5 empty spools, need line. Help.....

[tigerbalm2424]

No, I dont expect help with each rod as they are all for different uses, but I have been reading a lot of reviews of line on Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops sites and cant decide.

MONO: Does anyone make a low memory mono? I have always used Berkley XL but do agree that it has way too much memory.

BRAID: I have never tried braid due to the limited stretch. I was thinking about trying the rapala titanium stretch braid; anyone have any opinions on this, or used it?

FLUORO: I was reading about Fluoro (havent tried it before) but it sounds like after reading a lot of reviews that the line is VERY stiff and almost difficult to tie knots at times. Fluoro suggestions or opinions?

[Spazzums08]

As far as Titanium Stretch goes, I'm interested in this too, but I've never used it.

Gamma is the best low memory line I've ever used. I've directly compared it (on the same trip) to Trilene XT and Stren Original, and it had visibly 2-3 times less loops coming off the spool at the end of the trip.

A lot of guys like Pline Fluorocarbon, but I've never used it, probably will this year though. Vanish has always had a relatively low stiffness for me.

[bassNspear]

braid: Try Stren Super Braid. I changed over to it two years ago, and will never get rid of it. Love it for everything it does.

[tigerbalm2424]

 Originally Posted By: Spazzums08

Gamma is the best low memory line I've ever used. I've directly compared it (on the same trip) to Trilene XT and Stren Original, and it had visibly 2-3 times less loops coming off the spool at the end of the trip.

Vanish has always had a relatively low stiffness for me.

Are you speaking of GAMA copolymer performance or mono? It looks like all good reviews on the copolymer!

Vanish was my plan for spring until I read all the reviews on Bass Pro Shops site regarding its brittleness and breakage issues. Anyone else with experience care to comment on Vanish Transition?

Thanks guys!

[slipperybob]

Limp copolymer line with low memory: Silverthread AN40

Braid with best consistency: Suffix

Flouro's with best elastic return and suppleness: Sunline

It's more difficult to tie a good knot on flouro's.

As far a Rapala Titanium Stretch marketed at 7% stretch, it's very difficult to accept polyethylene fibres of 4% stretch and dacron fibres of 10% stretch to be mathematically come out to 7%. That's like taking a nylon coated steel leader and then saying that now the combination of the two will stretch to half of each property. Impossible, unless the steel wire breaks or in this case the polyethylene fibers will stretch more the 4%.

[EBass]

For Braid: Feel the Sufix line and Power Pro line at the same time and tell me which one you think is better just on feel alone. I like Sufix, but there are a couple more brands that I haven't tried.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Just my personal Fave.. Gamma Copoly hands down... and Power Pro for braid.

and to answer the above question.. Gamma doesnt make a pure mono, they only make a Copoly in a purple box, and a 100% Florocarbon called Edge in a green/black box.

[JP Z]

Gamma Copoly for your Mono.........you won't go back

I am toying with Ugly Braid for a braid and it is great, the Titanium I used a spool a few years ago when I got a sample from a friend....good stuff.

Flouro, Go with Gamma Edge or even PLine.

[Bushwacker]

I have substituted Gamma Copoly for all of my mono. I like PowerPro for braid, and I like Vicious and Sunline for Fluorocarbon. I actually have been switching most of my reels to Fluoro. Sunline is my favorite, but it is spendy so I only have it on a couple reels, Vicious is relatively cheap, compared to most fluoro and even some mono. I have used Vicious for a full season in 6-8-12-15-17 lb tests and have been really happy with it. With all fluoro it seems that there are good reviews and bad reviews. I don't know if that's from the production process causing variences in the line, or if it is from user error not knowing how to manage fluoro. As long as I have taken the time to wet my knots before tying fluoro and making sure I tie it slowly I haven't had one single problem.

[CHM]

Can we talk # test for a minute? Assuming a copoly such as Gamma... what size would would you suggest for pitching, cranking & spinnerbaits? I was thinking of 14 or 20. I went to PP braid last year on my cranking rod but that was a mistake - lost a lot of fish. I'm only going with braid on my slop and skippin' rods.

Thanks

[tigerbalm2424]

Well, I know I dont have as much experience as others on this board but I am going to stick to 10#. I guess I have never really understood why people go to such strong line, but maybe its just the way I fish.

If you guys are using 14+ lb line, can I ask why? Is the lighter stuff breaking? And if so, when? The only time I have had 10 lb break on me is when I was on mille lacs and hooked into a muskie.

[JP Z]

CHM, I use 12lb and it is great.......I think it's rated at like 16-20lb or something. gotta love that gamma!!!

[JP Z]

Tiger,

I think the main reason is just a confidence issue....If I have that fish of a lifetime on, I don't want to lose it just because my darn line broke...

[Deitz Dittrich]

 Originally Posted By: CHM

Can we talk # test for a minute? Assuming a copoly such as Gamma... what size would would you suggest for pitching, cranking & spinnerbaits? I was thinking of 14 or 20. I went to PP braid last year on my cranking rod but that was a mistake - lost a lot of fish. I'm only going with braid on my slop and skippin' rods.

Thanks

Pitching I use 17lb Copoly or 20 Florocarbon

Crankbaits, 10 lb Floro or Copoly

Spinnerbaits 14lb Copoly.

Tiger--why?.. because I can.. As said, confidence. Also if the line gets a nick it it becuase of a rock or a weed I can still land the fish. If I didn't fish tournaments, and if a lost fish didn't cost me a lot of money, I would fish with smaller lb tests.. but I do fish em and lost fish can make or break a day... Litteraly!

[CHM]

I used to use 12 and I have tossed many a Rat-L-Trap off into the sunset. Some knots reduce line strength to 80%. Some of that could be because I was using a MH fast action rod - my bad. I have a new CB blank waiting to be built.

For pitching - there are a lot of rusty dock pipes and stuff to deal with so I personally like some strong line there. I have not done a whole lot of spinnerbait fishing the last few years so just curious what you guys use there.

Thanks!

[tigerbalm2424]

 Originally Posted By: Deitz Dittrich

If I didn't fish tournaments, and if a lost fish didn't cost me a lot of money, I would fish with smaller lb tests.. but I do fish em and lost fish can make or break a day... Litteraly!

Logical. I dont fish tournaments so I never thought of it. Makes a lot of sense though...... I would too!

[Deitz Dittrich]

I will add this Tiger--- On some situations the heavier line will help with the presentation.. just like with some, its the smaller line that helps.

Soft plasti jerkbaits I like fishing on a little heavier line, 12-14.. and flipping I feel I have better controll as well with the heavier.. However I drop shot with 6lb and I stupid rig with 10-12 as lighter lines perform better for them.

[Bassman55]

I fish spinnerbaits different than anybody in my bass club and probably different from most people on here so I am 100% in the minority, but I use a pretty heavy rod and 30 or 40lb test braid. I used to use cabelas ripcord SI but I have been trying out other lines. I use that heavy of line because like Deitz said, "you can." I have not trouble hooking or losing fish with this setup at all, but I know other people saying that they like to fish braid for crankbaits and I can't do that without missing fish, so it must just be differences in our equipment and the way we fish.

[mrklean]

i have and always will be a fan of fireline works great for me

[slipperybob]

Bassman55,

I'm with you, in that it's really the way how you fish. That being your tools and knowing to to be most effective with it. It's like some people justifing the precision of high end equipment while others are wondering how that makes any difference. The difference is know how to use your tools to be most effective with it.

I've use to fish with 14# copoly line and that's been very good. It's that I've now begun to expand by using lighter lines and trying to finesse those techniques. The best advantage of the heavier lines are that it takes a bit more to get them to stretch and when they do, it takes a bit more to get them to stretch to their max.

[Fever]

I used to use mainly fireline ranging from 6lb up to 20lb on many of my set ups. Now I often times tie a blood knot or uni knot to my main line when clarity is an issue and want to add a flouro snell. I also added mono or copolys ranging in test from 6 up to 20lb for shock absorbers so to speak when using lipless cranks, shallow cranks, DTs, and spinnerbaits. I very rarely lost fish on my cranks or spinnerbaits using this approach. I've never had the knot cause the loss of a fish either. Actually it surprises me that so many people do lose fish. To me it is just proper drag set up and feel of the fish - letting the fish tell you how much you can horse her in. In the last couple years I've switched over to Power Pro and Vanish on most of my setups & I've been more than happy with both. If put on the spot as far as mono... I do have a set up with a P-line copoly that I use in real clear water when wormin that I've been happy with.

[slipperybob]

You seriously use a blood knot for fireline to mono?

[Fever]

yeah, well a co-poly mono. It's P-line. It works. Why am I doing something wrong there? I do admit that tying it with the p-line is more difficult than to say Berkley Vanish flouro.

[slipperybob]

Thats very odd, but the knot does hold intitially. Simply put under a load it's easy for the line to pull the end off as since they are naturally self lubricated. A Blood knot is not recommended for braid joining (or Fireline). Do you by chance use a lighter to burn off the ends of the braid? It gives you a little something to anchor and resist being pulled through.

The blood knot is cleaner than a uni to uni knot. I find it works very well for larger diameter lines like 14# test diameter and up.

[Fever]

I guess I never knew it was odd. Thought I was being innovative. I have at times put a tiny touch of superglue to the knot. Usually though I don't think of that. My knots haver really never lost a fish. Maybe by leaving about an eigth of an inch tag that allows the knot to hold. I do like the idea of the lighter and burning the ends though. Thanks.