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Posts: 254
Location: In the cabbage | Whats everyones choice on lines? Me Ive always used 50 LB cortland spectron in green. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I have been using Cortnald Masterbraid Bronzeback in 80 LB the last couple years and it has been treating me well. I would reccomend at least 80 LB line for most applications to avoid break offs if you get a backlash (I never do, but I hear other people get them now and then  ).
curleytail |
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Posts: 296
| I never use line less than 65 LB, and have been leaning closer to a 100 the last few years with the larger lure craze going on, heavier rods and larger reels. Casts are smoother and it helps to have it in rocky areas. 80 lb. Ultracast is my current favorite. Just my two cents. |
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| shotgunlew - 10/7/2008 9:28 PM
Whats everyones choice on lines? Me Ive always used 50 LB cortland spectron in green.
really? What do you like about it? How long have you used it? Had any breakoffs on fish? How does it hold up after a season or two? And the green... Does it stay green? |
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Posts: 1971
| shotgunlew - 10/7/2008 9:28 PM
Whats everyones choice on lines? Me Ive always used 50 LB cortland spectron in green.
Are you using a spinning reel? |
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| 50 lb braid is too light imo..it can easily break off with a backlash...for muskies with how thin the diameter is of 80 lb, go with 80...80 lb Cortland Bronzeback or 80 Stealth is my fav...sucker rods have 100 or 130 lb.... |
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Posts: 103
| I used to use 50 lb Power pro but lost too many lures due to backlashes. I then switched to 80 lb and haven't had a problem since.
Edited by Muskyhunter247 10/8/2008 3:16 PM
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Posts: 267
Location: Ft. Wayne, Indiana | I use 80 lb Tuf line...never had a problem |
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Posts: 1677
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | 130 Spectron Green. Even in a snag I haven't broken it yet. It is not that much thicker than 100, but there is a big difference in the durability. 80 used to give me fits every now and then fishing rocky areas. The 130 is much better. I ordered a 1200 yd spool last time and would definitely do that again for 109 bucks. |
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Posts: 8725
| I tried the 130# Bronzeback on my 975, for cowgirls mostly, and I found it to be a bit cumbersome for casting.
Rocks? Yeah, I ran into that with 80# myself. Doesn't take more than a cast or two, either. But then rocks will fray 130# too.
I may try the 130 for my sucker rod like bn suggested, but for casting I've found that 80# is about the best... Brand to brand, I like the bronzeback and the spectron. BB is the only line I've found that doesn't bleed all over the place. It still fades, but that's doesn't matter. Fish don't give a (oops) what color the line is.
Edited by esoxaddict 10/8/2008 4:55 PM
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | I use Power Pro moss green line for 3 years and I like it very much! I like 65 lbs for grandma or crankbait on 7 ft hvy 1 to 3 oz musky rod while use 80 lbs for everything like big bucktail, jerkbait and topwater. I might use 100 lbs for jerkbait, double cowgirl or big grandma in Canada or Minnesota for monster muskies! |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | #80 Power Pro in moss green and 80# Invisibraid in white here both catch fish. |
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Posts: 254
Location: In the cabbage | I havent had any breakoffs ( but I dont backlash often ) BUT IMO 80 LB line is far overkill, IM sure most on here will disagree with me but my thought on 50 lb line is that everyne gets all geared up for a 50-60 LB musky that most will never catch. Len Hartman ( IMO the greatest musky fisher ever ) Used nothing more then 12 lb line. BUT I think with the lures and such today 12 lb is a bit on the light side. I like 50 because its got some strength to it. Just my .02 cents. Take it for what its worth, BUt how the guys says that lures can break off , there not lying, BUT I think you lose more fish to having a rope for line .
always - 10/8/2008 1:50 PM
shotgunlew - 10/7/2008 9:28 PM
Whats everyones choice on lines? Me Ive always used 50 LB cortland spectron in green.
really? What do you like about it? How long have you used it? Had any breakoffs on fish? How does it hold up after a season or two? And the green... Does it stay green? |
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Posts: 254
Location: In the cabbage | Sometimes, But I have 50 on my okuma induron 400 as well.
IAJustin - 10/8/2008 2:13 PM
shotgunlew - 10/7/2008 9:28 PM
Whats everyones choice on lines? Me Ive always used 50 LB cortland spectron in green.
Are you using a spinning reel? |
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Posts: 254
Location: In the cabbage | Now I have never fished #80 bronzeback but how does it compare to the spectron? And what color is better for clear and which one for murky?
esoxaddict - 10/8/2008 4:54 PM
I tried the 130# Bronzeback on my 975, for cowgirls mostly, and I found it to be a bit cumbersome for casting.
Rocks? Yeah, I ran into that with 80# myself. Doesn't take more than a cast or two, either. But then rocks will fray 130# too.
I may try the 130 for my sucker rod like bn suggested, but for casting I've found that 80# is about the best... Brand to brand, I like the bronzeback and the spectron. BB is the only line I've found that doesn't bleed all over the place. It still fades, but that's doesn't matter. Fish don't give a (oops) what color the line is. |
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Posts: 14
| I switched to 80 and 100lb test this year because last season I lost a few baits on backlashes. Since I switched I have had none so If I were you I would use 80+ lb line |
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | Remember that old days .....36 lbs black dacron so today 80 lbs power pro is sronger and thinner than 36 lbs black dacron . Thin as 18 lbs line! 65 lbs as thin as 16 Lbs! Bought 300 yards of 80 lbs and its good for my two rods for a whole season! While other 300 yards of 65 lbs for other two rods! 65 lbs for grandma and crankbait also great for large spoon for pike in my area when I don't have time to drive long distict to fish for muskies! |
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| My 80lb Suffix is the same diameter as 20lb Trilene. Believe it is .018".
Maybe I never will catch that 50lb fish.........but I am on water that has pigs in it and if I happen to put a hook in her I want to be ready. Better to have something you dont need than need something you dont have.
The other thing is the safety of the fish. With 80lb braid if you put too much pressure on the fish or something happens you will usually straighten the hooks. With 50lb the bait is probably in the fishes mouth.
These fish will eat flashabou tied on wire with 2 small garbage can lids swinging around, I dont think the line in front will bother them. They are usually so engrossed in the bait that they dont see the line anyway, the only thing they might notice is the leader. Use flouro leaders. Maybe it makes a difference, but the big thing again is the safety of the fish. If they roll flouro doesnt cut them up near as bad as wire. |
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| The lightest you should ever consider is 80. Use 80 for smaller baits and 100 for bigger baits and sucker fishing.
Don't go any lighter than 80.
If you plan on using Power Pro, go with 100 pound, not 80, or you will have problems as well. |
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Posts: 431
| I must disagree with Guest's statement. 50 pound test definitely has a place in my lineup and always will. I generally fish 4 rods. 3 of them have 80 pound test, and one of them has 50 pound test. The rod with 50 pound is a bass rod rated to one ounce that I use for 6" jakes, small big games, small spinnerbaits, etc. I also use that rod with rattle traps in the spring, throw spoons in canada for pike sometimes. |
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| well I don't use 6 inch jakes and bass gear while I am MUSKY fishing.
If you run with 50 pound test, I am sure you also have a to light of a leader as well....if you fish enough you will run into problems.
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Posts: 431
| I guess you'll just continue to miss out then. Moral of the story, heavier lines are appropriate for most applications, but I keep a rod rigged with 50 pound test for those situations when lighter baits are necessary. |
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Posts: 8725
| I used 50# for a season. Lost a few lures because of it. IMO, it's not the 50# fish you need to worry about breaking your line, it's the one that eats at boatside going one way when you set the hook going the other way. They can swim what, 30MPH? If I can break it on a backlash, I can break it setting the hook, too. Thought maybe it was a bad batch of line or something, but everybody I know who tried 50# braid has had the same problem.
What I'm getting at here is that if everyone here is disagreeing with you, especially guys who have 20 years or more under their belt, maybe they just might be right that you shouldn't be using 50# for your regular muskie fishing.
50# on a light setup, for creatures or jigs or something? Ask Worrall, he's pretty good at that from what I hear.
Edited by esoxaddict 10/9/2008 12:21 PM
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| 300+ fish a year, I don't think I am missing out on anything.
Use 80 or 100, and if using Power Pro, use 100 only. |
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | 100 lbs on 6 inch grandma....no thanks!
Sometime I have to use little smaller like 6 inch grandma or crankbait or weight 6" bucktail in early spring or cold front then 65 lbs is better for me! 80 lbs for everything! Its very strong line anyway so it can break your rod! Just common sense! |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | WOW so many new lines on the market today, it will make your head spin
1 SPIDERWIRE CAMO STEALTH
2 SPIDERWIRE CODE RED
3 SPIDERWIRE ULTRA CAST in color or INVISI BRAID
4 FIRELINE TRACER BRAID
5 SONIC BRAID by STREN
try 65lb or 80lb test and 100lb for BIG BAITS
Edited by PIKEMASTER 10/9/2008 10:46 PM
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Posts: 32802
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Hey Mr. Hulbert,
Do you think I 'fish enough'?
I use 50# on a couple outfits. I can't help it if you don't like smaller lures like Krushers, 6" cranks, creatures, and the like. I do, and I fish them with 50#,(heck, some Creatures I fish with GASP!! 14# monofilament!!!) and I catch lots of muskies on them. I've been doing so since, well, before you owned a boat, with NO trouble.
Sure, on a 9' to 10' XH or H rod, big reel, and huge lure...50# is too light. On my 8.5' Okumas, I have 65#. Never broke a fish off yet. Not one. Match the line and the lure to the rod and reel, learn where the drag needs to be, and you will have it right.
An observation:
Not everyone will fish like Mike Hulbert, or use the same gear he does, nor should they.Not everyone will fish with the gear I use, nor should they. I use 6'10 rods for weaving magic with my Weagles, and 65# braid. Am I right, or is he?
Both are, really. Match the line to the rest of the presentation, and all is well.
I also use 60# seven strand leaders on some presentations. No problems. None.
I've been using a new line to our market, a product the shark anglers have been using for quite some time. This company has been my choice for monofilament line for 15 years, and they make a heck of a braid... made with a very tight weave, so tight the line is perfectly round. I've been using the 50#, 65# and 80# since July, and am very impressed. Take a look here:
http://www.hiseas.net/Line_lnd.asp
They even make 100 and 200# braid.
No answers are absolute when talking gear, there's lots of excellent options. Anyone talking in absolutes is a Sith, Yoda says so. 
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| big line is not a option,that help to not play whit the fish,short fight=better release.but if you play at place where a 40 inch is a trophy then i think you can use less than 65.everybody can caught a big mama whit a 8 pounds line but if you dont want to kill fish play safe |
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Posts: 32802
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I don't play any muskie any longer than anyone else, not even on Creature gear. I whip 30# muskies on the spinning rod as fast as you will on a casting rod. I can apply serious pressure, and the fish wear down and come to the net real quick. Not an issue with me, and never has been.
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Posts: 1677
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I like the star wars quote there Steve. I agree. I "bass fish" with a leader on some lakes because ski's hang in the same areas. I use 12 lb mono and the "musky gods" on my lake have a fit. Never has it taken me considerably longer to boat a fish on 12 lb mono than 130 lb braid. |
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