Anyone ever notice a difference between different line diameters and the ability to feel cover on the bottom?

 

I recently ran my spool dry of 20-lb Tatsu on my jig rod and respooled with 12-lb Tatsu because thats what I had on the boat. I noticed immediately that the bottom became a whole lot less interesting. I was no longer feeling all of the rocks that I had felt before.

 

I keep 12-lb fluoro on my worm rod and always felt like it didn't do well to pick up the bottom but I just attributed that to the rod being different and a texas rig being on the end instead of a jig. No I am wondering.

 

It seems like the thicker diameter line makes it easier for me to feel the bottom. Anyone else have this experience?

My experience has been the opposite.   All other things being equal, larger line diameter means more drag which usually mean more bow in your line which is the biggest factor in sensitivity in my opinion.  This is especially true in strong current.  

I have not noticed that much of a difference.

Switching from Tungsten to Lead is like fishing with oven mitts on though.

At least for me. 

#hateit

A-Jay

10 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

My experience has been the opposite.   All other things being equal, larger line diameter means more drag which usually mean more bow in your line which is the biggest factor in sensitivity in my opinion.  This is especially true in strong current.  

As far as line bow goes. I definitely noticed less line bow with the heavier line. Maybe this is because the fluorocarbon sinks? I do not know. Just my experience.

Thicker line doesn’t stretch as much which could be a reason you have different feel with heavier lines. On a test done while preparing a book on how deep lures dive, the author found that they could feel strikes with 17lb test mono, that they couldn’t feel with 10lb test. Not sure if that applies here, but it might be something to consider.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure larger line is denser allowing it to transmit more vibrations.

29 minutes ago, Marcus Y. said:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure larger line is denser allowing it to transmit more vibrations.

Sure, if we were at the bar having a few drinks I’d go with that. 

I'd say plausible in shallow water per Scott F's comment, but would agree with Tennessee Boy that smaller is better in any type depth situation. As for diameter to density, no difference. The material is the material, and the properties don't change because of size. A large granite rock isn't more dense than a small granite rock, just like a large piece of styrofoam isn't more dense than a smaller piece. Diameter does affect other attributes though like stretch (per a given force) and drag.

On 8/7/2019 at 12:23 PM, Dirtyeggroll said:

Anyone ever notice a difference between different line diameters and the ability to feel cover on the bottom?

 

I recently ran my spool dry of 20-lb Tatsu on my jig rod and respooled with 12-lb Tatsu because thats what I had on the boat. I noticed immediately that the bottom became a whole lot less interesting. I was no longer feeling all of the rocks that I had felt before.

 

I keep 12-lb fluoro on my worm rod and always felt like it didn't do well to pick up the bottom but I just attributed that to the rod being different and a texas rig being on the end instead of a jig. No I am wondering.

 

It seems like the thicker diameter line makes it easier for me to feel the bottom. Anyone else have this experience?

I have the same experience, even though it may not be true scientifically. The other day I was fishing a 1/8 oz texas rig on a 6’8 bass x m/xf with 20lb braid, I was able to feel the bait more than my 7’3 Tatula elite m/xf spinning rod (which is supposed to be more sensitive) on the same rig with 15lb braid. I would like to add that, all things being equal, a shorter rod should be more sensitive too.

On 8/7/2019 at 3:52 PM, Scott F said:

Thicker line doesn’t stretch as much which could be a reason you have different feel with heavier lines. On a test done while preparing a book on how deep lures dive, the author found that they could feel strikes with 17lb test mono, that they couldn’t feel with 10lb test. Not sure if that applies here, but it might be something to consider.

This has been my experience with mono and fluor.^^^^^

Bottom bouncing a Teeny T-130 sinking fly line has been my thing for 40 years, so I'm going to have to agree with the OP that I feel more response and definition from vibration transmitted by the larger diameter line.  This line is thin as fly lines go, has the advantage of a weighted spliced shooting head, but comparable to heavy coated braid.