Good evening all, 

I’ve been away for quite some time due to various reasons and just getting back into the game. I have 1 bait caster and will be using Fluorocarbon as my line. I am 100% a bank angler, if that matters. My bait caster has a 6:2:1 gear ratio and will be used for almost all of my applications. ( I do have a spinning reel I will use for lighter stuff.) Anyway, what lb test would you more experienced anglers use on this? I have used braid in the past and liked it well enough but would like to go with fluoro going forward.

Thanks

Gregg

12#

12

I assume no topwater on the baitcaster since you’re going fluoro. Me, I’d go with 10-15lb Tatsu. Higher end test if you’re around thick cover (laydowns/brush, etc.), lower end if more open water. If around rocks, watch for nicks like a hawk.

I think bank fishing is the perfect situation for braid to leader. The braid will last forever and you can use a great fluro like Tatsu since it will last you forever using 10-20 feet at a time.

 FC requires TLC when using it.

TLC includes a good line conditioner to help it stay on the spool to reduce backlashing and perfect knot tying to improve knot strength. 12 lb FC knot strength is about equal to 10 lb mono for example. I use 2 knots with FC line; Palomar and San Diego Jam knot. Line conditioner Tangle Free or KVD.

either 12 lb or 15 lb are good choices,15 lb will have more memory it’s larger diameter line. Stay with Daiwa Samuari, Seaguar or Sunline brands.

If you use a top water lure just add about 3’ of fly line dressing to float the line in front of the lure.

Tom 

I’d be at 14-16#. Anything lighter and cover starts to be iffy. 

12# - 16# depending on the predominant cover, structure etc. 

Be aware if you don’t know, you get what you pay for in flouro lines. 

 

 

 

Mike

14 - 16

12lb Invizx would be a good place to start. 

I'd stick with braid if I were you, especially bank angling. 30lb is a good size for general purpose

6 hours ago, Big Swimbait said:

I think bank fishing is the perfect situation for braid to leader. The braid will last forever and you can use a great fluro like Tatsu since it will last you forever using 10-20 feet at a time.

Agree with this on spinning tackle 100% and certain casters. 20# 832 to a favorite plastic line is pretty much always a good deal. Gets bad with micro guides or t wings but that's about the only drawback if you're decent with your knots 

16# (Suneline Sniper) is a good compromise if I had to use only one line for baitcasting

12#

I would use 30# braid and then I can change my leader as necessary. 

11 hours ago, FishTank said:

12lb Invizx would be a good place to start. 

That’s what I would recommend as well. 12 lb invizx is my go to line if I am not fishing heavy cover and I had to pick one. It is great for techniques that require a semi-slack line (like jerkbaits and senkos ) and I find that the line is supple enough for line management . I use a line condition now and then, but honestly do not that that it’s that important with invizx (12 lb or less). Other fluorocarbons and higher lb test is when I use line conditioners.

I like the what @WRB mentioned above about using fly line for topwater. Great idea. 

14-16lb recommend sticking to either Seaguar or Sunline for your line 

11 hours ago, FishTank said:

12lb Invizx would be a good place to start. 

 

1 minute ago, stk44 said:

That’s what I would recommend as well. 12 lb invizx is my go to line if I am not fishing heavy cover 

+2

 

I am assuming the rod is a medium heavy, so given that I would go with 16lb fluorocarbon because a lot of areas I fish have gotten quite overgrown.

 

If there are minimal weeds, you could make do alright with 12#. 14# would be a happy medium.

 

If you need a brand recommendation, I like the Daiwa J-Fluro Samurai a lot. It handles the best imo and I can often get it around $20/spool on ebay, usually in the fall and winter months anyway.

I came here hoping to hear about using 1lbs fluorocarbon for monster bass.    I was mistaken.     LoL.   Good thread.   I just started using fluorocarbon end of last season. Lots of good suggestions 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like anywhere between 12 and 15 lb is the answer. Now, let’s expand a little. If you had 1 baitcaster and only 1 type of line what would it be. What would be the most versatile, braid, mono, fluoro?

If you are looking for versatility then I believe braid would be best.  That way you can vary what # fluorocarbon leader you want to try.

Straight FC 12# or 15#

I completely agree with @Jig Man. I run straight Suffix 832 braid or 832 to Seaguar gold label fluorocarbon. That way I can adjust the fluorocarbon size to different fishing techniques.

3 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

I came here hoping to hear about using 1lbs fluorocarbon for monster bass.    I was mistaken.     LoL.   Good thread.   I just started using fluorocarbon end of last season. Lots of good suggestions 

I came here expecting to see this comment. I was disappointed until now 😀