Fishing Line - Poll

[Kdog]

Recently, I started a thread about some line problems I had encountered and my activities to figure out why I was having problems. This AM I read thru all the responses and realized it is an interesting topic. This got me thinking about all the facts, fictions, myths and opinions surrounding fishing line. Thus an idea for a poll.

Please take a few minutes and maybe we can all learn something. Also, I added Line conditioner, it is something I still use but 2-3 years ago was a very hot subject and lots of discussions over what was best. Now, I know only a few folks that even use it yet alone have a major opinion.

 

[hookup]

This is a tough one to answer based on fishing area (lake, river), species, bait caster or spinning gear, rod size & power, amount of cover & structure, etc. etc. etc. but I choose Premium Line

Typically, I'm hunting trophy small mouth bass on mid-Atlantic rivers throwning anywhere between 1/8 to 1/4 oz weighted (sometime heavier, sometimes lighter) baits.

I'm using three lines - Mean Green 6# (or .010 diameter), Tectan 11.3# (or 0.010 diameter), or Suffix 832 10/4 braid. No matter who makes the mono, I look at line diameter more than # breaking strenght. As far as braid, I keep it as light as possible to prevent 'floating line' syndrome.

 

[Fatman]

For years I had only used Bass Pro's Excel line then they changed where they were getting it from or changed the way it was made and it just wasn't as good. So I went to Stren and Trilene.

Tried some Sufix Elite last year and while it was a tough line it was real wirey. When I spool I always run new line through a damp paper towel, 1 - to stretch it out and 2 - get the powder off it. Most don't realize it's on there but if you've ever run line over your finger when spooling you notice it.

Another member sent me some 8 lb. Sufix Siege (Orange) and I've got to get a spool filled up with it to try it out.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Ooh, orange. Being a shoreline search caster high viz is a big advantage in low light. Mostly I get yellow braid when it goes on sale.

Despite mfg. claims have yet to find a mono that is both supple and abrasion resistant.

5 - 10# braid is my fresh water go to unless necessary to downsize to 1/24 or 1/32 on light mono for a tuff bite.

Intersting that Mean Green 6# and Tectan 11.3# have the same diameter. Which one feels stronger?

 

[hookup]

Mean Green feels stronger. Mean Green's the best all around mono I've ever tried. Bought a 3,000 yard spool so I'm set for a while.

Tectan will cast a county mile, sensitive, knot's are excellent, resists memory, but get it around abrasion & you've lost your fish. Check your line often. But in top water, the best.

 

[Bucko]

if I'm fishing muskies, catfish, sturgeon, or yanking bass out of trees or big weeds, it's braid all the way. panfish, walleye, trout, and clear water bass I use flourocarbon. I only have one baitcasting rod spooled with mono and that is for fishing topwater bass because mono floats.

 

[quivira kid]

Mostly I use good old Trilene XL mono. But also have a couple rods rigged with fluoro and nanofil. For what I do, 2-6# line usually does the trick, but have some things I use some 12# and heavier for as well. So to answer your poll....... Yes. Whatever is best for the situation.

 

[Kdog]

I use tatsu 4#-6# on my light rods but am always looking for something more economical. My heavy rods have braid 20/6 or 10/4 and tipped with a BB swivel and 4'-6' Fluorocarbon leader. I do wish I had added respooling frequency to the poll but that will be another poll. My Floros get partially respooled about every 40 hours of fishing or 5 trips. Probably not necessary with with all the snags and lost baits, reel needs more line anyway. I use braid for backing so just strip off line to the knot, and retie and refill. All my spools receive a wrap of double sided carpet tape before any line is installed. This eliminated any slippage or concerns about slipping.


For Fall and Winter Fishing Braid is without a doubt the best way for me. If it gets too faded, I just dye it a OD Green and it stays good for another year or two. For Braid, I've been using Braid-Aid line conditioner and feel is really keeps the braid in good shape. Monos and Fluoros I use KVD line conditioner. Braid has a good life, I have some that has been in service for 4 years and other than being faded and dyed a few times is still sound and capable of straightening or breaking hooks.

I fish exclusively with spinning set ups and use the same reels for all fishing. I will say with braid, a good quality BB swivel saves a lot of aggravation. If it gets twists in it, you will have problems.

 

[AtticaFish]

6lb & 8lb mono are pretty much the only sizes i use. Only dabbled with braid once or twice with casting rods but do have some of my ice rods strung with it. Have 1 heavy rod (actually my father-in-laws that he keeps at my house) that is strung with 12lb. mono. Use it on occasion as a tightline bait rod or with over-sized slip bobbers.

I have landed some huge catfish on my favorite med-light Abu Conolon Rod combo using 6lb line. The cats easily out-weighed the line breaking strength, just have to wear them out. Tried running 4lb. line on that combo and the rod was too stiff........ had many line breaks just setting the hook on bluegill.

 

[Fatman]

Hawn

This is the line Sufix Neon Tangerine

Says it's Super Tough, but haven't got to try it yet. Once we get past these storms it's gonna get a try out!!

 

[Bucko]

I like suffix line. use their flourocarbon often. the one rod with mono I have is suffix.

 

[mylobass]

After dozens of attempts to like braid I always go back to mono. 8 or 10# usually Trilene Big Game in bulk. Rarely do I ever fish less than 1/4oz except when I'm throwing weightless soft plastics. I keep more fish hooked up when I use mono and I am confident braid damages equipment eventually. Besides saltwater fish cut braid just looking at it!

 

[deathb4disco]

The more line discussions I see, the more I'm convinced it's one of the least important factors in fishing success.

 

[AtticaFish]

You probably are very much so correct, but have seen a few specific situations where it does seem to matter. One in particular is fishing through the ice using tiny spinning reels and ultralight weight jigs. Junky mono holds the loop shape coming off the spools (called memory i think?) and results in your lure/bait spinning like crazy when you jig it. Gets even worse the lighter your jig/bait weight is. Have seen fish refuse to bite when your jig is spinning like a helicopter. Braid stays a lot more straight off the spool and does not hold the spool shape...... and can also be somewhat straightened out if you pull it.

The more line discussions I see, the more I'm convinced it's one of the least important factors in fishing success.

 

[jackie53]

Berkely,Nano-fil 10lb,4lb dia,12 lb,6lb dia!!! Clear mist!!! A legend fishermen in our area showed me this line had always used Mr-crappie in 6 lb test!! The Legend crappie /walleye fishermen usually comes in with a limit of crappie and walleye,spring,summer,fall winter!! He showed me you can see your line jump when a fish hits the lure even in 10-15 mph wind!! This man is tight with his money and his fishing location's !!! Theirs a learning curve to using this line!!

 

[Shoemoo]

Most of my rigs are spooled with 12 pound Nanofil. I like it because it floats, it's very sensitive and it casts a country mile. It also transmits vibrations very well, so with a sensitive rod I can feel a gentle take even when the line is slack. Only drawbacks is it's not very abrasion resistant and the wind likes to carry it on a cross-breeze. Some users have reported a weak shock strength, but I always use fluorocarbon or mono as a leader so it's not a problem for me. The stretch in the leader prevents breaking the line on hard hooksets. I landed a 30+ pound carp on a rig with the Nano a few weeks ago. I have a few second spools spooled up with Fireline, so when I'm in an area where abrasion-resistance is necessary I swap them out.

I haven't used mono for anything more than leader in a long time. It's cheaper, but it doesn't last nearly as long so you have to replace it much more often. I only have to replace the Nanofil and Fireline when the spool starts to get low. I also don't like the stretch, line memory and lack of sensitivity mono has.

The more line discussions I see, the more I'm convinced it's one of the least important factors in fishing success.

It depends on how you fish. If you use techniques that require feeling light bites like vertical jigging, side drifting and working Senkos or plastic worms then switching from mono to just about any superline will make a huge difference in your catch rates.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Like many of us, I used to use cheapest possible line, till I got tired of knot, fatigue, & rub failure. Then went thru an XT type mono phase, till I got tired of unwraveling casting snarls. Then XL type monos, till I got tired of break offs. Still being thrifty, for now eBay Power Pro, Sufix 832, and Fireline Braid clearance deals suffice.

That Nanofil must be good stuff, cuz even eBay hasn't clearance dealed it, at least till I gave up awhile ago.

 

[creekychub]

Big fan of fireline. 10# fireline with a 12# flouro leader will suffice for most of my fishing applications (everything from cranks and swimbaits, to smaller jigs and livebait presentations). I use 8# nanofill for the lighter presentations. That line is simply amazing, you will cast further than you ever have, only drawback is the knot strength, its so thin and slick it is nearly impossible to splice to another type of line material without failing, so this stuff has to be tied with a double palomar knot directly to the lure or to a swivel if using a flouro/mono leader. With a good knot, this stuff is super strong, I've broken hooks before braking my line. My flouro leaders are berkley vanish, #20 with heavy applications (wiper/largemouth), 12# or 8# with light applications(everything else). I mainly use superlines any more but i am a fan of the standard Viscous brand mono, low memory and really strong (made in USA). Berkley big game is my go to mono for heavy leaders and some of my baitcasting rigs (12#). I use 20# and 30# for catfish or topwater leaders if using braided mainline and I also like this stiff mono for my fly leaders. Big game is stiff and very tough, but has great knot strength. I use power pro of various strengths as main line on my heavier cat/pike/bass gear. Big big fan of the super slick 8 power pro as well (I use 30#). The way I fish, I've never tried a setup spooled with only flourocarbon. I hear seagar tatsu is amazing for main line but it is very $$$$$$$$$.

Bottom line for me is quality with a decent price tag and Made in USA. I have no experience with line conditioners, maybe they are useful in the winter with icy guides?