Fishing line is one of the basic necessities to catch fish, and ice fishing line is an important purchase before you hit the ice! Fish307 offers the best quality ice fishing line, whether you prefer monofilament, braid, fluorocarbon, or tip up line. We offer fishing line perfect for ice fishing conditions, from top brands so you know you’re getting the best.
Ice fishing requires a different type of line to handle the harsh weather, environment, and unique style of fishing. Learn how to find the best ice fishing line for your needs, or pick from Fish307’s supply of top-rated ice lines.
What is the difference between ice fishing line and regular line?
You may wonder why you can’t just use your standard fishing line when you go ice fishing. Technically, you can if you want to, but using the proper line for ice fishing will improve your success.
Different line is better for different types of fishing, based on factors like weather, visibility, style of fishing, and the species you’re targeting. Ice fishing is vastly different than warm weather fishing, so you’ll want to use line that is made specifically for ice fishing. Fish behave differently in the winter, and the weather can affect the line as well. Read on to learn how to find the right line for your next ice fishing trip.
How To Choose the Best Ice Fishing Line
Ice fishing line is made for cold weather and for the way fish behave in said weather. When you’re ice fishing, you’ll want to use line this is high strength, low stretch, and low visibility. It should also be highly sensitive, durable, and have low or zero line memory.
Strength and Durability
Your ice fishing line needs to be strong and durable. When you’re ice fishing, you pull fish vertically out of the water, which can put more strain on the line, so it needs to be strong. The edges of ice can also be sharp, so a durable, abrasion-resistant line is vital to prevent breakages.
Cold Weather Use
Line made for ice fishing is the best choice, because it’s been made specifically for cold weather use. Standard fishing lines may become brittle and break in freezing temperatures. The best ice fishing lines are water-repellent, so water won’t absorb, freeze, and break the line. Ice line needs to be flexible even in freezing temperatures
Stretch and Sensitivity
The ideal ice fishing line should be low stretch and highly sensitive. These two factors go hand in hand. Fish are less active in the winter, and often more skittish about biting. A line with a lot of stretch is not as sensitive, and could result in lost bait and a lost catch. Look for line that has zero or low stretch and high sensitivity so that you feel every nibble and can work to set the hook.
Visibility
As we mentioned, fish are less active and less eager to bite in cold winter waters. Because of this, you need a line that has low visibility. If fish can see the line, they are more likely to be spooked and swim away. Ice fishing waters are typically clear, so opt for a line that is as invisible as possible. Fluorocarbon is popular with ice anglers, as it has the same refractive index as water and is the most invisible option.
Memory
Line memory is when a line takes on the shape it’s been sitting in (usually spooled). Memory can hurt line, causing tangles and making it difficult to cast. Ice fishing line should have no or very little line memory - a curled line with lots of memory will be less sensitive and won’t present bait properly.
Weight
There isn’t one correct weight for ice fishing line - it depends on the weight of the fish that you’re targeting. Check the pound test of line before buying and make sure it can handle the weight of your tackle and whatever size fish you plan to catch. A line with a low weight capacity will break if you make too big a catch.
What Type of Line Should I Use for Ice Fishing?
Ice anglers all have their preferences about the type of line to use for ice fishing. There are great ice fishing lines available in monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon.
Monofilament
Mono ice fishing line is a popular choice. Monofilament made for ice fishing is low stretch and high strength, and it’s easy to handle. This is an inexpensive option, but mono tends to need replacement more often, as it doesn’t hold up well to sharp ice abrasion.
Braid
Braided line is a good option because it is strong, has almost no stretch, and it’s super sensitive. It also has the lowest memory of any type of line. The only downside to ice fishing with braid is that it is more visible, so skittish fish may see and avoid it.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon ice fishing line is a popular option because it is highly sensitive, low stretch, and is the most invisible option. It’s also very abrasion resistant and sinks quickly. The drawback is high line memory, made worse in the cold. Fluorocarbon is often used as a leader when ice fishing, so you can enjoy the low visibility and high sensitivity without worrying as much about line memory.
Tip-Up Line
You can use ice fishing line for your tip-ups, or you can use a specific tip up line. Tip up line should also be strong, highly sensitive, and have low stretch so that the tip up detects every nibble. Many anglers use fluorocarbon as tip up line, or a braided line reinforced with nylon for extra strength. Fish307 offers our own inexpensive tip up line, made with strong braided nylon that is specially waxed to avoid stiffness, kinks, and breakage.
Find all your ice fishing line and other ice fishing gear on Fish307. We offer competitive pricing and the top-rated brands and products, so you can make the most of your ice fishing trip. Whether you prefer mono, braid, or fluorocarbon, find the best ice fishing line here on Fish307.
