Fishing line for a survival kit

[3ofusnow]

One thing we don't have in our survival stores is fishing line. I'd like something we could throw in the BOB's too. What kind we you recommend that's the most functional?

[Lamebeaver]

If I were going to depend on fishing for food, I'd want an actual rod and reel, a spool of extra line, and a small kit of lures, hooks, sinkers, etc. You can get decent rods that have multiple sections designed for backpacking, which don't take up much space. You can also fit a lot of tackle in a small plastic compartmentalized box.

I'll pass on the idea of tying a bit of line on the end of a stick.

You probably don't have the cheapest rifle you can get at K-Mart for hunting and protection, so why skimp on your fishing gear?

[twilight]

Why not use a spear? That can be used as a weapon as well. They have a tool that is staff, spear, knife and ax. That sounds like multitasking.

[wvbreamfisherman]

Problem with multi tasking is that often the tool isn't much good at any of the things it's "tasked" with.

One advantage to using a hook and line (or even better multiple hooks on a horizontal line) is that it works unattended. If you're hovering over a stream trying to spear a fish (and risking breaking your multi-tasking spear), you can't be building a shelter, gathering firewood, or foraging for other food.

[GROUNDpounder]

I recommend either Firewire or Spider-wire, neither stretches very much under load and both are 'underrated' meaning the 8lb on the box is LESS than what the line can actually do.

Any more than 8lb test and its going to be difficult to throw by hand.

[Lamebeaver]

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

Problem with multi tasking is that often the tool isn't much good at any of the things it's "tasked" with.

One advantage to using a hook and line (or even better multiple hooks on a horizontal line) is that it works unattended. If you're hovering over a stream trying to spear a fish (and risking breaking your multi-tasking spear), you can't be building a shelter, gathering firewood, or foraging for other food.

I suppose it depends on the fish. With catfish, an unwatched trotline might work well, but with trout, you will likely pull up a series of bare hooks.

[wvbreamfisherman]

Agreed, different fish need to be taken by different methods. On the other hand, you might still get suckers and other fish on the trotline even on a trout stream.

[Camoguy]

Catfish are easy to catch by just trotlines. So are carp. I've caught quite a few that way but I don't know of too many people around here that like carp unless it's all you have to eat. Then they would be a gourmet meal.

[wvbreamfisherman]

Carp's not bad if you clean them properly. You have to get the mudline out of them, there are also some small bones you have to be careful of.

I've had some smoked carp that was actually quite good.

If I was starving, carp tartare would look (and likely taste) better then filet mignon!

[Newanderthal]

I've had success with some line tied to the end of a stick, a small hook, and a chunk of wood for a cork. bait was a cricket or a worm. Fish was perch and bream. Just about ten feet of 20lb. spider wire wrapped around a pencil with a couple hooks folded into some paper.