Spiderwire, what's the scoop?

S

Strabs

Joined
Feb 11, 2000
Messages
4,422
I've noticed this stuff more lately, and the geeks at the local sporting goods store can't tell me much about it. It looks...interesting
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So I am getting ready to refill my spools for spring and was wondering if anyone knows anything about this stuff. How's it compare to regular mono? Does it stretch less? How 'sensitive' is it? Primary application will be spinning, usually have spools filled with 6-10lb mono.

Thanks for the help.
 
I have some limited experience with it. I've used the "fusion" type of spyderwire on both spincasting and spinning reels. It tends to "bind". IMO only baitcasting reels are appropriate for it. IT WILL NOT work in a spincast. At least not reliably. In a spinning reel it'll often bind on the spool and piss you off. If your equipment can handle it however its great stuff. Very sensitive and it doesnt stretch perceptibly at all.

[This message has been edited by yoda4561 (edited 02-28-2001).]
 
Strabs,
I really like the stuff. It's strong, lightweight, and for equal strength applications, you can get a lot more of it on the reel when compared to mono. I've had the same line on a heavy duty mid-size Van Staal spinner for almost a year now, and the only thing I've had to watch out for is the binding problem yoda referred to. To borrow a line from Eric's excellent article:

"If too much pressure is used on retrieves or pulling out snags it can, and will dig into itself causing problems on the next cast. Avoid this by not "winching" in the fish."

Most of the time this problem can be avoided by following Eric's advice, but I still find it happening occasionally when hooking into the bigger fish. Now when I restock a reel with braided line, I wind the line on the spool a little more tightly than I normally would with mono, and this seems to help alleviate the problem as well. I don't know if there's a downside to doing this, but welcome the comments of the more knowledgeable members here in this regard.

Some also recommend using specific types of knots with braided/fusion line. But again, as mentioned by Eric, the simple palomar knot seems to work well in my experience.

Oh yeah, don't even bother trying to cut the stuff with those nail clippers that you keep in your tackle box (though I'm sure no one on this forum would resort to such a cutting tool
wink.gif
). Happy fishing!

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Hey Guys...

Yaa Spiderwire can be a blessing or it can be a nightmare...All depends on how you use it...
Myself I swear by it for certain things...

Like I said in the article,, I like my fishing rods Super stiff..The stiffness and the Spiderwire is a Deadly combination for me...Every little bite,every little bump telegraphs a vibration to my hand like a bolt of lightening...

Thats what I meant by "Listening" to your rod..
Fishing rod that is...
smile.gif


If you listen to the other rod,, more times than none,,you'll be getting yourself into trouble and probably regret it in the morning..
smile.gif
LMAO..

Thanks for taking the time to read it.. I wrote for several years for TFN and wish I still had the time..

Keep your Rod Stiff,, Your Tip Fast and your Casts Deep!

Eric..

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On/Scene Tactical
Leading The Way In Quality Synthetic Sheathing

[This message has been edited by Normark (edited 03-01-2001).]
 
Strabs,

My other addiction is MUSKIES! MUSKIES! MUSKIES!!! The super lines are the best thing to hit muskie fishing since the 10" Suick. There really is nothing else that compares when you are dealing with fish that get up to 70# and are as violent as muskies. Eric's article was excellent. A couple of things I have picked up from the muskie boards and mags- If you are using a baitcaster, get a higher pound line than you use for mono. It prevents the line from burying itself on the reel when you wrench on it with a snag or big fish. It also makes backlashes less frequent and easier to get out. 50# super line is the same diameter as 12# mono. 100# is the same as 18# mono. You can see how you can afford to get higher pound super line and still get the same castability as your low pound mono. Plus you never have to worry about your line snapping if you get a backlash mid-cast or get a bad snag. Some super lines have a tendency to absorb and throw water as you reel. Not so bad in the summer, but not fun when it is cold out. This will also make your rod guides and reels freeze up a lot quicker. Other ones have problems with fraying. Some brands don't do either. 80 or 100# Power Pro and Tuf-line are the two that us muskie guys use. Doesn't absorb water and doesn't fray. Besides the durability, the best thing about the super lines is the no stretch factor. Like Eric said, you feel every tap and nibble right now. You also end up with better hooking percentages. In fact, you guys who fish bass and walleye might have trouble with ripping the bait right out of the fishes mouth. Yes sir, it's just what the doctor ordered for muskies!
The one problem that is cropping up is when guys are speed trolling for muskies, and they get an especially violent hit, they are snapping poles because of the no stretch factor. This is the one area where some guys are sticking with mono.
One of the other awesome qualities is that it is unaffected by UV. Unlike mono, the only time you have to change it is when your spool gets too low from re-ties. One other thing, it will lose it's color over time and end up looking bleached. This does not affect performance at all. Sorry if this post is choppy, but I'm remembering things as I write and am just firing them off.

Eric,

I don't have time to browse right now so I will ask you, does that site have anything on Muskies?
Also, are you aware of the awesome deal that Abu Garcia is running right now on baitcasters? Buy one get one free. It is on their 5600 and 6600 AB (anti-backlash). I have found a bunch of places that have it on sale right now too. It is regularly $109.99 (american), but I got mine for $79.99 at Gander Mountain. I saw it for the same price at Wal-mart last week. Mills Fleet-Farm had them for $89.99 3 weeks ago. They will match other stores also. All of these stores may not help you north of the border though. The anti-backlash only works with mono, but you can turn it off and use it just like a normal C3. You have to have it purchased by April 1st I believe, so don't waste time. Details are on their website also and you can download the coupon from there. If anyone wants more info on superlines, check out the latest issue of Musky Hunter Magazine. Steve Heiting does a very in depth article on them. In fact, I should give him credit for most of what I just told you.

Jim McCullough

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Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
 
Hey Jim...


Pretty much what you said..
I forget what I'm using on mine,,but I think it's like 30# Spiderwire....

Again as you said Hooksets are Rock Solid, and usually only take a light tap or lift of the rod to lock on..

Imagine grabbing a steel cable being towed by a Bus..Your going for a ride...

Grabbing a bungee cord being towed by a Bus,, you may have a few seconds to let go...

Same goes with Braids..

Most times than not while trolling for Eyes,,the only thing left to do when you see or feel a hit is to reel it in...The movement of the boat and No Stretch has already self hooked the fish.

As to Violent strikes...

Yup,, you better be on the ball when trolling with it...I haven't snapped a rod yet,,but it has happened....

When I troll I set my drag just so the spool stops moving at whatever speed I'm trolling at..Once and awhile you'll see it "Click, Click" but experience will tell you that it's not a fish...When a strike occures,,you'll be the first one to know as you watch the rod bend in half...

I've had to go from a 4 mph trolling speed into Full reverse because I couldn't get the rod out of the holder and thought it was going to snap any second..
Gotta be quick and on the ball....

Thanks for the Head-Zup on a Abu...
smile.gif
and Thanks for the kind words on the article...

As far as Lundge articles,, Yupper I believe there is Lots on the subject...Should be some good reading..
I've also got a dozen or so others there as well...

Thanks Again..

ttyle

Eric..

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On/Scene Tactical
Leading The Way In Quality Synthetic Sheathing
 
I like Spyderwire on my baitcaster a lot. I'm not a very practiced fisherman, but am not bad with a Calcutta either. This stuff is less likely to birdnest/backlash it seems, and is very strong given a diameter of line.

You must change this stuff out a couple times a year ... I lost several nice big Redfish (Red Drum) because I was lazy and left 4-6 month old Spyderwire on my baitcaster. I don't know what the line breakdown/deterioration mechanism is, but I'll be damned... the line broke from tension and not abrasion from what we can tell, right at the knot on hook.

So the stuff is expensive, and has a shelf life, but is strong and resists nasty birdnesting on a baitcaster.

 
Hey rdangerer


That's not really the case with Spiderwire,, I've used the same spool,,when the article was written for 4 years without a problem Whatsoever...

I can however speculate on what your problem was...

Either your test wasn't strong enough, or you are using the Wrong kind of knot....

The proper knot with Spiderwire is Critical as it will cut itself...

If you are having breakoffs at the knot,, this is Exactly the problem..

What knot were you using ?

Like I said in the article, on the date of publication I was going on my 4th year of Heavy useage on Walleye.

This was some time ago, so I would probably Definately change the line now before any serious fishing was taking place...

ttyle

Eric...

------------------
On/Scene Tactical
Leading The Way In Quality Synthetic Sheathing
 
rdangerer,

I have to back up what Eric says. This stuff will last indefinately. It sounds like a knot problem to me also. Click on the link to Eric's article and you will see how to do the proper knot. I have been using that knot for 20 years and it has never failed. One other tip that a lot of guys who use superlines do. You can use backing on your real. You start out with normal mono until you get it 1/3 to 1/2 filled and then you use super line the rest of the way.

Jim McCullough

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Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
 
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