Can we revisit FC vs Mono for jerkbaits?

[Dypsis]

So with the off season now upon us (well some of us) its time to look back and evaluate how each of my combos, rod, reel, and line choice worked.  2 things I am really focusing on this winter is FC vs Mono (for both shallow and medium diving cranks) as well as this topic - jerkbaits (hardbaits).  I know this has been discussed a lot, but I searched and didn't see a thread that was too recent.  Last year I used 13lb Sunline Defier in 13lb test.  While I liked the line I am debating changing it to either Sunline Armilio (used on my lighter cranking rod and loved it) or FC, probably Sniper.  At minimum I would switch to 11lb test as I don't think 13 was necessary.  I am leaning to mono as it treated me well this year.

FC sinks - mostly a pro, but I fish pretty shallow so not a huge issue.  More sensitive - pro for slack line bite detection.  Less stretch - con but I think that 2 things can help with this - using the right rod and trying to horse the fish in.  I will be using an appropriate rod and am also working at getting better landing and reeling in fish on various rods/techniques.  

Mono - more stretch - pro see above, so possibly not too much of an issue.  

Finally, which will affect suspension and the erratic action more?  I would also respectfully, appreciate your thoughts on why you use one over the other, not simply Mono or FC and leave it at that.  Maybe it is just a preference thing, but I would like to hear your personal thoughts to help me decide.  I am hoping to hear from some, in my opinion, top jerkbait fishers on the forum (obviously there are more than this).  @A-Jay @smalljaw67 @Lucky Craft Man @Dwight Hottle

[Attila]

I know that I'm not included in your list, but I'd like to add my $0.02 worth if I could.

I've spent the last few years experimenting with what your query is about, and I've discovered that fishing with braid and then a fluro leader will give you the best imparted action on your lure while at the same time delivering a stealthy approach to your presentation.  With regards to stretch, while I don't personally use Sunline, I have heard many praise it as a go to flurocarbon line.  For myself, I find that Seaguar InvizX is a great fluro line and it does posess some stretch which will give me a bit more leeway in setting the hook.

I've tried fishing straight mono for jerkbaits but found that I couldn't impart the same action as when I used braided line as my main line and as well I found that the InvizX I used held up really well against rocky cover when bringing fish in. I could also use a lighter pound test for both, as I was running 20lbs braid w/ an 8lbs fluro leader and catching 5lbs bass out of cover without any issues. The lighter line also played a part in imparting greater action to the jerkbaits I was fishing.

Finally, with regards to suspension and fluro; while InvizX is meant to inherently sink, I found that the majority of jerkbaits I ran worked as advertised. Namely my Shadow Raps sank, my Shadow Rap Shads floated, and my X-Raps remained suspended.  So in other words, I didn't notice a difference in bait suspension characteristics at all.

I hope that this information helps you!

[Siebert Outdoors]

For me, once I started throwing flourocarbon I have not found a reason to switch back.  I prefer the benefits of it sinking and the feel of it verse mono.

[A-Jay]

Good info here ~ when it's all said & done, I prefer braid & a leader (mono usually) on Spinning gear for jerkbaits.

A-Jay

 

[Dypsis]

51 minutes ago, Attila said:

I know that I'm not included in your list, but I'd like to add my $0.02 worth if I could.

Of course all are welcomed!!!  With my time here on BR there names keep coming in jerkbaits threads or I've seen alot of thier pictures of smallies that were caught on jerkbaits clears throat A-Jay.  By the way, thanks for the response, makes a lot of sense. 

[Logan S]

I prefer FC for the simple fact that it's more sensitive than mono.  The sinking/floating aspect is too small to be of real significance IMO.  FC does actually stretch too (despite what the box says ), some FC's stretch as much or more than some mono's...So I wouldn't base a decision on stretching properties.  For me it just comes down to sensitivity, I can feel what my bait is doing better with FC...I can also feel some strikes on the pause that I believe I wouldn't feel with mono.  

I sometimes use braid mainline on small size jerkbaits (Pointer 65 size), but not very often.  Braid blows/bows in the wind too much which makes it more difficult to feel what's going on....I also don't like how 'direct' the movement is with braid on jerkbaits.  I only use braid when I need the casting distance of a small diameter line but more strength than the 6lb FC I normally use for these small baits.    

[Scott F]

3 minutes ago, Logan S said:

....I also don't like how 'direct' the movement is with braid on jerkbaits.  I only use braid when I need the casting distance of a small diameter line but more strength than the 6lb FC I normally use for these small baits.    

That "direct" movement is exactly why I ONLY use braid on my jerkbaits. Because so much of the action is imparted by moving the rod, I want the movement transferred to the bait and not eaten up by the stretch of the line. To each his own I guess.

It looks like the myth that FC doesn't stretch much just won't die.

[J Francho]

I do not prefer fluorocarbon or braid for fishing jerkbaits slow. I don't feel there's any stretch going on with just the bait.  I know some very good anglers that prefer braid and a leader.  Not me, it's simpler to use the same line I use for topwater.  I'm generally imparting VERY light twitches.  If you're yanking hard enough to stretch the line, you are doing it wrong.  I use 10# CXX.  With a good, sensitive stick, sensitivity is no issue.  In fact, if you can't feel a bite on jerkbait, you might want to get checked out by a doc.

[Glenn]

Guacamole.

 

[WIGuide]

Well already we've had proponents to all 3 types of line. The best advice is to experiment and find what works for you. Personally I fish jerkbaits on 12 lb fluoro. I don't use mono for them for a few reasons: I don't want a suspending bait to rise in the water at all. I'd much rather have it slowly sinking as I feel it resembles something dying much better. I also better feel on a slack line. 

Regardless, it's all about finding a system that works for you. Some like to throw a jerkbait with a moderate action rod, others throw them on a fast, while some prefer an extra fast. Try it out figure out what you like, what feels best to you, and what puts them in the boat. 

[soflabasser]

8-12lb mono is what I mostly use for bass when fishing with jerkbaits. I use heavier mono when jerkbait fishing in saltwater since the saltwater fish I target are much more powerful than bass.

[J Francho]

2 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

I don't want a suspending bait to rise in the water at all. I'd much rather have it slowly sinking as I feel it resembles something dying much better.

Just curious, when I tried fluoro, the line would end up on the bottom, causing me to lose contact with the bait.  We use crazy long pauses, though.  So maybe that's my issue with FC?  You run into that ever?  I don't feel like the CXX causes the bait to rise, though I'm usually only fishing in 6-10 FOW.  Just curious.

[WIGuide]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

Just curious, when I tried fluoro, the line would end up on the bottom, causing me to lose contact with the bait.  We use crazy long pauses, though.  So maybe that's my issue with FC?  You run into that ever?  I don't feel like the CXX causes the bait to rise, though I'm usually only fishing in 6-10 FOW.  Just curious.

I would think the crazy long pauses is the culprit. I haven't had that experience, but then again I don't usually pause for very long. Maybe 5-10 seconds would be about my absolute longest, average would be about 3-7.

[J Francho]

Yeah, we're fishing just bit after ice out.  Finger Lakes, 30-45 second pauses between three to five twitches.  Sometimes throw a slight rip at the end.  It's a little boring, but it beats the skunkings we used to get that time of year.  The bonus, they're usually pretty decent fish.

[roadwarrior]

I fish Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo exclusively with anything that has treble hooks.

 

[Dypsis]

32 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

Regardless, it's all about finding a system that works for you. Some like to throw a jerkbait with a moderate action rod, others throw them on a fast, while some prefer an extra fast. Try it out figure out what you like, what feels best to you, and what puts them in the boat. 

I figured as with most things in fishing (A-Jay and I have discussed this many a times - what works for one person - rod, line, etc may not work for you) this is the case.  Just like to hear others that have been through the trials and changes to hear why they ended up with one over the other.  

[kstephes033]

Usually if you are working the bait faster, post spawn through mid fall probably, then floro tends to work best as it gets you better action and helps to get the bait deeper for the shorter pauses during that time frame. Late fall, winter, early spring, when the water temps are colder and you are wanting to pause for long periods, that is when you want to go mono. Reasoning is as stated, long pauses with floro can cause the line to sink too much, then when you go to twitch you are not imparting much if any action due to the line being below the bait. Mono in this case sits correctly in the water column and allows you to pause without the line causing action issues. Usually you arent ripping the bait as much in cold water either as when you are using it in warmer water. As for braid... not my choice, it will for sure give you more action due to the diameter and the no stretch, but the no stretch is also the reason you will lose more fish on treble baits. And in cold water when these are used most, you again arent going for a ton of action, more subtle twitching.

[WIGuide]

5 minutes ago, Dypsis said:

I figured as with most things in fishing (A-Jay and I have discussed this many a times - what works for one person - rod, line, etc may not work for you) this is the case.  Just like to hear others that have been through the trials and changes to hear why they ended up with one over the other.  

No doubt, I hear where you're coming from which is why I left my $0.02 on what I use. It's always interesting to hear what everyone is using and that's what brings us all hear. I've been on here for a while now though and see endless questions primarily from newcomers who get locked in on the idea that there is only one best option. Just trying to leave friendly reminders that it doesn't have to be that way. 

[J Francho]

19 minutes ago, kstephes033 said:

Usually if you are working the bait faster, post spawn through mid fall probably, then floro tends to work best as it gets you better action and helps to get the bait deeper for the shorter pauses during that time frame. Late fall, winter, early spring, when the water temps are colder and you are wanting to pause for long periods, that is when you want to go mono. Reasoning is as stated, long pauses with floro can cause the line to sink too much, then when you go to twitch you are not imparting much if any action due to the line being below the bait. Mono in this case sits correctly in the water column and allows you to pause without the line causing action issues. Usually you arent ripping the bait as much in cold water either as when you are using it in warmer water. As for braid... not my choice, it will for sure give you more action due to the diameter and the no stretch, but the no stretch is also the reason you will lose more fish on treble baits. And in cold water when these are used most, you again arent going for a ton of action, more subtle twitching.

Really good info.  I know they work outside of early spring and late fall/winter, but there are so many other baits that I enjoy more as the water warms up.  They are an option, and they do work though.

[rippin-lips]

My jerkbait rod is also my topwater rod. I have it spooled with #13 defier armillo. 

[Dypsis]

58 minutes ago, rippin-lips said:

My jerkbait rod is also my topwater rod. I have it spooled with #13 defier armillo. 

This was the deciding factor  that I went with mono in the first place.  

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I fish Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo exclusively with anything that has treble hooks.

I fished Armilo and Defier on different rods and for different techniques but I truly feel that I liked Armilo better.  Maybe the rod, or technique used for each line factored in, but I did enjoy the Armilo more. 

[crypt]

3 hours ago, soflabasser said:

8-12lb mono is what I mostly use for bass when fishing with jerkbaits. I use heavier mono when jerkbait fishing in saltwater since the saltwater fish I target are much more powerful than bass.

same here………...

[Team9nine]

All the reasons for or against have pretty well been covered above. For the record, I'm almost strictly fluorocarbon. The only exception would be the "crazy long pauses" scenario. Problem is, no telling when you might run into that situation, so I frequently won't have a nylon/copoly setup with me, except when I know or expect the jerkbait bite to be the deal. Doesn't bother me though, because with those 30-45 second pauses, you only end up making 10-12 casts all day since it takes about 15-20 minutes to completely work each 100' cast back to the boat  jk

-T9

[iceintheveins]

I'm another proponent of using braid with a fluoro leader for jerkbaits, with spinning gear. I use it primarily for smaller jerkbaits though, like an X Rap 8, Dynamic J Spec, and Pointer 78. For the 100 sizes of pointers, or pretty much any jerkbait 4" or over, I use 10 pound fluoro on casting gear.

[smalljaw67]

Now that I read this, I have to ask. How in the world do you get better action with fluorocarbon?? I can see if using a short leader with braid as the main line but not straight fluorocarbon. I was fishing with a buddy 5 years ago, I remember it because it because of what happened, we always used mono for jerkbaits. Anyway, his reel seized up so the only reel he had that he could put on his jerkbait rod was spooled with fluorocarbon, the same 10# as the mono we were using. What we both noticed in the ultra clear water was that the jerkbait had the same tail kick and the nose moved off to the side but it was coming back in a straight line. When the same bait was worked on mono, it was a lot more erratic, these also happened to be Pointer 100s, perhaps you can have more erratic action with a smaller bait or with braid and a short leader but not straight fluorocarbon and there isn't enough resistance from that bait to get any kind of stretch. What we figured is that the fluorocarbon was always down in the water after pausing the bait and when you jerked the rod the line sinking below the bait would pull the bait in that downward direction keeping it from moving too far left or right and just allowing the nose of the lure to move. When you have to fish it ultra slow, then I can see the fluorocarbon working a little better as it can get the bait deeper and keep it from rising but when you have to move it to get bit it just get the same action, when my buddy switched reels he caught 1 more fish in the next 2 hours, I landed 14 in the same time. To give context to this, this was giving the bait 3 jerks followed by a 5 second pause and then 1 jerk and let sit for 3 seconds followed by 3 jerks again, this cadence did not work well with fluorocarbon line, and again, with braid as the main line I imagine it would be different but when I saw jerkbaits worked with straight fluorocarbon the bait had less action, or should I say movement as it still moved but just in a straight line.