Which Line?

[alan1]

Hi all. I have been reading the forum for a while to pick up tips about spinning for salmon as we have booked our first ever salmon fishing trip on the Annan in September. What I need to know is what type and strength of line do I need? Would braid be a better bet than mono? What about makes? I have heard that PowerPro braid is better than Berkley Fireline but is this someone's preference?
The pros and cons are mind boggling. For instance;
Fireline floats so will that make it difficult to get to the bottom of pools when spinning?
Fluorocarbon sinks but on another website they don't think much of Berkley Vanish which I thought was a quality line.
Also, do you tie in a mono leader if using braid?

Finally, I'm thinking of buying an Abu cardinal freerunner reel for spinning, any thoughts about this choice?

If any of you can help regarding the above I would be very grateful and will be sure to put a report on here when we get back from the holiday

[Sloggi]

Hi Alan1,

I use braid exclusively. I like PowerPro and B Fireline. If I had to choose, I'd go for PowerPro (in yellow). Not sure why - I just think it "feels" better.

In September, I tend to use approximately 30lb braid in case I meet a large fish. It's too much, but it's a habit I can't seem to change.

I use 14lb or 10lb braid in the summer when using lighter lures. You won't have a issue with the line floating when you have a lure and/or weight attached.

I've always used Shimano reels and in recent years the Stradic range (the white ones). You'll find a regular supply on ebay. There appears to be a new Stradic at a ridiculous price - not sure what that's all about Buy the older one - it's fab.

Oh, and don't go spinning without some ruby red devons

[colliedog]

Sloggi speaks wise words.

I like power pro over some of the softer braids as I think its stiffness reduces tangling. I use 20lb green. I recomend a big spinnign reel like the Shimano baitrunner 10000 as the wide spool allows light baits such as rapalas and mepps to be cast a long way (esp if you go down to 14lb braid for summer fishing)

The best way to buy it is from America or Japan using e-bay. I got 300yds delivered for £12 in 6 days.

In 50lb hi-viz yellow it is a very cheap way of filling up fly reels with gel-spun backing (500yds of 50lb powerpro cost me £20 delivered - compare that to about £30 for about 200yds of gel spun in the Uk). You can get a 1500yd spool for about £50.

I can forward you the details of the e-bay shops I have used if you pm me.

regards

CD

[splash]

colliedog said:

Sloggi speaks wise words.

I like power pro over some of the softer braids as I think its stiffness reduces tangling. I use 20lb green. I recomend a big spinnign reel like the Shimano baitrunner 10000 as the wide spool allows light baits such as rapalas and mepps to be cast a long way (esp if you go down to 14lb braid for summer fishing)

The best way to buy it is from America or Japan using e-bay. I got 300yds delivered for £12 in 6 days.

In 50lb hi-viz yellow it is a very cheap way of filling up fly reels with gel-spun backing (500yds of 50lb powerpro cost me £20 delivered - compare that to about £30 for about 200yds of gel spun in the Uk). You can get a 1500yd spool for about £50.

I can forward you the details of the e-bay shops I have used if you pm me.

regards

CD

I agree with CD re gel spun for backing . I got approx 1900 yds of Sufix XL high viz 50lb braid (well the Tibor Pacifics that I use for tuna fishing take about 500yd plus flyline) for about $100 on eBay. It great backing especially for large arbour reels. If you do use gel spun for backing remember to wind on a few yards of buckshee 20-30lb monofil first. Failure to do so may result in your backing revolving freely around the spool the next time a salmon takes. This is particularly the case with large arbour reels which have wide smooth spools such as the Lamson Litespeed LS4. the mono provides bite and grip and is easily attached to the braid with a double grinner

[exerod]

I'll not argue with any of the advise given so far. I've used Fireline for several seasons with no problems but I've not tried any of the others.

I'd always go for shimano as well, you don't need a baitrunner (if thats what the "freerunner" bit of Abu cardinal freerunner is referring to), it is just something else to get in the way/go wrong/accidentally get knocked on just before a salmon takes

I don't know what everybody else does but i always use a mono trace. Just tie a Sharpes BB swivel to the end of the braid and add about 2.5 feet of mono to that. As braid is said to be easily damaged by sharp rocks, I haven't found it so but maybe I've been lucky, the mono will give a bit of abrasion resistance down at the business end.

One huge advantage I've found on chalkstreams is when fish go through weeds. With mono you had to fiddle around trying different angles to coax the fish out without putting too much pressure on the line, with braid you just saw the rod up and down and the braid cuts the weeds like a cheese wire

Andy

[colliedog]

Hi Andy,

Can you recommend a shimano spinning reel with an oversized spool like on the baitrunner 10000.

The baitrunner facility is superfluous to my salmon fishing (other than when setting up the rod at the beginning of the day). I have seen some people use it when worming to free-spool the bait down stream but that just leads to line twist. I free line through my fingers if using a fixed spool reel or use a multiplier (centrepin on wee rivers).

Regards

CD

[donsidecaster]

Sloggi & Splash
agree on the backing.Using Power pro on Abel reels.Doulde++ the yds of conventional backing & using stronger.
Keep away from the red coloured. The dye colours the fly line.
Buying Orvis Gel spun in Uk is double + price if buying in Sommers
or Orvis in Banchory.

Currently using 60 lbs test as backing to fly line & tapered Singapore twist leaders. Need it for the Dog tooth Tuna & GTs.
For Bonefish i jist tye on a 10" maxima or fluro short leader.

Tight Lines

[alan1]

Guys,
Thanks for the swift replies and all the useful information which will be put to good use. I was only wondering about the use of a mono leader because I felt the braid would be seen by the fish (and spooked) if attached directly to the lure especially in the colours of green and yellow.
However none of you have pointed to this as a problem so am I concerning myself about something that isn't a problem?

Alan

[dangler]

Alan1, Hi. Its a good idea as mentioned earlier to tie a ball bearing swivel to the end of the braid and then add 18 ins to 2 feet of mono and a link swivel to attach the lure.

The reasons are to distance the braid and avoid possible spooking of the fish and also, using a lower breaking strain mono than braid, avoid losing a lot of expensive line on snags.
From experience I can tell you that trying to break 50lb braid when snagged is no joke and could even be dangerous.

Incidentally, I prefer a multiplier for spinning as the slightly different stance avoids some stoop and reduces backache. To get round the problem with lighter lures I am going to try a closed face baitcasting reel as this is also mounted on the top of the rod like a multiplier

Tight lines, Mike

[Yorkshire Esk]

Maxima for me, 15-18lb breaking strain, I don't use braid, it is expensive and you still mono for your leader.
Maxima has never let me down. But as the rest have said it is their choice to use braid or mono.
As for reels, then I wouldn't personally go anywhere else than a shimano. They are light weight and can carry a good amount of line to.

[exerod]

colliedog said:

Hi Andy,

Can you recommend a shimano spinning reel with an oversized spool like on the baitrunner 10000.

In a word, no. I've always used the 4000 and 5000 ranges but only because I couldn't find a bigger one at the right price when I bought them. I agree that a bigger diameter spool will give you more distance and also less line twist, not that I've had any problems with line twist since going over to braid.

alan1 said:

I was only wondering about the use of a mono leader because I felt the braid would be seen by the fish (and spooked) if attached directly to the lure especially in the colours of green and yellow.
However none of you have pointed to this as a problem so am I concerning myself about something that isn't a problem?

Alan

I can see two possible problems, apart from the abrasion resistance, with not using a mono trace. Firstly there is almost no stretch in braid so a short length of mono acts as a bit of a shock absorber, I hook a high proportion of my fish at very short range so I like to have a bit of "give" in the setup.
Secondly, the cheese wire nature of braid. I would worry that a fish that rolled itself up in the line would get cut by the braid if I didn't use a mono trace.
I've never tried braid straight through so maybe I'm the one worrying about something that isn't a problem

Andy

[donnieW]

I use braid all the time when fishing Rapalas - great for distance - but change to Maxima for Flying Cs. If you get kinks in braid you're heading for diaster...... Wouldn't dream of using fluorocarbon for spinning and seldom use it for salmon fly fishing as I've had bad experiences with knots. By far the best braid I've used is Tuffline XP, 15lbs BS and the diameter of 4lb mono.

[colliedog]

donniewhiteford said:

I use braid all the time when fishing Rapalas - great for distance - but change to Maxima for Flying Cs. If you get kinks in braid you're heading for diaster...... Wouldn't dream of using fluorocarbon for spinning and seldom use it for salmon fly fishing as I've had bad experiences with knots. By far the best braid I've used is Tuffline XP, 15lbs BS and the diameter of 4lb mono.

Never had a problem with braid twisting - even with flying Cs, mepps and devons - I always use a sharps bb swivel. I had the same Cortland 20lb braid on my reel for 3 really hard fished seasons without any problem.

One of the other advantages of braid is if you do have a problem and have to scrap say 30-40 yards, because it is so fine it doesn't deplete the level on your spool and affect your casting in the same way as losing a comparable length of nylon hawser.

CD

[ibm59]

Sound advice from all.
One other thing. Don't use braid on a rod with any form of cheap rings or a reel without a functioning line roller. It'll cut through them just as easily as the river weed mentioned earlier. Fuji's or similar are a must as is the nylon shock absorber.
ps. Fireline rules , ok?

[alan1]

Thanks again everybody, I've got direction now and will keep an eye on this site for further tips and also will report back in late Septembe

Alan

[juniorspey]

i use 15-20 lb fireline or 12lb maxima on a shimano gt6000. this is a good set up and the line lay is perfectly even.

[fenton]

For me it has to be Maxima Maxima Maxima.

Every time I have used something different I have regretted it, and I have never ever regretted using Maxima

[Willie The Gillie]

Maxima all the way 12, 15 or 18lbs depending on the conditions/time of year. It also lets you know when its done by going slightly lighter in colour away from its new dark look. Never been let down in 30 years. On the reel front IMO the Shimano Stradic 5000 from USA's Tackle Direct (www.tackledirect.com)approx $150 including shipping and you may have to pay £20 tax at UK customs offers a great deal unmatchable (by a long way) here in the normal UK Shimano distribution line/price list. A great solid workhorse of a reel with a great sensitive front drag and the 5000 is a good size which will cover all salmon fishing scenarios.

[billytheghillie]

power pro and shimano for me, remember when using braid you can turn it round next season on the reel, so it really is not that expensive. p.s. remember some black deaths

[rennie]

Maxima in 12,15, 18lb strains.As far as braid goes,terrible to play fish on a great big no no on the multiplier(beds in far too much causing crack offs on casting and beds in terribly whilst playing fish lost too many floating devon rigs and fish too).If you are going to try some of the new lower diameter monos. or such like keep to the same diameter as say 18lb Maxima and benefit from the greater breaking stain.Any thing thats clear cant be a bad thing,personally like the aqua green Maxima for colour(or lack of it) in clear water and the chameleon in high/coloured water.
As far as a fixed spool reel goes,well you get what you pay for in short pay for a Shimano they wont let you down,by the way a Bait Runner facility is only of any use to worm/bait fishing. Pedro