Super User ChrisD46 Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 For those of you who successfully used #6lb. ~ 8#lb. test and a quality FC line (i.e. InvizX or Sniper FC) for drop shot tactics - how many of you have switched 100% to a braid mainline and a FC leader for drop shot ? Have any of you switched back to FC from braid for drop shot usage ? Please explain your experiences in terms of technique , feel , manageability or any other differences you have noted (good or bad ) , etc. between Braid and FC for drop shot usage ... Thanks in advance ! P.S. I have to say , drop shot fishing using #6lb. InvizX FC or #7lb. Sniper FC with VMC Spinshot Dropshot hooks and Quick Drop drop shot weights on a 2500 size spinning reel is posing little to no issues . I keep wanting to make the jump to braid as a main line for drop shot - but admittedly my above FC combo for drop shot is working pretty well as it is Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 You use straight fc on spinning reel? Most everyone uses braid Braid with fc leader has almost no line management issues and provides better sensitivity and hooksets. Not to mention it is cheaper. 1 Quote
blckshirt98 Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 I only started bass fishing again about 3 years ago so I went right to braid. I dropshot probably 90% of the time and use 12-15lb braid (PowerPro or Sufix 832) with 6-7lb fluoro leader (Sniper FC or InvisX). I also use a swivel because the knot to tie the lines together needs to be *perfect* to avoid a weak spot on the fluoro. I keep my leader pretty long - I'll pull off like 30 inches of leader before tying my dropshot, and put my hook about 8 inches about the weight. Quote
BobP Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 I use 6lb fluoro on the Shimano Biomaster reel I use for dropshotting and never have a problem with twist, loops, etc. Just don't see a need to switch to braid for that presentation and not having to tie and trust a leader knot is a small plus. If it ain't broke... Quote
crankbank Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 I think I may start using braid as a mainline. I have been doing quite a bit of drop shotting lately, and have been getting frustrated with my FC getting incredibly tangled up and causing more effort to get the line off the spool. Quote
crankbank Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 I use 6lb fluoro on the Shimano Biomaster reel I use for dropshotting and never have a problem with twist, loops, etc. Just don't see a need to switch to braid for that presentation and not having to tie and trust a leader knot is a small plus. If it ain't broke... Is there anything you do to combat line issues? or are you keeping everything status quo? I use 6lb invisx, a Daiwa Lexa 2500 and a dx702sf. I thought maybe my weight is a little too light (can't remember the exact size) and the line issues come from the wind while the line is trying to get to the bottom. I have been drop shotting in 20-40ft depths, if that could somehow effect anything.. thinking maybe more time the line is trying to run off the spool while waiting for the weight to reach the bottom = more time for the line to tangle up more frequently. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted July 15, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 15, 2015 Thanks for the replies ... I do have a elgible drop shot spinning outfit with no line on the reel (except half a spool of mono) . I'll experiment with some #10lb. ~ #15lb. PP braid as a top coat + FC leader and join it all with either a Double Uni knot or an Alberto knot ...If that becomes an issue getting a good knot then I will try the smallest Spro or P-Line barrel swivel I can find (hope that doesn't interefer with sensitivity too much !) Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 During the mid-summer period, the drop shot is an important & effective part of my arsenal and I use it quite a bit. A 10 lb braid main line & a 6 lb mono leader have been the standard for the past three or four seasons. Allows for long casts, (a must in the very clear water), great bite detection & solid hook ups from a distance, especially with a small Tex-posed presentation. I consider this set-up as fool proof & reliable as any technique I fish. A-Jay 3 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 Mine is pretty close to Ajay... 10lb braid main line to a 8lb flouro leader.... might do a 6 or 7lb leader one day, but all i have is 8lb for now.... i prefer this 100:1 over straight flouro as the braid is so much easier to maintain and manage. 1 Quote
5fishlimit Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 I started off using straight 6# FC for my dropshot setup, but based on a recommendation from a member on this board (it might have been A-Jay) I switched to a 10# braid mainline and a 6# FC leader. I see no convincing reason to ever go back to using FC as the main line for this setup. 1 Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 Switched to braid + FC leader years ago. Will never go back to straight FC. Started out using Powerpro. Switched a couple rods to TuffLine this season. No real reason, just wanted to try something different. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted July 15, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 15, 2015 During the mid-summer period, the drop shot is an important & effective part of my arsenal and I use it quite a bit. A 10 lb braid main line & a 6 lb mono leader have been the standard for the past three or four seasons. Allows for long casts, (a must in the very clear water), great bite detection & solid hook ups from a distance, especially with a small Tex-posed presentation. I consider this set-up as fool proof & reliable as any technique I fish. A-Jay Any line handling issues such as : digging in , wind knots , break offs or other issues using small diameter #10lb. braid ? Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted July 15, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 15, 2015 I started off using straight 6# FC for my dropshot setup, but based on a recommendation from a member on this board (it might have been A-Jay) I switched to a 10# braid mainline and a 6# FC leader. I see no convincing reason to ever go back to using FC as the main line for this setup. Has your catch rate ratio changed any using braid + FC leader versus straight FC ? Quote
5fishlimit Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 Has your catch rate ratio changed any using braid + FC leader versus straight FC ? I will say that indirectly, yes, it has. For me it came down to a line management issue. With the 6# FC main line I was having issues with the line coiling up badly during the cast. I tried everything from KVD L&L conditioner to letting out 20 yards of line behind the boat. I would still get line twist pretty quickly again. This might be because I'm using my dropshot on Lake Erie in 20+ FOW. Either way since going to braid I have eliminated all line twist. Since I am also fishing this vertically I don't have to worry about slack line issues with braid. Economically it also makes sense. Braid will last for several years, and FC I was changing out at least twice a year. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 During the mid-summer period, the drop shot is an important & effective part of my arsenal and I use it quite a bit. A 10 lb braid main line & a 6 lb mono leader have been the standard for the past three or four seasons. Allows for long casts, (a must in the very clear water), great bite detection & solid hook ups from a distance, especially with a small Tex-posed presentation. I consider this set-up as fool proof & reliable as any technique I fish. A-Jay Any line handling issues such as : digging in , wind knots , break offs or other issues using small diameter #10lb. braid ? Nope - I was hoping to convey that with the term fool proof. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted July 15, 2015 Super User Posted July 15, 2015 If your braid is digging in or breaking off while dropshotting then you are doing it wrong. Quote
blckshirt98 Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 Fluoro is stiffer and will coil up and bounce off of a spinning reel, especially if the spool is close to full/freshly spooled. I only go straight fluoro on a baitcaster setup where the line doesn't have a chance to spring. Quote
Super User Further North Posted July 16, 2015 Super User Posted July 16, 2015 I use braid at the same diameter (not line strength) as the leader, than 4' - 6' of fluoro or mono leader if I'm in clear water or the fish seem line shy. I see no reason to spend the extra $$$ to spool with thin diameter braid when I'm using a leader...doesn't make sense to me...and I benefit from stronger line if I snag bottom or structure. Also...similar diameter lines join better... 1 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted July 16, 2015 Super User Posted July 16, 2015 I use braid at the same diameter (not line strength) as the leader, than 4' - 6' of fluoro or mono leader if I'm in clear water or the fish seem line shy. I see no reason to spend the extra $$$ to spool with thin diameter braid when I'm using a leader...doesn't make sense to me...and I benefit from stronger line if I snag bottom or structure. Also...similar diameter lines join better... Good point. I do the same Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 16, 2015 I should mention I only fish a drop shot shallow horizontally - mainly a : "lift , shake & drag" style of fishing a drop shot ... Does anyone fish a drop shot with braid shallow in this fashion with success ? 1 Quote
Zach Dunham Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 I should mention I only fish a drop shot shallow horizontally - mainly a : "lift , shake & drag" style of fishing a drop shot ... Does anyone fish a drop shot with braid shallow in this fashion with success ? I use it this way sometimes, yes. Same setup. I also use a power shot on a baitcaster for spawners. For that I just used straight 12-14 lb FC. Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted July 16, 2015 Super User Posted July 16, 2015 I'm one of the comverted. I use hi-vis yellow Power Pro and 8lb InvizX 1 Quote
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