought this was a thread on a new way to wear my hair while ice fishing.

[esox_xtm]

Technically Nanofil (or FireLine) is not a "braid". Braided lines are actually woven lines and do tend to hold more water (and freeze) faster and more securely than fused superlines like the aforementioned....

That said, I bought into a huge spool of 6# Nano last year. I spooled a number of open water reels with it an liked it great. I've fitted an equal number of ice reels with it but haven't had enough experience to form an opinion.

I do have a few years of using the PowerPro product and found that in extremely cold conditions the braid tended to freeze to itself quite quickly. Other than that, the no memory, strength vs. diameter ratio, durability of  Spectra based lines are all advantages.

As a sidelight, it's worth noting that treating any line with a silicone fly line cleaner or floatant goes a long way toward keeping any line more ice free than untreated line.

[3300]

try some water proofing like reel magic. atsko, might slow it down

[Swedish Pimp]

Treating line seems like a good idea. I have some nanofil that I picked,up on clearence. I have read it breaks rather easy. I typically use 4 lb for perch and 6 for walleye. I use fluorocarbon leads. Should I bump the poundage up with the nanofil. Stuff is kind of expensive. I would prefer to get it right the first time

[teamtrout]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but what's the difference between ice braid and just plain old braid?

[ndwalleye]

Nanofil has also worked well for me

[blitzfish]

Another vote for nanofil here!

[SnoHam13]

I thought this was a thread on a new way to wear my hair while ice fishing.

getting ''cabin happy''

SnoHam13

[esox_xtm]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but what's the difference between ice braid and just plain old braid?

Ice braids are generally characterized as some sort of "Superline" usually Spectra based rather than nylon or Dacron. Their claim to fame includes a high pound test to diameter ratio and improved abrasion resistance (not cut proof on teeth). There are also fused superlines that are represented by Fireline, Nanofil and a Spiderwire product (can't remember the name right now). [edit] Usually the so called "ice lines" are colored differently than the open water versions so for the most part any differences are only cosmetic. That and ice lines are available in much lighter pound tests than regular lines.

[matzilla]

Ice braids are usually coated - open water braids are not. Others have fewer strands in the braid.


Power pro coats theirs in Teflon all others don't specifically state what they're coated with

[Townie]

Power Pro Ice ices up easily; but Ive used it with good results for several seasons...
I'm trying Northland Bionic Ice Braid 3# this year; heard good reviews

[Big Red Shack]

I have noticed, using light jigs, that I can't get superlines like Fireline to stay straight, they curl up and you lose all feeling of sensitivity... Just my 2 cents

[esox_xtm]

I have noticed, using light jigs, that I can't get superlines like Fireline to stay straight, they curl up and you lose all feeling of sensitivity... Just my 2 cents

If that's the case if you watch your line that can be even more sensitive than a spring bobber....