I went out to a little river for Steelhead and Springers today, ended up catching a smolt and a steelhead jack (18"). I used this trip as an experiment to try out braided line for the first time, and I gotta say it worked much better than I thought it would. I used Tufline for my spinning reel, 20lb test/6lb diameter, and Fireline, 20lb test/8lb diameter, for my baitcaster reel.
The Fireline had the feel of heavily waxed dental floss, but to my surprise, I was easily able to cast a light jig & float, and hook both fish on this rod. The hooksets were VERY positive, the poor smolt was a flying fish for a few seconds. I didn't have any snags so I can't tell how dependable the breaking strength was, but I felt every wiggle of those fish. Mending was pretty easy, especially where two different speed water currents came together in a seam.
The Tufline was of smaller diameter, and more limp. Casting distance was great, and when I felt the lead ticking the bottom, it seemed a bit sharper in the feel. I hung up a few times, and always broke off the leader, never the mainline.
All of my gear is pre-tied, on pipe insulation, with snap swivels. For the terminal end of my jig rod I had a barrel swivel, and for the drift rod I used a snap swivel. This way, in between leader or jig changes, I can get back in the water in 20 seconds or so, not a few minutes.
So, here are my questions.
#1. How long can I expect these lines to last between changing?
#2. How do I fish spinners? Attach a shock tippet of 10-12 pound test, or just attach the spinner directly to the snap swivel on the end of the braid?
#3. How do I fish plugs? Same as #2?
The Fireline had the feel of heavily waxed dental floss, but to my surprise, I was easily able to cast a light jig & float, and hook both fish on this rod. The hooksets were VERY positive, the poor smolt was a flying fish for a few seconds. I didn't have any snags so I can't tell how dependable the breaking strength was, but I felt every wiggle of those fish. Mending was pretty easy, especially where two different speed water currents came together in a seam.
The Tufline was of smaller diameter, and more limp. Casting distance was great, and when I felt the lead ticking the bottom, it seemed a bit sharper in the feel. I hung up a few times, and always broke off the leader, never the mainline.
All of my gear is pre-tied, on pipe insulation, with snap swivels. For the terminal end of my jig rod I had a barrel swivel, and for the drift rod I used a snap swivel. This way, in between leader or jig changes, I can get back in the water in 20 seconds or so, not a few minutes.
So, here are my questions.
#1. How long can I expect these lines to last between changing?
#2. How do I fish spinners? Attach a shock tippet of 10-12 pound test, or just attach the spinner directly to the snap swivel on the end of the braid?
#3. How do I fish plugs? Same as #2?