Straight flourocarbon

[fullcoupe]

I've recently been throwing straight flourocarbon (Sunline FC Sniper in 14# and Seaguar Red Label 8#). The 14# spooled on a Curado 200 baitcaster, and the 8# on a Abu Revo STX30 spinning reel. I soaked the spools a couple times with line conditioner - something I normally do with mono line as well.

I go out to throw a few casts at the local hole. Backlashes and coils all over the place. It just won't stay on the spool! If I really 'snap' the cast, it seems to aid the initial backlash but then I'm left with a bunch of loose 'loops' further into the spool. On the spinning reel, forget about it. The moment I open the bail, it comes off like a slinky.

I've thrown mono and braid for some time on both casting and spinning setups without too much issue. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Operator error? Spool diameter too small maybe? How are the pros and others tossing flouro without issue? It's something I definitely want to learn, as there are times I don't want to tie a leader, or maybe mono isn't right for the job.

[HookdUP]

Which curado ? Line conditioners or reel magic really help me with sunline . I only use it for flipping wood and light grass now though anyways . Also what baits Are you throwing this lb test line on ? Your Rod also may be a factor . I've never fished #14 sunline but I'm very familiar with 16 . 

[fullcoupe]

It's a 200 I Curado (2013 model?). I tested medium diving crankbaits on a 7' M rod. I'm not sure of the exact lure weights, but I've thrown them on 14# mono before.

On the spinning setup I was throwing a 4" stick worm (no weight), 6' 3" ML rod - the idea being that flouro would encourage it to sink.

[EllisJuan]

Tatsu + KVD Line & Lure is the only pure Flouro I can stand...everything else I have tried is just too stiff with too much memory.  Yo Zuri Hybrid is a nice compromise.

[KP Duty]

Line jumping off the spool usually occurs with over filling the spool, so make sure you aren't overfilled.  Sniper is just so soft to me...it sounds like you are battling 25 lb cxx

[fullcoupe]

3 minutes ago, EllisJuan said:

Tatsu + KVD Line & Lure is the only pure Flouro I can stand...everything else I have tried is just too stiff with too much memory.  Yo Zuri Hybrid is a nice compromise.

The reviews on Tatsu seem positive, just couldn't bring myself to spend the $$. I may have to give it a try and see if it's any better. Would hate to waste it!

Just now, KP Duty said:

Line jumping off the spool usually occurs with over filling the spool, so make sure you aren't overfilled.  Sniper is just so soft to me...

Negative, if anything it is slightly underfilled. I'm not using the sniper on the spinning reel, so it may be the Seaguar that's a little crispy.

[KP Duty]

Well...under filling could explain the excessive coiling.  I say don't overfill, but I do like them to the brim on my casting outfits. 

[fullcoupe]

7 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Well...under filling could explain the excessive coiling.  I say don't overfill, but I do like them to the brim on my casting outfits. 

Yeah, the casting is about to the inner edge of the spool. That's usually where I put it for braid/mono. The spinning reel is where it comes off the spool instantly, and it's slightly underfilled. I'm doing some reading/youtubing, a lot of folks recommend a size 40 spinning reel for flourocarbon. The larger diameter supposedly helps tame it a bit. But, it's also added weight to the setup. Not sure if that tradeoff is worth it, especially for throwing weightless baits.

I may take EllisJuan's tip and get a spool of YZ Hybrid, and try that side-by-side on another reel. It's pretty inexpensive in comparison.

[Mike L]

I've used 16# Sniper on a Curado 200E and a Chronarch 100 and have never had the problems you described. (I don't hardly ever use a spinning setup ever anymore) I also use L&L the night before any outing. 

My first thought was that maybe it was spooled on backwards, which would cause what you describe. 

 

Mike 

[WIGuide]

I haven't had issues throwing fc on a baitcaster. I have tried red lable in 6 lb test on a spinning reel and just couldn't deal with it. It seemed waaay too stiff. I didn't use any like conditioner, but i don't know if that would have tamed it enough. I'd look for a more limp fc and maybe drop down to 6# for those weightless baits. Make sure you're putting the line on right to begin with and don't overfill the spinning spool. 

[thebillsman]

I recently made the switch to fluoro for my jigging and crank rods. I went with 14lb Sunline on my jig setup and I have also had some backlash issues. I use the KVD line conditioner but maybe I haven't been using it liberally enough. It has gotten considerably worse on cold days.

I do not have any issues with the 12lb InvisX I use for cranking.

[thebillsman]

Got out again yesterday, and the 14lb Sniper is still difficult to manage. I used KVD Line and Lure the night before and the hours leading up to. I spent more time pulling out backlashes and adjusting my brakes than I did fishing. I don't experience this issue with InvisX at all.

I have it backed by 12lb Mono, and it seems like when I throw it the Fluoro just flares up almost all the way to the backing no matter how tight it is spooled.

Is 14lb test (.0122 in.) too heavy of a line for a Medium/Fast rod and jigs+trailers adding up to ~3/8 oz?

[BassThumb]

Frankly, I don't know how people can fishing straight fluorocarbon on a spinning reel. It's incredibly irritating. That's braid/leader territory, all the way. 

However, I am a big fan of straight braid on bait casters for most bottom contact rods. 20# Tatsu is the best there is, and I've fished two whole seasons without respooling. This season, I'm going to use the same line on my two openwater jig/worm rods, that would be season 3 on the same 20# line, which still looks crystal clear and is without kinks or coils, at least until I feel its compromised. Tatsu just seems to hold up much longer, and that offsets the price.

For moving baits on a bait caster, and I know it's been said 1000+times here before, the standard YoZuri Hybrid is about as good as it gets. 12# for most lures, and 10# for cranks. It has a much higher breaking strength than what is listed on the spool. For instance, the 12# is really like 17-lb line, etc. I have three-pound spools of both that I've been chipping away at for years. 

[blckshirt98]

I have straight fluoro on a casting reel I use for crankbaits/chatterbaits.  If the lure I'm throwing doesn't have enough weight to it the reel is very prone to backlashes.  Just the way I have the brakes dialed in, doesn't work well for throwing either lighter lures or into the wind.  Do you have the same issues if you use a heavier lure or add some extra to your brake settings?