Mainline test

[spring fever]

Seasons pretty much over for me and I'm starting to think of next year.Need to do all my mainlines-islanders, tyee and shimano. For myself I would choose Maxima 30 lb, however, I have lots of fairly inexperienced guys using my tackle and I'm wondering what you guys would choose. I usually am downrigging the rods deep and have a standard flasher set-up. I do 10 to 12 trips a year of 3 to 4 days duration either off-shore Nootka or winter harbour-so pretty concentrated when I get there.Would appreciate any input as to test and brand. Thanks.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Shimano 2000, 25#; Shimano 1000, on fly rods, 20#. When I first started guiding I used 20# mainline on everything, but lost too much gear by my guests, so went to 25#, and never looked back.. However that been said, this year I went to 50# on hootchies leaders, got more fish, maybe better action then my standard 30#?....BB

 

[Derby]

Prefer either Ande 30lb Hi-Vis Envy Green or 30lb Berkley Hi-vis Solar -Both perform well me

 

[Island Fish Lifter]

Run 50 # braided tuffline on those Islanders with about 30 feet of 35 to 40 # mono on the end. The tuffline is thinner and has minimal stretch, which is significant when fishing deep.

20 to 30# is waaay too light if youre guiding and or putting the hours on it.

Fill the dam tub!

 

[seagal]

I need to re-spool reels this winter too. For the past four seasons I have used Maxima ultra green 25 lb. test. I feel this is too light as I lost two of the biggest springs this summer. Both occasions I couldn't hold the fish, the fish then frayed my line on bottom structure and
broke off.
I'm thinking of re-spooling to Maxima ultra green 30 or 35 lb. test. This should prove to have better abrasion resistance. I would appreciate what others are using or suggest.

 

[Peahead]

Think for just a minute how much tension/pressure you can put on a seal when he's got your fish.....tons! In fact you have to point your rod at him just to break the line I wouldn't use more than 30 lb mainline and 25 lb is just fine for me. For a Shimano 2000 GT that will put 300+ yards on the reel. Any heavier line means less line. Heavier line may last longer if you are guiding 100 trips a year but for your use of 30 -40 times a year a most....no problem. I like berkeley trilene Big Game because it works and less expensive. Change it at least once a year.

Leaders for anchovy/chinook rigs 30 lb will take care of most abrasion and for hootchies 40 + I also find Big Game is fine for leaders.

 

[spring fever]

quote:Originally posted by Island Fish Lifter

Run 50 # braided tuffline on those Islanders with about 30 feet of 35 to 40 # mono on the end. The tuffline is thinner and has minimal stretch, which is significant when fishing deep.

20 to 30# is waaay too light if youre guiding and or putting the hours on it.

Fill the dam tub!

I like the reasoning and the mono would prevent slippage on the release clips. From my usage of the braids they stand up really well and you should be able to get a few years out of them to make the extra cost worthwhile. Thanks

 

[Seafever]

Where I fish, I'm always down 200 to 230ft on two lines.'

I used to use 20lb test to avoid 'blowback" as much as possible.

However I went to 25 to get a bit of a strength edge.

But I noticed the increase in "blowback" right away.

I would never run 30 or 35lb. mono at those depths. way too much drag.

If you're only fishing in 60 or 70ft of water or less, I guess it doesn't matter much.

I like Island Fishlifter's recommendation. I think I will do that this coming next season.

 

[Derby]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Island Fish Lifter

Run 50 # braided tuffline on those Islanders with about 30 feet of 35 to 40 # mono on the end. The tuffline is thinner and has minimal stretch, which is significant when fishing deep.

20 to 30# is waaay too light if youre guiding and or putting the hours on it.

 

[JuandeOne]

30# of any of the prem monos.

Benefits of the heavier are stronger for all the variables that may be encountered and no line twist from the flasher.

If fishing below 150' is the norm I can see blow back being an issue.

As for braided for salmon trolling, have yet to try it.

 

[Sitkaspruce]

Have always run 30 main in either UG or BG. The wife gets BG solar green as it easier for her to pick the line up on the water a follow the fish. Both rods get a change over this year.

This year I went to 40 UG leader and noticed a difference in catching springs (not a big one, but there was one there). Plus better abrasion resistance when the fish swallow the lure and chew on the leader.

One thing I was told about fishing braid is the no stretch, so you had to increase your poundage on your leaders so as not to "pop" them when fish hit. Not sure if it is a theory or any truth to it.

Cheers

SS

 

[Derby]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Island Fish Lifter

Run 50 # braided tuffline on those Islanders with about 30 feet of 35 to 40 # mono on the end. The tuffline is thinner and has minimal stretch, which is significant when fishing deep.

20 to 30# is waaay too light if youre guiding and or putting the hours on it.


Opps

Being thinking of switching a couple rods over to the Power Pro for fishing off-shore:
Fair to guess that the 50# Tuff stands up to your clients? Do you take the line off your Islanders at the end of each season?
I know that it will load up on the spools and the odd one will blow

Which knot are you using to put your top shot mono on the Tuff?


Favorite leader material 40lb Fluorocarbon Sea Gar for Anchovys leaders-50lb fluor for any off shore leaders-It lasts for ever

 

[vetteman]

40# Trilene on my reels.I tried the bright green Trilene on one reel this year. Didn't like it. I'll respool that reel for next year.
Dave

 

[vetteman]

40# Trilene on my reels.I tried the bright green Trilene on one reel this year. Didn't like it. I'll respool that reel for next year.
Dave

 

[lordofthesprings]

40lb maxima for everything - order a big spool from cabelas- 60-80lb hootchie leaders

lordofthesprings

 

[lordofthesprings]

40lb maxima for everything - order a big spool from cabelas- 60-80lb hootchie leaders

lordofthesprings

 

[Island Fish Lifter]

quote:Originally posted by lordofthesprings

40lb maxima for everything - order a big spool from cabelas- 60-80lb hootchie leaders

lordofthesprings

Good line but you really gotta be on top of chasing the freight trains, can spool a guy before all the gears up. Been there.

Fill the dam tub!

 

[Marsman]

I'm pretty new than most of you guys but I've switched over to 50lb power pro (12lb Dia.) right to the flasher. Then 20 - 40lb florocarbon leaders depending on what I'm fishing for. I have banged off springs and Hali's at 2-260' and it cuts through the water really nice. Also you can have a little shaker on it at 100+ feet and the rod shows it. Nice instead of dragging it around for a while. I also start the spool on my Tekota's with 100lb yellow braid and then 400yds of moss green 50lb. If you hit your backing you know he has a lot. I've yet hit that.
Cheers, Rob

 

[Enniberg]

quote:Originally posted by lordofthesprings

40lb maxima for everything - order a big spool from cabelas- 60-80lb hootchie leaders

lordofthesprings

X2

Used it all summer and caught more fish than ever. Far better than Berkley Gig Game.

 

[wolf]

Same as sitka really like the UG big game VERY VERY tough also like the fact fellow anglers can see where the fish is going and me, makes life easier, 30 lb test for me. but i change it out twice a year june then mid aug rinse also I rinse with fresh water spray every day to.

Good luck Wolf

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