Question about Fireline.

jackman2

jackman2

Joined
Feb 3, 2010
Messages
590
I was planning to purchase a spool of 4lb. Fireline yesterday for my ultralight spinning set up. They had limited options and the only 4lb was crystal. My question is:

What is the difference between original and crystal? Prefrence?

I understand that the 4lb. has the diameter of a normal 1lb line. I use a small Shimano symetre 500 reel with an ultralight St. Croix rod. Should I get 8 lb. Fireline, so it will be stronger, or should I still go with the 4? Obviously I want thin line, but should I take advantage of using stronger line so I dont lose the big fish? Maybe 6 lb.? Always thought anything over 4 lb was blasphemous on an ultralight.

Ended up getting a spool of Flourocarbon for the time being. Figured I would ask before I started spending $30 on line.

Thanks in advance for advice.
 
Last edited:
I've used fireline since it first came out in the 90s. Used the gorrilla braid and stren kevlar before that. The crystal is a bit more "clear" then the regular stuff. If I'm going ultra light, either would be ok with me since I'll be using floro leader for finesse stuff. I usually pick the poundage I want and use it. My baitcasters are usually loaded with 14 or 20lbs firelines. The only exception is the flipping stick where I use 50lbs because I like the extra stiffness for working around stumps.
 
Would you go to 6 lb. Fireline over 4? It is still the diameter of normal 2lb. Or do you go as thin as possible?

Is there an issue with knots in Fireline? I understand that some line will sometimes require super glue.
 
No knot problems, I use polmar knots, just make sure they are tied on good. I do have some lure snap off during the cast since there's less stretch then mono. That's why I went from 14 on all my rods to mostly 20 with a few still using 14.

I can't tell you what I would choose since I don't know where you fish. I have landed lots of chromers on 4lb mono with my UL loomis throwing spinners so I feel 4lbs is enough, but you're situation is different.

Just like I can't tell you if my guns, knifes, reels, rods, waders, truck will fit you, you have decide on your needs.

Also, you can pull all the line off your spool at the end of the season and turn it around and put the used part on the reel to save some money because that stuff last for years. My 50lbs on the flippin stick has probably been on the reel for 10+ years.
 
I LOVE Fireline, especially the Crystal. I use it for ice fishing as well as soft water fishing. I wouldn't go with the 4lb as it is incredibly thin and can sometimes be difficult to work with.

You have to use a monofilament backing or else the Fireline might spin on the spool. So keep some mono on the spool maybe 50 yards and then tie the Fireline to the mono.

You have to learn to tie the Palomar knot with Fireline. It is very easy to learn.
 
one thing to keep in mind about superlines, when you get line so thin, especially like the one your using, it will be really easy for a knot to slip out through the gap of a hook loop. its happened to me, so always use a leader. Also, superlines dont have any stretch, so a line thats 4lb test which gets a suddne load of pressure, even light pressure, could snap. Something to keep in mind.
 
I always use fireline on my UL trout rig. I use the 8 lb. stuff just because it's a lot eiser to tie knots and see in the water. Since I mostly fish cloudy water, I use the original which is stronger than the new crystal stuff. If I snag with the 8 lb. stuff (happens often) I can pull the line and usually bend a hook before the line breaks. This has allowed me to recover countless $5 Meps that would otherwise be lost. Simple tweak with a pliers and it' back to fishing!
 
Update.

Bought the Fireline Crystal in 4 lb. and have been using this since April 1st. This stuff is amazing. Very strong and super thin. 1 lb. diameter width. Tying knots is a little tough, but the Palomar is easy, so it's not too bad. Casts much farther and I can't believe how strong it is for such a thin diameter. I've ripped several branches off of underwater logs. Lack of stretch was an initial concern, but my flexible rod more than makes up for it. I'm never going back. haha.

Thanks again for the input.
 
Jackman,

Do you still get as many hits with Fireline for Trout compared to mono or fluoro?

I've used all kinds of lines for Bass, but for Trout I always stick to mono. I noticed quite a few less strikes using anything else for Trout.
 
Never used the flouro. It is still in the box. I've been killing it with the crystal though. Hooked a tree underwater the other day and literally broke off a 10 foot section of branch and dragged in on 4 lb. test. Unreal. Hard to tell if it differs, but I am catching a ton of trout.

Flouro should be better as it is almost invisible. The crystal is white, but the fish don't seem to care.
 
Flouro is advertised to be nearly invisible, but its not proven to me. I see it just as plain as mono. Ive looked at it in an aquarium and saw no difference. Im beginning to think that lightly colored line like fluorescent blue may be even more invisible because the particles in the line may trap the sunlight keeping it from radiating and glowing underwater .I read that somewhere. It makes since but dont know if its true or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top