Flourocarbon Help!

[McAlpine]

Ok, I know you guys are full of something...I'll assume it's advice.

 

Over the last 5 years or so I have been bad about trying to save money on my line.  Filling 10-12 spools every year is expensive.  So I have been buying budget flouro.  I tried berkley vanish only to find out it's junk and it breaks constantly.  I tried vicous and found it is about the tougest ilne out there but the memory on it is horrible.  I tried XPS and it broke like crazy, then I found out from one of the guys at the BPS reel counter that two years ago they had problems with XPS and it had nicks all through it...I felt pretty robbed over that.  This year I tried Red Label and have the same memory problems as Vicous but it breaks.

 

So this last week I lost what would have been my new personal best at the boat because the big girl was not as pooped as I thought she was and I had my darn drag too tight.  She put her head down and ran straight down.  Doubled over my smoke rod and my 10lb line snapped like it was nothing.  A good ~7lb'er gone and now she's swimming around with a big spinner bait and trailer hook buiried in her.  Made my stomach turn when the line broke and i'm still sick over it.

 

The day before that I had reeled back and set the hook on one that was so big it barely moved.  I felt a head shake and my line popped on my squarebill rod.  Both of these rods had either Red Label or XPS.

 

So, I'm ready to get some decent line.  Not sure I am willing to go to Tatsu but open to suggestions.  Need a strong but manageable flouro with a good reputation.  Tired of the horrible memory problems even with KVD line conditioner and if I break off on another 5-6-7 lb fish I am going to toss something.

 

Help!!!

 

 

[MrSwimJig]

I have used Seaguar InvizX and AbrazX and have had no problems with it.  Also treat it with KVD L&L.  I also use the Improved Clinch Knot.

 

What knot are you using.  I have used BPS fluorocarbon and never had the line ever break, but it was very unmanageable.

[McAlpine]

I have used a few different knots but have settled on one of my own design that is an overhand with a second pass through the eyelet then back through the second loop followed up with a couple overhand's wetted and tightened.  I was using a homer circle knot the last couple years but it kept breaking.  My knot I have used for years without problems and went back to it this year.  My line breaks this spring haven't been at the knot but in the line and when it pop's the line is frayed at the end like it exploded. 

 

I actually picked up some InvizX at BPS tongiht on the way home.  10lb for the squarebill rod and bumping up to 12lb for the spinner bait rod.  I figured I would check in for some opinions before I opened it though.

 

 

also...at least one did not get away this last week but the other two I lost were bigger, the one I had at the boat WAAAY larger.  Still sick over it.

 

[backcast88]

I have had zero problems with XPS fluoro in both 8 lb and 12 lb over the past 2-3 years and suggest it to most people.  But since you had problems I guess its not worth another try.

 

I tried Seaguar InvizX and didn't care for it.  Way too much stretch and zero abrasion resistance.  I hear AbrazX is better but haven't got around to trying it yet since I had such good luck with XPS. 

 

I recently bought a 100 yard spool of Sufix Invisiline Castable Fluoro in 8 lb for my spinning reel and love it.  Not as soft as InvizX (the only thing I like about it) but better then XPS.  I fish mostly around docks and sunken trees so I am not super worried about abrasion issues.  But when I did fish around a rock point I didn't have any abrasion issues.  You can get 100 yard or 200 yard spools so you can buy 1 spool to try before spending too much money and both spools are affordable.  It's certainly worth a try.

 

Also, I would suggest learning the San Diego Jam Knot.  I have not found a better knot for fluoro and since switching over to it in the middle of last year I have not had single knot issue and can tie it almost as fast as a palomar, but with much more confidence. 

[ec1]

Tatsu is probably the best stuff you can get, but I would even think about going a little bit cheaper.

 

Fluoro is truly "you get what you pay for", so after having some bad experiences with Stren fluorocast, I will not buy FC's with a MSRP of less than $18 for a 200yd spool. Personally, I've had good luck with Spiderwire FC, & Sunline Sniper.

[dodgeguy]

first of all unless you are fishing deep in clear water you should be using 15 or 20 lb test.2nd,why fish spinnerbaits on flouro?it's a reaction bait so they aren't paying one bit of attention to your line.

[TNBassin']

I've been using Seaguar Red Lable 12# treated with KVD LNL, and so far 0 problems. Good, cheap line as far as I can tell.

[Basseditor]

So if flouro is less visible to the fish, why not use a little heavier line? Light line for me is 15 lb. most of my set ups are 20 lb. — all Invisx. But I use 25 lb a lot, too.

Just use a Paloma's knot, tied slowly and wet it as you cinch it up. Before it gets too tight, pull the tag end only. Again slowly.

If I hang up on the rocks etc, I have to tie my line to a boat cleat and use the electric to pull to break it off.

[Sam]

Questions:

1.  Are you using a spinning or baitcaster rig?

2.  Do you run the line between your forefinger and thumb nail while fishing trying to feel any knicks, abraisions, cuts, etc. in the line?

3 . Do you get backlashes in your baitcaster?

4.  The KVD Lure and Line Treatment is an excellent suggestion. Do you use it when spooling?

5.  Have you thought of using a "backing line" on your reels to help reduce the amount of new line you spool onto the reel?

6.  How often do you change your line? After each trip? Once a week? Once a month? When it gets low on the spool? Whenever?

7.  Do you store your line in your home or is it in the car or garage? Temperature can have an adverse affect on line performance.

8.  Do you purchase your line in stores that sell a lot of line? You want the freshest line available and stores that have a strong line turnover have the latest line on the shelves.
9.  Have you tried YouZuri line? Give it a shot.

10. Do you keep the rod tip at 10 or 11 o'clock when fighting the fish or do you point your rod tip directly at the fish? If you point the rod tip at the fish  your line will break.

 

Yes, I agree with you that line is expensive. But it is part of our weapons platform and as you found out it can play a very important role in landing a nice bass. Finding the right line to give you confidence is a challege.

 

Let us know if any of my queries help and your experience with different lines this year.

[Hogsticker]

I use to think red label was the best bang for the buck fluoro out there. Never had any of the common fluoro issues with it. The best inexpensive stuff I have tried is the new, and I stress "NEW" Sufix fluoro. I've had zero problems with it from management to strength. read the reviews on *** (these one's are actually credible). If you want to spend a little more Sunline Sniper is good stuff. If you decide you just don't like fluoro, which many already have, try a co-poly like Yo-Zuri hybrid.

[roadwarrior]

The best bang for your buck is Yo-Zuri Hybrid, #6 for spinning tackle, #12 for baitcasters.

 

Mainline fluorocarbon: spinning = Seaguar InvizX #10; baitcasting:= Seaguar AbrazX #12

 

My suggestion is Tuf-Line for your mainline with a Tatsu leader. I have a post running on

setting this up. I think you will find this approach to be the PERFECT solution!

 

 

 

[vikingbear8]

If the cost is an issue, i would recommend using braid main, with a flouro leader. That is what i do on all of my rods. Also as said by some earlier you can go up in poundage a lot. I start at 15 and go up from there. I fish super clear waters and the fish dont seem to mind one bit. I would also recommend using the San Diego Jam knot. Also it really seems like you have a really bad experience with XPS but i have never ever had a problem with it. Also if you read up on some of the flouro line comparisons it almost always performs on par with the much more expensive lines

[derekxec]

why not go braid? i use my rods for salt and fresh water for bass, snook everything and liine lasts 2 years easy...it fades and such but that doesnt affect it at all and you could even back the spool with cheap line and use say 30 or 50lb braid over it for 100 yards and really if it runs 90 yards you could horse it back to gain a bit of line

 

if you do it that way for $20 right now at dicks you could get a 300 yard spool and do 3 rods like this for $20 + some cheap line

[Hollisray]

Not sure what the problem was with the berkley vanish you had thats the only line i use

and never had a break off on it.now i have not used the new vanish transition yet but looking into it.

[tubeman]

I have used Seaguar InvizX and AbrazX and have had no problems with it.  Also treat it with KVD L&L.  I also use the Improved Clinch Knot.

 

What knot are you using.  I have used BPS fluorocarbon and never had the line ever break, but it was very unmanageable.

I use the Seaguar AbrazX  in 4lb, test on my trout rods and find that while expensive, very tough. Landed a big carp on that setup also. LOL!

[Felix77]

I have used Seaguar InvizX and AbrazX and have had no problems with it.  Also treat it with KVD L&L.  I also use the Improved Clinch Knot.

 

What knot are you using.  I have used BPS fluorocarbon and never had the line ever break, but it was very unmanageable.

 

I switched over to InvizX and AbrazX and never looked back.  I even use it as leaders with braid even though I know I can get away with cheaper line when using a leader.  Great line!

[Paul Roberts]

There's more to these breakages than the line. The lines you mention are all OK. But you have to know them and work within their limitations. Same is true with any line.

 

FC in general does not handle as well as copoly's. Expect it to be more wiry. But it does not weaken in the sun like Copoly's do, so it can potentially last longer.

 

Probably the least costly way to go, if you can't stomach the FC's or Copoly's is to go to braid, and then afix a leader to it of Copoly or FC.

[McAlpine]

Questions:

1.  Are you using a spinning or baitcaster rig?

In this case baitcasters

2.  Do you run the line between your forefinger and thumb nail while fishing trying to feel any knicks, abraisions, cuts, etc. in the line?

Yes

3 . Do you get backlashes in your baitcaster?

Yes, the memory problems with cheap flours are worse than the breaks.

4.  The KVD Lure and Line Treatment is an excellent suggestion. Do you use it when spooling?

Yup. And while fishing.

5.  Have you thought of using a "backing line" on your reels to help reduce the amount of new line you spool onto the reel?

Yes, I already do.

6.  How often do you change your line? After each trip? Once a week? Once a month? When it gets low on the spool? Whenever?

New line once a year or if a spool gets low.

7.  Do you store your line in your home or is it in the car or garage? Temperature can have an adverse affect on line performance.

Line is stored in the gun room. No temp or humidity issues.

8.  Do you purchase your line in stores that sell a lot of line? You want the freshest line available and stores that have a strong line turnover have the latest line on the shelves.

Buy most of my line at bps.

9.  Have you tried YouZuri line? Give it a shot.

Nope. That's what I was looking for was some ideas. Thanks.

10. Do you keep the rod tip at 10 or 11 o'clock when fighting the fish or do you point your rod tip directly at the fish? If you point the rod tip at the fish  your line will break.

Always keep er up.

 

Yes, I agree with you that line is expensive. But it is part of our weapons platform and as you found out it can play a very important role in landing a nice bass. Finding the right line to give you confidence is a challege.

 

Let us know if any of my queries help and your experience with different lines this year.

[shootermcbob]

I have had good success with the yo-zuri lines as others have mentioned. I also like the cabelas store brand flourocarbon. I believe it is made for cabelas by seaguar. up to 10 lb. line...cost 600 yards is 26.99 or less...12 & 15 lb line is 36.99 for 600 yards and 20 lb line is 40 bucks for the same 600 yards.

It may be worth a look. I have been using it on some rods for the past couple years and really like it.

 

Also, I agree as others have also mentioned...for moving lures it is safe to go up in line poundage. I fish spinnerbaits on 17 lb mono for the most part...or on #12 yo-zuri hybrid ultrasoft which breaks at 19.5 lbs.

 

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Capt.Bob]

I use Seaguar AbrazX on all my reels for leaders of the mainline and it is great stuff, RW has used it and Tatsu there more expensive line and says it is better stuff. I would use one of those and think you will have as good as it get's for fluorocarbon!

[jwhowells]

I use to think red label was the best bang for the buck fluoro out there. Never had any of the common fluoro issues with it. The best inexpensive stuff I have tried is the new, and I stress "NEW" Sufix fluoro. I've had zero problems with it from management to strength. read the reviews on *** (these one's are actually credible). If you want to spend a little more Sunline Sniper is good stuff. If you decide you just don't like fluoro, which many already have, try a co-poly like Yo-Zuri hybrid.

X2 on the Suffix. I started using it this winter and I've had zero issues.