Braid vs fluoro, what would you use, what's your opinion/experiences

[Bass Brandon]

I'm curious about more bass fisherman's opinions on a topic, if you had to choose one line for all applications would it be straight braid or fluoro. I'm talking clear water, muddy water, around structure, open water, weightless senkos, hollow frogs, to big swimbaits.

 

I just purchased a MH power spinning rod rated for 3/4 to 4 ounce lures. I'm primarily a bank fisherman so I'm trying to use this rod alone to cover a lot of lure applications so I can go out quickly with one setup.

 

Ild really appreciate some feedback on what yall think. What is your setup, if you use one rod for multiple applications? Also anyone recommend copolymer? I hear good things about pline cxx, I notice it comes in crystal clear, anyone used that?

[NHBull]

You will really like that setup with 10 lb Braid........Both of my spinning setups are set up with 832 as it will sink

[Bass Brandon]

28 minutes ago, NHBull said:

You will really like that setup with 10 lb Braid........Both of my spinning setups are set up with 832 as it will sink

I'll take your advice bull and start with some green moss braid I've got laying around. I could use that setup out inshore saltwater fishing as well, its fluke season by me rn. Appreciate the feedback 

[NHBull]

You won't be disappointed 

[roadwarrior]

Your rod is anything but "all-around". More specifically it must be designed for BIG swimbaits,

but it strikes me odd that it is designated medium heavy. It sounds extra heavy to me. At any

rate, for line I would recommend #50 braid with a #25 fluorocarbon leader. Specifically, KastKing

Black Ops/ Seaguar AbrazX.

http://www.eposeidon.com/kastking-mega-8-super-performance-8-strand-braid-fishing-line

http://www.seaguar.com/freshwater/fluorocarbon.html

 

[PAbasser927]

I would think it difficult to cast a weightless senko on a rod rated up to 4 oz.  I would also run heavy braid with heavy fluoro leader as that rod sounds like it has the power to snap light line pretty easily.  Especially on a frogging hookset.  

 

On my "do all" rod I use 12lb clear fluoro. Though my rod is a MH rated at 1/4 to 1 oz and I rarely throw anything over 3/4 on it.

[Hurricane]

Has anyone tried Hi-seas Fluro? Is it any good? I see Jimmy Houston always talking about it..

[Bass Brandon]

44 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Your rod is anything but "all-around". More specifically it must be designed for BIG swimbaits,

but it strikes me odd that it is designated medium heavy. It sounds extra heavy to me. At any

rate, for line I would recommend #50 braid with a #25 fluorocarbon leader. Specifically, KastKing

Black Ops/ Seaguar AbrazX. 

Funny you say that bc I got the rod specifically bc i have a couple hudds I just purchased.  I'm afraid I'll lose them on the occasional backlash I get on a bait caster. It's supposed to be a fresh/inshore salt transition rod so that might account for the confusion. I appreciate the input and also from you pabasser. Hoping the flexible tip enables me to launch the light stuff too when I want to just get a fish. took me awhile to find a rod I think could make the cut. Do either of you have a reccomendation for a fluoro to braid knot? I've had multiple failures with light lures on albertos

[PAbasser927]

It seems like most people here favor the crazy Alberto (Albright) or FG Knot if you have the patience to learn the FG.  My favorite braid to fluoro connector is not quite so popular here but I like the slim beauty.  I can tie it much faster and it actually holds much better for me than the FG when I tie on light line (likely user error when trying the FG).  It may not be as strong as the Albright or FG, but when I get snagged my lure knot always fails before my leader knot so it is plenty strong for me!  Plus I like that it is similar to an FG in that the tag end points backward so it goes through the guides very easily when casting.

[Turkey sandwich]

I would have some of the same concerns as stated above with a "do-all" rod.  Generally, my most versatile rods are MH F casting and M F spinning.  Still, those only cover lures from around 3/8-1oz, and 1/8-1/2 oz respectively. 

 

For the connection knot, the most important thing is finding one that you can tie very confidently.  Alberto, FG, blood knot, uni-to-uni, and a slew of others can all work well, and you'll find someone on here that swears by each of them.  What's most important is that you can tie it well, and reasonably quickly on the water when needed.  I like the uni-to-uni because it's fast, holds extremely well, and I'm confident in it.  It's the knot I tie best out of the group and it's yet to fail me in the 3 years or so that I've been using braid to leader connections regularly.

[Boomstick]

Did that rod happen to have Cat/Catfish or maybe Muskie in the name? From my experience, a rod that is MH and is rated for 3/4 to 4 oz lures is usually a rod for Catfish or Muskies, not for bass, and people would run something like 30lb mono or 50 or 65lb braid on such a rod. My Catfish rod is rated for 1 - 4 oz lures. Occasionally it can be useful for bass fishing to throw heavier lures in the junk where I can have confidence I will get my line back.

 

As for a do it all rod, typically you want a MH bass rod, 1/4oz - 1 oz and fast action. But even then, it's far from perfect for fishing baits with treble hooks like a crankbait. At the same time, it's a little light flipping, pitching and frogging heavy cover, and heavy for finesse techniques. The way I see it, I would have 4 rods ideally. First, a MH fast action rod, then a heavy action rod with 50# or 65# braid for frogs and pitching into heavy cover, a moderate action rod for treble hooks, and a spinning rod with anywhere from 6 to 12lb line for finesse techniques, although I make do with the first and latter options here for the time being. I've seen others recommend 6 rods for a complete bass fishing arsenal.

[d-camarena]

What brand is that rod? Im looking for a heavy spinning rod. I like to flip with spinning gear

[Bluebasser86]

If I was using a spinning rod for a do all rod, I'd be running straight braid without question. 

[PatrickKnight]

All I fish is spinning tackle and all I fish is braid. I will sometimes use a leader and sometimes go straight braid. I use Power Pro from 10-20 lb.

[LxVE Bassin]

I am curious as to what brand and model that rod is. That's a pretty beefy spinning rod.

[XpressJeff]

We've been over this before...

 

 

  ... Use braid on EVERYTHING!

 

10 or 20 pound on spinning gear

 

Higher on casting gear

 

Partial to Power Pro, maybe 832 on spinning gear.

 

Just $0.02 from an old fat guy!

[Bass Brandon]

On June 24, 2017 at 11:54 PM, d-camarena said:

What brand is that rod? Im looking for a heavy spinning rod. I like to flip with spinning gear

It's an ugly stick tiger elite. caught a bunch of bass with it, next day caugt fluke and sea bass. Heavy enough for the swimbaits and cover but it's a spinning rod so u can still launch a senko in a pinch. I did wind up putting light braid on it thanks for the feedback fellas 

[BassGirl71]

On 6/23/2017 at 9:22 AM, Bass Brandon said:

I'm curious about more bass fisherman's opinions on a topic, if you had to choose one line for all applications would it be straight braid or fluoro. I'm talking clear water, muddy water, around structure, open water, weightless senkos, hollow frogs, to big swimbaits.

 

I just purchased a MH power spinning rod rated for 3/4 to 4 ounce lures. I'm primarily a bank fisherman so I'm trying to use this rod alone to cover a lot of lure applications so I can go out quickly with one setup.

 

Ild really appreciate some feedback on what yall think. What is your setup, if you use one rod for multiple applications? Also anyone recommend copolymer? I hear good things about pline cxx, I notice it comes in crystal clear, anyone used that?

I am pretty big on braided line.  There aren't many situations where I won't throw straight braid, obviously other than super clear water.  I go for 50 or 65 lb KastKing Fortis on my bait casters and 15 pound Fortis on my spinning set ups.  I also use their co-polymer, which comes in a bunch of colors.  One I particularly like is the copper color for water that is a bit stained.  If it's a highly pressured body of water, I might opt for a leader on my braid and that copper is a perfect color for that situation.  Co-polymer has gotten a bad rap because years ago it was really not very good line.  Now  I think co-polymer is a great option.  I use it over fluoro, and I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but I do.

[Bass Brandon]

13 hours ago, BassGirl71 said:

I am pretty big on braided line.  There aren't many situations where I won't throw straight braid, obviously other than super clear water.  I go for 50 or 65 lb KastKing Fortis on my bait casters and 15 pound Fortis on my spinning set ups.  I also use their co-polymer, which comes in a bunch of colors.  One I particularly like is the copper color for water that is a bit stained.  If it's a highly pressured body of water, I might opt for a leader on my braid and that copper is a perfect color for that situation.  Co-polymer has gotten a bad rap because years ago it was really not very good line.  Now  I think co-polymer is a great option.  I use it over fluoro, and I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but I do.

I really wanna try some copolymers but I'll have to order them online they don't even carry them where I live. Until then it'll be straight braid for me I like the feel and the waters only clear in the winter here. I will get some copolymer tho appreciate your post 

[J Francho]

I use mono, fluoro, copoly, braid, fused, and even a coated/fused line with a mono core.  Every one has it's strengths and weaknesses.  I prefer not to use leaders, but there are times when I do.  There are dozens and dozens of threads, with no real consensus on which is best, even which is best for a certain application.  I'll give you a few of my picks, but really it's a very personal thing when choosing line.

 

cranks: mono/fluoro

finesse plastics: fluoro

jig/plastics in grass: braid/coply

jig/plastics in rocks: fluoro/copoly

jig/plastics in wood: braid with fluoro or copoly leader

topwater: mono, Tuf-Line Supercast (coated, fused, mono core superline, floats, no stretch)

suspending jerk/rip baits: copoly

[Crestliner2008]

I think one of biggest mistakes is when fishermen decide on getting one set up for "all around use". No such animal. You can catch a bass on a stick you carved off an oak tree. Doesn't mean that you "should" go with that. Focus on what you are trying to do and seriously consider several different rigs to do them with. The rod you are using is going to serve you well for some things and not so good for others. Weightless Senkos and big swimbaits are extremes of the spectrum. I would not want to do both with a rod designed for one or the other.

 

A medium to med-hvy action 7' spinning rod with 10 lb. test braid and a 8 lb. fluorocarbon leader can do a lot of things within the two extremes you cite. Trying to do it all with one will lead to your disappointment I'm afraid. I think you should re-focus on what you really are going to be doing for the majority of your fishing and go that route instead. JMO!

[Bass Brandon]

I Wish I could have a bunch of setups but unfortunately I only have 4, with the advice from this thread I think I'll set them up a little differently to accomplish more on the water. Already doing great with that heavy rod frogging flipping and throwing big swimbaits. I think I can use my other setups to cover everything lighter with the right lines. thanks for the great advice all, appreciate the help

 

[BassGirl71]

On 6/27/2017 at 10:20 AM, J Francho said:

I use mono, fluoro, copoly, braid, fused, and even a coated/fused line with a mono core.  Every one has it's strengths and weaknesses.  I prefer not to use leaders, but there are times when I do.  There are dozens and dozens of threads, with no real consensus on which is best, even which is best for a certain application.  I'll give you a few of my picks, but really it's a very personal thing when choosing line.

 

I agree a lot of it is personal preference.  I think we overthink it sometimes. Afte rall, fish do have a brain the size of a pea, right?  lol  

[LCG]

I prefer braid main line with fluorocarbon leader. 10 lb braid to 6-10 lb fluorocarbon works best for me on spinning gear. YMMV 

[Further North]

On 6/27/2017 at 10:20 AM, J Francho said:

I use mono, fluoro, copoly, braid, fused, and even a coated/fused line with a mono core.  Every one has it's strengths and weaknesses.  I prefer not to use leaders, but there are times when I do.  There are dozens and dozens of threads, with no real consensus on which is best, even which is best for a certain application.  I'll give you a few of my picks, but really it's a very personal thing when choosing line.

 

cranks: mono/fluoro

finesse plastics: fluoro

jig/plastics in grass: braid/coply

jig/plastics in rocks: fluoro/copoly

jig/plastics in wood: braid with fluoro or copoly leader

topwater: mono, Tuf-Line Supercast (coated, fused, mono core superline, floats, no stretch)

suspending jerk/rip baits: copoly

Agree that it tends to be personal preference.

 

I tend towards braid with leaders (for abrasion resistance, not because I think the fish around here are line shy), but I have my crank bait rods set up with fluro.