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Light Line -- Mono Or Fluoro?

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Hello,

I am going to re-spool by ultralight with something other than braid. While I love braid for baitcasting, for ultralight spinning applications it's not what I prefer.

Right now I have braid with a long fluoro leader.

My question is this: For line diameters this small, is there any reason to go with one or the other? Is there an advantage to fluoro here? I always used 4lb XL mono before I used braid.

Regards,

Josh

  • Super User

What is it that you did not like about braid? Just curious as I'm contemplating line choices for spinning gear myself.

I much prefer braid on my UL outfit. I currently have 4lb floroclear and can't get used to the stretch after fishing braid for so long.

Count me in with the braid guys, but small diameter Sniper is pretty sweet. 

  • Super User

In my neck of the woods braid don´t work well, for braid to work well it´s gotta be no less than 30 lb and you would still need a monofilament leader. For most UL fishing I like Trilene XT 6lbs ( there´s a couple of places I can go as low as 4 lbs ).

I use very light spinning reels and braid takes away all the twist and does not stretch. I still use a mono leader, though.

  • Super User

Hello,

I am going to re-spool by ultralight with something other than braid. While I love braid for baitcasting, for ultralight spinning applications it's not what I prefer.

Right now I have braid with a long fluoro leader.

My question is this: For line diameters this small, is there any reason to go with one or the other? Is there an advantage to fluoro here? I always used 4lb XL mono before I used braid.

Regards,

Josh

 

Both should handle just fine on a spinning reel. Difference in my opinion would be fluorocarbon will be more sensitive, but you also won't be able to see the line for bites near as easy. Mono you can get in his vis colors for easy line watching, but likely won't be as sensitive. Should be a little bit stronger though (per given/equal rating) depending upon actual lines used.

 

-T9

I like 4lb stren clear blue on my ultra light rod. Works fine at all practical distances, you can't cast a small lure with a 1/32 head that far no matter what the line is!

I like Sunline Super FC Sniper or Seagur Tatsu for what you're describing. I haven't tried braid on my spinning gear yet, but I hate dealing with leader knots. I've not had anymore issues with memory or twist then I've had with mono.

  • Author

What is it that you did not like about braid? Just curious as I'm contemplating line choices for spinning gear myself.

 

Something just didn't feel right about it.

 

Folks have told me here that Spiderwire Stealth frays.  That's not been my experience -- except for this thin stuff.

 

I put 4lb mono on it, but may try a different small-diameter braid. 

 

Josh

One of the best small mouth fishermen on Lake Pickwick uses Mr.Crappie. it is bright yellow. He said he can see it better

  • Super User

While I love braid for baitcasting, for ultralight spinning applications it's not what I prefer.

 

Hmph...not sure I've ever heard that before

For my money, casting gear is better suited for handling fluorocarbon line,

while spinning gear is better suited for handling braided line.

 

Roger

Fluoro is usually the better choice because of its low visibility in water and because that the fish will not notice the line which will then translate into more strikes.

  • Super User

I use a 2000 size reel and use 6 lb sniper.  I did not see what size reel your using but if the spool is very small then the flouro may be more difficult to deal with.  I like Berkeley XL just fine also and have used it down to 2lb in a trout stream.  I will not go below 4 again but the Xl and flouroclear work great.

  • Super User

Something just didn't feel right about it.

Folks have told me here that Spiderwire Stealth frays. That's not been my experience -- except for this thin stuff.

I put 4lb mono on it, but may try a different small-diameter braid.

Josh

Interesting... I currently have braid only on 1 casting setup for frogs. I've never used fluorocarbon on spinning tackle, for manageability, I really like Trilene XL or Sunline Supernatural monofilaments. Supernatural may only be available in 6+ poundage, but is so thin it supple, it handles like 4. I'll look up exact stats shortly.
  • Super User

Ok, Supernatural is in fact available in 4lb, but 6lb Supernatural is the same diameter as 4ln Trilene XL, and 4lb Supernatural is .0015" thicker than 2lb XL. Both are great lines.

The 6lb. super natural is a great choice.,

 

  • Super User

The 6lb. super natural is a great choice.,

That's what I said.

yeah, i know

  • Super User

I have a big spool of BPS 6# in lo-vis green for panfish and small bass. But there's so much stretch in it along with the light action rod it's easy for bass to get off. Other than that, small line isn't really necessary for bass here because the water has a permanent stain.

Fluoro has the advantages that it sinks and is more sensitive than mono/copoly.  In 4-6 lb size I don't have any handling issues with it on a 2000 size spinning reel.  If you do, Yozuri Hybrid is one of the better fluoro/copoly blends that a lot of guys like. 

  • Super User

Just spooled up two 1000 series reels with 6# Tatsu. Very thin and strong. Couldn't be happier.

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