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Every angler that has been fishing for a couple of years knows Berkley. They create almost everything any angler needs for their everyday adventure. With the cold winds howling, it is time to gear up to hit the ice.
That’s why we are dedicating some time to talk about Fireline, one of the many options for fishing lines Berkley offers. But is Fireline good for Ice Fishing? Yes. It is a great fishing line to dip into the ice and look for fish. It is strong, flexible, sensible, and has superb abrasion resistance.
I know that some of you are just looking for a yes or no answer. But we invite you to stay a little longer. We will talk about what makes Fireline a good option for ice fishing. As well as other bits and pieces that will help you understand why.
Is Fireline Braid or Mono?
Most anglers are astonished by the fact that Fireline is neither a monofilament nor a braid fishing line. I know, you might be thinking for yourself, it has to be fluorocarbon. But you are wrong once more.
You see, Berkley used Dyneema fibers to create the FireLine brand back in 1996. Therefore, it is not regarded as fluorocarbon, braid, or monofilament. But something new. Well, as new as something that’s 26 years old can be!
The next logical thing to ask is what is Dyneema? It is a composite material that also goes by the name of Cuben Fiber. CT3 for short. The relevant thing here is that these sharps have a high strength-to-weight ratio. As a result, it is an ideal material for high-strain applications while keeping weight to a minimum. Furthermore, the fibers are slim, which saves space.
Does this sound familiar to you? It is no surprise if it does. The fishing industry has always tried to streamline its gear to make it lighter, more resistant, and more portable.
Related article: Best Fishing Rods For Ice Fishing
Fireline Properties
We all know that braid, monofilament, and fluorocarbon have distinctive features that make them appealing in some situations. For example, monofilament is flexible and stretches to some extent. As a result, knot tying is as easy as it can be. That’s the reason why many anglers start with monofilament.
So, what is up with Fireline? The most relevant feature is that it does not absorb as much water as a conventional braid. As a result, it won’t become unresponsive after some usage. On the other hand, fishing often means sub-zero temperatures. We all know what happens to water when it freezes, right?
So, using a fishing line that does not take too much water is a smart move. This way, the line won’t freeze and lose elasticity. Still, bear in mind that the line won’t be as flexible in cold temperatures, regardless of how little water it takes.
Fireline also shows little to no stretch. As a result, the line is like a lightning rod for vibrations. Therefore, it will be easier to tell if a fish is biting, especially during those lethargic periods. If you are using an ice fishing tip up. This means that the line will trigger the flag as soon as there any fish nibbles the bait.
Abrasion resistance is another high point of Berkley’s Fireline. You see, the Dyneema shards are not only strong but able to cope with friction as well.
Lastly, we’ve noticed that Fireline has any line memory. However, this little matters as you will not be casting your rod while ice fishing. Still, it is something worth mentioning.
Does Fireline Come in Colors?
Yes. Berkley offers Fireline in different colors. This way, you can carefully choose which one blends better with the environment. The colors are fairly durable and do not wash off as quickly as other options on the market.
There is a wide selection of colors to choose from, ranging from smoke to clear/crystal.
What Line Color for Ice Fishing?
According to Berkley, clear and blue are the two best colors for ice fishing. The line blends well with the environment, making it hard for fish to spot it. Either way, you can try other darker colors if you please, especially if you are fishing in a lake or river that is not frozen.
Monofilament or Fireline?
It is true. You can use a monofilament line for ice fishing. But why? We’ve taken two spools, and we notice that Fireline is almost always slimmer than the average monofilament fishing line. As a result, you will be able to spool more lines while also reducing friction. So, it is a win-win scenario.
Fireline Price
The price is one of the few drawbacks of Fireline. To give you some perspective, a spool of 50 yards of Fireline cost the same as a spool of 300-yard monofilament.
So yes. It is much more expensive yard-to-yard. However, it gives you a lot of value for your money. Naturally, the price increases depending on the weight and spool size, as happens with most lines.
The price difference is not as marked when we compare it against braided fishing lines.
Best Fireline For Ice Fishing
Berkley Fireline Superline Ice Fishing Line
- BERKLEY FIRELINE: This new and improved braided...
- 8-STRAND FUSED TECHNOLOGY: 5X tougher than...
- HIGH STRENGTH PER DIAMETER BRAIDED FISHING LINE:...
The FireLine® braided fishing line by Berkley is a great choice for anglers looking for a durable and sensitive ice fishing line. The 8-strand fused technology makes it five times stronger than traditional braided lines and it’s smoother. The crystal color is also a nice touch. Overall, this line is a great choice for anglers of all skill levels and is sure to improve your fishing experience.
What Line Weight is Fireline?
Like colors, there are plenty of break strengths to choose from! You can start as little as 2 pounds and bump your way to 30 pounds. The same principles apply to choosing the correct line weight.
But if you need any guidance, most anglers use between 1 to 8-pound fishing lines. These lines are strong enough to handle most, if not all, of the fish available in the frozen lake.
Now, you might need to bump up if you are after freshwater gamefish. Keep one thing in mind. As the line gets thick, it becomes less sensible. As a result, you are more likely to miss bites. Not only because you won’t feel them. But because you Tip Up won’t even notice that a fish is biting. That’s why you should stay away from thicker lines.
Do You Need a Leader With Fireline?
Strictly speaking, you don’t need a leader for any situation. We add them as a way to conceal or line or protect it. For example, when fishing for toothy predators, most anglers use a wire leader. Similarly, one might use a clear fluorocarbon leader. This way, the whole rig can blend better with the environment.
But you don’t need to add a leader if you don’t desire to.
Fireline And Ice Fishing: The Perfect Storm
Ice fishing is rough. The wind, cold temperatures, low visibility, and lethargic fish make everything more difficult. Therefore, it pays to get well equipped to be able to sort all these challenges.
Luckily for us, Berkley has one of our necessities sorted with Fireline. This fishing line offers all the great features of a braid without undesirable stiffness. Similarly, it doesn’t show the unwanted lack of sensitivity and poor waterproofing of monofilament. That’s why Fireline has become an angler’s favorite for ice fishing.
Fireline is available in a wide range of colors, test strengths, and spool sizes. But we do recommend going for clear or blue colors as they conceal better with the frozen water. On the other hand, a 2 to 8-pound test fishing line should be more than enough for most fish.
