Super User WRB Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 How important is line? Consider line is the only item between you and the bass. Your rod, reel and lure are meaningless with out line, can’t catch fish without it. Most bass anglers use line that isn’t optimal for the lures they are using or the ecosystem they are fishing. There isn’t a fresh water bass on the planet that can break 30 lb test line. When I started bass fishing Dacron braid on casting reels was popular and 10 lb and 12 lb was very common. When mono line came out 17 lb about .017D became the go to for Ambassador 5000 reels back in the early 60’s. For whatever reason 17 lb mono stayed the default bass casting line for over 50 years or to this day. I stayed with 10lb and 12 lb when transitioning Dacron because it was about the same diameter and easier to cast. I believe staying with smaller diameter .012D gave me an advantage in casting distance, lure contact and strike detection over the past 50 years. Without all those advantages catching giant bass may not have occurred. Tom 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaubsNU1 Posted October 5 Share Posted October 5 Up until a few years ago, I had some casting reels spooled Fenwick IronThread from the 1990's. It was faded, but performed well. 30lb test I think. I used to change out my Trilene XL every few months on spinning rods. Now I run 10lb bright yellow PowerPro braid, and only change it when I have had to cut off a bunch, and the spool is low. Tie on fluorocarbon leaders...swap them out when get too short. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Bird Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 Started out with Stren, used that for years then Berkeley Vanish. 😳 Had no idea how line deprived I was until advancements in line technology....... braids and fluorocarbon were game changers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted October 5 Author Super User Share Posted October 5 My introduction to Fluorocarbon line was around 1990 at JD’s Tackle at Balboa Island Bisbees fuel dock. We were fueling Cuatro for a tuna/marlin trip to Baja. JD was excited about a new line that fish can’t see and sold us FC leader line. John claimed Blue Fin would eat 30 lb FC a very line shy tuna. JD was right we caught Blue Fin on fly lined mackerel that before would strike kite rigged mackerel. A few years later I was talking to the late Aaron Martens about FC and he turned me onto a distributor in Florida that sold 100 meter spools of Sunline Shooter FC that he was using for bass fishing. I bought 12 and 14lb Shooter a start of a love hate affair with FC line. Tom 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironbjorn Posted October 5 Share Posted October 5 I think it's very important, which is why Big Game is my go to. I've never had it break on me. If even 12 lb snags I can't hardly snap it most of the time and I'm 6' 240 lbs. I do the right thing and retie when necessary and without getting lazy about it, so that helps too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r83srock Posted October 5 Share Posted October 5 I grew up using mono. I remember original fire line and spiderwire, also Berkley whiplash. So shows you my age, not that old, but old enough to remember the mass introduction of fluorocarbon. I gave up on fluoro, prefer Trilene XL or big game. I fish a lot of heavy grass lakes, heavy cover. Braid wins for me in those situations. I still prefer power pro after trying many others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Bankbeater Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 I grew up fishing with mono. When braid and fluoro came out I tried those for a few years. I never noticed any difference when fishing with fluoro and I found braid to have it's own issues. I started fishing with Big Game line, and I haven't looked back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABU is overpriced Posted October 5 Share Posted October 5 I use the 832 ranging from 8 to 60lb. That is it. Sufix better never discontinue this line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 I am fairly particular when it comes to my line selections, because IMO, it matters. I've had some decent lines and leader materials come & go. My preferences have change a bit over the years. I use all FC mainline casting reels. Braid & leader for all spinning reels. Leaders are either FC or Mono depending on the application. A couple of years ago, on the advice of @WRB (Thanks Tom) I switched from Big Game (green) to Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo for my mono leader needs. Smaller diameter for the same test, good arbasion properties and supreme Knot strength. Especially when connected to thin Braid. I like it. Big Game was good but I think this is better. Maxima Ultra Green is very good as well, just has a bit bigger diameter for it's test. A-Jay 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Spankey Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 I only have two BC setups with braid on them. Heavier slop use (not used very hard) and the Power Pro on them has been on there a couple of seasons. Admittedly I am anal as heck on line replacements on casting and spinning setups I am constantly using. Replaced at about 3 or 4 times out with them. My pound test and replacement date is on my rods with a sticker. I purchase my line is shop size spools. It is cheaper but far more convenient. During a season with trout fishing included I’m using quite a bit of SunLine, Trilene XL, McCoy and Big Game. The Wally World spool packs create too much waste, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User king fisher Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 I use braid, braid to leader, mono, and fluorocarbon depending on the gear and technique being used. I would use fluorocarbon more often if I never backlashed, never snagged, it was more available in my area, or I was very wealthy. My problem with Fluorocarbon is if it gets kinked ( from not exercising patience while removing backlashes), or over stressed from pulling on snags it needs to be replaced. It is expensive to replace, so I take a gamble, roll the dice, and sometimes loose my shirt. Knots can be a problem with Fluorocarbon but as of today I believe I don't have a problem with Fluorocarbon knots. It does last far longer than mono if not abused, but I am rough on all my gear, so I only use Fluorocarbon for my T rig and Jig fishing. Fluorocarbon is also less visible than the other options, but for most of my bass fishing, visibility is not a consideration. I currently use 16 pound Sniper. Braid lasts for ever, does not stretch, and combined with different leaders can be used effectively in a variety of situations. Braids down side is because is has very little stretch it is very sensitive when fishing a tight line. The problem is when there is any slack in the line it has zero sensitivity. Many situations when I want a bait to fall naturally I am forced to give a slight amount of slack in the line. This is when the sensitivity advantage of braid is zero. Fluorocarbon is heavy, and sinks making detecting slack line bites possible even with a slight bow in the line. When I am fishing moving baits on a tight line, braid gives me great sensitivity, the problem is I don't need great sensitivity when fishing moving baits. Braid floats so is perfect for topwater, is very strong for it's diameter, making it perfect for punching or flipping heavy cover, and with a variety of leaders is extremely versatile. I currently use 30# or 40# Diawa J Braid. Mono is a compromise in most applications, but it can be used effectively in any situation. Slack line sensitivity is not as good as Fluorocarbon, but better than braid. It semi floats, so works well for top water, but not as well as braid, It does stretch making hook sets with bottom contact lures more difficult, but far from impossible, and the stretch makes it great for fishing crankbaits. Mono is slightly more visible than Fluorocarbon, but not enough to make a difference in most bass fishing scenarios. Mono is inexpensive, which is a big plus in my book. Mono may be a compromise, but there are many times in life when a good compromise is exactly what is needed. My favorite mono is Maxima Ultra Green, with Big Game a close second. This is my opinion on lines, and I'm sure others here will rightly disagree with me. I have to stress, this is my current opinion and I reserve my right to completely change my theory's at any time, without past posts being held against me. Weather I use Fluorocarbon or not depends completely on the current condition of my on again off again, love hate relationship with Fluorocarbon. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted October 5 Super User Share Posted October 5 As others have stated, I mostly grew up using mono. A lot of trilene xl and xt. There’s better options out there now for my mono applications. I was never a big braid to leader guy because I was never very good at tying knots to connect them. I have gotten better at it with practice and now I use that with most of my spinning setups. I really like the sensitivity that it allows when I’m using a plastic finesse presentation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetFishorDieTryin Posted October 6 Share Posted October 6 After the hook, line is the next essential item. Poor line can ruin even the best of blitzes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolleyfooley Posted October 6 Share Posted October 6 On 10/5/2024 at 11:26 AM, A-Jay said: I am fairly particular when it comes to my line selections, because IMO, it matters. I've had some decent lines and leader materials come & go. My preferences have change a bit over the years. I use all FC mainline casting reels. Braid & leader for all spinning reels. Leaders are either FC or Mono depending on the application. A couple of years ago, on the advice of @WRB (Thanks Tom) I switched from Big Game (green) to Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo for my mono leader needs. Smaller diameter for the same test, good arbasion properties and supreme Knot strength. Especially when connected to thin Braid. I like it. Big Game was good but I think this is better. Maxima Ultra Green is very good as well, just has a bit bigger diameter for it's test. A-Jay I’m similar to you. I use FC on all but 2 of my casting rods. Braid on my frog rod and mono on my small top water rod. I use 25lb tatsu on my flipping rig. I’m sure a lot of people would call me crazy, but I love the slack line sensitivity for bottom contact baits. What do you use for frogs/topwater? You use FC for flipping too? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 6 Super User Share Posted October 6 16 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said: What do you use for frogs/topwater? You use FC for flipping too? I live & fish in northern lower Michigan. 95% of my fishing involves chasing Smallmouth bass, mostly in open water type deals. So I'm not flipping much and rarely do I throw a frog. But I'm good with that. My topwater rigs are all similar to this ~ A-Jay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J Francho Posted October 6 Super User Share Posted October 6 That's kind of an existential question. It isn't important at all to me when I'm on the water. I pick the best line for the job, in the right size, for the right cover so I can forget about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Catt Posted October 7 Super User Share Posted October 7 I've fished braided Cotton, Dacron, Micron, Suture Material (Silk), Micro Dyneema®, Kevlar, Spectra, Gore-Tex, various types of monofilaments, copolymores, & fluorocarbon. I have 10 rod-n-reels Punch rod spooled with 65# Sufix 832 Superline Frog rod spooled with 50# Sufix 832 Superline The 8 others spooled with 15# Berkley Big Game. Am I 100% mono? I really don't like braid but fishing thick vegetation it's a must. I'm trying to like Fluorocarbon but it's negative qualities are hard to overcome. 35 double digit bass all caught on 15# Berkley Big Game. I think all of @WRB double digit were caught on monofilament. That's pretty good indorcement 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan N Posted October 7 Share Posted October 7 I still use a lot of mono, I still catch fish. I do experiment with braid and floro. Mono still works, has forever. To each there own. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter63 Posted October 7 Share Posted October 7 Big Game mono all the way except for froggin Braid 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User FishTank Posted October 7 Super User Share Posted October 7 These are all fishing tools. Each has their own specific job to do. But seriously, I'd like to think I use the right lines for my specific needs. Each type of line has its good qualities and bad but put the right line with correct rod and baits and you can increase your chances of success. It's not rocket science but we try hard to make it that way. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolleyfooley Posted October 7 Share Posted October 7 People will call me crazy for flipping and pitching and even punching with 25lb tatsu FC instead of braid, but I just can’t get over the lack of sensitivity braid has with a semi slack line. I can feel fish much easier with FC and I think 25lb is plenty, even here in Florida. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J Francho Posted October 8 Super User Share Posted October 8 Unless I have to saw through the slop or need the line to mostly float, I prefer heavy fluorocarbon to braid. It actually picks up less junk because it mostly slides off the smooth line. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeSmallie Posted October 8 Share Posted October 8 I'm to the point where if I use floro it's only going to be Tatsu. I don't have good luck with any of the other Seaguar lines. I HATE floro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeSmallie Posted October 8 Share Posted October 8 On 10/5/2024 at 10:26 AM, A-Jay said: I use all FC mainline casting reels. Where did you get those big spools of Tatsu? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 8 Super User Share Posted October 8 12 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said: Where did you get those big spools of Tatsu? Thanks! Amazon . Got a 1000 yds of 12lb yesterday for $125. Really good prices all year usually. A-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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