Fireline Crystal

[Todd2]

I know this has been around for a few years, but I never tried any Fireline before. I've got a few questions. 1.) How does it compare to other superlines in terms of strength, abrasion, sensitivity, etc. 2.) Would I need a leader or is it clear enough to go straight to the lure. (I mostly fish Tville, Cedar, Nolin). I can see it looks white on and off the spool but I can also see the translucent qualities at certain angles 3.) How is it for jigs and plastics? Thanks for any help...

[Toadman]

I use it on a spinning reel for my shakey heads. I have used it without a leader in stained water like when your up the river or creeks on Nolin and had good luck with it. But 90% of the time I have a fluorocarbon leader. I normally use about a 12ft leader. I can break off a few times if needed and not have to tie on a new leader everytime. I never have used it for anything other that shakey heads which is the only thing I use spinning gear for.

The good thing about it or any of the braids I have used is you don't have the bad twisting like you do with a spool full of mono or fluorocarbon. I like it for that and the added sensitivity you get with a superline. It seems to be pretty good line. I am still using what I spooled last winter and it is fine. I might respool in a couple of weeks to get ready for a new season.

[JUSTINHALL]

I have used fireline a lot for many years; it is very abrasion resistant and has good feel as well, much more feel than mono. I always use a leader though I don't like the feel of straight fireline and also so they don't see it. The feeling is a bit different if you add a 6'+ leader to it, I don’t notice any different between the ice and regular fire line.
In Lake Erie there are loads of zebra mussels and they eat mono alive fireline is far supperior in that field.

[jrbassmaster]

I have never used it before but my buddy has, he was using for a shakey head at Kentucky lake and I out fished him that day. To this day he dosnt use it any more. I would recomend getting some good flourocarbon line.

[Todd2]

I would recomend getting some good flourocarbon line.

Yeah I've tried a few brands of fluoro over the years and I've kind of settled on the BPS stuff. For monos, I've settled on either Sufix or Gamma (both are really good). Then I tried some braid for the first time this past summer and couldn't believe the sensitivity compared to mono and even fluoro. I toyed around with Sufix Braid and Stren Sonic using a fluoro leader and liked both. I just thought this Crystal would eliminate the need for a leader like it's advertised, but it sounds like folks here still use a leader so I'm not sure if I'll mess with it.

[offdtop]

Todd, I used it this year for about a month and I never got a bite an a jig, I switched back to a mono/fluro leader and was catching fish in the same area in fact on the same day, I too loved the feel - good grief you feel everything but you will have to use a leader with mono or fluro. And as far as seeing it I think the powerbraid in mossy green is just as invisible IMO, but you know I'm not a fish, heck, no telling what they think.

[Todd2]

I decided to go ahead and spool up with 14 lb Fireline Crystal on my jig rod even if I do need the leader. Haven't had it out yet, but I casted a few times in the yard and man this stuff is smooth. Don't know how tough or invisible it is in the water but I think it's the best casting superline I've tried so far right out of the package. Thanks again...

[slowride]

Never tried fireline, but i think i will this spring. I use the stren super braid for flipping and on my c-rig, with a mono leader. I've caught more fish on that c rig than anything else.

[BASSKING]

when you guys are using a mono or floro leader what type of knot do you use to attacth the two lines together?? would a surgeons knot work?? i have always tied directly to the braid but i can see where the leader would help.

[Todd2]

when you guys are using a mono or floro leader what type of knot do you use to attacth the two lines together?? would a surgeons knot work?

I use a double nail knot. The only reason is I got one of those cheap little tie fast tools and that's the knot it's for. Seems to work fine.

[slowride]

i always use a polymor knot, i tie the leader first then tie it to the swivel, never had a problem.