Fireline

[Paul Roberts]

What do you like about it?

How's it stack up in terms of abrasion resistance compared to other lines?

[gim]

I've never cared for it much.  My folks use it a lot for walleye fishing (lindy rigging, trolling, etc) but it casts like a B, it sucks to tie knots with, and its overly expensive.

[MN Fisher]

I tried Fireline once...years ago. Gave up and use others instead.

[Steveo-1969]

For the past couple months I’ve been using Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier in 8# test (crystal color -white). It’s a little stiffer than other superlines I’ve used but not horrible. In fact I’ve been using this without a leader and being a little stiffer makes it easier to tie to terminal tackle. I use a Trilene knot with 7 wraps and it doesn’t slip. Casting distance hasn’t been any less than other superlines of similar diameter. I bought this because the package says “4X more abrasion resistant” and I’ve been happy with the abrasion resistance. I normally use a FC/copoly/nylon leader for abrasion and ease of breaking off snags but haven’t found it necessary with this line. Again this is the 8# Fireline ULTRA 8 CARRIER, not regular Fireline. I’d buy it again.

[Michigander]

Never liked Crystal. Used regular Fireline for about 15 years and it was always reliable. It isn't glamorous line, and it's loud on your rod compared to others but it did everything I asked it to do.

 

[OkobojiEagle]

I've been using original 3/4 strand Fireline on spinning gear since the mid nineties.  I've sampled other lines, but in every case I've liked Fireline better.  I've decided 4lb test is not as dependable as I need in my bass and walleye fishing, but 6lb, 8lb & 10lb provide ample strength, abrasion resistance and knots hold admirably.  Some years back I spooled a bait casting reel with 14lb but took it off the same day because of bird nesting.  I need a more supple line on my bait casting reels.  New Fireline is quite stiff out of the box, but becomes considerably more supple after an afternoon's use while maintaining a characteristic I best describe as "passive memory"... eliminating casting tip wrap and providing bite detection approaching nylon monofilament.  The long and short of it -- after a quarter of a century original Fireline is still my chosen line for spinning applications.

 

I sampled the newer 8 strand Fireline, 20lb on two baitcasters, but have had more line management problems than I've experienced with other more supple lines.

 

oe

   

 

[Team9nine]

Everyone has pretty much covered it. Good strength. Good knots. Decent abrasion. OE’s “passive memory” is pretty much a deal breaker for me. Pretty much down to trolling line, or constant pressure casting (cranks, spinners) because it’s stiffness kills anything slack/semi-slack for me. Likely won’t respool with it when the time comes.

[FishTank]

I tried the original  Fireline and Fireline Crystal years ago.  Didn't care for either one.  Those two could be some of the worst line I have ever used.   I'm sure they have improved it since then but it was enough for me to not try it again.  On the other hand,  I have heard good things about Fireline Ultra Eight but have not tried it. 

[roadwarrior]

18 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I tried the original  Fireline and Fireline Crystal years ago.  Didn't care for either one.  Those two could be some of the worst line I have ever used.   I'm sure they have improved it since then but it was enough for me to not try it again.  On the other hand,  I have heard good things about Fireline Ultra Eight but have not tried it. 

Same here.

 

[Glenn]

I tried the original Fireline, and didn't like it because it was too stiff and it frayed.

 

But then I tried the Ultra-8 and had a different experience.  Here's my review: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/fireline-ultra-8-review.html

 

[roadwarrior]

[Blaine Donders]

I use 14# Fireline flame green interchangeably with 20# braid. My braid is usually PP in yellow.

 

I have never had one problem with either. I normally tie on a 8# fluoro leader. I retie the leader about every 4th trip. Never one issue. 
 

For spinning applications, Fireline works just fine. Sometimes I feel it is more sensitive. It is rougher till broken in though. If you are rocking a super sensitive rod, it will feel weird the first couple days.

[OkobojiEagle]

23 hours ago, Team9nine said:

 OE’s “passive memory” is pretty much a deal breaker for me. Pretty much down to trolling line, or constant pressure casting (cranks, spinners) because it’s stiffness kills anything slack/semi-slack for me. 

 

That little bit of stiffness (passive memory) "jumps" a little more than other PE lines I've used when laying on the water's surface when my bait gets bit.  Not a positive attribute unless you're a line watcher as I am...

 

oe

[Team9nine]

32 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

 

That little bit of stiffness (passive memory) "jumps" a little more than other PE lines I've used when laying on the water's surface when my bait gets bit.  Not a positive attribute unless you're a line watcher as I am...

 

oe

 

For me, that slight stiffness holds just enough coil so you can’t feel anything or even see the line jump. Mind you, this is on the margins with light baits, using 4lb and 6lb line, but its never “broken in” after more than a year of use, and can’t begin to compete with my usual PowerPro, which excels in this area. The trade off being tip wrap and slightly less strength from what I can tell.

[OkobojiEagle]

2 hours ago, Team9nine said:

 

For me, that slight stiffness holds just enough coil so you can’t feel anything or even see the line jump. Mind you, this is on the margins with light baits, using 4lb and 6lb line, but its never “broken in” after more than a year of use, and can’t begin to compete with my usual PowerPro, which excels in this area. The trade off being tip wrap and slightly less strength from what I can tell.

Yup, I know what you're say'n... For many, many years every new box of Fireline has been spooled as tightly as I can onto it's intended reel, then matched with a long casting rod and I spend an hour or two throwing a 5/8oz spinnerbait off my dock.  This and an afternoon of actual fishing fixes the "slinky" line lay problem for me.  The absolute worst line for "slinky line lay" I've experienced is NanoFil.  After months of fishing that line I still couldn't get it to lay flat on the water...

 

oe