Recommended Line for Squarebills to Mid-Depth Crankbaits

[Dorado]

I'm fairly new to the bass fishing world and enjoy kayak fishing. I have a Daiwa Tatula casting reel that needs a re-spool, but I'm stuck on what line to choose for this application: When on shore, I'll be throwing squarebills and spinnerbaits.........from the yak, trolling for stripers (nothing huge) with mid-depth crankbaits and paddletails.

 

Previously, I had a spool of P-Line Floroclear but that stuff didn't last a hot summer in Phoenix. The memory on that line was terrible and beyond repair. I know I need something abrasion resistant and with some stretch. What do you all recommended for these situations, hoping I can be versatile with one reel and one line?

 

Thanks in advance!

[bagofdonuts]

12-14lb sniper florocarbon is pretty nice for those applications, but if you occasionally throw a top water on the same set up I would go with mono. I like the pline mono, but like you, hate the floroclear.

[WIGuide]

I use 12lb Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon for those techniques you mentioned.

[Angry John]

10 or 12lb Yo-zuri hybrid.  I love it while in the yak because its strong and abrasion resistant.  It does not have a lot of stretch.  I use 10 most, but if your in areas with shells I would use 12.

[fishballer06]

If you're throwing spinnerbaits and paddle tailed swimbaits too, I'd recommend 14lb fluorocarbon. Your brand of choice. I personally use Sunline Sniper FC for these applications. 

[lmbfisherman]

1 hour ago, Angry John said:

10 or 12lb Yo-zuri hybrid.  I love it while in the yak because its strong and abrasion resistant.  It does not have a lot of stretch.  I use 10 most, but if your in areas with shells I would use 12.

This.  This year though I'm going to use 10lb P Lline Floro.

[Angry John]

7 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

This.  This year though I'm going to use 10lb P Lline Floro.

I love that line and use it for jerkbaits.  I don't love the knot strength compared to YHB though...

[A-Jay]

I'll offer three very decent options.

Listed from least $$ to a Little more $$.

Whether or not one is markedly better than the other may be a matter of opinion and the conditions one's fishing in.

 

First in the Monofilament category, 12lb or 15 lb Berkley Big Game (I like the Green).

Second also in the monofilament category (although TW lists this as a copolymer may not matter), is 12lb or 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen.

And finally in the Fluorocarbon category, I like 12lb or 15lb Seaguar InvisX .

As a side note to this, if I were flat line trolling for stripers and I had a ton of line out, I'd seriously consider using a 20-30lb braid mainline & leader set up.

A-Jay

 

 

[Dorado]

Great replies so far. Thanks all! At this point, I'm leaning on #14 Sunline Sniper FC. Never used 100% fluorocarbon, except for leaders.  Co-polymors add complexity to my personal debate on picking mono vs. fluoro and the responses indicate mix feelings for this application I stated.

 

Use Braid and nano on all my spinning gear.

[fishballer06]

I'm sure you will not be disappointed with the Sniper FC. For less headaches with all fluoro, I highly suggest investing in KVD line conditioner (Line and Lure I believe is the technical name). It's a $7 investment that makes using fluorocarbon a joy. One bottle will last me almost two seasons. 

[runt4561]

12- 14 lb flouro. I am a fan of seagar red label. good line for not a lot of $$$$. sure there are better lines out there but not at $10/spool. stay away from Berkley vanish. it ages prematurely and starts to break after a few weeks. other than that, its a good line for a day or two. I have never used any of the sunlines but here good things about it.

[Dorado]

49 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

I'm sure you will not be disappointed with the Sniper FC. For less headaches with all fluoro, I highly suggest investing in KVD line conditioner (Line and Lure I believe is the technical name). It's a $7 investment that makes using fluorocarbon a joy. One bottle will last me almost two seasons. 

 

How often do you apply the conditioner? Quarterly?

[A-Jay]

Just now, Dorado said:

 

How often do you apply the conditioner? Quarterly?

 

Before & often during, every outing.

A-Jay

[fishballer06]

21 minutes ago, Dorado said:

 

How often do you apply the conditioner? Quarterly?

 

The night before, the morning of at the ramp, and as needed during the day. During the hot summer days, it could be every hour or two. 

[Airman4754]

5 hours ago, Angry John said:

10 or 12lb Yo-zuri hybrid.  I love it while in the yak because its strong and abrasion resistant.  It does not have a lot of stretch.  I use 10 most, but if your in areas with shells I would use 12.

 

Yep. I use 10lb Yo-zuri.

[iceintheveins]

Just depends on the cover. For more sparse cover, 10 or 12 pound test mono or fluoro is great. If it's thicker cover I would use 14 to 17 pound.

[Chris at Tech]

Keep it simple -- mono.  More versatile to throw a topwater too, if needed.

 

I tried fluoro on my cranking rod.  Was OK -- no issues.  But I went back to mono for the versatility with no regrets

[MichiganBass80]

I use 12# BPS Excel Mono.

[cottny27]

9 hours ago, Dorado said:

I'm fairly new to the bass fishing world and enjoy kayak fishing. I have a Daiwa Tatula casting reel that needs a re-spool, but I'm stuck on what line to choose for this application: When on shore, I'll be throwing squarebills and spinnerbaits.........from the yak, trolling for stripers (nothing huge) with mid-depth crankbaits and paddletails.

 

Previously, I had a spool of P-Line Floroclear but that stuff didn't last a hot summer in Phoenix. The memory on that line was terrible and beyond repair. I know I need something abrasion resistant and with some stretch. What do you all recommended for these situations, hoping I can be versatile with one reel and one line?

 

Thanks in advance!

12-15# Seaguar InvizX

[NHBull]

I have 2 setups, one with sniper the other braid with sniper.

I have no trouble getting braid/FC leader down to the same depth as all FC

[pauldconyers]

On 2/22/2017 at 4:28 PM, A-Jay said:

 

Before & often during, every outing.

A-Jay

Silly question but do you spray it while it sits on the spool or pull out and bunch and spray it while it's laid out? Assuming so while on the spool do you just do a few short sprays or really douse the line heavily? Any risk of gunking up your reel or damaging it?

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Silly question but do you spray it while it sits on the spool or pull out and bunch and spray it while it's laid out? Assuming so while on the spool do you just do a few short sprays or really douse the line heavily? Any risk of gunking up your reel or damaging it?

The only silly questions here are the ones not asked -

 No risk.  Spray it on mono before, during and or after any outing. 

While not toxic or corrosive in any way, I will wipe off excess from Rod handle & reel.

 Some faithful believers who utilize 'bulk spools' for their fishing lines needs, will spray / soak the entire bulk spool well ahead of using it.

Those folks may be prime candidates for the Gallon size,

A-Jay

[ChrisD46]

Good line replies here (including Line & Lure and KVD line conditioner) . I would also  add P-Line CXX  #8 lb. ~ 10# lb. with a line conditioner ... Lately , I have jumped on the Maxima Ultra Green line band wagon as besides being strong with low stretch , good knots , lower memory ,  etc. the stuff seems to disappear in the water (due to the way it reacts to light) plus it's almost the exact same color as the reservoirs here in North Georgia . The only downside is it's not available locally so online via TW is a must .

[Deleted account]

12 Big Game or Ande.

[tander]

I would recommend 16# Sunline Sniper FC. The 16# test diameter is the same as most brands 14# test.