Tell Me More About What Line Is Best For Topwater?

[TrapperJ]

Ok i tried Mono and feel its to stretchy on a long cast, tried braid and while i like it, how worried should i be about visibility of the line? i really dont want to mess with leaders. I currently have some Sunline Deifer green Nylon on that im still testing but the weather turned on me so the jury is still out.

 

Let me know what you think am i sweating the line visibility on braid to much? keep trying nylon?

 

and when i say topwater im leaning towards spooks, walking baits, and or poppers.

[Logan S]

Nylon = Mono.  Defier is a great line, I have a spool...but when it's gone I wont be buying another.  Too expensive for not enough of a difference to me since I only use mono for topwater.  Big Game and Sufix Seige are good options and cheap.  Just my opinion though.  

 

I like Mono/Nylon for topwater, the stretch doesn't bother me.  Some guys like braid for topwater, but one issue I had was the braid tangling with the front treble since it's so limp.  I think a lot of people use a mono leader to avoid this issue, but I'm like you and don't want to mess with leaders for this particular application so I just stick with mono. 

 

This is all referring specifically to treble-hook topwater baits like poppers and walking baits/spooks.

[poisonokie]

some baits will work just fine with braid. Others not so much. If that's the case, all you need is about 2ft of mono leader, so stretch is practically a non-issue.

[bowhunter63]

I always use Mono,Berkley xt.Never really had any issues.

[Rich in Co]

same as bowhunter63 been using it for ever never any issues

[TrapperJ]

my complaint about mono is on my long casts its like setting the hook with a rubber band... or atleast with the mono i unfortunately used. maybe i should try a different brand? The last mono i used for topwater was the BPS Signature Mono.

 

my lean was braid with a leader to avoid the tangle but yeesh i dont want to jack with leaders. Plus the first time i have one break i'll swear up and down it was my knot ha

[TrapperJ]

also side note on the Defier i got it because people said they loved it for cranking but uhhhh its drives me nuts not being able to feel the "wobble" on my smaller cranks like i could with Flouro. i keep thinking is it wobbling? is it wobbling?

 

I Co-Angler alot of events and the thought was it was nice to combine my cranking rod with my topwater rod to help from from bringing alot of rods. was hoping the Defier would be the answer i was looking for.

[lecisnith]

I use braid for frogs and anything else I'm going to put in anywhere ridiculous. Mono for open water applications. I don't ever have issues with setting the hook at distance. I've been using Berkley Big Game. I don't really get into the intricacies stretchiness and sink rate and yadda yadda yadda. If it works for me it works.

[kickerfish1]

I like mono for hard topwaters with treble hooks and braid for hollow body frogs.

[Bluebasser86]

I use Big Game and even when I'm launching spooks I don't have any problem setting hooks. Just crank into the fish when they hit and then lean into them when you feel the weight. Braid works fine too but then I'd be worried about ripping the hooks out during the fight. 

[Ersteman]

Hi, I have a quick reaction time when seeing and hearing topwater strikes.  I also have a relatively powerful hookset.  I have a tough time scaling down my excitement and hook sets on topwater fish, so I use a medium rod with mono and the soft rod and stretchy line suits my style perfectly.  When you stay "too stretchy". Do you mean you lose fish due to it being stretchy and not getting a good hookset?  or do you mean you don't like the feel of it?  Because if you're landing fish and don't like the feel of it, try to get more comfortable with it.  You can't complain when you're catching fish. If you're losing fish, then I would look into other things like sharper hooks(stock hooks on spooks, pop r's, torpedo's are trash), proper rod action, waiting a second before you set the hook, having too much slack line in your retrieve. 

 

I tried the braid and leader stuff and it's just too much messing around for me. 

I also re-tie a good bit, so I don't want to have to keep messing with a leader.

 

Also, try different mono's some have lower stretch.  I use Seagar Senshi. It's awesome. It's also on sale now at Tackle Warehouse.

 

Topwater fishing is an art form to me.  Experiment until you find out what works for you. 

 

Merry Christmas,

Mike

[A-Jay]

I fish a lot of very clear water.  Long casts are essential here for any open water topwater bite.

 

Nylon line works OK but my hook up ratio with braid & a leader is Much higher especially when fish are not eating but slashing at the bait.

 

A secondary benefit with the braid system is that walking type hard baits, which is one of my all time favorite top water presentations, seem quite a bit more responsive; meaning that it takes less effort to work / fish the bait effectively.  This allows me to fish this style longer.

 

btw, this works for jerkbaits as well.

 

A-Jay

[roadwarrior]

Nylon = Mono.  Defier is a great line, I have a spool...but when it's gone I wont be buying another.  Too expensive for not enough of a difference to me since I only use mono for topwater.  Big Game and Sufix Seige are good options and cheap.  Just my opinion though.  

 

I like Mono/Nylon for topwater, the stretch doesn't bother me.  Some guys like braid for topwater, but one issue I had was the braid tangling with the front treble since it's so limp.  I think a lot of people use a mono leader to avoid this issue, but I'm like you and don't want to mess with leaders for this particular application so I just stick with mono. 

 

This is all referring specifically to treble-hook topwater baits like poppers and walking baits/spooks.

 

Defier is a great line, but you might like the Sunline Defier Armilo even more!

 

http://www.sunlineamerica.com/shooter-defier-armilo/

 

 

 

[Dwight Hottle]

Defier is a great line, but you might like the Sunline Defier Armilo even more!

 

http://www.sunlineamerica.com/shooter-defier-armilo/

 

 

 

 

 

Sunline defier armilo is made specifically for topwater. Try it. I use it all the time and am very satisfied.

[OkobojiEagle]

OP... I think you should deal with your aversion to leaders.

 

 

 

oe

[Dypsis]

 

Defier is a great line, but you might like the Sunline Defier Armilo even more!

 

http://www.sunlineamerica.com/shooter-defier-armilo/

 

 

 

 

 

Sunline defier armilo is made specifically for topwater. Try it. I use it all the time and am very satisfied.

 

 

While I have only been using it for maybe the last 3-4 months I have it on my topwater/jerkbait rod and have been very please so far.  

[TrapperJ]

Sweet thanks for the info gentlemen!

 

I almost got some of the defier armilo i may experiment with it and the Big Game mono next.

[TrapperJ]

is the big game mono that good? like i hear people like it for cranks too. How abrasion resistant is it? assuming to use 15 or 20# line?

[rawjuice]

I like using mono or yo zuri, mono is typically the go to for topwater treble baits. I liked both though and have no complaints between the two

[Raul]

Berkley Trilene Big Game 10 or 12 lb test.