Fishing line

[Intruder]

Steelhead - that's my dilemma?
I've always been a Trylene guy, but I'm kind of interested in the new fluorocarbons.

Kinda depends on how you're fishing for em. In some cased I use straight 10 or 12 lb Maxima (ultragreen).  In other cases I use 14lb braid with a 12-15' 12lb flourocarbon leader attached with a double uni.

Flyfishing... Maxima tippet on a Rio leader for dyrline or just straight Maxima on a sinktip.   

[Bofire]

The water and conditions dictate my gear not the fish. I would guess I have caught more steelies on 8lb than any other, last year I got 16 out of a local river, small water(30 foot cast max), small bait, 6lb line and a trout rod. Same with line choice, the water, conditions and bait.
Mono good all round line
Flurocarbon good line, sensitive, some of it stretches alot.
braid is sensitive and don't stretch, really good for some stuff.
 I like Maxima and Trilene
Carl

[klickman]

What pound test do you like to use.

trout - in lakes 6 pound is my favorite for bait fishing or spin casting. Trolling I like 30 pound spider wire because of the heavy bladed gear that I use, expensive stuff.
[bgcolor=#b00000]I like the use of spider wire.  Good call[/bgcolor]

catfish - 17 or 20 pound mono or 30 pound spider wire
[bgcolor=#b00000]don't fish cats but that sounds good[/bgcolor]

Walleye - on Lake Roosevelt 8 lb cant beat it.
[bgcolor=#b00000]Thats what we used at potholes back in the day.[/bgcolor]

Smallmouth - trout rods with 6 pound test
[bgcolor=#b00000]that sounds about right[/bgcolor]

stream fishing or high Mt. lake - 4 lb line
[bgcolor=#b00000]Usually flyfish but 4-6lb tippet is what I use[/bgcolor]

Tiger Muskey - 50 lb braided
[bgcolor=#b00000]I use 50lb powerpro braid for pike [/bgcolor]

Saltwater Salmon  Neah Bay (kings or silvers) 15 -20 lb Oh ya let them run!!!
[bgcolor=#b00000]I always use 20 in the ocean and in wa rivers.  Usually don't need more than that[/bgcolor]saltwater bottom fish - 30-40 lb mono
[bgcolor=#b00000]Try braid I bet you will like it more.  Less drag and more sensativity[/bgcolor]

Steelhead - that's my dilemma?
[bgcolor=#b00000]It all depends on your style of fishing.  Generally 8lb is a good place to start.  If the water gets really clear you may have to go down to 6lb.  I would think that you can fish 8lb for 90% of your fishing for steelies[/bgcolor]

I've always been a Trylene guy, but I'm kind of interested in the new fluorocarbons.
[bgcolor=#b00000]Maxima Ultra Green is your best bet for mono.  Most of the flourocarbons are overrated.  I wouldn't waste your money.[/bgcolor]

[Intruder]

I would suggest using the heaviest line you can get away with for steelhead... especially if you are fishing where there are large numbers of native fish.  You want to be able to put the screws to em and get em in without completely playing them out.  Using too light of line can result in exhausting fish especially in warmer water conditions.  Also, with fly tackle, light leaders take too much abuse and you'll end up breaking a lot of fish off.  Personally I never use under 10 lb test.  If water is super clear, I switch 12 lb flourocarbon.

[tlbradford]

I like a 12#-20# main line for steelhead in a high visibilty mono or fluoro.  I use 4#-12# leaders in the maxima ultra green or chameleon.  I also take a brown or black marker and make a stripe every few inches on the leader.  I saw Bob Croupy doing this for bass when fishing crawdads in ultra clear water on Lake Castaic (sp?).  I don't know if it helps but it makes me feel better.  I always try to have a 6# difference between main and leader, so hopefully i am breaking off leaders only when I get hung up.

[tlbradford]

All this steelhead talk really makes me want to go fishing. 

[klickman]

I like a 12#-20# main line for steelhead in a high visibilty mono or fluoro.  I use 4#-12# leaders in the maxima ultra green or chameleon.  I also take a brown or black marker and make a stripe every few inches on the leader.  I saw Bob Croupy doing this for bass when fishing crawdads in ultra clear water on Lake Castaic (sp?).  I don't know if it helps but it makes me feel better.  I always try to have a 6# difference between main and leader, so hopefully i am breaking off leaders only when I get hung up.

Why would you use the marker to mark your line.  Thats interesting
Klickman

[tlbradford]

He said he believed it helped camoflauge the line.  So instead of seeing a continuous line, it was broken up.  Like I said it might be a bunch of hooey, and I have never seen a show or a magazine article talk about this either, since I watched that show about 15 years ago.  It just made some sense to me.  I have no data to support if it works or not either.

[klickman]

I like the concept that makes sense.  I'm gonna keep a marker in my pack this fall when I'm fishing clear water for really spooky fish.  There are a few creeks that I fish for bows that get hammered with pressure.  It gets really frustrating seing a 20+ inch rainbow just ignoring your fly this could help.  Thanks for the tip.

Klickman