tuff line on jig rod

high_arc · 12-26-2003, 08:21 PM

I got a spinning reel for Christmas that was loaded with 30lb tuff line. Will that be alright to use with jigs for steelhead?

ZaQ · 12-26-2003, 09:11 PM

I used that line on a casting reel for jigs for many years. I just switched over to a spinning setup and after talking with people about it, I went with 14 lb fireline. Seems to work great.

high_arc · 12-26-2003, 09:16 PM

The 14lb fireline works great, or I will be ok with the tuffline?

fatfish · 12-26-2003, 09:22 PM

I am new to jig fishing this year. In talking with Mark at First Cast Jigs he recommended that I try 20# green Power Pro on my spinning reel. I followed up on Mark's recommendation and first trip out landed two steelies. Seems to work fine for me.

The 20# line is very fine and if you are visually challenged as I am be sure to bring your glasses.

OregonBankie · 12-26-2003, 10:32 PM

I use 18 pound TUF line on a spinning reel for steelhead jig fishing. Works great! Warning though: when new, the line tends to tangle in mid air. This stops happening after one or two outings, when the line has accumulated some silt from the river. Until then, the remedy is to "finger" the line with your finger on the spool as it comes off during the cast.

ampersat · 12-27-2003, 06:54 AM

You'll be fine with the 30# tuff.

cully · 12-27-2003, 08:42 AM

I started float fishing for the first time this week. A friend of mine reccomended that I start with 80# tuff because it would be easier to manage the line not burring itself on the spool if I became snagged. Problem is that he did not know that I was going to line a spinning reel, okuma ef30. He thought I was going to line one of my abu garcia bait casters. I took it to Joes and they told me they get 80 to 90 yards of 80 # of tuff on the spool. I was dissapointed that I didn't bring my bait cast reel to line. To my greater disapointment they only got 45 yards of tuff 80# on the ef30. It seemed like such a waste of 4.50. It did me well enough though as I did hook my first ever fish on a float rig. A nice 15# silver on the Naselle River. I lost it after a nice battle. I never had a problem with the shortage of line or a burried line on the reel. My questions are (if anyone has stayed with this post long enough to see it) should I respool tuff in 50#, 30# or leave well enough alone for awhile? Is burring line really a huge factor for a newbie to Tuff LIne and if I do drop down to 50# or 30# how much line will fit on the ef 30 okuma? I don't know what to expect from GiJoes in the advice dept and I'd rather trust some of you folks. Should I jump ship on the spinning reel for float fishing and instead spool tuff on the bait cast reel? Once again 80#, 50# or 30#

ampersat · 12-27-2003, 09:38 AM

Cully et. al., here goes:
1. 80# is fine if you like the way it performs. If you tie off to a swivel then go leader from there, you won't lose any line over time and can fish it for years to come.
2. Believe it or not, 45 yards is a pretty long distance. If a fish has spooled you to that point, it's probably snagged in or near the tail and has a lot more leverage on you than you have on it. If and when you do get spooled, it'll snap the leader and you can reel in and start over.
3. If you fish a sliding float, you can switch back to a baitcaster. For a fixed float, stick with the spinning reel.
4. If in a year or two you find the need to respool, go ahead and drop down to 50 or 30 # test. Or do it now if you're concerned about only having 45 yards. You're only out $5 for the 80# that you bought.
5. There is really no way of knowing how much line you'll get on any reel until they put it on. There are just too many factors at play. Most places would be nice enough to spool it back onto their spool and not charge you if you're not satisfied with how much fit onto your reel as long as they haven't already cut it.
6. Burying line on the spool usually only happens when you snag up and start hauling on the reel. If you wrap off to a stick or around your arm and pull, you won't bury the line. Burying line on your spool is only a pain when you try to cast out the next time and find out where it's buried. If you're jigging it there's no loss except one cast. If you're pitching bait, well you'll be rebaiting after you get that bury out.

cully · 12-27-2003, 09:53 AM

thanks amp! Now if you'd weigh in on my rowers rope seat post my day would be complete.

float2ber · 12-27-2003, 02:20 PM

I've got 50# tuff line on one spinning reel and 14# fireline on another, both for float fishing. Both work very well. Simply a matter of preference. I do use a mono leader below a swivel for both for better abrasion resistance and provides a good place to break off if snagged.

Crazy Fisherman · 12-27-2003, 08:06 PM

How long of a mono leader do you guys use below your braid? And do the fish still take the braid in gin clear water or do you switch back to mono? Trying to learn this float fishing thing.

float2ber · 12-28-2003, 04:17 AM

2 or 3 feet of mono leader,depending on water depth, below a swivel seems to be enough even in clear water.

Penobscot · 12-28-2003, 10:37 AM

Has anyone tried getting the braided lines through the Thill Bobber sleeve? I could not get it through, so I switched back to mono.

blacktail · 12-28-2003, 12:07 PM

Okay, I understand now. You're talking about the little blue sleeve for the wire end.

One thing you could try is maybe run a small piece of say 4 lb. test up through the sleeve, make a loop and put the end back through the sleeve going the other direction. Put the end of the braid through the loop and pull the braid through. Not sure if I made sense or if it will work, but maybe worth a shot.

Mike

River Ranger · 12-28-2003, 12:29 PM

Yeah I've done that befor but got tired of fussing with it.8 lb mono goes right through no problem.The nice thing about braided is that it floats,But I'm not wooried about that to much just cause I don't usually have that much line out to worry about it sinking.I do use braided on my dink float rod or If I use bait and a West coast float.
R.R.

River Ranger · 12-28-2003, 11:16 PM

Penobscot.I had the same problem,tired of messing around so I went back to mono also.* lb triline xl
R.R.

blacktail · 12-28-2003, 11:33 PM

What do you guys mean about having problems getting it through the Thill sleeve? Not sure I understand.

Mike

River Ranger · 12-28-2003, 11:42 PM

On Thill turbomaster floats you have to thread the line through a small rubber sleeve no bigger than the diameter of your line.Braided lines have no backbone to push it through,Not easily anyway.
R.R.

Sir Fishalot · 12-29-2003, 02:43 AM

I too had problems trying to thread braided line through the bottom end of a thill bobber, and then had to put on a spool of mono to make it work. I wonder if tying your line to the bottom end of the thill with a rubber band would solve this problem when using braid. Or maybe even using tape to secure your braided line to the thill may work.