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HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT FISHING LINE
There are 3 different kinds of lines used for bass and pike fishing - braid, flourocarbon, and monofilament. All 3 should be used on your reels for certain applications. Here is a rundown on when I use each kind with specific presentations that will help you understand the difference between the three.
There are 3 different kinds of lines used for bass and pike fishing - braid, flourocarbon, and monofilament. All 3 should be used on your reels for certain applications. Here is a rundown on when I use each kind with specific presentations that will help you understand the difference between the three.
MONOFILAMENT - Monofilament, such as Stren Original, is the best topwater line that you can possibly use. It floats, and it is VERY stiff. Most people think that stiff line is bad, because it sucks to cast and can have bad memory. But in this situation, limp line is not good. You do not want limp line when casting ANY topwater lures with treble hooks, such as prop baits, poppers, walk the dog baits, etc. The limp line tangles constantly on those treble hooks. Stiff mono is perfect for these kinds of lures, and is very affordable. I prefer running at least 14+ lb strength line anywhere pike are around, and one thing to remember about STREN original, its very transparent to fish in clear water.
BRAID SUPERLINE - Braided line, such as Power Pro, Spiderwire, Berkley Fireline, or Sunline Sx1, is the limpest, thinnest line on the market. It is very strong at a smaller diameter than flourocarbon or monofilament, and is the easiest to cast. It is super tough around wood cover and weeds, and it is the best line there is for baitcasters. But the super limpness is horrible on treble hook lures. Use braided line, such as 65 lb Power Pro or Sx1, on hollow body weedless frogs, topwater weedless spoons, and spinnerbaits, You can also use them for jigs in water with low clarity as well as chatterbait-style vibrating jigs.
FLOUROCARBON - The greatest line in the world, and the hardest line to get used to. Full of memory, the worst casting, but the one that gives your bait the best action and invisibility. The secret to flourocarbon is buying the best quality. NEVER EVER EVER buy cheap crap for flourocarbon. If you want your line to act like a slinky and you like to cuss profanity loudly, go ahead. But this type of line HAS to be quality stuff. I highly suggest P-Line 100% Flourocarbon, Seaguar Red Label, Sunline Sniper or Sunline Super Flourocarbon. The other brands are chalky, have ridiculous memory, has poor knot strength. and cast awful. As far as line strengths, I will only use 10lb for jerkbaits! And for your jig baitcasters, use 17 - 20 lb flourocarbon. Baitcasters spooled with flourocarbon also work fantastic for spinnerbaits, chatterbait style baits in clear water, and any time that you want your lure deeper in the water column. For finesse fishing with soft plastics or small jigs or carolina rigs, flourocarbon is a must. Also around sharp boulders, ALWAYS use flourocarbon. Why do you ask? Flourocarbon is the MOST ABRASION-RESISTANT line you can buy. Braided line frays like crazy around boulders and monofilament isn't much better.
I better mention the two most important qualities about flourocarbon - its invisibility, and the fact that its the ONLY line that sinks. You will never get the correct action out of your suspending jerkbait on braid or mono. Your crankbaits will ride way too high when not attached to flourocarbon. I have found that flourocarbon has the weakest knot strength of the 3 lines, but if you use a palomar or san diego jam knot, and make sure you WET THE LINE during the knot tying, you will greatly reduce breaking off.
Two more situations where flourocarbon are a must - DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS and DROP-SHOTTING. Aaron Martens told me use 8-10 lb on deep divers, 8 will get you a little deeper with a thinner diameter for less resistance, but obviously 10 lb is better around cover. And drop shotting can only be done correctly with flourocarbon. Most pros now use a braid main line with a flourocarbon leader they tie to the braid for a little more sensitivity, but I still use full flouro to the reel. I dont like tying those line-to-line knots and I just am more comfortable with one type of line on my rod. I never use more than 6lb flouro for drop shotting, and I know at times the pros with even down size to 5 lb in ultra-clear water for more bites.
I would have to say I use flourocarbon 75% of the time, and if you are an avid bass fisherman, I suggest you experiment with it. If you are not using jerkbaits and flourocarbon, you are really missing out on some amazing fishing. Its probably my favorite way to fish. Especially when a school is following your hooked smallmouth and trying to steal the lure from it on the way to your boat. Any questions, email me at [email protected]
Jesse
BRAID SUPERLINE - Braided line, such as Power Pro, Spiderwire, Berkley Fireline, or Sunline Sx1, is the limpest, thinnest line on the market. It is very strong at a smaller diameter than flourocarbon or monofilament, and is the easiest to cast. It is super tough around wood cover and weeds, and it is the best line there is for baitcasters. But the super limpness is horrible on treble hook lures. Use braided line, such as 65 lb Power Pro or Sx1, on hollow body weedless frogs, topwater weedless spoons, and spinnerbaits, You can also use them for jigs in water with low clarity as well as chatterbait-style vibrating jigs.
FLOUROCARBON - The greatest line in the world, and the hardest line to get used to. Full of memory, the worst casting, but the one that gives your bait the best action and invisibility. The secret to flourocarbon is buying the best quality. NEVER EVER EVER buy cheap crap for flourocarbon. If you want your line to act like a slinky and you like to cuss profanity loudly, go ahead. But this type of line HAS to be quality stuff. I highly suggest P-Line 100% Flourocarbon, Seaguar Red Label, Sunline Sniper or Sunline Super Flourocarbon. The other brands are chalky, have ridiculous memory, has poor knot strength. and cast awful. As far as line strengths, I will only use 10lb for jerkbaits! And for your jig baitcasters, use 17 - 20 lb flourocarbon. Baitcasters spooled with flourocarbon also work fantastic for spinnerbaits, chatterbait style baits in clear water, and any time that you want your lure deeper in the water column. For finesse fishing with soft plastics or small jigs or carolina rigs, flourocarbon is a must. Also around sharp boulders, ALWAYS use flourocarbon. Why do you ask? Flourocarbon is the MOST ABRASION-RESISTANT line you can buy. Braided line frays like crazy around boulders and monofilament isn't much better.
I better mention the two most important qualities about flourocarbon - its invisibility, and the fact that its the ONLY line that sinks. You will never get the correct action out of your suspending jerkbait on braid or mono. Your crankbaits will ride way too high when not attached to flourocarbon. I have found that flourocarbon has the weakest knot strength of the 3 lines, but if you use a palomar or san diego jam knot, and make sure you WET THE LINE during the knot tying, you will greatly reduce breaking off.
Two more situations where flourocarbon are a must - DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS and DROP-SHOTTING. Aaron Martens told me use 8-10 lb on deep divers, 8 will get you a little deeper with a thinner diameter for less resistance, but obviously 10 lb is better around cover. And drop shotting can only be done correctly with flourocarbon. Most pros now use a braid main line with a flourocarbon leader they tie to the braid for a little more sensitivity, but I still use full flouro to the reel. I dont like tying those line-to-line knots and I just am more comfortable with one type of line on my rod. I never use more than 6lb flouro for drop shotting, and I know at times the pros with even down size to 5 lb in ultra-clear water for more bites.
I would have to say I use flourocarbon 75% of the time, and if you are an avid bass fisherman, I suggest you experiment with it. If you are not using jerkbaits and flourocarbon, you are really missing out on some amazing fishing. Its probably my favorite way to fish. Especially when a school is following your hooked smallmouth and trying to steal the lure from it on the way to your boat. Any questions, email me at [email protected]
Jesse