Line!?!?!?!?

[Langer]

So I have decided to try out other types of line.  I have always just fished with regular old Monofilament.  With all the different types of line out there now, I feel as if I am missing out on something.  Being that I have always just used Mono, I dont know where to start.  Can someone please help me out!!!  A little bit about my equipment, I have 3 baitcasters, (7'MH, 6'6" M and a 6' M) I also have 2 Spinning reels on 6' M action rods. I have picked bits and pieces from other posts but when it comes down to buying it and doing it for myself I get confussed.  SO......

What types of line are good for the baitcasters?  the spinning reels?

What types of line should be used for different fishing techniques? Crankbaits? Topwater? Plastics? Spinnerbaits?

When do you use mono filler on the spool?

When do you use a leader?

What type of knots do you use to attach a leader?

What type of knots in General? Do any slip out on a particular line type? Will a Polamar Knot work for all?

I know some of these questions may be very general, so feel free to add in anything I may be forgeting.

I dont really care about particular brands, I just want to figure out the basics behind the lines.

Thanks

[bshaner]

I will only address baitcasters because I hate spinning.

As a general rule if it has treble hooks you cant go wrong with mono.  I use 15-17 lb test mono also for spinnerbaits.  I really like Maxima for mono.  Their fluoro stinks in my opinion.  For cranks and tops I would use 10 lb mono as a happy medium and decide for yourself if that suits you or if you need to bump up or down.  I would not go heavier than 12 lb or you'll start to lose depth on your cranks.

Pure mono has stretch and that's what you want on baits that elicit violent strikes sort of as a shock absorber.  Of the choices you have in baitcasters I would use the 6'6" M for cranks.  Do you know the action of the rods?  I assume Medium is the power but what about the tip action?

6' M is good for tops and jerks if it is a fast tip.  Fluoro isnt a bad idea for jerkbaits to help them suspend since fluoro sort of sinks.

I'd use the 7'MH for your heavier plastics and flipping/pitching.  Either heavier fluoro or 50/65 lb braid for this depending on your preference.

Use your spinning for the lighter plastics

I always back my braid with mono.  Not for the money savings but because 1) It keeps the braid from slipping and 2) I do not want to put tape on my spools.

I dont use leaders much except for C-rigging but I am going to delve into that realm this year.  You can use a leader for just about anything if you want.  I know people who use braid for everything and just add leader to it with the appropriate line material for the application. 

As for knots on leaders either a blood knot or I know people who use uni to uni knots.

Pallomar knot is my knot of choice for everything.  One word of caution with fluoro and knots.  Wet it and draw it down tight SLOWLY.  You can weaken a knot and cut into it if you cause too much friction and heat it up.

Hope this helps.

B

[Grandbass]

 I use P Line flourocarbon on most everything.

Flippin.... 80lb PowerPro. I always put mono backing on the reel. Once in a great while I will use a flourcarbon leader.

Topwater - 14lb Trieline XT

Crankbaits - Mostly 10lb flourocarbon but if I am ripping Cranks out of grass I use mono.

Senko Chucking... 8lb P Line Floucarbon. Try to use a reel with a oversized spool. It makes handling Flourcarbon alot easier..

I use a palomar knot on everything except topwater I like the clinch knot better...

[LUMBERLEO]

You have to try out fluorocarbon line.  Any time I am fishing plastics I use flcarb.  If you fish clear or pressured lakes it will make a huge difference.  I'm not sure if it is the visibility or the feel and low stretch but it has really made a difference for me.  Of course there is a few applications were you wouldn't want to use it.

Scott

[MBell]

Flourocarbon is definitely a great line to try.  I would suggest you stay away from vanish, but all the other brands are comparable.  The sensitivity will make those $300 rods pointless. 
-Matt

[Bronzeback6]

In my opinion the best mono/flouro line is Gamma technologies Co-polymer mono, and Edge Flourocarbon.  It is a processed line that is stronger than other lines I have used.  There 12 lb test breaks at 20 lbs of pressure.  I fished all season without breaking off a bass.  It also has low memory and casts nicly.

I use...

Spinning

7' 2"Drop Shot- 8 lb Mono with a 5 ft, 6-8 lb Edge Flouro leader.

7 ft Tube rod- 8-6 lb copolymer/Edge Flouro

7 ft Dock skipping rod- 8 lb Copolymer "Never broke off a bass under a dock"

6'6" Jerkbait rod- 8 lb Co polymer


Casting

7 Ft Crankin stick- 12 lb Copolymer

7 ft Popper rod- 12 lb copolymer

7 ft tube rod- 12-14 lb Edge Flouro

7ft 6 in flippin stick- 20 lb Edge Flouro


Hope this helps a little!

Justin


 

[Cy]

Biggame,

You are going to get many different opinions on this topic.  I would urge you to buy different lines and experiment.  Fine out what works best for you.  With that said I am going to through in my 2 cents.

I use a ton of flouro for all different things.  I like the lower stretch and better feel I get from it; I also like the sinking properties of it.  I user 14 to 17 lb flouro for most of my plastics and jigs on 7' MH baitcasters.  I use 10 or 12 lb flouro for all cranks on 7' bait casting crank bait rods.  I also use 17 flouro for my spinner baits on 6'6" MH bait casting rods.

For top water, like buzz baits and frogs I use 20' mono but I am thinking about switching to braid.  I throw these on 6'6" baitcasting gear.

I rarely use leaders for anything but if I join 2 lines together I use a double uni knot.  I use a Palomar knot on almost everything but cranks and topwater.  For cranks I use a modified rapala knot.  I like the loop in front of the bait.  For top water I use an improved clinch knot.  This way the knot is directly in line with bait, it will help it track straighter through the water.

For spinning gear I use either light weight mono or braid.  I think flouro jumps off spinning reel spools too easily.

Cy

[chase5004]

Have never had issues with P-Line braid or Flouro. Have been using them for 3-4 years now. XPS (Bass Pro Brand) Flouro is also very good.

I have also heard good things on Fireline. I am thinking of trying that this year.

Pat

[huston]

Cabelas Rip Cord Si, (Braided) on everything with a flurocarbon leader. I like Rip cord and P-line. I also have used spiderwire with a leader but I really like Cabelas Rip cord Si.

[Langer]

Thanks for all the advice, Im going to try out some different things this year and will report back what I found works for me.  One other question I have is, how much of a mono backing do you use?  Enough to just cover the spool or a lot to fill up the spool so you dont have to use as much of the other line?  Do you have to use a mono Backer with flouro or Co-polymor?

Thanks again for all the help.

[Cheetam]

Thanks for all the advice, Im going to try out some different things this year and will report back what I found works for me.  One other question I have is, how much of a mono backing do you use?  Enough to just cover the spool or a lot to fill up the spool so you dont have to use as much of the other line?  Do you have to use a mono Backer with flouro or Co-polymor?

Thanks again for all the help.

I use enough backing (for braid) to cover the spool twice over.  There really isn't a need to use a backing for flouro or co-polymer (unless you want to save money...I know of some people who will put 20- 30 yards of mono on a reel before putting on the more expensive flouro/co-polymer so that they can get an extra reel's worth of line off of a spool)...

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

I throw Sunline and Seaguar 7,8, and 10lb Flourocarbon on spinning reels... Sunline is indeed the cat's meow...

On Baitcasting gear... you can't beat plain ole Berkley Big Game... best bang for the buck... 12, 15, and 20 lb green Big Game for everything else...

Might switch to Flourocarbon for my worming needs though...

[Cy]

I throw Sunline and Seaguar 7,8, and 10lb Flourocarbon on spinning reels... Sunline is indeed the cat's meow...

On Baitcasting gear... you can't beat plain ole Berkley Big Game... best bang for the buck... 12, 15, and 20 lb green Big Game for everything else...

Might switch to Flourocarbon for my worming needs though...

I agree; the few applications I use mono for I do use Berkley Big Game.  I think it is cheap and affective. 

What is it with Sunline?  Is it new or just starting to make a name?  I saw Jason Ammerman plugging it a little and I am interested in it.

I also think you will not be disappointed if you switch to Fluoro for your worms and jigs.  I will also add fluoro and tungsten weights is an unbeatable combo.

Cy

[smbassman]

Anyone use Suffix Tritanium?  Cabelas has 1/4lb spools pretty cheap for copolymer line so I bought a selection.  How is the stretch, memory and abrasion resistance? 

I am very surprised that the 10# and 17# line look close to the same diameter???  But the 17# is much thinner than my P-line CXX 15#.  I would like to run some tensile tests on these but I know the CXX is way under rated.  I just do not like the memory of it and Big Game so I am looking for something better.

[BigSmallie]

My fishing partner and I have found Berkley Sensation to work quite well for us when fishing open water with grass.   My partner likes 12Lb and I prefer 14Lb.

For heavy cover (Fletcher Pond) we had used braided line in previous years and just started using Berkley Big Game 15Lb on up.   Our confidence level has soared using the Big Game!   We easily "man handled" the Largies out of the heavy cover and never really had to re-tie.

The Berkley Sensation is very limp, and does not have the memory as the Berkley XT has (I used to use XT exclusively for 15 years) but still holds up for us during most fishing conditions.   However, we use this on Northern lakes and have not fished it while draging tubes around the Zebra infested rocks of Erie!

BS 

[Cy]

I have not used the Suffix Tritanium, but I have used some of the other Suffix lines.  I was very disappointed.  I spooled Siege on a couple baitcasting reels; after 24 hours there was so much memory it wasn't even fishable.  After that experience I haven't tried the rest of it.

Cy

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

Sunline has been around for a couple years now... the line is from Japan...

I had been wanting to use it for a while but it has a hefty price tag but it is tough as nails and super limp for a flourocarbon line... the Shooter and Sniper is what i've used in smaller strengths... I'd like to try out the thicker stuff for baitcasting applications...

Check it out at www.srtroutsupply.com...