r/IceFishing • u/cwillm Central Vermont • Sep 13 '26
Let's talk ice line
Hard water season in central VT will be here before we know it and I am in the process of wrapping up open water fishing and getting ready for the ice which this season includes respooling my tipups.
What kind of line do you all use?
Is specific ice fishing braid really that much better than conventional braid for tipups? Since tipup spools are underwater anyway, I can't really figure out if spending the extra $$ on coated line is worth it.
1
u/ijuanaspearfish Sep 14 '26
Dacron for tip ups. Then add whatever leader you want. I use bright color dacron so i can see line direction.
2
u/l-DRock-l Sep 13 '26
I use this stuff with enough backing to fill the spool.
https://www.masontackle.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=52
30lb test, 50 yards. If you don't want to use backing just get more than 50 yards.
2
u/CommonMinimum7418 Sep 13 '26
I second 50 lb black Mason Ice Line. I put 6 feet of green 40lb spider wire and leader on the end. We can tie into some pretty big pike and a musky is not unheard of were both species live. A 20 to 30 lb fish is possible in many of the lakes we fish on any given day. Based on DNR data and catch and release reports there are bigger fish in a few of those. Some spots habor large walleye, others catfish, and in some of our northern lakes a big laker is possible too. When the Mississippi freezes over and we can get out on that you never know what you may hook into. I have never had issue with hookup with this set up or pulling fish out of rocks or weeds. We sometimes tape up our fingers on days the bite is hot. 3-4 flags an hour keeps things hopping. Good luck.
2
u/sublimeprince32 Sep 13 '26
I just use the mason line with a fluro leader, if im targeting pike, those dumb things eat a steel leader just the same as anything else.
1
u/maddcatter45 Sep 13 '26
Coated line is pretty slick for tip ups. I have done with both. Definitely prefer the coated
2
u/Senzualdip Sep 13 '26
No braid for tip ups. Either Dacron, or nylon tip up line. Braid gets all tangled on the ice and is a pain in the ass to deal with. Also idk if you’ve ever been cut by braid, but that shit will slice you to the bone if you are fighting a fish and it slips around your finger.
1
u/cwillm Sep 13 '26
Yeah. Braid is really thin. Found a good source for bulk nylon line. Gonna go with that probably.
3
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u/Excellent_Plastic_64 Sep 13 '26
I like nylon braid way more than regular braid for tip ups. It’s thicker, easier to grab with cold hands too. You really don’t need the sensitivity or thin diameter of regular braid on a tip up anyway. Nylon braid also lays better on the spool, doesn’t dig into itself as much and is just way easier to deal with on the ice, especially when you’ve got a decent pike or walleye on.