FryDog62

I'm of the opinion that the only real advantage of fluorocarbon is its sink rate. Other types of lines are more manageable, have less stretch, etc. So... if there is a braid that sinks somewhat similar to fluorocarbon it negates fluorocarbon one step further IMO. If visibility is not an issue then use Hevi-Core as a main line, if it is a factor then tie on a leader. The only other line I think I would use then is mono for topwater... Am I on target with my logic here?

Okay, being in Minnesota where walleye is pretty much the only thing people fish for - I think I have walked by Hevi-Core on the shelves a number of times thinking it was Tuf Lines version of lead core. my mistake... So, the question is - how effective is Hevi-Core for throwing plastics, football jigs, cranks, etc? A braid with a sink rate similar to fluorocarbon I think could be a game changer..

Isn't Hevi-Core a "Lead Core" line used primarily by walleye fisherman to troll crank baits at deeper depths? Or is Hevi-Core something different that bass fishermen can cast a variety of lures with a sink rate more similar to fluorocarbon?

I have always been someone that believes all braided line floats, at least the brands I've used. Recently I've read some posts and also some online reviews that contradict each other. For instance, the Cabelas site has Q/A about each product. For Sufix 832, a "Cabelas Expert" says the line sinks, but then the "Best Answer" they select from a "Top 100 Contributor" says it floats. Several other sites I have seen one person say absolutely - "yes" it sinks and others say for sure "no" it floats... Okay, so what's the real answer?

Mono: Trilene XT Co-Polymer: Yo-Zuri Hybrid These lines stretch the least of any non-braid lines I've tested, and they are so tough from an abrasion standpoint.

Just picked up a Fenwick 7 foot MH Bass Elite spinning rod. Anyone pair this with a reel that would specifically recommend? Looking at moderate priced options. Steez looks great but I'm in the $60-120 range for this rod.

If anyone determines for certain that 832 sinks - please let us know... I honestly can't imagine that it does unless they changed its composition this year....

I live in Minnesota so we have our share of pike up here.... They can be small or large but all have sharp teeth. On days they go on a feeding frenzy you can go through several break offs and $50-100 in lost lures. I do one of two things: 1) tie on a leader, or 2) use 7-9 inch lures (Dr. Spoon, bigger Bucktails, large Swimbaits, etc). Keeps some of the smaller snot-rockets away while still catching the larger gators and even many of the bigger bass.

I'm in the North and of the brands listed by the OP - my personal pick would be an Alumacraft Competitor 175 side console with the rear casting deck option. Great boat, great layout, and choice of Yamaha or Suzuki motors you really can't go wrong. Up here, many refer to Crestliners as "Wetliners." Decent quality boats but not known for a dry or smooth ride... Just my personal biases ~

If you don't like a lot of stretch, Sniper has less than Invizx and Tatsu. If Sniper is still too much stretch for you, either try Yo-Zuri Hybrid (even less stretch than Sniper, trade off is a slightly slower sink rate) or use braid and tie a 4 foot fluorocarbon leader on with an Alberto knot.

I use either 12 pound Yo-Zuri Hybrid as a main line, or 10 pound 832 braid with an 8 lb fluorocarbon leader 4 feet in length tied with a Alberto knot. 12 lb flouro would be too stretchy and a slinky coming off the reel.

fixed...

When I see everyone's avatar with their personal best of 7-10 pounds I do wish that were me.... but when u live up North, you make lemonade out of lemons. My target up here is smallmouth and we have some dandies. Still in pursuit of my first in the 6-7 lb range but we have many in the 4-5 lb range and they fight like much larger fish. All of these fish were caught in a small tributary to the Mississippi in Central Minnesota this year.

I do like the layout of the Predator and the Pro Guide. If I went aluminum the Predator would be a top pick for me. I still prefer the ride of a glass boat and the way it can channel spray away better than tin - which is key in a tiller. Also (I have Yar-craft now) the more defined keel tends to track better in either wind or current. You can mold/shape fiberglass better than aluminum in that regard. If I fished more areas with a lot of rocks though, I'd go Predator.

I think one of the reasons that Tuffy is lighter is because they use Kevlar in the keel and I think transom.... stronger, lighter.

Yes, they do...and nice boats... but they are more of the traditional very deep-V for walleye fishing. I liked what I saw (on paper) with the Tuffy. Not a true deep V, closer to a bass boat. Marketed as able to handle bigger water but excellent in smaller lakes, rivers, too. I think the Lund/Larsons are quite deep and 2000 lbs. The Tuffy is 19 1/2 feet long and weighs in at only 1300 pounds! Seemingly more versatile...and lower to the water to lip/flip bass.

Have an Abu Revo SX that I really like, almost new. Casts very smooth...except when I really bomb a cast. It squeals a bit the first couple seconds. Is this an adjustment issue? Its new so I can't imagine its a lubrication issue. ...thoughts?

Never seen one in person but am intrigued by the new Tuffy x-190 tiller. Bass boat layout - large front/rear casting decks, a little deeper V to handle some rougher waters maybe better than your typical low-rider bass boat. But looks like it would also be a fairly good shallow water craft for small/medium rivers and lakes where I fish a lot of the time. They make this boat in side console and double bubble too, but apparently have re-worked the hull a bit this year for the tiller version. I think originally made for muskie anglers, looks like a good all-round multi-species rig, especially bass. 90 hp Merc big tiller handle would be sweet.... lots elbow room and decks to lay rods out which I like. Anyone seen this too? Any other boat makers have a similar glass boat?

I'm 95% smallmouth guy and have been in pursuit of a legit 6 pounder for years now. Minnesota has them and I have caught a good many 5+ pound fish. I've had some good stringers this year, one picture below...which is now my avatar. Yesterday...ughh, I'm still sick about it. On the Mississippi, I had a fish smash my plastic in 1 foot of water and peel off line to the main channel. Once there, I bet I didn't move that fish 2 feet for over 2 minutes. I thought it was a big walleye... Then, he finally moved...back and forth until about 10 feet from the boat. I know these things always look bigger in the water, but it was a smallie and it was huge. I got it a little closer so I could grab my net (I was alone) and he came off unbuttoned. Sideways in the water, suspended for a couple seconds, stunned he was free, then whale tail, splash...gone. I sat staring for 5 minutes... Have heard people for years talk about the big one that got away and speculate how big it was. I'm not going to do that, but for me this would have been at least a personal best... Dam ~

There is a BIG difference between Nanobraid and Nanofil. Agreed that Nanofil is junk..... but Nanobraid is a different company, different line, material, etc ... hoping it is a far better product. Anyone tried it? Might pick some up, not sure what their "Aqua-Camo" color is but would like to see it next time I'm at Cabelas..

Anyone tried the new Nanobraid from Sufix? Apparently only Cabelas is selling it initially but will be open to other outlets this Fall. Haven't tried it but I read a post on another site that said it is very thin and long casting. Stronger, more abrasion resistant and much better knot strength than that other product of a similar name from a different company - "Nanofil" (junk IMO).

Remember that fluorocarbon has more stretch than braid or even mono and that's why its like setting the hook with a rubber band. I'd recommend a main line of Yo-Zuri Hybrid, which is not only low stretch but highly abrasion resistant and as good as any line with zebra mussels present. If you prefer a line with a sink rate try a main line of Sniper, still stretches more than mono or co-poly but less than other fluorocarbon lines.

Sensitive yes, maybe slightly less than fluoro but I question if enough to make a difference. Is it less stretch than fluorocarbon - YES, by quite a bit. This may more than make up the difference of any less sensitivity...

I've owned many spinning reels - all the major brands, and many in the $150-200 range. I am slowly trading them all out and buying either Presidents or Supremes. Smooth, Bullet proof and if a part does fail you can actually get replacement stuff fast and cheap. I had a couple very nice, high end feels that needed parts and I waited up to 6 months to get...missing the whole season. LOVE the Pfluegers...they perform and keep me on the water...

I use Senkos for wacky rigging - with 10 pound Sufix 832 in Ghost color so I can see the line above the surface, and 8 lb fluoro leader about 4 feet long so the fish can't see it. Couldn't be happier with that set up - -