Monofilament woes

[Pro Logcatcher]

I have been fishing for years but have mostly used braid. Whenever I use mono I seem to end up with something like this: line memory so horrible it becomes nearly impossible to fish with. This picture is mono that I have been using for one month max. I've tried different brands and they all seem to result in the same way. Braid, however, has never seemed to have any issues. I'd like to try fishing with mono but I have no idea how to resolve this problem. Any ideas?

 

[Cak920]

What pound test and what gear are you using? I use mono most of the time now and end up with a mess like that on rare occasion but it should not be a regular thing.

[JustinJ]

Well all mono will look like that after you take it off your reel.  I use mono for everything except punching and frogging.6-8lb trilene xl for spinning reels and 12-15lb big game on casting reels. Also make sure you are spooling properly...Good luck

[Russ E]

A line conditioner, like kvd line and lure conditioner,  works great. I use it on any reel that does not have braid

[MichaelCopeland]

Just being curious, but why do you wanna use mono if you have no issues with braid? I used mono for a little while when I first started bass fishing in late March of this year. Changed to braid about 3 months ago and won't use anything else. It's easier to tie knots with and it lasts a long long time.

[islandbass]

All mono will do that.  It is an inherent trait of nylon monofilament. With that said, other than being unsightly, it won't affect performance in general. 

 

As already mentioned,there are products others (I don't personally use them) that address nylons memory "issue". 

[frosty]

On a spinning reel? It’s always going to be a mess like that, that’s why I only use braid on my spinning reel. 

[UPSmallie]

#1 Cure that has never failed me on a spincasting outfit:

 

Spool up your reel with said mono.  Pinch tag end of the line in the line holder on the metal spool part.  Pull the spool of line off of the actual reel by loosening your drag knob until it pops off so you can slide your spool off the reel.  Next run warm water in the sink for a while until the water gets really hot.  Then get a bigger bowl that will fit your whole spool of rigged up line.  Fill up the bowl with the hot water and drop your fishing spool into the water.  Note I do not mean your spool and your reel, just the spooled up part that can be detached from the reel.  Let the spool sit in the hot water for at least 10 minutes before pulling it out.  The warmer water will help the fishing line to become formed around the metal part of your spool.  Dry off excess water and then pop it onto your reel, tighten the drag back down, and you are good to go.  Never once had line memory problems after using this technique. 

[Jar11591]

The stuff you have looks like some seriously thick stuff. What pound test is that? With monofilament, the thicker it is, the more memory it has. A thin diameter monofilament like Trilene XL should never look like this. I assume you're using a spinning reel? If so, I recommend Trilene XL in 6-8lb test. The stuff is limp, has very little memory and is plenty strong. When I am using casting gear with monofilament, line memory is a non-factor.

[Pro Logcatcher]

Twelve pound test

[BuzzHudson19c]

4 minutes ago, Pro Logcatcher said:

Twelve pound test

That's on the high side for spinning stuff. Try going down to 8lb (I personally like Stren). Or run braid to a mono or flouro leader.

[Russ E]

2 minutes ago, BuzzHudson19c said:

That's on the high side for spinning stuff. Try going down to 8lb (I personally like Stren). Or run braid to a mono or flouro leader.

I agree 8lb.mono is the max I use on spinning gear. Anymore and I go to braid or switch over to casting gear.

While Stren works well, I personally have had better luck with Trilene XL on spinning gear.

[Bankbeater]

What kind of mono is it? 10 pound Big Game on a spinning reel can be a mess, but I've never had much of a problem with Trilene on a spinning reel. 

[Cak920]

18 minutes ago, Weedwhacker said:

I agree 8lb.mono is the max I use on spinning gear. Anymore and I go to braid or switch over to casting gear.

While Stren works well, I personally have had better luck with Trilene XL on spinning gear.

I use 10 lb suffix elite now and haven't had a problem

[Russ E]

Just now, Cak920 said:

I use 10 lb suffix elite now and haven't had a problem

heard good things about suffix. plan on trying it next time I change line.

[Angry John]

I run 6lb yhb on my 2500 daiwa.  It's very strong and very manageable at that size. I also like xl if I need it to float.

[Pro Logcatcher]

Thank you for your advice!

[Hulkster]

I use 10 pound test Sufix Siege on a 3000 size shimano and love it. casts well and is very strong.

 

the Sufix Elite is even more limp but not as tough. The Siege won't cast quite as far but you gain the extra strength and abrasion resistance. I think the compromise is worth it.  I use 10 pound test on casting gear too.

 

I used to be a diehard XL user but discovered Sufix mono and never looked back.

 

 

[MickD]

I don't use any mono on a spin setup any more.  6 is too fragile, handles very well.  Good 8 pound mono will handle quite well, especially on larger reel spools, but is a little light on pound test for me.  Higher than that just doesn't handle well so I use 15 pound braid with mono or FC leaders.  

 

I like a soft mono of about 12-14 pound test on my baitcaster I use for surface lures.  Casts well and has some stretch for getting good hook sets even if I get too aggressive.  I do fish mostly open water or edges with it, so yanking fish out of heavy cover is not what I usually do, and this gear is underpowered for that.

[WRB]

That is a good back lite photo making the mono look like a bigger mess than it is.

If you are serious about wanting to use a monofilament fishing line then you first need to learn how to spool it onto the spinning reel properly and maintain your line so it doesn't get twisted.

Search how to spool line.

Tom

 

[new2BC4bass]

I've been using mono for a few days.    I've always used 4#-8# on my spinning reels and have landed bigger fish than any bass will ever get.  Of course I was fishing pretty much all open water.  If there were line conditioners back in those days, we weren't aware of it.

 

Personally I think with line that big for bass that a baitcast reel is the way to go.  You know the Bait Monkey gets hungry, too. 

[Hulkster]

based on your pic it looks like that mono is around the 17 to 20 pound test strength. its pretty thick for spinning gear. if you keep it to 10 and under things will be much better for you.

[Sword of the Lord]

Mono and fluoro will look like a nest when you take it off the reel....

[WRB]

Spooling mono line on a spinning reel to prevent loops and twists.

1. Mount the spinning reel on the spinning rod so it hangs down.

2. Run the filler spool line through the guides, top to bottom.

3. Open the bail of the reel and tie the line onto the spool, use a arbor knot, close the bail by hand.

4. Lay the filler spool flat on the floor label up.

5. With the rod tip about 5' above the filler spool start wind the line onto the reel while running the line between your index finger and thumb tip with very light pressure.

6. Watch the line closely between the rod tip and filler spool, it should not start to twist.

If it starts to twists flip the filler spool over so the label is face down and continue filling the reel spool.

7. Fill the reel spool to about 1/8" below the top of the spool rim, do not over fill.

You are done and ready to fish.

Preventing loops. Do not operate the bail by turning the reel handle to engage and flip the bail, flip the bail by hand!

Untwisting twisted line.

Cut off anything tied to the end if the line and let out about 100' of line behind your boat at walking speed, drag the line for a few minutes, reel the line back onto the spool.

If you do this every trip after fishing your line will stay in good condition and be ready for the next trip.

Tom

 

[ClackerBuzz]

braid to 25 ft mono leader=all problems solved