I've grown accustomed to having firewire spooled on my Daiwa Fuego baitcasting reel. I switched to 14lb test BPS excel fluorocarbon recently. I spooled it about 1/8th of an inch to the edge of the spool and used the KVD line and lure conditioner. I'm finding that the line isnt very forgiving. anything less than a perfect cast makes the line want to jump off the spool. most of the trouble seems to come when I'm making a shorter cast. trying hit a target or flipping up into cover. If i make a long hard cast with a heavier lure everything is great. i'm forced to tighten my spool tension knob more than i had it with fireline, keeping me from making longer casts with lighter lures. i really like the flourocarbon line, i'm just wondering if i might be doing something wrong or if these problems are normal.

i took off about 15 yards of line and it seemed to help a little. also is the size of the line much for my smaller / light baitcasting reel? is brand of line an issue, i've read (on this board) that BPS excel is manufactured by a reputable 3rd party manufacturer (torray? sp?)

thank you

Michael L

Never used BPS Fluorocarbon, but I have used / do use 20lb Pline fluorocarbon, and 25lb Seagur Invisx fluorocarbon.

I love both. No complaints.

Just don't use light baits.

Also, I don't use KVD line and lure. Just spool it straight up.

Are you casting baits lighter then 3/8oz?

yea i would say a number of the baits i tie on are 3/8oz or lighter.   you think that's a problem? i had no problems with fireline and lighter baits.

BPS doesn't make "Excel Fluorocarbon." Not that I know of atleast. I think you may be using mono.

It's a problem with every fluorocarbon i used.The only thing that really seems to help is spray a little reel magic.Helps manage the line a little better.I'd bet KVD line spray(one of the sponsors of this site) would be a great one too.

Fluorocarbon is just stiff...all of them are when they are brand new.Gotta break it in a little.

I'm trying berkley fluorocarbon right now and had the problem as well on my first fishing trip of the year(Forgot to spray the line the night before).The 15 mph wind didn't help me either that day.

I'd say that might be it.

Lightest I've gone is 15lb fluorocarbon with 1/4oz shaky head and a very small worm. It's much tougher then throwing a shaky head on 10lb line.

I use 15lb - 25lb fluoro for everything over 3/8oz.

I tried fluoro and had the same troubles.  When i tried to flip it, it didn't come off the spool nearly as smooth as mono.  When making long casts, I couldnt thumb the spool because the lines would just back up on the spool.  Although I liked the thoughness of the line, I think Ill just stick with the mono.

BPS doesn't make "Excel Fluorocarbon." Not that I know of atleast. I think you may be using mono.

no it's the fluorocarbon i may have been mistaken in my post. it is the brand shown here

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=37510&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

I have never had problems with this line. I have used 8-14lb test with no problem. Lightest baits I throw are around 1/8oz. I spool it up without the conditioner.

P-Line flourocarbon would be my first choice though. I usually pick up the BPS fluorocarbon when it is on sale.

BPS doesn't make "Excel Fluorocarbon." Not that I know of atleast. I think you may be using mono.

no it's the fluorocarbon i may have been mistaken in my post. it is the brand shown here

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=37510&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Oh ok. I thought you were talking about this:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResults?searchOption=products&hvarSearchString=excel&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&CMID=TOP_SEARCH_GO

Back to the original question. I have never really had any problems with fluorocarbon.

I use Bass Pro's XPS fluro. I use 10# test on one of my crankbait rods and 17# test on my spinnerbait rods. I can throw 1/8oz spinnerbaits with no problems. When I tie or re-tie a bait, I always check the reel settings regards of whether I'm changing the weight of the lure. If the winds changes on me, a quick tweek of the magnets typically does the trick for me to help me prevent back lashes.

I know what you're talking about...I spooled up some berkley transition vanish, bps fluoro, and another brand of fluoro and all had the same problem...If I didn't thumb the spool perfectly the line would kinda loosen up on the spool and backlash itself really really far down into the line.  If you're really hell bent on using fluoro then this is a really good way to train your thumb.  

Another method you could use would be to try and cast as far as you can with a lure (on a perfect cast) then strip about 10-15ft of line off and tape your line down at that point.  The tape will keep the line from backlashing any further than the taped point.  Good for practice and the headaches of backlashing =)

that seems like a reasonable idea simon

Three things about fluorocarbon lines that make casting it different than nylon monos. First is it's more dense and therefor weighs more so the longer the cast, the further you can cast. Second is the surface finish is harder and smoother so it has less resitance in the rod guides which makes for longer casts also. Third is it's stiffer than nylon monos and will build up loose line against your thumb with baitcasting gear.

Using more spool tension than with nylon monos or braids will help.

that seems like a reasonable idea simon

That's funny.  I had never heard that tip until today and now I have heard it twice.

that's great advice too wayne. helps shed some light on it. i'll use more spool tension and play with the brake more