New line on reels

[abbyfireguy]

Time to re-spool my two down rigger reels. Simple question...Maxima Ultra Green ,but should I use 30 lb or 40 lb test line?
Looking forward to hitting the high seas at Bamfield soon,gotta have good line for all the expected hook ups.

 

[Magspec]

What about using spider wire? Is that not recommended out there? west coast fishing

 

[wstcoaster]

its a lot easier to fish downriggers with heavier line; it will hold on to rigger clips a lot better than smaller line. so is less troubling

 

[Magspec]

oh ok ddint know that asked brother in law and he had no answer for me lol what about using 65-80 spider wire it gets up there in mm getting closer to using like 15-25lbs mono isnt it? i know mono is probably alot cheaper as well

 

[hambone]

40# mono is overkill and will result in huge blow back when fishing deep. I'd recommend 30# max.

Any type of braid or super line will require a top shot of mono to set in the release clip. The braid option may end up being cheaper than mono as it will last longer. Braid will be less forgiving and cause major headaches if you tangle the lines.

 

[scott craven]

25-30 lb mono is good on a mooching reel

 

[Feeling Nauti]

X 2 on the 30lb, I use Maxima and its all I put on my Mooching reels, work great for all waters on the inside and on the WCVI.

 

[Big Green Machine]

oh ok ddint know that asked brother in law and he had no answer for me lol what about using 65-80 spider wire it gets up there in mm getting closer to using like 15-25lbs mono isnt it? i know mono is probably alot cheaper as well

Spider wire blows imho. Maxima Ultra Green 30 pound test is what a lot of folks use. Leaders are more or less depending on what you are offering.

 

[Samnjoe]

Berkley Big Game # 30.
Cheap and strong.
Broke 4 big ones of on Maxima on the White Whale this weekend.
Dont like that stuff.

 

[Dave S]

Berkley Big Game 30

 

[dmurph]

Broke of a lot of fish and gear in general on the maxima, not sure if I just had a off spool but I now use 30 pound green big game. Pretty happy with the Berkley big game.

 

[Magspec]

Spider wire blows imho. Maxima Ultra Green 30 pound test is what a lot of folks use. Leaders are more or less depending on what you are offering.

I was curious because thats all we use is spider wire for casting reels up northern alberta mono line is no good for walleye and pike imo. To easy to cut and break. I just figured the spider wire would work better as you can go higher # test and not sacrifice amount of line on reel.

 

[Big Green Machine]

I was curious because thats all we use is spider wire for casting reels up northern alberta mono line is no good for walleye and pike imo. To easy to cut and break. I just figured the spider wire would work better as you can go higher # test and not sacrifice amount of line on reel.

For jigging and bottom fishing in the salt, a lot of folks use a superline/braid, it works well, but for trolling Salmon I like the stretch a mono brings. It's a personal preference thing really.

 

[Andrew P]

Any type of braid or super line will require a top shot of mono to set in the release clip. The braid option may end up being cheaper than mono as it will last longer. Braid will be less forgiving and cause major headaches if you tangle the lines.

I run 80-100lb braid. No problem with staying in the clip and I find a way quicker and smoother release. No need for the mono if you go that heavy. It is overkill of course for salmon, but so what really. I use my Peetz reels for both salmon and hali and just switch over the rod, so then it is good for both.

 

[fshnfnatic]

Broke of a lot of fish and gear in general on the maxima, not sure if I just had a off spool but I now use 30 pound green big game. Pretty happy with the Berkley big game.

What dmurph said! I've used the Berkley 30lb. Big game for many years now,and it's a great downrigging line. 40lb.
Ultragreen for leader material and your golden!

 

[Da Bay Bye]

I tend to go just opposite to what fshnfnatic uses. I use 40lb on the reel and 30lb as leader line. If a fish is going to break the line, it is only the lure that is gone and not the flasher. It comes down to a $15 flasher or a $2 hoochie. Just my thoughts.

 

[spring fever]

Surprised to see no one mentions braid. I love it,40 lb braid and a top shot of mono great combo-long lasting' less blowback. good hook sets. Works for me!!

 

[Swanny]

No need to run that kind of test on DR rods.......20-25# is plenty. Use your drag the right way and keep the tip up. Mono will stretch, so drag + rod + mono will give you plently of shock absorbtion. Play the fish and have fun, unless you just want to horse it in and be done with it.

I just read a post where guys were casting at kelp beds for greenling/black rockfish and boated a 35-40# salmon on a trout rod with 7# test. Took them almost 45 mins, but to me that is why I fish...for the sport and excitement of the catch.....No offense intended, just my 2 cents...

Be safe all...Swanny

 

[abbyfireguy]

Got the reels spooled up with Berkley Big Game 30 lb. Got a couple of new down rigger rods to replace ones pinched out of my boat last spring. Still getting the kicker back together. Waiting for parts from Boat.net,got wrong stuff in the first order.
Hopefully all gets done next week and we'll be back on the water soon...

 

[Big Green Machine]

Surprised to see no one mentions braid. I love it,40 lb braid and a top shot of mono great combo-long lasting' less blowback. good hook sets. Works for me!!

Andrew mentioned using it a few posts back, but he uses 80 pound test braid!! If you use braid, I agree with you, 30-40 pound is more than enough.