| Author | Message | ||
| Charles
Moderator Username: Charles Post Number: 680 Registered: 7-2004 Rating: N/A |
Question for the class. What's the difference between Florocarbon, Copolyemer and Monofilimant? Which would you use for say hardbaits such as crankbaits and rattle traps, TXRigs, CRigs and top water lures? I've been using Big Game for everything and haven't had any complaints. So please "school" me on the differences. Thanks! | ||
| Dru
Bluegill Username: Dru Post Number: 275 Registered: 2-2005 Rating: N/A |
Charles, it seems today’s fishing lines are becoming as need-specific as rods. Fluorocarbon line has to special qualities. First, it’s almost invisible in the water and second it has very little stretch which gives you greater sensitivity. I use it fishing clear water and light baits like a drop-shot or shaky head. I also use it for my crankbaits because of the sensitivity. You can use it for worm or jig fishing, but be sure to put it on a rod that has a soft tip to absorb the shock. With a medium heavy rod you will break fish off on the hook set if you are not careful. In the next couple of weeks I will do an article about fluorocarbon line featuring Aaron Martens. I talked to him about it a little this weekend and one thing he mentioned was the knot. Contrary to popular belief or at least my belief that a Palomar knot was the best he said he uses a double uni knot. In fact he said he uses the double uni for about 90% of his fishing knots. I don’t know much about copolymer line other than I believe it is a mix between braid and mono. It combines the best of braid—no stretch, high tensile strength and small diameter—with the best of mono – castability, knot strength and no slippage. I am continually surprised when I hear when the pros are throwing braided line. Greg Hackney said anytime he would throw 20 to 25 pound mono now he throws braid. I have not used braid yet, but I plan to. Again you have to be careful with the knot. Most people tie a Palomar knot when using braid and either top it with an overhand knot or a dab of super glue to keep it from coming undone. Also, these guys are using straight shank hooks with almost everything except tubes and they are now using a snell knot. Again, I have not tried it, just relaying what I’ve been told. I’m not trying to sell anything here, but Gerald Swindle just came out with a new line called G-string. It is made by fireline and is supposed to be the best combination of braid and mono. It was not the line he was using when he broke off that 3-lb’er at the American this past weekend. That was 12 pound Berkley Vanish and the fish had the bait deep in its throat. Also, he has a signature series rod out through Quantum that has the softest tip and most backbone of any rod I have used. (Again, this is not a sale pitch, just giving you my opinion). I don’t know if I answered any of your questions, but those are some of the guide lines I use. Most important, have confidence in what you are throwing. BassZone.com 
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| Bigun
Lunker Username: Bigun Post Number: 1067 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Dru is a walking fishing encyclopedia! Great job Dru. All I can tell you is I have used braid and did not like it all for crankbaits and spinnerbaits mainly due to anything it can touch it saws into and gets hung up. Also because you had to carry clippers everywhere you went to switch baits. And really just found it was tough on reels and rods . It is very sensitive though if you need that feel which I usually don't. Other than that I just use Berkly and Stren mono and run with it. Quit being a mad, little bald man! Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | ||
| Charles
Moderator Username: Charles Post Number: 682 Registered: 7-2004 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the indepth info Dru. I'm not a big fan of braid. Matter of fact I can't stand the stuff. I'm going to try some florocarbon because of the low strecth and it's invisible underwater. My thinking is the low strecth should allow you to feel a "soft bite" better and the invisble part should get you bit more as well because the fish can't see your line. I've tried other lines in the past but seem to always go back to big game, we shall see. | ||
| Dean
Crappie Username: Dean Post Number: 420 Registered: 4-2004  Rating: N/A |
So - for salt water - trout, red, flounder - and - Snapper, king, dorado - Who makes the most reliable and most damage resistand line with good lifespan on the reel? I find that for TRF, lines with no stretch tend to break very easily and Braided line has a shorter life on the reel. I use berkley big game 12lb. I find that for the bigger fish, I do not need much feel, they almost hook themseles. I use berkley big game. 30lb and 40lb test. What is your oppinions about this? All In A Days Fun!!! 
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| Dru
Bluegill Username: Dru Post Number: 277 Registered: 2-2005 Rating: N/A |
Dean, I don't know much about salt water fishing. I do like Seagar line. I think it was developed fopr salt water applications and made its wat over to fresh water. I also like Gamma line. Regarless of the brand, you need to match your line with your rod. If you are targeting big fish or there is a threat of big fish, something will have to give. If you line doen't stretch then the rod needs to absord the fish's power. BassZone.com
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| Bigun
Lunker Username: Bigun Post Number: 1068 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Dean, I've always used 12 lb test of all types of brand all my life for reds and speckle trout fishing. I have recently converted to 14 lb test on my pure redfishing rods and found it holds up much better, lose less fish and baits, and still is light enough to catch even finicky fish. About the only brand I've been using lately is the camo Hi-seas but recently bought a big spool of stren on sale which I have not been disappointed in. I bought a big spool of berkley big game in 12 lb and just disappointed in the break offs and the fact it often crimps and breaks in the spool. When you get into those toothy mackeral you really have to go with a heavy leader mono in 150-200 lb (which they can still cut) or go with a wire leader especially if trolling for them where you have the big shock factor on the initial run and hit. Snapper I would definitely go with the lightest flourobarbon leader I could find to get job done bloodnotted to your line on reel. No swivels. Make sure you use a hook big enough for job but small enough to hide well into the bait. It all depends on tactics I guess and whether fishing for all these at one time or not with same equipment??? Quit being a mad, little bald man! Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | ||
| Dean
Crappie Username: Dean Post Number: 421 Registered: 4-2004 Rating: N/A |
I do use a steel leader for King Fish and heavy mono (80lb) for snapper, dorado, and ling. My big trouble with snapper fishing is they get the bait so easily and dropping and cranking 125' of line can be exercise! I would like to know what kind of artificial bait catches snapper? All In A Days Fun!!!
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| Bigun
Lunker Username: Bigun Post Number: 1073 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
I always hear about a snapper slapper around here but have no clue what it is. May want to run a search on that Dean??? The guides I know around here chum them up to 20' of water and then catch them??? Once again I've did it about 2 x's in my life and really am no help. Just relaying what I see and hear. Quit being a mad, little bald man! Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | ||
| Dean
Crappie Username: Dean Post Number: 423 Registered: 4-2004 Rating: N/A |
And to keep dialogue going - Chum them up - How about the current? Doesn't that carry the chum away? Sounds good though - sure would make it easier - did the big ones come up? All In A Days Fun!!!
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| Bigun
Lunker Username: Bigun Post Number: 1077 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yes current takes the chum but they usually pull up close to the source. Usually the bigger fish are the ones that do come up. You need to buy you a log chipper and start grinding up all those trashing kings and spanish for chum! LOL Quit being a mad, little bald man! Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. |
