....that isn't $30 a spool. I know Tatsu is amazing and the cats meow. But I don't fish enough to justify it. 

 

I am currently using Yo-Zuri Top Knot and the strength is good, but it's stiff and if I get even a small back lash and it kinks in the slightest, it breaks or I test it and it breaks. I use KVD L&L often and it still isn't much better. I use it on my bottom contact casting setup. For t rigs and swing heads and underspins and such. 

 

So what do you recommend I try that's not so stiff and doesn't have an obnoxious amount of memory? 

For the budget angler - which I am one of - I recommend Seaguar InvizX.

  

22 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

if I get even a small back lash and it kinks in the slightest, it breaks or I test it and it breaks.

 

   I realize you want to save money, but this is an unfortunate characteristic of cheap fluorocarbon lines.

   Which characteristics of fluoro line do you need? Which techniques are you using, and which reel do you have? What is the lb. test you're looking for? If we know those things, maybe we can come up with a less expensive line for you.        jj

3 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

  

 

   I realize you want to save money, but this is an unfortunate characteristic of cheap fluorocarbon lines.

   Which characteristics of fluoro line do you need? Which techniques are you using, and which reel do you have? What is the lb. test you're looking for? If we know those things, maybe we can come up with a less expensive line for you.        jj

So let me further clarify. I dont want to spend $30 but I'll spend more than $8 haha. Something $20 or less. I listed the uses in the op and I believe its 14lb. I would like to stay around 15lb test. Reel is a Speed Spool LFS. What I'm looking for is something that isnt so stiff. Something more pliable without compromising strength. 

In your price range sunline assassin is a manageable fluorocarbon.

Monofilament is calling you………

14 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

So let me further clarify. I dont want to spend $30 but I'll spend more than $8 haha. Something $20 or less. I listed the uses in the op and I believe its 14lb. I would like to stay around 15lb test. Reel is a Speed Spool LFS. What I'm looking for is something that isnt so stiff. Something more pliable without compromising strength. 

 

The InvizX that @MN Fisher recommended is probably right up your alley then. I use it myself in 12 and 15 lb. test. Yes, it can be damaged, but it handles well. Most of the backlashes with cheap fluoro come from obnoxious handling characteristics. When the handling characteristics improve, backlashes (usually) disappear. (I said "usually".  ?)

 

   Good luck!             jj

Try Daiwa J-Flouro it's extremely manageable, tough and fairly inexpensive.

+1 for Daiwa J-Fluoro Samurai. You can get it for under $30 a spool on ebay and I have reels with Tatsu and Shooter and I think the J-Fluoro handles better than both personally.

If that is still too much, InvizX is pretty solid line.

Sunline makes some good fluorocarbon for the money.  Assassin or Sniper if you can find it in your price range.  Or drop down to Yo-Zuri hybrid, which is only a part fluorocarbon line, but I like it better than fluorocarbon for things like crankbaits and such.  

 

Keep that Yo-Zuri top knot.  I agree it's too stiff for a mainline, but I find it makes a decent leader.  

59 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

For the budget angler - which I am one of - I recommend Seaguar InvizX.

I am with him

My normal response to people asking about fluorocarbon is seaguar invizx or sunline sniper. If those 2 are unmanageable, or too expensive for you, you will probably be a far happier fisherman if you stick to a quality mono.

Academy used to sell 500yd spools of vicious fluoro for around $20. It worked well for me but haven't seen it in a while. I've been using Berkley 100% and Vanish this year because it's easy to find local and does ok. I only use fluoro for t rigs, football jigs, and senkos. P line cxx and cheap braid for most everything else.

Cabelas had a special deal on Invizex last year for 47 percent off.  I bought eleven spools.  It’s reliable and performs.

Seaguar Basix should be out soon.

What are you using the fluorocarbon for? If it's just short range applications like flipping and pitching, buy a spool of Tatsu. You're going to fill your spool most of the way with mono or braid, whichever you prefer to use as a filler, then run 50 yards of Tatsu, more than enough for flipping and pitching. Now you can spool 4 times off that 200 yard spool, bringing your cost per fill up down to that 10-12 dollar range which I believe is very reasonable for a premium line. 

Sunline Assassin or Sniper, Seagur Inviz-x

InvizX for spinning tackle, AbrazX for baitcasting.

 

 

Invizx 12lb.  I usually get 1 season out of it  sometimes two.  Tatsu on the other hand, I changed a reel at the beginning of the year that had it on there for four years and the only reason I changed it was because I was running low on line.  

Seems like we’re always revisiting this subject, but the answer never changes. Tatsu if you can manage/justify the expense, and InvizX if you can’t. End of story - you’ll cover 90% of your fluoro needs with those two lines.

Sunline Assassin is what I have used since I decided to try fluoro, hasn't failed me yet.  It is also not stupid expensive!

TW started carrying Yo-Zuri T-7 premium. It's a good flouro.. You also have the option of using braid with a flouro leader..

12 hours ago, Bankc said:

Sunline makes some good fluorocarbon for the money.  Assassin or Sniper if you can find it in your price range.  Or drop down to Yo-Zuri hybrid, which is only a part fluorocarbon line, but I like it better than fluorocarbon for things like crankbaits and such.  

 

Keep that Yo-Zuri top knot.  I agree it's too stiff for a mainline, but I find it makes a decent leader.  

I use Yo-Zuri hybrid on two other reels and like it alot, just want a little less stretch and durability for t rigs in cover. Looking like Invizex or  assassin or sniper will be what i look at. I don't mind spending $20 something for good line. Doesnt have to be THE BEST but I will definitely keep the Top Knot for leader line!! 

 

With veterans day coming up Academy and hopefully BPS will run a special for vets and I can pick some up on sale. 

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

Invizx 12lb.  I usually get 1 season out of it  sometimes two.  Tatsu on the other hand, I changed a reel at the beginning of the year that had it on there for four years and the only reason I changed it was because I was running low on line.  

There it is.....the big difference between tatsu and every other FC line I've yet used. I run smaller spinning set-ups and a spool of tatsu fills two reels completely. If a larger spool use some backing, haven't hit the bass yet that can take a football field(100yds) of line. Also haven't found an easier to manage FC to this point. Buy KVD conditioner in bulk, its a lot cheaper. 

 

2 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Seems like we’re always revisiting this subject, but the answer never changes. Tatsu if you can manage/justify the expense, and InvizX if you can’t. End of story - you’ll cover 90% of your fluoro needs with those two lines.

Couldn't put it any simpler than that. I figure if we can afford good rods and reels than we should consider line just as important........its what connects the rod and reel to the big bass you just hooked. My six FC rigs have two going into third year and two going into second year on spools of tatsu. I will suggest its one of the most abrasion resistant FC lines out there for sale. 

Try some Suffix Elite mono, about 14 pound test, and you'll never go back to FC.

Active bass will strike your lure regardless of the line type, diameter is more important. 

100% Fluorocarbon sheds water and is high memory line that wants to spring off the reel spool unless wetted. For this reason line conditioners are a popular choice to treat the surface of  FC line to wet it.

I have used nearly every brand of FC line the past 30 years.

Seaguar, Sunline, Toray etc, etc. This site always pushes their Seaguar sponsored products as they should.Tatsu is good FC but not heads and shoulders better then Sunline mid range Sniper or premium Shooter, in fact no difference in casting or knot strength. It’s a personal choice imo.

Yo-Zuri Hybrid isn’t 100% FC, it a Copolymer line with FC co extruded jacket covering that increases the line diameter.

FC offers only 1 advantage over mono line for bass fishing, it’s doesn’t float. Disadvantages are many starting with poor knot and impact strength compared to mono and has created more knots trying to solve this inherent problem.

Tom