FireLine question

[lay_z_boy]

I just bought some fireline for the first time ever. I'm kinda stubborn so it's taken me awhile. I'm getting ready to put it on my real and I realized that I'm not sure it will fill the spool. The line is 6# with 2# diameter, the reel holds 110 yards of 6# and 290 of 2#. Here's the question(you probably already figured out where I'm going with this): If the spool has 125 yards on it @ 2# diameter, do I have to put some kind of a backing on the spool first? I don't want to load up all the line on the reel and have the spool only half full. What do you guys do that use this stuff, and don't say buy a bigger spool, cause that's the only size of spool they had in 6# or 8#?

Thanks for what ever info you guys can give me, I'm excited to try this stuff for jigging.

[suckerbass]

you got the right idea, just fill the spool about half way with some mono (6 or 8#) then use the fire line. You will LOVE that stuff for jigging.

[DryFly]

My experience with this type of line (Fire line) is to have some type of backing. Not much is needed but enough to cover the spool.

First time for me, I tied the Fire line directly to the spool. While Walleye fishing when it was cool, I was haveing trouble fighting and bringing in a nice Walleye.
It felt like my drag was loose but I kept tightening it down. Afterwards what I realized was the whole coil of line was spinning on the spool. Since then I have put a couple wraps of double sided tape on the spool prior to spooling on the Fire line. Other situations, rather than totally emptying the pool of old (mono) line that was properly serured to the spool, I left a little on the spool and tied the Fire line to it.

Good luck

[jpollman]

Suckerbass and DryFly have it right. You've GOT TO use some backing on the reel first or the Fireline will slip eventually. (I know from experience ;)). Put at least a few turns of mono on first and then tie onto the Fireline and you're all set. You'll love that stuff, I've been using it for a couple of years and it's great !

[ManillaKilla]

:yeahthat:


When I first started using it, I didn't have any backing. As mentioned, the line started slipping and it took me forever to boat a small pike.

I just started using it(6# too) this year for jigging, and it works really good.

[martin1950]

If ya live out in the country, here's an easy way of figuring your spool filler. First fill your spool with your Fireline, don't use any mono or tape as this is just temp. Now tie the Fireline and the mono together with your favorite knot. Spool the mono over the fireline until you spool is full. Now tranfer to hole nine yards to your spare spool, bingo, the fireline is on top. OOPP's you don't have a spare spool, just walk the line out and aroud the house and a few trees. When the line stops place a large bright bobber on the end of the mono and go back to your rod and reel. After you nip the Fireline off your spool making sure the end of the line is clean, go pick up the end of the mono. That's where the big bobber comes in handy, it's just a visual aid for us ole-farts. Now just tie-up the mono and reel-up your line. Your spool is full, you didn't waste any Fireline, and you have your mono backer.

[romayer]

Martin,

This sounds like a good idea, but I think you could eliminate 1 step if your spare spool is the same size, by doing the entire spooling on the spare one initially and then transfer it. Just an idea...

[Burksee]

Martin! That's an awesome idea! This is just another in a long line of great ideas to come from the M-S.com family!

For years I've been wondering how much backer to put on my "deep" spools when using lighter line with out wasting the "good stuff". I was finally able to find some "medium" spools for my old Mitchell 300's and that helped save line as well. I had an idea to use this season’s warm weather fishing line (Mostly 6# P-line) on some of my icefishing reels this winter. My thought was to real the line off the spools of the 300 onto the smaller reels for ice fishing. Being the older, used stuff would be on the bottom of the spool, leaving the newer, less or never used stuff on top!

And YES! I am that frugal! :lol: (*Frugal: User friendly word for "CHEAP"!)

[lay_z_boy]

Thanks alot guys, I really appreciate your help. I figured I'd have to use a mono backing. I have a huge spool of 10#mono that I put on my trolling rods, so I think I'll use that for backing. One more quick question: If the fireline is so slick, is there a special knot I need to use to attach it to the mono, or is a blood knot fine? Also do I need to use any certain knots to tie on my lures?

[chamookman]

lay z boy - For attaching the Fireline to the backing, use the back to back Uni knot (discription on the pamphlet that comes with the Fireline). You will also need to use the Palomar knot for tying on lures and such. Bob.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

lay z boy - For attaching the Fireline to the backing, use the back to back Uni knot (discription on the pamphlet that comes with the Fireline). You will also need to use the Palomar knot for tying on lures and such. Bob.

Yup, thats the way i do it. Works very well.

[lay_z_boy]

Thanks guys, I did exactly as you all said, and it worked great. I love this stuff,
I don't know why I didn't use it earlier. Because of the fact that you can feel everything, it made the strikes seem so violent. I had a blast with it even though I only caught a few. Thanks again guys for making my day on the lake a little more enjoyable.

[Ralph Smith]

I've been using fireline exclusively for about the last 10 years I would guess (shortly after it came out) and love it. I found that the diameter rating is about a 2# size difference than mono. If I have a spool to fill that holds 125 yrds. of 8lb. mono, then the 6lb. dia. fireline will work just about perfect. Seems to hold true to most spinning reels. Haven't tried it on others yet. I use it for everything, and if I'm worried about line shy panfish or trout, I just use a long piece of maxima leader line ;)

[Got-One]

I have been using Fire line for some time now, but I can't figure a good way to cut it when I tie on a new lure. Clippers take several tries, sharp scissors take several cuts and what ever you do Do Not Try To Bite It Off!! (ha, ha, ha). What are you guys using to cut the Fire line????

[MSUICEMAN]

a good pair of clippers is what i found to be best, though i would imagine a safety razor blade would work too, i just think the clippers are safer.

steve

[jpollman]

I have a small pair of nail clippers that I keep in my tackle bag. They work great.

[Ralph Smith]

Always keep a sharp pocket knife with me that works well. I use it to bleed my fish before taking them from the water with it anyway, so always have it.

[Got-One]

Thanks. I hear you all :D . I'll look for a sharper clipper. :D

[DryFly]

I have used a sharp pocket knive for years. It works just fine. I have tried SHARP clippers but they do not work as well as a knife.

I also use my standard improved clinch knot and it holds as good as any.

Good luck

[wapanocca]

I have a question for you northern boys:

Do you tie your jigs directly to the Fireline or are you using a leader of something less visible. We have walleye down here. I have caught a few on mono , but have considered going to Fireline. Thanks, Eddy

[ESOX]

In clear water I'll use a florocarbon leader.




BTW scissors work much better than clippers on braids. I usually carry a small pair of stainless Fiskars.

[DryFly]

I fish northern and UP Michigan along with Camada.

I tie my jigs directly to the Fire Line and catch many fish.

Fire line is a little more difficuly to tie as mono, for that reason I do not want to use a mono leader and have to tie extra knots.

[jpollman]

I always tie directly to my lure and I use a Palomar knot. It's quick and easy and it holds !

[Ralph Smith]

In clear water I'll use a mono leader bloodknotted to the fireline. I'll tie directly to jig in water that is stained or muddied from recent weather conditions. But with any body baits or spoons, I just tie to good ball bearing swilvel so changing is an easy option.

[The Whale]

Second the s.s. Fiskars scissors. They cut great. Also, my little swiss army knife, (Wenger), it's small scissors do a great job. They have very small serations on the blades of the scissors which help to "bite" into what they're cutting. I've carried this little dude of a knife now for ten years, very handy !

[waterfoul]

After fishing it for several years, I've grown to dislike it. Never cuts even, always leaves frays. A good knot that works on mono will slip with Fireline. Also, it WILL eat yor guides eventually. If you've been fishing it for a while on the same rod, check em... bet they have grooves in them. I love how stiff it is for slow trolling or jigging, but just couldn't handle the hassel every time you need to re-tie. I've gone back to mono this year... giving the new Berkely... oh heck, what's that stuff called.... dissapears in the water.... crap!! Brain fart.:bash: Anyway, there's my .02

[bivenser]

It will tear up your guides. That is why I only buy rods with metal guides. I use fireline for everything and I love it.

[bowdog]

Butane lighter cuts and melts fire line. fireline cuts the bale on chepper reels. BUt I would not use anything else.

[martin1950]

I've been using the same rod and reel now for five years. I've been chucking 1/2 & 7/8 oz Pixee spoons for salmon and steelies. Haven't lost a guide yet. Did lose a bail but that rod had Powerpro on it. No more. I've even put F/L on my Dipsy rods. Fireline and a Palomar knot is the only way to go,IMO, and that knot works great on mono too!!!!! And it's fast and simple to tie!!!