mono or braid???

[Guest]

I am on the fence as to wether or not I should respool with some new mono or go to a braid. I like how invisible mono is but I don't like spool memory and losing fish. The only thing that would stop me from switching to a braid is the visibility factor. If it's a slow day, I generaly will put on a bobber and try to catch some panfish. Has anyone had a problem with fish not biting because they could see the braided line? Has anyone tryed or know anything about P-Line? Also, any suggestions for which braid or mono to try? Thanks a bunch.

[jegerjack]

I would stick with mono if you are going to panfish. Or, just keep 2 poles with you, one with mono and one with braid, if that is your like. Personally, I only use braid when I go to Canada, and that is because I hate using leaders. But fishing down here I usually stick with mono.

JegerJack

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"What did the old man trade for these guys, a used puck bag?"

[Guest]

I only panfish when northerns and bass aren't biting. That's what I primarily fish for. Thanks

[Sturgeon46]

I frequently use braids with mono leaders.

[Guest]

Thanks alot everyone. I think i'm gonna try some power pro. One more question. I've heard others say that for trolling or for muskie reels with a large line capacity to leave some mono on for a buffer. I never fish for muskie or troll, but I do have a large capacity reel (Shimano Corsair 400). Should I leave some mono on as a backing? Thanks again for the help

[Duffman]

If you are going to put some superbraid on, definitely leave some mono on the spool, not only as a filler, but superbraids have a tendency to spin on the spool no matter how tight you tied it on. A mono backing will prevent this.

[Bobb-o]

if you are fishing for northerns i wouldnt worry too much aboot the visibility of the braids. If you have tried it on bass and the still dont seem to be biting try splicing a 6 foot section of either mono or fluorocarbon onto the braided line.

I have had really good experiences with Rapala's mono, and by far my favorite braid is Power Pro, try this the next time you go into a tackle store, take all the different braids and pull on them as hard as you can from my experience power pro is the only one that doesnt dig in. But dont go by just what someone else tells you. The only true way to find out what you will like is to try all the different brands, but remember some monofilaments are going to have a lot of memory until they get some stretch into them. After putting on new monofilaments i always trolled a deep-diving crankbait for a little while to put some stretch into the line, Or you could try the Reel-magic made by Blakemore, i have never tried it but have heard it works like magic.
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"Score, and they will remember you for 25 years. Miss and
they will remember you forever."

[This message has been edited by Bobb-o (edited 05-29-2003).]

[Guest]

For most general purposes, I would stick with mono. You mentioned P-Line. I have started using P-Line and I am very impressed. P-Line is a co-polymer line and has low strech, high strength and high abrasion resistance.

If you go with a braid, this year I am using Spiderwire Stealth. So far I really like this braid, but I also like Power Pro. Those are the two best braids I have used.

Personally, I use mono (or P-Line) for about 90% of my fishing. For me a braid only works in very specific situations like very heavy cover or very abrasive cover like boat docks. For everything else, I like mono.

Good luck and tight lines!

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Adam Johnson
www.adamjohnsonfishing.com

[uffdapete]

I've used braids ever since they were first introduced. There are some applications where I still prefer mono. Panfish would be one. If fishing primarily pike and bass, I would use braids more. The exception would be using a Texas rig in clear water.

I've used Power Pro, Spiderwire, Berkley Whiplash and Fireline, Cabela's Ripcord and like them in that order. My first choice is Power Pro for several reasons - doesn't fray, best diameter to strength ratio, and visibility. I won't buy another spool of Ripcord. I have not used P Line and don't know anything about it. For a hi-vis braid I like either Fireline or Power Pro.

As far as visibility, I use the dark Fireline for stream trout fishing with spinners and do better than with mono, but prefer mono using cranks for trout.

When using braids I like a medium or light action 7' rod with a fast tip. When trolling walleyes with a slip sinker rig I use a 8 1/2' light steelhead rod. Basically, I like a longer, softer action rod for braids.

[mrwalleyee]

I personally love to use superlines. I use them for jigging walleyes in deep water. I just use a swivel and a 6' leader (vanish). I can use 10# test and the dia. is only 4#. There is less drag in the water letting me use less weight. I use the same rig bass fishing with soft plastics. The sensetivity is unbelievable. It is like having a steel cable attached to your rod. Also the need for a homerun swing hook set is not nessesary. There is no strech in the line so a quick, short stroke does the job. All that I have used is Fireline so I can't say anything about the rest. Using mono I have to replace my line at least once a year if not 2 times. With fire line I can get 2 years out of it. I always leave a mono filler on the spool. I had a buddy lose a bass of a life time because his line just spun around his baitcasting spool, no mono backer.

[Guest]

I also like using superlines. They just have better sensitivity and no-stretch unlike some kinds of mono.
My favorite kinds of superlines would probably be fireline and powerpro. I like to use fireline for jigging and bottom bouncing. I will normally use powerpro for casting.
If you are fishing clear water then just add 6' of vanish or some other kind of mono.

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times ticken so start fishing

[BAIT956]

I love to throw spinnerbaits for bass and pike. I spooled up three nearly identical baitcasting reels with Power Pro, Fireline, and mono respectively. Like Uffdapete, I liked Power Pro the best because of strength to diameter ratio and visibility. I also prefer the braided lines for the bass, pike application due to their lack of memory and stretch. No memory is a big factor in casting. Your don't need the line spooling up on casts and wrapping around your rod tip.
For panfish such as crappies, I would use mono with a soft tip rod to prevent pulling the bait out of the soft mouth.

[EBass]

Power Pro rocks! P-line is great to.

I too use the braided line for my main line and attach a mono or P-line for a leader. Works great.

I do have a cranking rod that has all P-line. No complaints yet.

As for mono I like Original Stren, but I'm fading away from that..