Other than strength, what are the pros and cons of different types of lines such as mono, braid, etc. Also, what are the pros and cons (other than strength) of different sizes of line, like 8lb vs 12lb, etc, etc.

 

Thanks.

Monofilament

Pros: Generally inexpensive, excellent for treble hook lures

Cons: Stretch that reduces "feel" for bottom contact lures

 

Copolymer

Pros: Stronger than mono at comparable line diameter. In some cases less memory.

Cons: Still too much memory and twist when compared to braid

 

Fluorocarbon

Pros: Reduced visibility, highly abbrassion resistant, lower stretch

Cons: Better quality lines are expensive

 

Braid

Pros: Strong and supple

Cons: Visibility, poor abrassion resistance

As far as I'm concerned many fluoros and monos are VERY similar.  You can see how similar in a test TT did a while ago.

 

That being said there are some fluoros that IMO are true to the standard claims about that line.  Most notably tatsu and IMO sunline sniper.  However these are typically more expensive brands.

 

I use yo-zuri hybrid for most everything unless I can find one of the aforementioned brands on sale.

in addition to what RW said, here are some more considerations:

 

fluorocarbon:

• fluoro sinks. helps your lures get down quicker and you'll have less bowing in your line, resulting in more direct contact with your rod. sinking is not good for use with topwater lures however as it will mess up the action of TW lures.

 

braid:

• braid has zero or almost-zero stretch, giving you instant hookups with less effort. however, you can lose lures if your get a birdsnest midway through a hard cast, snapping off your line.
• braid is also very thin (50# braid is equivalent to about 12# mono), giving you better casting distance, especially in the wind.
• the thin diameter and no stretch properties allow braid to slice through weeds, grass and other vegetation...practically a must for ticking rattlebaits in the grass.
• braid is also soft and supple, making it excellent for use on spinning reels where its suppleness masks line twisting.
• braid is expensive but it will last many seasons. when one end starts to get worn, reverse it and it'll go another couple of years.

mono:

• inexpensive, ubiquitous, stretchy and forgiving...i hate it  

The one thing that I dislike about braid is the abuse that you can do to your equipment using such a line with so little stretch and strength. Of course it can't abuse your equipment all by itself, the angler will actually do the abusing.

 

I got a jig hung up about a couple of weeks ago using braid and I pulled a little and said the heck with this, so I cut it. I just don't believe that the spool or the shaft on a little baitcaster is meant to take that kind of abuse. Also, I think braid is stronger than rod components. No more braid for me. When I pitch in cover, I will use 20# or 25# Yo Zuri Hybrid.

I use only a coploymere line most of the time because of the less stretch over mono. I do also use the red Cajun line in the shallows up to 10' of depth. Now there are different types of copolymer. I notice I need to wet my cinch knots using the vicious copolymer line. I find the Excalibur copolymer silver thread is the best. I still have some of cabelas brand copolymer that feels like silver thread line. I also use the yozuri copolymer line too.

 

Braid

Pros: Strong and supple

Cons: Visibility, poor abrassion resistance

 

I disagree with the generalization about abrasion resistance. I've heard that braid doesn't do well with rocks, but I find it incredibly abrasion resistant to wood and vegetation. That is one of the main reasons I switched to it from mono and copolymer. I'm almost always fishing weedy water and my former lines would have areas of fraying every few feet for almost the full length of a cast. It drove me nuts.

 

Power Pro 15# is what I use. While braid does have some annoying properties, the pluses outweigh the minuses and I'm not going back.

I disagree with the generalization about abrasion resistance. I've heard that braid doesn't do well with rocks, but I find it incredibly abrasion resistant to wood and vegetation.

braid is amazing around wood and vegetation but sharp rocks, like the kind they use to rip-rap the levees here, slice through my 30# braid like a hot knife through butter.

Fluro con: retains memory more.

I tend to use co-poly, mono, and fluoro more than anything else now.  About the only time I use braid anymore is if I am going to a lake that has a lot of vegetation in it.  On local lakes, braid without a leader will spook the bass.