Thread: Which panfish Line?

Long time no see...how are you? All of these lines are rated quite a bit above 2# test. I just had my knee replaced or I would go look at diameter. I have a 20,000 yard spool of it. I have even gone the Stroft...Tectan route but always come back to the SOS....when I use mono. It is a little bigger than P Line Cx Premium but I find it casts just as far...better knot strength. Pretty much my same findings as the other lines mentioned. But my main line is now the hi-vis chartreuse NanoFil. I just can't see any 2# test at all anymore unless it is hi-vis. I will use a fluro leader with it. These old eyes are failing me disco.


Regards

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Long time no see...how are you? All of these lines are rated quite a bit above 2# test. I just had my knee replaced or I would go look at diameter. I have a 20,000 yard spool of it. I have even gone the Stroft...Tectan route but always come back to the SOS....when I use mono. It is a little bigger than P Line Cx Premium but I find it casts just as far...better knot strength. Pretty much my same findings as the other lines mentioned. But my main line is now the hi-vis chartreuse NanoFil. I just can't see any 2# test at all anymore unless it is hi-vis. I will use a fluro leader with it. These old eyes are failing me disco.

I'm doing well but not fishing enough.

Diam for 2# SOS is .16mm
Diam for 2# Maxima Chameleon is .12mm
Diam for 2# Ande Tournament is .12mm

I don't have the 2# P-line in front of me, but it's very thin -- something like .10 or .11mm.

You should use the line you like (and can see.) I only harp on diameter because I don't think most people consider it.

Last year I switched to Power Pro braided line and it's probably my favorite. If I've got a big bluegill, redear, crappie or bass on, I really want that fish to hit my braided line because it's that good, you have supreme confidence it won't break and it doesn't. The only problem for me is the fact I like to fish for redear on bottom with nothing but a small split shot and a #4 long shank hook. The clear mono is MUCH easier to keep an eye on, it's really hard to see the braided colored line when tight line fishing on bottom. That's the only reason I haven't switched all of my poles over to braid.

For my mono poles I like Pline in 4lb test, no way in the world would I use 2lb test. Actually I'm moving up this year to 6lb test on all of my mono reels, lose a 1.5 redear on 2lb line and you'll change your mind fast about being undergunned. I called a fishing guide down at Barkley Lake and he flatly told me to have 6lb test on my reels...you don't want to be undergunned on a lake such as Barkley. You may manage with two pound test in small waters though..I still wouldn't chance it after losing a couple of big fish on four lb line last year.

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

Last year I switched to Power Pro braided line and it's probably my favorite. If I've got a big bluegill, redear, crappie or bass on, I really want that fish to hit my braided line because it's that good, you have supreme confidence it won't break and it doesn't. The only problem for me is the fact I like to fish for redear on bottom with nothing but a small split shot and a #4 long shank hook. The clear mono is MUCH easier to keep an eye on, it's really hard to see the braided colored line when tight line fishing on bottom. That's the only reason I haven't switched all of my poles over to braid.

For my mono poles I like Pline in 4lb test, no way in the world would I use 2lb test. Actually I'm moving up this year to 6lb test on all of my mono reels, lose a 1.5 redear on 2lb line and you'll change your mind fast about being undergunned. I called a fishing guide down at Barkley Lake and he flatly told me to have 6lb test on my reels...you don't want to be undergunned on a lake such as Barkley. You may manage with two pound test in small waters though..I still wouldn't chance it after losing a couple of big fish on four lb line last year.

I regularly catch Smallies in the 4 to 6 pound range all the time on 2# test. Shell Crackers in the 11 to 14 inch range...no problems. Brown trout in the 2 to 6 pound range and rainbow in the 3 pound range on the Caney Fork. I don't post much here but do over at fishingtn.com. I am catching these fish out of Center Hill...Dale Hollow....Pickwick. I have been an avid UL light line guy for about 5 years now. I don't have any problems at all with 2# test line. The only fish that is very doubtful I will get in on 2# test is say a 4 or 5 pound large mouth....just too much torque. But I don't target large mouth so it is rare I ever hook one. It is not as difficult as most think using light line.

Regards

Good luck with that 2lb line and I certainly hope you don't regret using it. There are many situations where you might hook into a nice bluegill, not even a really big one, but it could be in heavy weed beds or anything else and that two lb line will eventually get abused in those situations. As the line weakens from abuse etc, you're really asking for trouble with low strength line.

When professional fishing guides tell me to bring six lb line down to Barkley for Shellcracker fishing because they've seen clients lose wall hangers on two and four lb test, I'm hanging on every word at that point. Best to ya!

I got a 7# largemouth, a 7# grass carp, and a 6# common carp on 2# line. It can handle any bream that swims.

I use Trilene XL, Vicious and Berkley Ice.

Whatever poundage you choose, don't forget to always have your drag prepared for the bigger, nontarget fish, this is very important