Line Discussion: What do you use and why?

[mygreenihc]

Lets talk a little bit about line,  the different types, where you use them and why.

Braid:  Braid is great for casting and is very strong.  It has the least amount of stretch of any type of line,  almost zero stretch.  It has a small diameter compared to other types and works very well,  but it lacks in the stealth department.  Braid also floats which can be a positive or negative depending upon what you are trying to do with it.

Florocarbon:  Florocarbon is stealth at its finest,  has very low stretch allowing for good "feel",  but is not as "cast" friendly as the others.  It has more stretch than braid,  but less than mono. Especially in the case of colder temperatures or older line.  Florocarbon does not float making it better for deeper baits.

Monofilament:  It casts as good or better than other types of line.  It is fairly stealthy,  but not as much as florocarbon.  It has more stretch than braid or florocarbon, and it does not float.  The heavier the diameter,  the quicker it sinks.

There are other types of line such as co-polymer that is in between floro and mono, but I do not know much about them. 

I use braid for frogs and some other top water baits,  and have used braid for A-rigs as well.   I sometimes use braid for swimbaits in heavy grass,  and have used it in other instances as well.

I use florocarbon for most of my bottom contact fishing and finesse stuff.  I believe that the stealthier approach with these baits,  coupled with the "better feel",  gives me better success, especially in clear water.  Also,  the low stretch gives me a better hookset and the sinking line gives me a better hookset angle.

I use mono with most of my moving baits such as crankbaits and spinnerbaits.  I think the stretchier line allows for less rip out of the smaller treble hooks and the sinking of the line allows me to run deeper. 

What types of line do you use for different applications and why do you choose that line for that application?

I look forward to your comments,
Brad

[Smallie_Stalker]

Once upon a time I used the 3 major types of lines. As I have gotten older I have been moving toward keeping things as simple and consistent as possible.

These days, whether it's casting gear or spinning I use braid on all my rods except for one that is set up with mono for a specific cranking situation. And I use all hi-viz line for my aging eyes.

We have braids that sink and are coated to help against abrasion resistance so I don't need florou and the hassles it causes for me personally.

This approach may not work for everyone but I have learned to make it work for me.  And it has achieved my goal of simplicity and consistentcy across the board.



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[mygreenihc]

Great reply Smallie,  I did not know that there was a coated braid available that sinks.  I may have to look into that.


Brad

[D.W. Verts]

I don't get the "stealth" thing myself. I don't use "braid to leader" setups.  And I catch a few bass, from time to time.

I'm back to using mono too. I gave the floro stuff a try for a few years, and I'm back to mono. Oops, I already said that. And those last two sentences remind me that I never wrote the blog article that I'd intended about a two year experiment I did comparing braids/floro/mono and what my results were. Because most folks won't believe them. But I caught plenty of bass, including sizeable bass, in clear (6'-10' visibility) on 30# braid (8# diameter, remember) in depths from relatively shallow to about 30' deep, using jigs and plastic worms.

My winter bass have mostly come on 10# braid (2-3# diameter) and again in very clear water, on tubes, grubs, Hula Grubs, etc. Again, lots of bass, including good ones. I am NOT convinced that braid is an issue. Not even close.

I'm old enough to be old school. I like to keep it simple and simple works for me. But my opinion matters little, except I'm in my 46th year as a serious bass fisherman. Deadly serious at times. Simple works.

BTW- how "stealthy" is an Umbrella/A-rig? I get it the intimidation and excitement factor. I truly do. But c'mon.

Dale

[topdsm0138]

I'm a simple man, so my Mono of choice has always been the classic Stren Clear/Blue in either 8 or 10lb test for my spinning reels. My baitcasters have either had the same Stren Mono in 10lb test or PowerPro 20lb braid in moss green. Both of these setups and combos have worked well for me here in S FL, so never saw a major need to "upgrade" or try other types of lines.

Sent from undisclosed location. -Tiller Mafia

[Capt. BassinLou]

I'm strictly a braid user for a handful of techniques, and I'm a braid + leader (Mono or Copoly) user for a host of other techniques. 

Braid lasts a very, very, long time, and with leaders I can take advantage of the benefits that mono lines have to offer.  Since using leaders a spool of mono lasts me for YEARS, versus having to re-spool every few months or less, due to the wear and tear. 

[FlatsNBay]

When I started interviewing Pros for writing articles, I was totally shocked as to what types of lines that they use. Overwhelmingly, the majority (if not all) of the pros that I've interviewed use fluorocarbon for most use with a baitcaster. The exception is braid for flipping and frogging and mono for topwater. When asked why, they all explained that they will get more bites in a day with fluorocarbon which will lead to more fish.

I was blown away. I thought that braid would be used much much more.

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[mygreenihc]

Dale,  you crack me up.  An A-rig is about as stealthy as a cinder block.  Nothing stealthy about it.

I have used braid on Shaky Heads in 20 foot visibility and caught fish,  but nothing large. 

I would very much like to see your write-up on your tests.  You may not realize this,  but there is a lot of respect for your opinion on this site.  Nothing that you put out here is "not believed".

The reason that I asked this question is to hear about what others use that works for them.  It is easy to get caught up in commercialism and hearsay and I am trying to figure out exactly what I do know and separate it from what I think.

Brad

[BassingBen93]

I have used Fluoro for everything except top waters with baitcasting gear and always braid to fluoro on spinning.

This last fall I experimented with braid to fluoro on baitcaster setups for jigs and I found I would break that not too often on hook sets resulting in a loss fish. Could be user error on hook set and / or the knot but I practiced knots and loosened drag with no improvement. It really has deterred me from going that route again. I have friends who use that setup with no problems.

I have wanted to try straight braid as I don't fish water any clearer than 6-8 feet visibility. What has held me back has been the fear of losing out on bites. If I were on the water 50 times a year I would experiment but getting out on a boat 10 times a year makes it harder to want potentially sacrifice bites.

[Capt. BassinLou]

I have used Fluoro for everything except top waters with baitcasting gear and always braid to fluoro on spinning.

This last fall I experimented with braid to fluoro on baitcaster setups for jigs and I found I would break that not too often on hook sets resulting in a loss fish. Could be user error on hook set and / or the knot but I practiced knots and loosened drag with no improvement. It really has deterred me from going that route again. I have friends who use that setup with no problems.

I have wanted to try straight braid as I don't fish water any clearer than 6-8 feet visibility. What has held me back has been the fear of losing out on bites. If I were on the water 50 times a year I would experiment but getting out on a boat 10 times a year makes it harder to want potentially sacrifice bites.

Have you experimented with Copoly lines? I have found when I have lost fish due to line issues, its always been with FC lines. But when I'm using mono or copoly lines my incidences are way, way down.

[apenland01]

Right now, this is how I have my gear setup.


Fluoro 12-20 pound on nearly all my baitcasters.  K9 or Sniper

Ande 16 mono on one baitcaster for topwaters.

One baitcaster with black 60 pound flippin' braid, which I rarely use.

Multiple spinning reels with 8 pound Fluoro for various techniques.

One spinning reel with 20 pound braid for drop shot tied to 8 pound Fluoro leader.

2 spinning reels with McCoy Mean Green 8 pound for fluke and other techniques in stickier cover.  It plays like 10 pound line, but quite castable for a copolymer line on a larger spool spinning reel.

[big g]

I keep it simple.
Top water I use Big Game Mono.
Plastics I use Pro Grade Floro
Frogs and Flipping 65 lbs braid.

I stay away from leaders, the weak point in the connection.

[NavyToad]

Mono and braid.  No florocarbon. NO leaders.
8 and 10# mono on spinning gear, mostly 30# braid on casting gear other than for jerkbaits.
Imagine being a kid and having to worry about braid/mono/floro. Funny how I caught fish even before I knew all the dos and don'ts about fishing line. Line is just something I don't get all wrapped up in.
I do believe that a couple squirts of KVD line conditioner once in a while helps. See - I'm not a caveman.

[BassingBen93]

I have used Fluoro for everything except top waters with baitcasting gear and always braid to fluoro on spinning.

This last fall I experimented with braid to fluoro on baitcaster setups for jigs and I found I would break that not too often on hook sets resulting in a loss fish. Could be user error on hook set and / or the knot but I practiced knots and loosened drag with no improvement. It really has deterred me from going that route again. I have friends who use that setup with no problems.

I have wanted to try straight braid as I don't fish water any clearer than 6-8 feet visibility. What has held me back has been the fear of losing out on bites. If I were on the water 50 times a year I would experiment but getting out on a boat 10 times a year makes it harder to want potentially sacrifice bites.

Have you experimented with Copoly lines? I have found when I have lost fish due to line issues, its always been with FC lines. But when I'm using mono or copoly lines my incidences are way, way down.

That's really interesting because it was always 16-18 lb FC Sniper and my buddy uses other Fluoros with no problem. I will have to give copolys a run. Any suggestions?

[Capt. BassinLou]

I have used Fluoro for everything except top waters with baitcasting gear and always braid to fluoro on spinning.

This last fall I experimented with braid to fluoro on baitcaster setups for jigs and I found I would break that not too often on hook sets resulting in a loss fish. Could be user error on hook set and / or the knot but I practiced knots and loosened drag with no improvement. It really has deterred me from going that route again. I have friends who use that setup with no problems.

I have wanted to try straight braid as I don't fish water any clearer than 6-8 feet visibility. What has held me back has been the fear of losing out on bites. If I were on the water 50 times a year I would experiment but getting out on a boat 10 times a year makes it harder to want potentially sacrifice bites.

Have you experimented with Copoly lines? I have found when I have lost fish due to line issues, its always been with FC lines. But when I'm using mono or copoly lines my incidences are way, way down.

That's really interesting because it was always 16-18 lb FC Sniper and my buddy uses other Fluoros with no problem. I will have to give copolys a run. Any suggestions?

I have been using Yozuri copoly for many years.

[coldfront]

Have you experimented with Copoly lines? I have found when I have lost fish due to line issues, its always been with FC lines. But when I'm using mono or copoly lines my incidences are way, way down.

what specific line issues Lou?  I've found FC to be pretty bullet proof... but I typically use 6-8# for leaders (spinning rods braid to FC).  love FC for pitching jigs, trigs, weightless plastics...  moving baits like spinnerbaits, swimbaits...
when my flouro fails, it's due to abrasion or line knicks...  maybe a kink from a backlash...  use primarily 10, 12 and 14# lines...  helps keep line memory to a minimum.

[bigjim5589]

I've settled on Sufix 832 braid for flipping jigs & using frogs, Yozuri hybrid for crankbaits & some small jigs, both on my baitcasters, and Ande mono for some finesse fishing using spinning gear and may use it too from cranking.

I like how the 832 casts,  and I rarely get a tangle or backlash with it, plus no stretch with it. I primarily use high vis colors too and tie direct and the bass don't seem to care.

I've been using the Yozuri for several years, and I also rarely get a backlash, and for me it takes the place of using any fluorocarbon lines. I don't care for the cost of fluoro, and never played into all the hype about it being "invisible". The Hybrid has good abrasion resistance, and I'm not really fishing many places where high abrasion is a big issue.

Pro angler Brain Latimer has a Youtube video, where he states he doesn't use fluorocarbon in some fishing he does, particularly for saltwater/tidal water situations, where barnacles tend to nick the line. He states that he will use mono/copoly type of lines instead which I find very interesting since fluoro is supposed to have better abrasion resistance.  With what he mentions, he says he gets less break offs, as fluoro breaks once it's been nicked. I liken this to the difference between using the older fiberglass rods and graphite rods. Fiberglass has more tolerance for nicks, while graphite tends to break from even small, slight nicks. Sometimes materials can simply be too hard IMO.

I also went back to using Ande mono too on some spinning gear. I used it for many years, mostly for panfish, or general purpose fishing, but got some to use for Ned rigs and other light baits.  I also got a spool of 12 & 16 lb which I may use on some reels for crankbaits, but the Yozuri does a good job, so I'm still deciding on that. I like having some cushion that the stretch provides and with the rods I have, between the Yozuri & the Ande, I should be able to adjust the amount of cushion to better fit specific lures, but that's something I need to play with to see what works best with specific lures.

I don't do any tournament fishing either, so none of this is critical to me.

[Donald Garner]

I mostly fish with Mono > Berkley Big Game Clear 12lb - 25lb.  I've tried fluorocarbon for a while.  I've gave braid a try for a while also.  I just decided to switch back Mono due to the style fishing that I do.  For me it serves the purpose of just fun fishing.

If I was to get back into Tournament fishing etc.  I would use all three types based on the baits and situations.

     

[Pferox]

I'm down to using braids on my smaller reels because of the thickness of it.  I have 20 or 30 lb. 832 on a few 2000 Penn spinning reels that I usually use for bait fishing, but can hook up to a biggun once in a while.  If fishing beaches or piers that are on beaches, I go to a Co-Poly or mono. Right now I'm using P-line CXX because I got bulk spools on the cheap.  I run 8 to30 lb on the Pline depending on the reel size. Ande is my next favorite line.  They are both pretty tough in the abrasion department.

In the surf, the sand will churn around and abrade line, fine specs of sand will get in the weave of braids and weaken them from the inside, drastically shortening their life expectancy.

[apenland01]

As for copolymer lines, McCoy Mean Green wins hands down for me, as it's more castable, has excellent knot strength, is very abrasion resistant and has less memory than Yozuri hybrid for me.  I downsize, as it's under rated for line strength.  8 pound plays like 10 or 12 pound line, much like P-line CXX....

[loomisguy]

I use braid for topwater and do the braid to leader deal on a spinning rod or 2. The rest is all flouro for anything on the bottom or some kind of hybrid like yo zuri or Suffix advance for moving baits.
The new Yo Zuri T7 is pretty darn good stuff . I have it on a ned rig rod with no handling issues.

[Oldfart9999]

Braid mostly, sometimes with a leader to keep the line from tangling  with the hooks, mono for topwater and deep cranks.
Rodney

[1ReelFanatik]

Don't use much braid.  Frog rod and rod(s) I use for fishing worms in lily pads.  Couple spinning reels because it is supposed to handle better, but I must admit I still prefer mono. Fluorocarbon pretty much only if it came on a reel.  Don't like how it looks when you break it on a snag.  Prefer mono or co-polymers.  Why?  Grew up using XL.  Like AN40 and Siege on my baitcasters, but am trying a couple other lines....Mean Green, XXX, and Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate.

[Princeton_Man]

I use braid (PowerPro) and Fluorocarbon (Seagar Tatsu). Strictly braid on my spinning rigs, once in a great while I'll use a fluoro leader. I'll flip flop around between braid and Fluoro for most techniques depending on conditions and cover except for topwater. Fluorocarbon for cranks, swim/glidebait, or when fishing rocky bottoms. 

[ike8120]

I have been using KK braid and FC. It will depend on the technique if using straight FC, braid or braid with FC leader.