Fishing Line Dicsussion in this thread

I've made a slow switch to the Huckabee pro series rods. Very nice I might add. However, I've been using Power Pro Hi Vis braided line on my Wally Marshall's for years and this voids the warranty on the Huckabee rods. Yes, I used the braided cause I'm cheap and didn't want to have to keep retying every time I got hung up. (still waiting for Ranger to tape his "rubber band" method of jig retrieval) I've had some Hi Vis P-Line which I've used with good success so I strung some on my reels for now. Plus I've switched to Timmy Tom Weedless jigs and I don't hung up nearly as often as I used to.
Anyway, what is the goto line now? Co-polymer? Monofilament? Still braid? Fluorocarbon? Rope?

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Originally Posted by CHECrappie

Yes, I used the braided cause I'm cheap and didn't want to have to keep retying every time I got hung up.

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I with you on the cheap part. For fishing brush I have a dedicated rod with braid with a snap swivel tied on. I have several rigs pre tied and if I break one off I can grab another one and be back to fishing quickly. With the braid I'm not respooling and I even go so far as to use mono for backing and only have a few yards of braid on at a time. I really like the Stren Sonic hi-vis yellow, very soft compared to some, but they don't make it anymore. Found some on line when I heard that it was discontinued and stocked up. Should last quite a while this way.

I'm using 20lb power pro braid on mine.

I use a variety of rods, including the Huckabee Pulling Rods and a Pro Series. I had a Meat Draga but just preferred the others so sold it. The only gripe I have about the Huckabee Pulling Rods are they seem heavy compared to others I use. The Pro Series doesn't seem quite so bad. I use the Huckabees for specific techniques but fish many different ways so also use other rods. Favorites are the inexpensive Pro Angler rods in 8 and 10' lengths. I probably use them as much as the Huckabees. The Pro Anglers are strong, yet light and sensitive. I also use many others rods I have accumulated over the years fishing for Walleye/Saugeye and when I fished for Bass. Probably my favorite brand of those is Falcon in both the BuCoo and LowRider series. I also use about a 50/50 mix of spinning reels and baitcasting reels. Most of my baitcasters were picked up on Ebay and almost all have a flipping switch. That comes from years ago fishing bass tournaments in the Tommy Biffle style. It works extremely well on Crappie rods such as the Huckabees. Now, about line...

I have used braid for over 20 years but it is still not my favorite line, except for certain applications. I have it on some of my spinning reels but only one baitcaster on a 7' All Star rod that hasn't been made in many years. I almost exclusively use that rod, reel, line combo for fishing bridge pilings. When I use braid I use primarily Power Pro 10/2 Yellow. I started out years ago heavier but found I prefered the light line. My Go To Crappie line is Viscious PanFish Yellow. I use it for brushpiles, traditional long lining, Cranking, strolling (what some Okies call long lining), casting, spider rigging, corking (both fixed and slip float) and the float and fly technique. The Viscious is a co-polymer and is used in different weights between 4 and 10lb depending on the technique I'm using. I have used almost all the yellow mono or co-polymer lines and have never found one that I preferred to it. It's inexpensive and I keep a supply on hand all the time. I like Power Crappie fishing as much as anyone but I also prefer many of the traditional techniques of the South Eastern US...

But , then, I still use tubes so I'm different.

I've started using Gamma / Panfish co-polymer line. Bright yellow. 10 lb diameter has a break strength of 17.5 lb. It has been molecularly altered for super strength. If interested: gammafishing.com

The reason we voided the warranty on the Huckabee rods is due to braid wrapping around the rod tip and setting the hook. It cuts into the graphite and then may break on a big fish. Braid can be extremely abrasive and when it causes tips to break...it's not due to a manufacturing flaw. We aren't trying to tell anyone what line to use or not use. We just don't want to be responsible for breakage caused by braid. By all means use whatever line you like.

I just switched 100% to braid on all rods for a better feel on the thump.

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Originally Posted by Frank300

I just switched 100% to braid on all rods for a better feel on the thump.

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What size are you using?

I use 10lb power pro braid on all my Huckabees. Hung up a thousand times, I look for rod wrap and try not to stress the rod to break or pull out of the snag. That's why if I'm hung, I make sure there is no rod wrap, the crank the line in until the rod is inline with the snag. I then wrap the braid around my reel handle about 4 times and pull straight inline with the snag to not stress the rod in any way.

Seems like everyone is using braid these days. I'm still stuck on using hi vis 6lb mono. Guess I need to try some. Should I stick around the 8-10 lb braid if I go that way?

That Gamma line was interesting....until I saw the price tag! It's outta my league.

I use braid on my Huckabee's but also watch tip wrap. I even informed Ken I won't hunt him down for a warranty if I break a tip. With replacements available, it's worth it to me.

QUESTION ! Do you tie it same as mono ?And where is the best place to buy it ?

Love the feel of a thump on braid. I usually switch to braid when fishing shallow (0'-6') spring and summer when double dipping. Use it as well sometimes in winter when fishing deep wood when the bite is so soft you need the advantage. Mostly use silver thread mono most of the year when techniques require the stretch needed when getting hung that mono gives. When I use braid it's 20lb tug-o-war braid from team catfish by outdoor brandz. Another reason I don't use braid in winter is due to it freezing to itself when it's very cold.
Remember to always loosen your drag to the point when you jerk it slips. This will help in saving a tip and as already stated tip wrap is a tip killer..........Ranger

I'm with everybody else. If I'm holding it, can't beat the power pro 10 lb high vis braid with 2 lb diameter. When I drop shot or use slip corks I stay with the Mr. Crappie high is 6 lb mono. Caught some big fish on this line. The Mr. Crappie mono does have memory I just stretch it good when I put it on. Probably some of the strongest 6 lb mono I've ever used. As far as the knots go I use the same ones I use with mono. I carry a tube of super glue to keep my plastics up on the jig head so I just add a drop to my knot to be on the safe side. Don't think you have to but just added security. I know for a fact I've caught more fish using the high vis lines vs the clear/dark lines.

Well, TimY, I guess it's you and me against the world! I think I've tried every line ever made and I guess I'm old and set in my ways. But, (you knew that was coming) even before I ever knew who Wally Marshall was, I started using his 6 lb hi-vis mono and especially for the money, I don't think it can be beat.
Yep, it as memory, every mono and some braid does to. I've learned how to spool line and drag bare line behind the boat to completely eliminate memory, at least in warmer water. You can' beat the price for a high quality, hi-vis, strong crappie line.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
PS: I do tie the Todd Huckabee loop knot, always and fish with hand tied custom jigs poured with the keeper for plastics. No more super glue on my boat.
And, of course, Wally's Pro Series rods with his spinning reels except for spider rigging.

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Originally Posted by Okie Bob

Well, TimY, I guess it's you and me against the world! I think I've tried every line ever made and I guess I'm old and set in my ways. But, (you knew that was coming) even before I ever knew who Wally Marshall was, I started using his 6 lb hi-vis mono and especially for the money, I don't think it can be beat.
Yep, it as memory, every mono and some braid does to. I've learned how to spool line and drag bare line behind the boat to completely eliminate memory, at least in warmer water. You can' beat the price for a high quality, hi-vis, strong crappie line.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
PS: I do tie the Todd Huckabee loop knot, always and fish with hand tied custom jigs poured with the keeper for plastics. No more super glue on my boat.
And, of course, Wally's Pro Series rods with his spinning reels except for spider rigging.

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Bob you need a keeper with plastics for all plastic baits but my baits and you have already had some experience with those when you lived on Cedar Creek. LOL

Bob, good to hear from you! I've missed your Texoma reporting. and I do have a few spools of Mr Crappie in my line box.:biggrin

Yes it kind of shows our age. I know the reason I use high vis line is because of my eyesight more than anything. Sure is a lot of technology out there today that supposedly makes us better fishermen. Not sure if the braid is the best with no stretch vs mono with some stretch. I know I've lost some fish with braid when I set the hook more often than with mono but I don't have to buy as many jigheads.

15 to 20 Yellow Power Pro high vis Yellow for me on all my double dipping rods, My boys Johnny Shad and Ft.Gibsonboy turned me on to Vicious last year and I wont use anything else on a casting rig, comes of the spool better than anything I've used, also very low memory,

Well, I'm not above changing my mind since everyone likes it so well. I spooled about 50 yds of 20/6 Power Pro Yellow on the reel for my new Huckabee ProSeries rod tonight. I'll give it a shake and see what I think. I do like the micro guides on that rod - I have used them for some time on some of my Falcons. I'm like Pappa. Not worried about warranty - I've broke a few tips in my time and it was always my fault.

Where is a dealer for power Pro lines ?

In OKC, Lucky Lure or Cabelas. BassPro has it but rarely has yellow. Many online shops have it. Not sure about shops in Tulsa area,

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Originally Posted by IkenI

In OKC, Lucky Lure or Cabelas. BassPro has it but rarely has yellow. Many online shops have it. Not sure about shops in Tulsa area,

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Thank U sir !!!!!!!!!!!!

Have to laugh a little bit when I see this high tech line everybody is using to catch a crappie. Think back a few weeks ago to a strike king show that featured Wally Marshal and he was talking about the high vis fishin line and people saying the crappie would see it. He made the comment his momma used to set on the bank at lake Quachita in Arkansas and catch big slabs using 80 lb black twill line. Didn't say what rod but I would bet on a cane pole. The braid is great but if I had a dollar for every crappie caught using 6 lb mono I would probably be out spit shinin my big Ranger boat instead of kickin the trailer tires on my old aluminum deep v and just making sure it has gas LOL