Let's talk about line choices.

[DTro]

I recently stripped all my reels in anticipation of the new season and thought I’d share a few feelings here about line and maybe some people could learn a couple of things from my experience/mistakes.

First of all, not all line is created equal, and even sometimes the SAME line isn’t created equal (random bad spool of line).

In the land of big game braid it’s hard to argue that PowerPro has a big following, and rightly so, it’s caught some big fish. Mostly though, I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference or what you have confidence it. A lot of “super braid” is manufactured the same way with the same materials, so in reality I don’t know how much difference there really is. In own opinion though, I experienced some phantom breakoffs with Power Pro in the past and it really squashed any confidence I have in it. Chances are that it’s perfectly good and I know a lot of people that use it, but once my confidence is gone, so then is the line.

The past few years I’ve been using Sufix and it’s due time to respool, so once again I’m evaluating my options.

Mono

PowerPro

Sufix

Cortland MasterBraid

SpiderWire

Stren Super Braid

…just to name a few.

Another one I recently have discovered is Invicta. It’s very tempting to try a new line that comes recommended, yet I’m very confident and pleased with Sufix so I’m leaning towards just respooling that and be done with it. I have to admit though, it’s fun to try new things.

A couple of things I’ve learned over the years is that when it comes to braid, the 2 S’s can be a killer. The 2 S’s are Shock and Sharp. Because of the no stretch properties of braid, shock from hook setting or a fish turning can snap your line in a second. I’ve learned the hard way, if you are going to be setting the hook like a madman, have your drag set properly or use some sort of mono shock leader. Better yet, don’t set the hook so hard. Also when fishing in rocks or other sharp man made structure, braid can be a real pain, especially when using thin diameter of 50lb or less. All it takes is one little brush against a rock and snap, your fish is gone. That is why I like to use at least 80lb. Not so much for the break strength, but for the diameter. By default, a larger diameter will have better abrasion wear, but mono of the same diameter will always be better when it comes to abrasion. Not much fun using tennis racquet line for fishing though. Not only does it not spool very well, but a real bear to tie a knot with. So I’ve been using braid with a mono shock leader as a compromise.

What is everyone else using and I’d like to hear your thoughts on braid vs mono and different brands of line you like.

[TruthWalleyes]

It's 80# power pro for me. I have lost all confidence in the 65# because of random breakoffs.

Straightened out a couple of 6/0 to 10/0 hooks with 80# power pro last year and that is enough to give me the confidence in my line, knowing that the hook is the restriction in my set-up.

I fish the Minnesota River mainly, and trees and mud are my only worries. I use a snap to hold the weights on the line to prevent any wear, and change line when any wear is noticed.

I do need to spool up two rods this year, and i think i will use 80#Power Pro on one, and might have to take a suggestion from this forum on the other reel to try something new.

I've tried using a mono shock leader...but those knots are just a pain to tie in heavy mono. I also prefer the no shock to the braided line, and use the rod to absorb any shock, as well as the drag. Generally the drag is set so it pulls slightly when doing a hook set.

[rushing]

What kind of line should I use in the KOTC and what are the rules? Is there a category for Wells catfish? I catch some real monsters out of the Mn every year. At least I think they are Wells cats...they might be Blues.

[DTro]

I got a category right here for ya buddy.

[rushing]

I know...The VIP Deluxe Wizard category.

[rbs]

I use Mono only...50# and I have had some break offs but I figure the break offs were 10# or less anyways I just can't see spending that much money on something that is going to do the same as mono but will not hold up to shock and abrasion...just my .02 But what do I know lol

[pureinsanity]

there are rules? Guess I missed that memo!

[DTro]

I tend to agree with you rbs, especially the cost/benefit factor but where mono really turns me off is when I get snagged (which is A LOT). The stuff is nearly impossible to break off at the knot and it stretches so much that you have to have an 18ft boat and walk from the back to the front with a tight line to finally snap it off. LOL Plus the stuff doesn't cast well and is difficult to tie a knot with.

I also will use braid for 3 years minimum, so the cost is ammortized a bit.

The Invicta stuff I'm looking at is about .09/yrd and I can get the Sufix for .10/yrd. Big Game mono comes in at about .04/yrd, so yeah it's like 50% less.

[Scott K]

I have tried several different lines as well. On every line, I have found something I havent liked about it, except for Suffix. I havent had any issues with Suffix, so I find no reason to try anything else. The price is pretty much in line with everything else. I would really hate to try a different line, and regret it and find its weakness while there is a 70 pounder on the other end of the line. I feel confident that suffix will not fail me, if I am so blessed to have a 70#er on the end of my line, so I see no reason to try something else.

I caught a rather large fish last year, and with the rig I was using, the pole was the weak link. It was a St Croix Premier, I could feel the cracking of the pole in my hand by the cork handle. I had to ease up, in order to get the fish in. So if I am changing up on anything, it will be the pole. I plan on upgrading that to a wizzard stix soon

[jwmiller33]

Dtro, what lb power pro did you experience the phantom breakoffs with?

[DTro]

On every line, I have found something I havent liked about it, except for Suffix. I havent had any issues with Suffix, so I find no reason to try anything else. The price is pretty much in line with everything else. I would really hate to try a different line, and regret it and find its weakness while there is a 70 pounder on the other end of the line. I feel confident that suffix will not fail me

That's my biggest fear about switching.

[DTro]

Dtro, what lb power pro did you experience the phantom breakoffs with?

Mostly 65lb

[pureinsanity]

I do not have much experience with different lines, but I have used spider braid and fireline before (not for catfish) and didn't like it much. Having friends use tuff line, and super braid I am still a fan of Power Pro and Suffix.

I tried suffix last year and loved the feel of the line vs power pro. It seems to be smoother when coming off the reel during a cast.

I have one cat rod with suffix on it, the other three have power pro strictly because I got two 300 yard spools of PP for 20 bucks.

My walleye rods run suffix however.

Power pro or suffix are my top two choices.

[CarpinMNRiver]

I used 65lb Suffix on all of my rods last year with the same line for a leader. I caught a lot of channels and only a few flatheads so I guess I have not really been able to put it to the test. I saw the Invicta stuff on a FBD video today. Do you guys spool the line on backwards after using it for one season with braid? Hey Rush, I have never caught any wels cats in the river but I am pretty sure Lake O'dowd has them.

[DTro]

Yes, I ususally will reverse my line each year. My biggest problem was not having the line go bad, but rather being lazy and using the main line as leader material. Eventually, after breaking off a lot, you end up with not enough line.

Hopefully by using a mono leader, it will force me to have a seperate spool to make leaders out of.

[CarpinMNRiver]

I left a some braided on the spool to use as leader. I usually tie up a few hooks onto swivels ahead of time since the only knot I trust at tying is the polomar. I also keep a few spools of 25-40 pound mono in the boat.

[wooduck26]

I have one rod with 80# PP, and one with 65# Sufix, I like the Sifix MUCH better. Im not sure if its because of the diameter, but it "sings" much less that the PowerPro. I also use a mono leader on both rods.

Any thought on going to a Fluorocarbon leader, for better abrasion resistance?

[bobbymalone]

how long a mono leader do you guys use?

I always have a half spool of mainline braid laying around that I use for leaders. My leaders are always less than 2 foot.

If you are using a short mono leader do you really get an appreciable amount of shock absorbance from it?

[slipperybob]

I don't fish as much, so I'm still using some pretty old braid stuff. Berkley Whiplash, Stren Super Braid, and long time Sufix Performance Braid. My line varies from 30-80#. Fishing for little kitties, to chance of some fish into 30+ pounds.

[pureinsanity]

I started with smaller line and beefed it up. Now I use the smaller line as my leader.

100# pp with 80# pp as a leader.

[dan z]

I have been a big supporter of PP and I have also found out that the 65# has some goofy flaws in it as mentioned above. I like using the 80#-100# flavor with 80# leaders I tie before hand.

I have also started using DYNEEMA (sp) that I found online its cheap and its very strong and it even comes in a ton of different colors!

[slipperybob]

I went to check on my Stren Superbraid 80# and strangely it has broken off in storage and one spot where my outside line guide frame comes in contact is beginning to wear that spot out with a few strands left. How odd and strange. Could it have been chewed off by something, but no where else on the line shows it. Must be a bad spot on the line.

[A.W.Wolfram]

I have been a PP guy for years now, 35# and 50# for C-Cats and 65# and 80# for flats.

I have gotten 4 seasons on one spool a few times. Reversing it each or every other season extends the life and pocket book. The problem that hinders this is long break offs shorting the line to the point it’s useless.

What Sufix are you guys using? Performance Braid?

I just spooled 2 reels with Sufix 832 80#.

I have been using 6# 832 for eyes and love it.

[slipperybob]

Since 832 braid just came out last year, it's gonna most likely be Sufix Performance Braid.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I used to use Power Pro but once I got tipped off to Suffix performance braid (thanks Kyle) in 2009 I have never looked back. It's more limp, casts better, and doesn't seem to get dug into the spool as easily as Power Pro did. Also I can tie knots much, much easier with Suffix and it seems stronger to me as well. It does seem to get nicks in the line quite a bit though but I know all superlines do...just got check and re-check your line very often and cut and retie a few yards up from the swivel each outing because no rolls like to chew the line up.

The whole mono leader thing seems really goofy to me, but to each their own. I use to do this so I could break off easier from snags and lose only the hook, but one night I lost a monster Flathead and guess what broke? The leader. Just doesn't seem to make sense to use expensive braid line only to use a mono leader at the end.

Oh, and that fish that I lost...Kyle B caught a 50+ lb Flathead in the same exact area a few days later that had my 10/0 nickel Gamakatsu hook in it's mouth with Berkeley Big Game mono hanging off it. I still have the hook.