Flourocarbon or Fireline

[BobT]

I've been using Berkley Fireline for the past couple years and now I'm considering using flourocarbon and would like some opinions.

Given a choice, which would you use and why?

Don't be shy. Oops, forgot where I was posting this.

Thanks,

Bob

[ripstick]

Jigging in some lakes I like floracarbon as in jigging and slip bobbers. Fire line as my trolling line and some cases jigging. Tried many lines and there is always room for discussion on what is better. All I can say run with what you like. Not happy go to another. Some times the majic works and sometimes it dont.

[BobT]

Lately, I've heard some noise about the braids, like Fireline, can be rough on rod guides. Any truth to this?

Bob

[Muddog]

It all depends on where I want the belly in the line. For example, I’m casting out a Texas rigged worm. If I want it to slide along the bottom when I lift the rod tip I will use Flourocarbon. If I want the worm to hop when I lift the rod tip I’ll use fireline.

[ripstick]

With some of your low end rods they will cheaper guides. It seems like more rods are coming out with sic guides that are for fire line. I have 2 rods I have been trollig with for about 10 years that are still in good shape.

[BobT]

So my new St. Croix should be okay?

muddog, I was reading that flourocarbons don't float much. Is there really that much difference in handling between the two?

Bob

[Muddog]

flourocarbon line is denser then water and sinks. Plus it has a larger line dia. So the belly of the line will lay on the bottom or down and to the lure. So if you pull on the line it will tend to pull your lure along the bottom more then lift it off the bottom. This may or may not put more fish in the boat, only the fish on that given day can tell you.

Lines like Fireline tend to float and have a vary small line Dia. With the small line Dia. it tends to cut through the water and will tend to lift the lure more in line with the rod tip.

Mono will float (Before becomming water loged) and has a large line Dia. so it will belly up and give your lure more hop.

This can be a subtle difference but it could make the all difference on some days.

[riverrat56]

I'd stick with Fireline or another braid for most rods, I like mono on my jigging rods, but that's just personal preference. I personally haven't been happy with running floro on my rods, it seems to be too stiff and will fall off the reel when letting out line, this it with spinning reels, on a baitcaster it wouldn't be much of a problem.

Can I ask why you are considering the switch?

[Northlander]

I only use floro for some leader purposes. I hate the way it comes off the spool and that it sink so its bad for slip bobbers in my opinion. I would go to a clear line like trilene XL on a slip bobber rod, power pro for trolling and bottom bouncing and I love Power Pro for jigging in stained waters. In clear water I will still use PP but with a mono shocker leader.

[BobT]

I guess mostly to try something different. One thing that I noticed in a HSOforum I visited was they said that flourocarbon was stiffer than mono and especially braids and I am a little concerned that if it's too stiff it may pose some trouble on my spinning reels. Sounds like you've experienced this with yours, riverrat.

Some sites suggested that flouro has been fast becoming a more favored line but maybe the jury's still out.

Curiosity is my main motive.

Bob

[riverrat56]

I haven't given many differnt types of floro a try, really only Berkley Vanish, others may perform differntly, but I wasn't impressed at all so I haven't gone back to florocarbons. I love it for leaders, but was not impressed with it for a mainline.

[mojogunter]

I used to use fluorocarbon for my leaders, and that was it. I hate it, and will never use it ever again. It seems if you didn't replace the fluorocarbon about every twenty minutes or so, if you got a decent fish to bite, that [PoorWordUsage] would break every time. After losing maybe 15 fish over the summer I gave away every spool I had left including spinner rigs I had made over the winter that I had left. I went back to mono for any leaders for live bait rigs, or spinner rigs that I tie on.

[MinnesotaMongo]

Like RR - I've only used Vanish - and I concur with his opinion. It was sensitive, but seemed very stiff and spooled off my spinning reel from time to time. I wasn't impressed - but am willing to give some other brands a try...

[BobT]

This is good information. Sounds like you gave it a fair shake but have not had the most enjoyable results.

Bob

[river rat316]

Floro lines are very sucseptible to heat, if your not lubing your knots (spitting on them) before you pull them tight you are going to have big problems. I use Floro or a floro mono hybrid for almost everything, I wouldn't use it for slip bobbering (cause it sinks) or around heavy weeds because braid will cut through them but almost everything else I like floro or a hybrid.

[Muddog]

Lines like P,P and fireline can last a few years. You can turn it around and use the other end after a year or two. If you want to use flour or mono you can always add 30 feet or so to the end of the superbraid.

[NCLaker]

One other nice thing about fireline/braids is that you rarely have issues with line twists.

[fishorgolf]

I usually only used fluro for a leader material but last spring a buddy and I we vertical fishing for very light biting walleyes and he was getting I would say 50% more hooksets than I was. He was using Flouro and I tried both braid and mono. I quick spooled up with some flouro and just like that my hooksets increased 100%. The only thing I can think of was the mono was a little to stretchy and the braid not stretchy enough. I and sold on flouro for certain conditions. Sometimes the little things make the difference.

But I really do like braids allot in the right situation which to me is when ever I can get by using it.

[Markley]

Not to steal this thread, but does P. Pro and braided lines sink or float?

[broken_line]

i personaly like fire line more than flourocarbon because of the smoooth casting and strength..

[PerchJerker]

I use flouro quite a bit but I don't have any open-water reels that are spooled with flouro --- I use it for leaders, or to tie a few feet to the end of another line if I want the no-visibility.

I was not happy at all with the Berkely flouro lines. I use P-Line Flouro now and am much happier with that, it's still a stiff line but it seems like it handles better.

[muc33]

In Canada, pretty much verticle fishing or dragging a jig on the bottom, I without a doubt love my floro. For my slip bobber fishing I have started to run 10/4 Fireline with a floro leader. Casting, I run a mix of rods depending on species targeted. For Crappie on my ultra light, floro and have no issues, for walleye while casting, I run mono, for pike, I run Fireline. Don't know for sure if my methods are right for everyone, but seem to be doing everything I ask of the applications.

As stated, heat and friction are big keys with the floro. YOU MUST LUBRICATE or you will have break offs. It is absolutely key to spit the line before tightening any form of knot. It was easy to measure the increased hook up rate on verticle fishing in Canada last year over my friends who were running straight fireline.

Good Luck!

[Northlander]

Why run superbraids on a bober set up? Mono works through bobbers better, you dont need sensitivity, mono is less visible and its cheaper. Are you worried about hook setting capabilities?

[Nick Kuhn]

Why run superbraids on a bober set up? Mono works through bobbers better, you dont need sensitivity, mono is less visible and its cheaper. Are you worried about hook setting capabilities?

It may cast better depending on your setup. Or perhaps you are fishing minnows in a pike area and want the added strength.

[lindy rig]

I mainly use mono, but last year I was using the Vanish and I thought it was great. Boated lots of big fish last year with it including a 45" muskie and never had problems with line breaks. I always use spit when tying knots. Personally, I'm not much of a braided line fan. Just me.

I think it all comes down to personal preference, it doesn't hurt to give them a try.