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float line

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jtkwest

recreational user
Dec 2, 2007
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do i need floating float line for my float line set up? or should it sink? i am going to home depot tomorrow to get some. what thickness and type do you guys use?
 
It should definitely float. Mine are all store-bought though.
 
do i need floating float line for my float line set up? or should it sink? i am going to home depot tomorrow to get some. what thickness and type do you guys use?


I use a store bought line by Riffe attached to a kevlar line and cable to a slip tip for pole spearing bigger fish.
If you are going to go to Home Depot you want polypropylene line as it will give you the flotation you desire but the big disadvantage of it is that it can tangle quite easily and breaks down over time with exposure to UV.
The Riffe line I have is slick vinyl tube sealed at both ends to trap air to float it and has the line running inside the vinyl tube. I know their are others but this is the only one I have any experience with.
 
My homemade float line works great. I made it 2 years ago and it has held up very well. I just used 3/8 "fishtank" tubbing and ran some 250lb mono through the center. Sealed the ends.

Definately want it to float though!!

The blue braided lines sold in most dive shops are good too. strong, hold up pretty well and they float.
 
Found this link for a great homemade float line, if you like/need the tube with line through variety (I use Thai green RA poly rope line):

Spears Forum - More on Float Lines

Great if you can find the hardware.
 
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My homemade float line works great. I made it 2 years ago and it has held up very well. I just used 3/8 "fishtank" tubbing and ran some 250lb mono through the center. Sealed the ends.

Definately want it to float though!!

The blue braided lines sold in most dive shops are good too. strong, hold up pretty well and they float.

I just made a batch that is identical, except I used 500 lbs mono and sealed the ends with gorilla glue and 5200. :blackeye Nothing is getting off that bad boy.

Found this link for a great homemade float line, if you like/need the tube with line through variety (I use Thai green RA poly rope line):

Spears Forum - More on Float Lines

Great if you can find the hardware.

man that stuff looks nice. Its too bad I can only get the really thick vinyl tubing here.
 
I tried making my own float line and by the time I got all the parts I wasn't that far ahead, but got a few laughs from the guys at the local spear shop. Ultimately they let me return the parts and I just bought a really nice float line from them. Doesn't look all janky, it's sleek and doesn't catch on stuff...money well spent. Wish I didn't waste all the gas bouncing around for the parts.
 
I've just revamped my floatline because my first design leaked...

I grabbed the same 500 lbs mono and vinyl tubing from the first test and put the tubing over the mono. Then I crimped the biggest swivel I could find onto each end (the best are the ones with clips, but I only had one). Then (using shaving cream) I shoved the swivel up into the tubing and tied it there with the constrictor knot. I then put heat shrink over the top and set the heat gun to high which melted the end of the vinyl tubing to create a seal. I took it out the other day and it didn't leak at all.
 
Found this link for a great homemade float line, if you like/need the tube with line through variety (I use Thai green RA poly rope line):

Spears Forum - More on Float Lines

Great if you can find the hardware.
This week I found some very promising looking new 20m polypropylene washing lines (I've tried several plastic coasted washing lines in the past, all rather disappointing) at the local indoor market. It is very similar to the inexpensive, stiff, olive/drab Rob Allen float lines (also referred to generically as Thai curry green rope on some forums). It is not quite as stiff or as thick as the RA lines but it is available in several colours (including red and dull green:)), it claims to be made in Britain and it only costs £1 for 20m:) -- I normally use an RA line shortened to 12m. I've splice hand-size loops in each end and plan to give it a try. As I don't expect to encounter any marlin/tuna in the UK, I think the thinner line might offer some advantage (less drag, harder for fish to see). It has product no 2220 but unfortunately no manufacturer's name :(.
 
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net fisherman use a line that is perfect for spearfishing. it is the line that holds the tops of the nets. my buddy got a spool of 300' ,(100 meters) for 35$ it is supersoft foam filled, it is really identical to alot of rope style float lines i have seen marketed by a bunch of differnt companies. the stuff he got, you could rebraid after cutting, (he put a ring at one end and a clip at the other and braided them back together)looked good to me. worth the price for sure. i dont know where he got it, but you guys are in UK anyway. but if you search the fishing net sources in your area, you might find exactly what you want, cheap. pearsonally, i use riffe float lines, they cost alot, but they tangle very little.
 
This week I found some very promising looking new 20m polypropylene washing lines (I've tried several plastic coasted washing lines in the past, all rather disappointing) at the local indoor market. It is very similar to the inexpensive, stiff, olive/drab Rob Allen float lines (also referred to generically as Thai curry green rope on some forums). It is not quite as stiff or as thick as the RA lines but it is available in several colours (including red and dull green:)), it claims to be made in Britain and it only costs £1 for 20m:) -- I normally use an RA line shortened to 12m. I've splice hand-size loops in each end and plan to give it a try. As I don't expect to encounter any marlin/tuna in the UK, I think the thinner line might offer some advantage (less drag, harder for fish to see). It has product no 2220 but unfortunately no manufacturer's name :(.

hi Mr X,

I am in the UK as well and have bought a 15m length of the same stuff for my first float line using your rational and because it's cheap. I've not been out yet but hopefully will be soon with Liam98 from this forum.

I would like to know how you found it; did it float? how long did it last? do you still use it?

any input would be very helpful, thanks

diddavetellyou


_________________

have drybag will travel
 
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Im looking to make up a new float line and have seen some good ideas on here with the aquarium tubing with mono and sealed up with sikaflex or similar. Looking on flea bay there are quite a few types. My first thoughts are silicone tubing as im guessing thats what masks are made of. any pro's or cons for this gents.
All suggestions appreciated.

Cheers Nick
 
Im looking to make up a new float line and have seen some good ideas on here with the aquarium tubing with mono and sealed up with sikaflex or similar. Looking on flea bay there are quite a few types. My first thoughts are silicone tubing as im guessing thats what masks are made of. any pro's or cons for this gents.
All suggestions appreciated.

Cheers Nick

Hi Nick,
Here is my point of view on Silicon tubing:
Pro's:

- Soft and elastic (depending on make). Perfect for bungee lines
- Good resistance to salt water and UV light
Cons:
More drag than PVC
Not preferable around reefs, rocks and sharp edges
Jegwan
 
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Cheers jegwan that's just the feedback I was looking for. Most of my spearing is around rocky stuff. I currently use a buoyant line but it gets tangled and snagged and I just feel like its an accident waiting to happen. Thanks a lot.
 
Then I can recommend that you use a Vinyl (PVC) tubing. You can use a vacuum cleaner to get a sewing thread with knots or a tiny peace of wadding trough the tube so it easy to pull the inner line you prefer trough it.
Good luck, Jegwan
 
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