braid for ice fishing

[r2u2]

Thinking of spooling up with a braid this year for ice fishing.

Have been looking at Berkley Micro Ice Crystal and Suffix 832.

Has any one used either? What are your thoughts and experiences with braids?

Thanks,
Richard J
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[RockyRaab]

Haven't tried it myself, but it seems to me that there'd be a problem with it freezing to itself on the reel.

I use ice-formulated mono myself.
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[dubob]

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[Jedidiah]

Indeed. Last year I did a lot of fishing in sub zero temps with braid and it sucks up moisture like crazy, then deposits it on your eyelets. With an ice rod I imagine it would ice up in the spool.
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[OCF]

The statement about freezing braid is true; however, they have come out with braids that are fused & they do not absorb the water. The Berkley Micro Ice may be one of these?? Whatever brand you end up with, make sure it doesn't absorb water.

If you are using a fish finder, I have found these fused braids reflect the sonar signals somewhat & screw up your fish finder somewhat.
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[bornfishin]

I use the Berkeley, and it works great for anything from perch to macs, my rods and reels don't ice up. But I'm usually in a tent.
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[NICH]

I really liked the Nano, it's very stick and even goes thru the iciest guides. But it does give negative chatter on my finder, I had to use a swivel (twisted while jigging) and continually tie on tippet. Great but $$$ and requires extra steps.

This last year I spooled up with my favorite open water line, Seagar fluorocarbon yellow label in 4, 6 and 8 lb and I will never look back. Now I just buy the big 100 yard spools from tackle warehouse on there 20 % off sales and use it for the hard deck and open water.
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[gmanhunter]

I'm a cheap butt. I use what ever is the cheapest on the market. I respool my rods every year, and don't seem to have any problems with my line. I have caught rainbows up to 8lbs through the ice with my cheap line. Just my thoughts on the ice fishing line.
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[cbassonafly]

I've never used braided line for ice fishing, but from what I've read if you use it in a shelter you shouldn't have any issues. As other have said too, if you buy the coated braid it shouldn't freeze up. I like to use mono in most cases but when I'm fishing shallow or extra clear water I like the fluorocarbon.
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[jeremypeace]

I have the Berkeley micro ice on one of mine, and it freezes up. On cold days it's like dipping wick into wax. You can make a nice ice candle out of it.. power pro has a coated braid that doesn't freeze as easy..
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[r2u2]

Thanks every one for your comments.

I think I'll stay with what I have; good old mono.

RJ
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[RockyRaab]

I bought some Trilene Micro Ice mono in green last year, and was very happy with it. It stays limp, doesn't gather ice, and is visible against ice. I tie a snap-swivel to the end and use pre-tied terminal rigs of fluoro leader material.

I tie up jig and ice fly, spoon and jig, and other combos on two feet of fluoro with a loop at the end. Each one is stored in a zip-loc baggie. No knot tying on the ice, and rigs are ready to bait up.
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[k2muskie]

We have been using Berkley FireLine Fused Micro Ice Crystal on all our ice reels since we took up ice fishing like 7-8 years now and have never once had any issue with line retaining water. Great line by us very low visibility, abrasion resistant, plus no memory like mono that I've seen folks get nasty messes of tangles on the ice because of the memory including have had folks in our party deal with the mono frequently breaking. We've never had any issues with the Vexilars when using this line...we only see our tiny ice fly. But hey to each their own and we'll stick to Berkley FireLine Fused Micro Ice Crystal for ice fishing...
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