Braid, Mono, or Nanofil?

[LEECH21]

I'm looking for a good "all purpose" line that has strength and castability. I want something that if I happen to come across a big pike or musky I don't have to worry too much about them biting me off. But, also can use the same line for smallies and walleyes in clear water.

I was using straight 8# mono for the last few years, but have had a few bite offs. I was thinking going to all PowerPro this year, but I've been hearing alot about Nanofil. Is it a type of braid? I haven't physically seen this stuff. Would I have to worry about bite offs? What would you recomend? Thanks

[BartmanMN]

If you don't mind running a Fluoro or Mono leader then Suffix 832 and Power Pro are very nice for multi species fishing. I haven't had any issues with Power Pro, but strarted moving to 832.

Nanofil is not a braid (gel spun polyethylene), but has low stretch, thinner, and supposely great castability. This line would not need a leader, so it may be a good alternative for you. As for bite offs, I think a Pike or Musky could have his way with any of these lines if they rake their tooth across it.

[mnviking28]

I bought a couple of spools of Nanofil, haven't yet put them on my reels. However, they do seem to be a lot smoother than any of the superbraids out there. I have fished Powerpro, Spiderwire, and Fireline. I think they are all decent, but each has their issues as well. I usually run a length of flourocarbon in clear water. The main reason that I stick with the braid is the sensitivity that it offers. I think the Nanofil will offer the same sensitivity, yet better castability. I am excited to try it. As far as the bite offs go, it doesn't seem to matter, they all get bit off. I think it has to do with the thinner diameter on the braids. I had a brand new X-Rap, pitching for walleyes in shallow water. I was using 10lb Fireline. I got a hit, almost as soon as I tightened up, the line went limp. Pike or muskie I am sure. Have had the same issues jig fishing with the braids as well. Unless you want to fish wire all the time, I don't think that can be avoided.

[LEECH21]

Thanks guys! I was wondering if the thinner braided lines were subject to bite offs. The only braid I have really used in the past is 50# PowerPro. With the Nanofil, I'm assuming that you don't have to run a flouro leader? Just tie directly to the bait. You mentioned the Nanofil has a low stretch...I'm guessing somewhere inbetween mono and braid?

[uglystick007]

Nanofil bites off just like butter. But it does cast nice and handles nice on a spinning reel. Make sure to use the nanofil knot, that stuff is slippery. I also used a lighter to melt the end to make sure the knot did not pull through.

[Dusty]

I used Nanofil this past winter, granted I used 2# test but I broke off on three fish the first time I used it. It broke while fishing sunfish no less. I took it off and went back to Mono. In summer I use Suffix 832. Never had a break off from a fish with 832.

[Hoffer]

I will add a little note here - not sure if you will be doing any "speed trolling"?

The last 2 Canada Fall trips for 6 full days each time I did a little "study".

I fast trolled quite a bit up there to get deep and go after bigger norts and bigger eyes. I had 2 baitcasters set up. One with 12 pound mono and one with lighter superline in a 8 pound diameter equivalent.

I used the same lures, the same amount of line out, the same fishing area and the same speed etc...

The mono out fished the superline - 10 to 1.

I know each lure was getting to to within a foot or 2 of each other - as when i would head in from deeper to shallower they would both be bumping bottom at about the same time.

I have no idea why? I just know this year that both set ups will have mono on them! At least when I am speed trolling.

[mnviking28]

Nanofil is actually made with Dyneema, the same stuff that Fireline is made out of. The difference is that it is one filament, rather than a bunch braided together. I think that is how they get the smoother, smaller outer diameter. I will still probably use a flouro leader in some instances, as it is still white, therefore a lot more visible. I just like the no stretch aspect and the fact that if I am using it to pitch cranks, I can get down deeper with a heavier line.

[Nick Kuhn]

Unfortunately Esox teeth do a good job of cutting all thin diameter lines except for wire. Not much you can do about it other than hope you can hook them in the lip.

Mono stretches which makes it better for trolling applications.

[OnAFly]

I've noticed that the larger dia fluorocarbons are better for bite offs. I'll run 25lb straight to my flies when I fish pike. I haven't had a problem. But, I'm sure if the tooth was just right, and the line was in enough tension, it could get bit off. I guess I just don't worry about it too much.

[TyGuy02]

I'm currently working on respooling 6 or my 8 rods/reels. I have STRUGGLED finding just the right line. My crank trolling rod (MONO), only way to go when trolling cranks! Lindy/spinner trolling rods (powerpro mainline). Small/medium/large jig rods for both casting and vertical jigging (powerpro with no leader). Small/Large crank casting rods (powerpro).

The last few years I have accumulated spool after spool of fluro, mono of all sizes. Once I found powerpro all the other junk was in the garbage. I only use fluro for leaders now (except with slowdeath, too much twist with a light fluro=BIG BIG mess).

When I did the "bite off test" last year, powerpro FAR exceeded all expectations! When I just want to get my hammerhandle pike pitchin jig fun in with the wife we go to a local lake that a person can catch 20+ 1-3 pound pike in only a few hours. With fluoro I had to retie a jig every 2 fish. Mono would bite off every 2 fish with normal weighted line, bigger line=no casting ability! With powerpro I would catch fish after fish, with no leader, and not having to retie jigs.

Just my 0.02, but I have tried them ALL!

[slipperybob]

Nanofil is actually made with Dyneema, the same stuff that Fireline is made out of. The difference is that it is one filament, rather than a bunch braided together. I think that is how they get the smoother, smaller outer diameter. I will still probably use a flouro leader in some instances, as it is still white, therefore a lot more visible. I just like the no stretch aspect and the fact that if I am using it to pitch cranks, I can get down deeper with a heavier line.

Yeap, across the ocean, Nanofil is just called Fireline Exceed.

[tunrevir]

There is not one line that does all things, so finding a line and a strength that works for you under the conditions you fish the most, is the best line for you. Each line has drawbacks from sinking, to floating, to stretch, to no stretch, to memory, to coiling, ect. I try to use the lines for the outing I am on, based on the fish I anticipate to catch with the type of fishing I plan to do. Bite offs can and do happen, even with superbraids but I don't think there is a silver bullet line that works for every application that a guy wants to fish. If in doubt, bring a few rods with different lines and try the applications you want with each and decide what is best for the type of fishing you do the most.

Tunrevir~

[Hoffer]

Now you guys got my attention on something else just mentioned. When you guys are slow trolling lindys/spinners etc...you know the kind of trolling with the troller motor set on 1 or 2 at the highest and you are just slowly trailing your spinner with a minnow or leach along the bottom. You use Powerpro for that?

I have always used for Mono for that.

Are you putting this on spinning reels or baitcasters or both?

Last, so it sounds like its a safe call to say that most people are using lines like powerpro or this other new stuff on baitcasters when throwing/casting any kind of decent sized baits?? How does it work on spincasters when throwing lighter baits like a 1/4 oz jighead and twistter tail with a spincaster set up? Would you stick to mono with that?

Thanks!

Last, when I am casting for Northerns or Muskies - I have used a steel leader for years and truly dont think it has hurt my fishing chances vs. not using one and tying straight on. No worries with bite offs.

[slipperybob]

I wouldn't use any type of braid or superline on a spincast. For one thing those lines can pick up grit from the water and then groove out that little line pick up pin or possibly even the line guide opening at the top of the spincaster. That and just how braids/superlines tend to bury themselves on the spools. Spincasters are just not known for smooth drags to prevent that.

[TyGuy02]

When you guys are slow trolling lindys/spinners etc...you know the kind of trolling with the troller motor set on 1 or 2 at the highest and you are just slowly trailing your spinner with a minnow or leach along the bottom. You use Powerpro for that?

I have always used for Mono for that.

Are you putting this on spinning reels or baitcasters or both?

Last year when I tried PP for the first time I loved it for slowtrolling on the mainline. With little to no stretch, it was very very sensitive. I've always been notorious for never being able to feel the bottom, unless it was REALLY obvious. With PP I could feel it dragging bottom (if left on the bottom).

Nano will dig into the spool, that's why nano is not designed for baitcasters. I've never used PP on a baitcaster (I only have one) but from what I've heard is that if you use a larger diameter braid (8 or more mono equivalent diameter) it won't dig on a baitcaster.

All I know, is that if you want a line that will cast like a dream, resistant to bite-offs (without using a leader), great sensitivity with little to no stretch, Powerpro or another similar super line is your choice.

[delmuts]

You will still get bit off using braid unless you have some type of a leader.I've had them cut through 8/30 PP. Unless the spincaster is designed for braids,( i think there ae a couple out there) don't use it! The pick up pins aren't hard enough, and most braids will wear through them.

[TyGuy02]

I have a more set-up question. I've never been much of a jig and minnow fisherman until the last few years and I'm still learning. When water clarity is low I tie the braid directly to the jig and have now problems, which the braid helps with the bite-offs. But I plan on doing alot more fishing on some clearer lakes. I'm assuming flurocarbon (10 pound) leaders for the jigs, but what's the best way to do it?

(1) Uni knot fluro and just retie new jigs onto the fluro segment?

(2) same idea as option 1 but use swivel instead?

(3) Use snap swivel with leader tied directly to each jig (easy to change out but could fill up a tackle box pretty quick with pretied jigs)?

(4) continue as-is, braid directly to jig but keep to the super small diameter line?

[BartmanMN]

Uni to Uni braid to fluoro, then tie your jig on.

[delmuts]

"Uni to Uni braid to fluoro, then tie your jig on"

+1

[BPBOB]

My.02 on the flouro leader thoughts...I made some tie-on leaders(swivel one end and snap on other end) with Seaguar 20 lb leader material and never had a bite-off. Some of the leaders had a few little nicks in them eventually,but never broke.