Line For Finesse Baitcaster

[goodtogoguy]

Hey guys. I am learning more and more about bass fishing as I continue to grow as an angler. I come from a background of sturgeon, striper, trout, salmon and crappie fishing and have become very detail oriented. I have been assembling a rod/reel arsenal to get by with for bass fishing and like many of you, I am a gear junkie and love high quality stuff. I recently pulled the trigger on a G. Loomis NRX 7'1" Medium 852C JWR and a Shimano Aldebaran 7:4:1 for light applications; shakey heads, neko rigged senkos, mojo rig, and weighted/weightless texas rigs. This would most likely be fished in fairly shallow water with moderate to great visibility. 

 

My question is what type of line should I run for these tactics? Braid with floor leader, straight braid, or straight fluorocarbon line? Also what poundage should I be using for my main/leader lines? Thanks!!!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Lots of info on this topic in the forums, but I'll say

that I like 20lb braid for mainline on my Chronarch

50e. I throw a lot of finesse/light line stuff on it when

pairing it with a ML rod.

 

With lighter braid you just have to be aware of 

potential dig ins after a snag, pulling hard, or fighting

a big fish.

 

A few pulls of the line off the reel after such an event

will often get the dig ins out and prep you for next cast.

[A-Jay]

Hello & Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 @Darren. has offered solid advice.

Another option is straight 10 Fluorocarbon ~

A-Jay

[reerok]

A-Jay has it right.  

 

I use straight InvisX 10 lb for one finesse setup and the other I use 16-20 lb braid mainline to a 8 lb InvisX leader.  If you pay attention to the braid it won't give you too much trouble.

[smr913]

Since some of those applications will require sensitivity on slack line, braid is not a good option. I agree with A-Jay that 10# FC is a good option.

[Spider]

Another 10# fluorocarbon user here, only thing to add is to use line conditioner for better results.

[Yudo1]

I use 10lb sniper on my nrx852/alphas sv combo for the same techniques you are using.

[RoLo]

 

The answer to your question would hinge on one's definition of "finesse".

In my view, the goal of a 'finesse' delivery is to deliver the lure as "naturally" as possible (minimum drag).

This is typically done by using a smaller lure, thin line and subtle lure action. 

 

Naturally, the thinner the line diameter, the less water resistance (drag), the more natural the delivery.

To that end, no line has a higher ratio of breaking strength to line diameter than polyethylene braid.

As a result, my finesse outfits are spooled with 20-lb braid. Many anglers prefer 10-lb braid for finesse fishing,

but we're only talking about a difference of 1/1000th inch (0.001"), or 1/4 the thickness of a human hair.

Slashing the breaking-test in half (by 50%) to reduce the line-diameter 11% is not an attractive tradeoff.

 

I use straight braid all the time (no leader), but for the angler who feels more confident

using a line with a refractive index closer to water, simply attach a leader of nylon (Big Game),

copolymer (CXX) or fluorocarbon (yuck).

 

Roger

[Steveo-1969]

I also agree with 10# fluorocarbon.  I use 10# Seaguar Red Label on my NRX MBR 842c and have no complaints.

[Raul]

6 lb test YoZuri Hybrid.

 

( I HATE Fluorocarbon ) 

[XpressJeff]

I use 20# Power Pro with a 15 # Seaguar leader!

[fishwizzard]

3 hours ago, Raul said:

6 lb test YoZuri Hybrid.

 

( I HATE Fluorocarbon ) 

 

This is my goto for finesse casting and spinning, but I am giving 8lb Seguar Finesse floro at try for the time being.  After all, how can I really learn to hate floro without fishing it?

 

 

[offsidewing]

10# Fluoro here.  I wait for sales and stock up on Seaguar Tatsu.  Seaguar inviz-x is also good as wel as sunline FC sniper.

[Jeff H]

I use 4 or 6lb Trilene XT.  

[FryDog62]

16 hours ago, Raul said:

6 lb test YoZuri Hybrid.

 

( I HATE Fluorocarbon ) 

I feel the same and am actually using 8 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid and it works well.  Same thickness as 10 lb fluorocarbon but I would argue much stronger, better knots ... and most importantly less of a PIA than fluorocarbon.  

 

I hate rats nests!!