I use the stren braid in Smoke color, 8lb test, 3lb diameter. Power pro now makes an ice line in white, which I have ordered from Cabelas. With and without a leader depending on my targeted species. Toothy critters= no leader, pannies and superclear water= flouro leader. When using a leader, these guys up there hit it dead on, use a swivel. Braid is very slow to twist, but with all the vertical jigging, it will twist and a twist in braid is no fun.