Co-Polymer As An Alternative To Flouro?

[*Hank]

I was wondering If you could use co-poly as an alternative to flourocarbon?

The reason is I now cheap flouro isint very good but you can find good co-poly for pretty cheap.

And I'm on a pretty tite budget!.

[Darren.]

Yes you can. It is different than pure FC, but you could 

use it for everything if you need to. I use copoly for most

everything I throw.

 

I will use FC, but not often.

[ChrisWi]

There's a lot of posts regarding this topic. (Including one very current) Look around a bit, there's a lot of info on here already.

[Tywithay]

Every line can be used as an alternative to one another. They all have advantages and disadvantages.

[Jrob78]

For techniques where fluoro is ideal, copoly isn't a good substitute.  For every day fishing, it will work fine.

[Bluebasser86]

For techniques where fluoro is ideal, copoly isn't a good substitute.  For every day fishing, it will work fine.

Exactly this. I used to use copoly for everything and got away with it just fine. It's not the the best option for some things, but unless you're fishing tournaments that's not really a big deal. 

[ChrisD46]

Remember - you get what you pay for .

[roadwarrior]

Yo-Zuri Hybrid is a bonded, not coated, nylon fluorocarbon blend.

the line is inexpensive, currently on sale 600 yards for $8.99.

 

Spinning tackle: #6 (11.9 lb breaking strength)

 

Baitcasting gear: #12 (19.5 lb breaking strength)

 

http://yo-zuri.com/Products/Yo-Zuri_Fishing_Line/details/Yo-Zuri_Hybrid.html

 

 

 

[OkobojiEagle]

It's not the the best option for some things, but unless you're fishing tournaments that's not really a big deal. 

 

How does fishing a tournament change the desired outcome of a fishing line choice?

 

 

 

oe

[Bluebasser86]

How does fishing a tournament change the desired outcome of a fishing line choice?

 

 

 

oe

If I'm not fishing a tournament and I lose a fish or don't get as many bites because I'm not fishing the best line for a technique, it's not as big of a deal. 

[Sam]

Yo-Zuri Hybrid is a bonded, not coated, nylon fluorocarbon blend.

the line is inexpensive, currently on sale 600 yards for $8.99.

 

Spinning tackle: #6 (11.9 lb breaking strength)

 

Baitcasting gear: #12 (19.5 lb breaking strength)

 

http://yo-zuri.com/Products/Yo-Zuri_Fishing_Line/details/Yo-Zuri_Hybrid.html

 

 

 

 

X2.

 

Don't worry about the line.  Worry about your presentations; casting; feeling bites; hook setting; hitting your target; knowing how the weather affects fishing; knowing about the water and its affects on the bass; having a good set of needle nose pliers with you at all times; keeping a log of every fishing adventure and keeping them memorialized in a three ring binder for each body of water you fish; starting a fishing library and DVD collection; and how to concentrate when fishing.

[HoosierHawgs]

I was looking into this also for price and handling reasons. Co Poly will be very abrasion resistant, sometimes even more than fluorocarbon, but it will not be as sensitive. At many times it will have better handling. There are some good inexpensive Fluorocarbon lines, Seagaur makes really good lines, and they are inexpensive and they are all on sale on Tackle Warehouse for the 25 Days of Christmas sale. Red Label is very inexpensive, there are mixed opinions on it. Invizx is also fairly inexpensive, not so much as Red Label, but it has better opinions in terms of use as a mainline. It is soft and supple, which is why it's a good option if you are worried about handling (I also like Berkley Trilene Professional Grade 100% Fluorocarbon XL if you are worried about handling, but it cost slightly more). Abrazx is also on sale, and is stiffer than Invizx, but it is also more sensitive and abrasion resistant. There are plenty of quality choices that are fairly economical when it comes to fluorocarbon line.

[Chris at Tech]

A few comments...

 

First off, I agree with a few above that co-poly is not a great alternative to fluoro.  Some may disagree, but I consider mono and co-poly virtually interchangeable.  Braid and fluoro offer each offer different qualities.

 

Secondly, it's easy to get sticker shock for some of the more expensive braided and fluro lines.  But as an example, braid can last many years.  But also, try using cheap line as a backing as a means to reduce cost over the longer term.  For me, a 200 yard spool of fluoro is a three-use spool, as ~65 yards of "good" line is more than enough to bass fish with.  The other ~90 yards needed to fill the spool to capacity can be cheap line.

[Tywithay]

A few comments...

First off, I agree with a few above that co-poly is not a great alternative to fluoro. Some may disagree, but I consider mono and co-poly virtually interchangeable. Braid and fluoro offer each offer different qualities.

Secondly, it's easy to get sticker shock for some of the more expensive braided and fluro lines. But as an example, braid can last many years. But also, try using cheap line as a backing as a means to reduce cost over the longer term. For me, a 200 yard spool of fluoro is a three-use spool, as ~65 yards of "good" line is more than enough to bass fish with. The other ~90 yards needed to fill the spool to capacity can be cheap line.

Should be added that fluoro will last several years as well. Unlike mono/copoly, it is impervious to UV rays. Sunlight can break down the mono/copoly, but a fluoro only needs replaced when it starts getting low. Some people complain about memory if fluoro sits a long time, but that's not true of the better lines and can be fixed by letting out the line with a resistance lure and pulling out the coils, then reeling it back in.

[CWB]

If I'm not fishing a tournament and I lose a fish or don't get as many bites because I'm not fishing the best line for a technique, it's not as big of a deal.

Not sure I understand this either. When I'm fishing, tournament or not, I want to get as many bites as I can, and land as many of those as I can. I do understand in a tournament there is $$$ on the line but of im out and its not a tournament why would I use a different line for the same technique. If I was reeling in what could be a P.B. and my line failed it would be a big deal to me. JMHO.

[roadwarrior]

...why would I use a different line for the same technique. If I was reeling in what could be a P.B. and my line failed it would be a big deal to me.

 

I don't fish many tournaments, but I don't EVER want to miss an opportunity or lose a fish due to equipment failure.

 

 

 

 

[F14A-B]

Not sure I understand this either. When I'm fishing, tournament or not, I want to get as many bites as I can, and land as many of those as I can. I do understand in a tournament there is $$$ on the line but of im out and its not a tournament why would I use a different line for the same technique. If I was reeling in what could be a P.B. and my line failed it would be a big deal to me. JMHO.

Hmm, well lets see, Bluebasser86 has posted more fish pics than any forum user I've seen. All types of fish... A few monsters too... I'd wager that his choice of line whatever & whenever has no impact on his success. That's my humble opinion.

[CWB]

An individual's ability and success was never in question. I agree with your evaluation. But for those of us that don't fish many tournaments, such as the post before, every bite and every fish matters so why use a different line.

[Jrob78]

Not sure I understand this either. When I'm fishing, tournament or not, I want to get as many bites as I can, and land as many of those as I can. I do understand in a tournament there is $$$ on the line but of im out and its not a tournament why would I use a different line for the same technique. If I was reeling in what could be a P.B. and my line failed it would be a big deal to me. JMHO.

I think it probably comes down to cost and manageability.  If you're fun fishing, you might not want to spend the money for a good fluoro, copoly is a lot cheaper.  Also, some fluoros can be really stiff and a little harder to manage.  You have to be more diligent with knots and backlashes.  Fluoro just isn't as user friendly as copoly.  If you don't have money on the line, you might not feel it's worth the price difference and hassle.  

 

The flip side of that is fluoro is more sensitive, generally offers more abrasion resistance, is less visible in the water and sinks, (which is a benefit in some scenarios.)

 

I'm not trying to put words into BB's mouth but those are the things I based my post on.  I don't fish tournaments either but do use fluoro for most techniques, for the record.

[Sonik]

I have a reel spooled up with PLine Voltage copoly right now. It is on my jig/spinnerbait/wormin rod so it will get a workout.

I have been extremely happy with Floroclear. Just trying out some new stuff. Had to respool and for $8 why not. The Voltage is supposed to be impervious to UV.

[Chris at Tech]

Should be added that fluoro will last several years as well. Unlike mono/copoly, it is impervious to UV rays. Sunlight can break down the mono/copoly, but a fluoro only needs replaced when it starts getting low.

This is true but in my opinion fluoro leaves a significantly smaller margin for error. Braid will keep for a few years without much care. Fluoro will also keep, but a few kinks from knots or backlashes will compromise the line, whereas the same would not compromise braid.

[Bluebasser86]

Not sure I understand this either. When I'm fishing, tournament or not, I want to get as many bites as I can, and land as many of those as I can. I do understand in a tournament there is $$$ on the line but of im out and its not a tournament why would I use a different line for the same technique. If I was reeling in what could be a P.B. and my line failed it would be a big deal to me. JMHO.

I agree 100% that I want to land every bite possible. The OP's question was if he could get away with copoly instead of fluoro because it's cheaper. I was saying that if you're fishing for fun and can stand to lose a few or not get as many bites, it'll work just fine.