What's Your Line?

by Les Albjerg
(Caldwell, ID)

I've been having fun with ultra-light spin finesse fishing for almost a year now. It has been a fun journey, but picking a line is frustrating. I have bought two of the Japanese Domestic Market lines that Chris offers. I have been pleased with both of them. However, I am still confused about lines. One fisherman who I have dialogued with this year who catches a lot of trout in streams with his ultra-light spinning outfit, advocates buying a quality high volume made line, and change out your spool every three sessions to avoid line twist.

I have two high quality Shimano reels. I have been playing with lines, and I am still not settled. I thought I was settled on Sunline Troutist Area Meister. However the last two times out I have had rats nests like you wouldn't believe! On my other reel, I have been following the advice from the fellow who changes lines. He advocates replacing your line every third time you go out fishing. I bought a 3,000 yard spool of Silver Thread AN40 Copolymer line in 4 pound test for this part of my working with different lines. So far, I have been happy with the results. Since he fishes 8-10 hours a day, I have modified his advice to changing every 24 - 30 hours of fishing.

I have also been fishing with PowerPro. It is a microfilament braided line. At 15 pound test, 4 pound diameter, you have to be careful about snags. One could damage their rod. Performance wise, I have had mixed feelings. The other line I have played with is Spiderwire 10 pound test, and 2 pound diameter. Both of these lines don't have any stretch, and I have found myself over setting the hook. The nylon lines have a shock absorber built in.

So, is there a perfect line? What are your thoughts and ideas about what line to use? What have you found are pluses and minuses is the lines that you use?