[Derajaman]

Hey everyone,

I just had a quick question about what lb test line to put on my reel or if I need to look into a new reel. Its a open-face spinning reel thats rated for 6lb/175yards and I usually have 8lb test on it but was considering putting 10 or 12lb test on because I might be getting into some pike fishing the beginning of April. Would it be a good idea to go for the higher lb test or would I be ok with 8? And I know I'll need wire leaders for the pike. The pike in this lake aren't what you would call monsters, but there are some decent sized ones in there. Thanks everyone for any info you can give.

 

[NeWcS]

Another thing you may consider is 'Super-lines'. While im not a fan of them I do know you can get a alot more line on the spool with a higher test. Like 10lb may have the same size as 4lb.

Hope this helps.

I use 6 or 8 lb when fishing for walleye and Bass. And I have trolling rods with 14lb with a 10lb leader. I only use Cajun Red.


[me=Jay_In_Parker] [/me]

 

[farmer ted]

Another thing you may consider is 'Super-lines'. While im not a fan of them I do know you can get a alot more line on the spool with a higher test. Like 10lb may have the same size as 4lb.

I use superlines (Power-Pro or Spiderwire) exclusively and use a 3-6 foot leader of mono on the end. As Jay mentioned, you can get more of a heavier #test on a reel because the line is much thinner (8lb diameter has a #test of 30-40). The superlines don't stretch and are much more sensitive. The Mono Leader on the end (8-12lb depending on what you're fishing for) acts as a bit of a shock absorber when setting the hook (so you don't rip it out of the fishes mouth) and also helps with fish who are leader/ line shy.
    Back in the day when I was growing up in MN, I lived for pike fishing and caught all of my pike (1-15lb...not monsters, but decent sized) on 8 or 10lb test mono with a cable/ wire leader on the end. you could really go either way.

The only things to keep in mind about putting larger line on a reel that's not rated for it is that

1) Obviously, less line will fit on the reel and...

2) a smaller reel is designed to reel in smaller fish so the strength and gear ratio of the reel match the size of the fish and vice-versa with big fish and big reels. Drags are also matched to the reel...so if you catch a big fish on a smaller reel with heavy line, you may not be able to set the drag tight enough to control/ reel the fish and end up tiring the fish excessively before you can land it.  Catching a 25lb pike on an ultra light reel would be interesting to say the least. I think going up a size or 2 in line shouldn't matter though.

 

[Guest]

8 lb test is enough for pike in Colorado. I fish manitoba with 6 & 8 lb test. I caught this 45"er on 6 lb.

If you fish Northerns on light line (6 or 8lb) and your fish heads for the weeds as they sometimes do, just wait him out, don't try to winch him out. If you wait and be patient, he'll eventually come out.

Quality reels have quality drags. A top quality 20 size spinning reel can handle anything in Colorado that bites. I like Quantum spinning gear. 

 

[mikuliscool]

If you don't mind droping some money, Sportsmens has a sale of last years reels for less than $30. I got a Abu Garcia for $25 and they put 10 lb line on it for free. Depending on what kind of line and how much, it may be better to get a new reel? :-\

 

[pikester01]

My Berkley Lightening Rod, my Berkley 8lb Fireline and varying test of Berkley Vanish flourocarbon leader have MOST definetly caught more fish than any setups I've used before. All avail at WallyWorld for the BEST price around..pikester01

 

[Walking Eagle]

I assume the reel didn't come with a spare spool, otherwise you wouldn't have asked the question. Given the usual state of a college student's budget you should probably just stay with your existing line and go pike fishing.

As others have suggested, you can fill it with one of the superbraids and go way up on the # test, for example a braid of the same diameter as your 8 lb mono would test in the 30 lb. range.

There is a drawback to that: you are stuck with the line after you're done pike fishing. And if you ordinarily cast for trout, bass, etc. you are going to hate that line because you can't cast as far with it. Besides having more friction going through the guides, it is quite limp and sluggish compared to mono and it doesn't spring off the spool to help you cast like mono does.

Bottom line: unless you're going to do enough pike fishing to justify buying a rig just for that, stick with what you already have and don't even worry about it.

W. E.

 

[Derajaman]

Thanks for the help everyone. As to the question with the extra spool WE I do have an extra spool for this reel somewhere but I'm not sure where it went. My question was also around whether it would really be worth putting heavy test line on the reel since it might not be big/strong enough. I've never used braided line before either so it would be a different experience. I think I'll stick with the 8lb most likely for the fishing and just try my best at landing a pike if I hook into one. There are other species in there anyway (smallmouth, largemouth, crappie, bluegill) that I can try for anyway Thanks again everyone.

 

[Guest]

8 lb will be just fine,,, really. Use a steel leader or a 10" section of 50 lb test mono ahead of your lure for the teeth. I'm sure you know that though. Have fun!

 

[bassmasters65]

Derajaman, If you do decide to try braided line, don't make the same mistake I did and try to just come up with your own knot to connect the two lines together. When I tried this, upon the reccomendation of another pro angler, my line would break 20% of the time at the point of connection on a heavy hookset. Most braids are teflon coated and trying to attach a leader to them can be tricky. A fly fisherman told me to use a Allbright or Improved Allbright knot when connecting braid to mono or flouro. This knot has never failed me!!!

 

[jamiehughes]

we use fireline exclusively on our open water rigs and we love it, i use 6 lb fireline all the time at the arsenal for pike, never had a fish break me off out there. make sure that you put some mono backing on the reel first with fireline or you will have trouble, and like bassmaster said the knot joining the 2 has to be a good one. we use the blood knot. i think they call it that because everytime i try to tie it all i accomplish is raising my blood pressure. my girlfriend usually has to finish the knot for me. if you go to this stuff though you also have to use a different knot on the lure side as the line is so slick that normal knots will come undone.in the package they show you the knots though. fireline is extremely sensitive and it casts a mile. you don't want to go to heavy though as when you have to break a lure of(like at the arsenal, all the time)that heavy fireline is a real b#$ch to break. fireline doesn't work well in freezing temps though, it seems to collect a lot of ice. and like mentioned before a good reel with a gret drag is essential, good line isn't worth a thing without a good drag..

 

[farmer ted]

I use a Uni to Uni Knot to attach the Mono leader to my superlines (as recommended by Power-Pro) It's easy to tie and I've never had one break.

 

[roth2000]

I use to work at a sporting goods store and when customers would ask us to put superlines on their reel, we would first put some mono on the reel so the entire line wouldn't twist on the spool and then use the uni to uni as stated above.  Fantastic knot to use for superline.