Should I venture away from braid alittle?

[KYBassin']

So I'm a braid guy, love PP.  Have used it for all applications to date and I don't feel like it has limited me in any way, especially in catching fish.  But I am working on adding a drop shot rig to my arsenal and I am considering using FC, either for the entire rig or as just a leader.  I am a little leery of using FC because of what I have heard about knot issues and memory but I wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks

[Netfish and Chill]

If you use the fluro for a leader, there won't bee any knot issues because it won't be wound around the spool. While braid is very nice in the aspect that it is limp and has no memory, it is also going to be harder to fix any birdnests. I think that each line has it's advantages in a certain situation, and copolymer seems to offer everything I want. It's strong and doesn't stretch just like braid. If I were you I would invest in Gliss Supersmooth Monotex Line Translucent:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gliss_Supersmooth_Monotex_Line_Translucent/descpage-GST.html

It floats my boat, but every fisherman is different. Tight lines man!

~ Mr. Netfish and Chill 

[Hogsticker]

I can think of a few techniques I've ventured away from braid with, but a drop shot ain't one of them. While I think it's a good thing to be versatile, step outside your box, and have the right tool for the job, braid and a fluoro leader is the only way to drop shot imo. Straight fluoro sounds like a nightmare on a spinning reel. I don't care what anyone says! Quality fluor on a quality casting reel I'm good with. 

[Fishin' Fool]

53 minutes ago, KYBassin' said:

So I'm a braid guy, love PP.  Have used it for all applications to date and I don't feel like it has limited me in any way, especially in catching fish.  But I am working on adding a drop shot rig to my arsenal and I am considering using FC, either for the entire rig or as just a leader.  I am a little leery of using FC because of what I have heard about knot issues and memory but I wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks

I have used 6 and 7 pound straight fluorocarbon on my reels without issue catching smalies up to 5 pounds. You just have to loosen the drag a bit and play the fish a little more. No swinging then on board like you southern guys do lol

[buzzed bait]

i tried them both and quickly, very quickly, went back to the braid + leader.  the zero line memory is perfect for me, and the light rod i use could use the no stretch help from the braid on the hooksets.  with line, i stick to the thought of "if ain't broke, don't fix it" so i'd stick with braid.

[Airman4754]

Add another to the braid w/ fluoro leader side. It's the bee's pajamas for drop shot/shakey head fishing on spinning gear. 

[ksfishinguy]

The only time I notice fluoro helping me catch fish is when you're fishing suspending or weightless baits (which is quite a bit for me). You really need a good sinking line for the correct presentation for finesse plastics and some swimbaits. I go straight fluoro when using casting gear but I'm definitely in the braid-fc leader club for spinning.

I'd say otherwise there's alternative tool for the job that can do it just as well. 

It takes awhile to get the hang of FC, but stick with it. You'll be glad you have another tool on the belt.

[ww2farmer]

I'm a die-hard braid guy, but I have seen the benefit of using a FC leader. If you're like me.............after using braid for so long, you will HATE FC as main line. Even the best stuff, IMHO, handles "different" than braid, and I just never liked it as main line. I tie my leaders to the braid with the Alberto knot, it's stupid easy to tie, and has been bomb proof.

Here's the when/why I use a leader:

#1 Drop shotting...............100% of the time I use a leader..........I do not like how limp braid is for this.

#2 Fishing docks, or other super snaggy cover............if I am hung bad, I need the ability to break off so I don't have to in and get on top of what I am fishing, when using straight 30-50 lb braid, you'll pull the boat over to what your fishing before you break off............plus the added abrasion resistance of FC leaders is a plus around the wood/docks/rocks that are often coated with razor sharp zebra mussels around here. Since I bounce back and forth from fishing grass, to fishing docks all the time, most of my jig and plastic rods will have FC leaders on them 100% of the time. It's totally un-needed for fishing grass.........but I don't want to have several rods rigged up with the same stuff when bouncing around, so they all get leaders.

#3 Throwing reaction baits (other than top water) ..........My home waters are loaded with pike and other toothy critters.......their teeth cut braid like a hot knife in butter, with a FC leader I stand a better chance of getting my baits back, and I just don't get the bites or the performance out of my baits I want with steel leaders, so FC is my only choice.

This is what I tie straight to the braid:

#1 Frogging/top water................no exceptions,  100% of the time tied direct to braid.

#2 Punching grass mats .............that is if I am going to be doing that exclusively and NOT fishing docks/wood/etc, which happens just a few times a year, because even on a day when I am punching grass, I'll always still hit some docks, and/or deeper less thick off shore grass beds.

 

[Hogsticker]

32 minutes ago, ksfishinguy said:

The only time I notice fluoro helping me catch fish is when you're fishing suspending or weightless baits (which is quite a bit for me). You really need a good sinking line for the correct presentation for finesse plastics and some swimbaits. I go straight fluoro when using casting gear but I'm definitely in the braid-fc leader club for spinning.

I'd say otherwise there's alternative tool for the job that can do it just as well. 

It takes awhile to get the hang of FC, but stick with it. You'll be glad you have another tool on the belt.

Another tool on the belt is always a good thing imo. I had to force myself to stick with fluor for some techniques. Pita but I knew the benefits and rewards would be worth it. 

[The Fisher]

I don't use fluorocarbon on spinning reels. Too many line twists. I use either braid or Silver Thread AN40 copolymer which is super thin and strong. Never had line twists with either.

[WIGuide]

It's really up to you. If you feel comfortable using braid and you don't think it hinders you then why switch? If you feel that you are missing out then give it a shot and find out if it's right for you. 

[Darren.]

3 hours ago, KYBassin' said:

So I'm a braid guy, love PP.  Have used it for all applications to date and I don't feel like it has limited me in any way, especially in catching fish.  But I am working on adding a drop shot rig to my arsenal and I am considering using FC, either for the entire rig or as just a leader.  I am a little leery of using FC because of what I have heard about knot issues and memory but I wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks

If you are comfy with braid, stick with it and use
FC as a leader. I can't imagine a single situation
for me that I'd go back to non-braid mainline.

I use it on every reel I use, and always with a leader.

To each his/her own....my choice is PP and PPSS8

[rippin-lips]

It's all about confidence. If switching to fluoro gives you the confidence that you'll fish the technique better then go for it. I tie a fluoro leader 90% of the time but there are certain situations were I'll use a combo with straight fluoro. It wouldn't hurt to try it out and see what you think. 

[blckshirt98]

Fluoro leader on a drop shot all the way.  Also don't be scared to use a small swivel to connect your braid to fluoro.  I know using a swivel is sometimes seen as shooting freethrows underhand but it'll save you a lot of headache.

[HeavyTwenty]

I used straight braid for 4 months, then braid + fluoro leader for 4 months, now I'm back to straight braid. I haven't really noticed a different in catch rate, but I do think the action has changed on some of my presentations. I feel like I get better action using a stiffer leader when using weightless baits (ksfishinguy mentioned it earlier). I also have to use a leader when walking the dog spook because the limp braid will often get tangled with the lure hook while a stiff leader doesn't. I probably should use a mono leader for the spook, but I only keep fluoro in my bag. 

Fluoro knots do suck in my experience. I've never had 10, 15, 20, or 65 lb braid fail on me, but 12 and 20 lb fluoro has failed on hook sets (only the 12# fluoro), on backlashes, hitting tree limbs while bank fishing, and hitting my own rods on accident while in my kayak. All of that is user error, but braid can withstand it fine. Not to mention, a lot of those accidents are caused by me having to cast with a long leader (I don't like the knot going through my rod guides).

I plan on trying out some copolymer line whenever there's a TW sale.