Mono vs Braided

[jegerjack]

So I have my yearly debate... I am heading up to Canada this weekend and I cannot decide if I should go back to a braded line? I used the stuff 5 years ago but the past few years I have been using Mono... I will be jigging primarily and I am fishing a river system... Any thoughts, should I go back to a braided? I have heard a couple good reports on the Spider Stealth, how has it been with some of you? I am just afraid that I will get a nice 20+ eye on and there goes the mono but I hate the thought of jerking the hook right out of the mouth of a fish (both scenarios has happened with me)... One las thing, I hate to use any thing larger than 10lb in a line ...

[big musk411]

I am a mono guy here, especially when it comes to the walleye fishing. I know others on here will disagree, however, I would never use braid for jigging. I like the flex of the mono. Get your self some good strong mono like Maxima Chamelon or other premium. As long as you have your drag set correctly, you wont get broken off. You will just get bit off every 10 casts by the northerns . Bring a couple of extra spools, as after catching 100 fish a day it fill get a little worn. I don't think braided line does as well around rocks as mono, especially jigging rivers. Or better yet bring a rod spolled with each and see what you like better. I think you'll find the abtaision resistance of quality mono alot better than braid.

Where are you flying out of?

Good luck!

Matt T

[PerchJerker]

For jigging walleyes I vastly prefer a good mono over a superbraid. I like a little bit of stretch (not a lot of stretch, just a little stretch), it just feels "right" to me.

I use very sensitive graphite rods and combined with no-stretch lines I just don't hook nearly as many fish jigging as I do with mono. It doesn't feel right.

Personally I like the Trilene monos, XL, Sensation, etc.

[EJ]

I just returned from Canada. I used High-Vis Power Pro tied directly to the jig. Worked awesome. You feel everthing and see any twitch in the line as the jig falls. You do need a more gentle hook set than with mono. 10/2 or 15/4 work great. Less bite offs as well.

EJ

[nitroant]

I am heading to Wiley this weekend on LOW. I have always used mono for walleye fishing up there. I wan something I can break off if I catch one of those 50 lb Canada rocks that they keep in the water up there.

[jegerjack]

it's good to hear a voice (or voices) of reason... i think i will be sticking with the mono... it really has never let me down... i fish the english river where it merges with the winnipeg... it will be nice to get back this year...

[Fish Head]

About 8 or 9 years ago I tried braided line and had a lot of trouble setting the hook. I went back to mono and and have never had a problem. I almost always use 6 pound test and have never had a line break even with many 25"+ fish.

The last 3+ years I have been using Pline Floroclear. It's a fluorocarbon coated copolymer. I've been very happy with it. It seems very abrasion resistant. I recently tried some of the new Gama 6lb line and I liked that too. It seems very supple.

[bigb56303]

i use fireline for everything and love it its tough yet sensative and hard for fish to bite off, less time retying after catchin fish, but if you get snagged its hard to break the line usually straighten the hook or have to cut the line, just my 2 cents i would use whatever you are most comfortable with and good luck

[tonyjor]

I had some 8# Mustad mono on my rod recently. Although I did catch fish on it, I don't like not being able to "feel" every little pebble or if the tinyest weed is on my hook. I just switched to 10/4 fireline. It's my first time with Fireline so I hope it goes good. I used other braids in the past and liked them. Also, I like the "just a slight twitch" type of hookset that braided line requires.

[CAJ]

I use 10 lb. Fire line on my jigging rod and my trolling rods in Canada all the time. I can feel the spinners vibrate, and very easy to feel the jig bounce off the bottom better. I just use a little lighter rods with it. I am very careful not to try and to pull snags with the rod flex. CAJ

[Northlander]

Go mono if your worried about fish seeing your line. If your not I like the 8# Power Pro for jigging. Back off the drag a bit and no bassmasters hooksets and you will be ok. Way more sensitive than mono and Power Pro is all I use for jigging unless its clear waters.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I agree with Northlander!

I use 8/2# Power Pro on all of my rods. It has great feel and plenty of strength to hold bigger fish.

Just back off your drag enough that you will get a couple of inches of "slip" on your hookset and also limit your hookset to just a snap of the wrist and you will have no problems with ripping lips!

Cliff

[CALVINIST]

For panfish I have switched all of my rods, except one, to 1 Lb diameter Power Pro. Weird, I know, but I am tired of getting snipped off, or losing nice pannies to mono. The exceptional feel of PP helps too. Never had a problem fishing pannies with it.