[fishmanjustfish]

Any recommendations on what weight and brand of line would you use say at Fishlake in January? 100 ft water for macks.

 

[RnF]

I don't know the answer to your question, but there is an ice fishing line thread going in the equipment board.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1953

Good Luck.

 

[FC2Tuber]

Any recommendations on what weight and brand of line would you use say at Fishlake in January? 100 ft water for macks.

I would go with some kind of a braid with a flouro leader. No stretch, and you can feel every little bump and tap.

 

[fishmanjustfish]

Any recommendations on which brand of braid to use and diameter?

 

[RyanCreek]

I just watched an In-fishermen Ice fishing video and they really liked Fireline for Lake Trout, Walleye, and Pike. You might want to try the 14 lb. test. It has the same or smaller diameter as typical 8 lb. mono but doesn't stretch so you'll be able to control your lure and feel the fish. That line also doesn't absorb much moisture so it will work well in freezing temps. And yes, a flourcarbon leader was also suggested.

 

[fishmanjustfish]

Is the flourcarbon leader used because is has little visiblity?

 

[RyanCreek]

While the advatages of a superline such as Fireline are easy to understand, the advantages of a flourocarbon line tend to be a litte more difficult to pinpoint. Flourocarbon is great to use by itself or as a leader. Here's the advantages flourocarbon brings to the table:
1. It will not deterioate in the sun
2. Is is super abrasion resistant
3. It will not absorb much moisture if any at all, while regular monofilament can absorb water to the point that the line becomes 10% water
4. It has a high knot strength
5. It will not float because it has a higher specific gravity rating than water and both braided lines and mono lines. We've all seen how mono line floats on the surface and won't sink until the weight at the end eventually pulls it. Flourocarbon will act to sink much faster.
6. And yes... it is virtually invisible in the water.