What line to use?

[kdot]

So I know this has probably been asked many times, but I feel overwhelmed by the amount of information out there.

 

Anyways, I am looking for a good fishing line to use. I fish for smallies in clear water, and I don't like using braid simply because of its visibility. Tying a flouro leader also isn't an option because my rod has micro guides. I know of a bunch of people who love braid and catch a ton of fish on it, but unfortunately, it just isn't for me.

 

With braid out of the question, here is what I would like in a line:

 

- Low visibility

- Low stretch

- Low memory

- High sensitivity

- Good cast-ability

- Good abrasion resistance

- Ability to tie good knots (I am willing to put in effort to learn advanced knots, so long as they hold)

 

I have read that the three main types of line aside from braid are mono, flouro, and copolymer. Any input is appreciated

[Drew03cmc]

How about a unifilament? Nanofil, use the slimmest leader knot and you'll make out just fine. I don't use mono or fluoro on spinners for the reason of line management. 

[kdot]

1 minute ago, Drew03cmc said:

How about a unifilament? Nanofil, use the slimmest leader knot and you'll make out just fine. I don't use mono or fluoro on spinners for the reason of line management. 

I have done some research on Nanofil, and was actually turned onto it. The main thing I worry about is the abrasion resistance... how has your experience been with it?

[Drew03cmc]

With a leader, it is of no consequence. 

 

PM sent

[Team9nine]

31 minutes ago, kdot said:

With braid out of the question, here is what I would like in a line:

 

- Low visibility

- Low stretch

- Low memory

- High sensitivity

- Good cast-ability

- Good abrasion resistance

- Ability to tie good knots (I am willing to put in effort to learn advanced knots, so long as they hold)

 

 

 

That line doesn't exist to my knowledge....at least not yet! 

 

[Log Catcher]

Iv'e had very good luck with Sufix Siege for crankbaits and spinnerbaits. You will probably want to try florocarbon for soft plastics and jigs. 

[Armtx77]

51 minutes ago, kdot said:

I have done some research on Nanofil, and was actually turned onto it. The main thing I worry about is the abrasion resistance... how has your experience been with it?

I have been using NanoFil a bunch in 8lbs.

There are wear/abbrasion issues, but I typically get 6-7 fish in shallow river conditions befor needing to retie. I bought a 300yd spool last fall and have been able to get 4 spools worth out of it by backfilling with cheap mono on my BG 1500's about 60/40---mono/nanofil

I tried some Sufix 832 in 15lbs/6lbs test dia. this weekend and it would not throw a 1/16oz lure more than about 20ft. I get about a 60ft cast with the 8lbs NanoFil and 1/16oz lures.

I tie direct to the lures. I may have to swallow my pride and try a flouro leader at some point.

[kdot]

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

 

That line doesn't exist to my knowledge....at least not yet! 

 

Lol, definitely had a feeling someone would post this. I will probably stick to stren original 6lb for now, it has done me well in the past.

[new2BC4bass]

Give 6# Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament a try.

[roadwarrior]

Tatsu #6

 

[J Francho]

13 hours ago, Team9nine said:

 

That line doesn't exist to my knowledge....at least not yet! 

 

Tatsu is pretty darn close, it's not low stretch.  6# size is my choice for ML and M tackle.  Works for me

 

Here's an Erie smallie:

[NYWayfarer]

Since you didn't mention if you are using a baitcaster or a spinning reel I will offer my suggestions for both.

 

I fish for river Smallies in extremely clear water. I use 10-12# Berkley Big Game on my baitcasters and 8# Kastking Florokote on my size 2000 spinning reel.

 

I have bought some 12# KK Florokote to try this year on the baitcasters as well since I like it so much.

[Armtx77]

22 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Tatsu is pretty darn close, it's not low stretch.  6# size is my choice for ML and M tackle.  Works for me

 

Here's an Erie smallie:

Tatsu is next on my list. I assume you backfill your spools? At $40.00/300yds, it is roughly the same as NanoFil.

 

How do you feel it holds up to abbrasion? I have read on line reviews and they are glowing. I use spinning gear 98% of the time. I throw LIGHT gear...1/16-1/8oz. Do you think 8lbs Tatsu, will let me sling the light lures, better than braid has? Because braid has been a dissapointment, with the 1/16oz lure I throw.

[J Francho]

I do not back fill.  I don't like a knot buried in there, and since fluorocarbon is very durable, I get 2-4 seasons out of a spool, and I can end up getting pretty low on the spool from retying before I refill the spool.

[J Francho]

 

Abrasion... Nothing holds up the the zebes and quagga mussels we have up here.  That's why we're all using a drop shot.  I do have a story about a bass wrapping around a zebe encrusted metal dock piling.  15# Tatsu held up, though it was pretty ugly.  I attribute that to the larger diameter than anything else.

[Team9nine]

33 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Tatsu is pretty darn close, it's not low stretch.  6# size is my choice for ML and M tackle.  Works for me

 

Here's an Erie smallie:

Agreed, it hits most of the listed requirements. InvizX wouldn't be far behind either, along with a couple Toray specialty lines that are getting increasingly hard to find on this side of the pond.

17 minutes ago, Armtx77 said:

Tatsu is next on my list. I assume you backfill your spools? At $40.00/300yds, it is roughly the same as NanoFil.

 

How do you feel it holds up to abbrasion? I have read on line reviews and they are glowing. I use spinning gear 98% of the time. I throw LIGHT gear...1/16-1/8oz. Do you think 8lbs Tatsu, will let me sling the light lures, better than braid has? Because braid has been a dissapointment, with the 1/16oz lure I throw.

Out of curiosity, what brand and pound test braid have you been throwing (or tried)? I use it a lot for all my light bait fishing (1/8 oz and less) without casting distance issues. Not sure a fluoro line could beat it in that regard, honestly because of the diameter advantage.

[Armtx77]

26 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Agreed, it hits most of the listed requirements. InvizX wouldn't be far behind either, along with a couple Toray specialty lines that are getting increasingly hard to find on this side of the pond.

Out of curiosity, what brand and pound test braid have you been throwing (or tried)? I use it a lot for all my light bait fishing (1/8 oz and less) without casting distance issues. Not sure a fluoro line could beat it in that regard, honestly because of the diameter advantage.

I have been using NanoFil in 8lbs, for the past 8 months.

I recently tried some Sufix832 in 15lbs test/6lbs diameter and it has been a fail in casting 1/16oz lures. 1/8 oz lures it casted like a missle. Im going on a 5 day float in a couple of days and have a spare spool of 8lbs test Sufix832, that Im going to try out.

 

I like everything about NanoFil, except its abbrasion resistance and price.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

ETA: Im using a 7' ML-F Fenwick HMG, with a Diawa 1500 BG hooked into it.

[Team9nine]

2 hours ago, Armtx77 said:

I have been using NanoFil in 8lbs, for the past 8 months.

I recently tried some Sufix832 in 15lbs test/6lbs diameter and it has been a fail in casting 1/16oz lures. 1/8 oz lures it casted like a missle. Im going on a 5 day float in a couple of days and have a spare spool of 8lbs test Sufix832, that Im going to try out.

 

I like everything about NanoFil, except its abbrasion resistance and price.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

ETA: Im using a 7' ML-F Fenwick HMG, with a Diawa 1500 BG hooked into it.

Nanofil - love/hate -lol

 

832 is good line, but you won't get the casting distance on light stuff like Nanofil. You're stuck in a world of trade-offs. Going 6# Tatsu or InvizX might be the best all around option...but Tatsu will cost you. Only other good option would be something like 5 or 6# braid with a leader to help offset the abrasion issue. Depends a lot on where you'll be fishing, and what attributes are most important to you.

[Todd2]

17 hours ago, Team9nine said:

 

That line doesn't exist to my knowledge....at least not yet! 

 

I'm starting to believe this..lol 

 

I'm sold on the feel of braid/superlines but there are differences between the few that I've tried. I like a braid with a little body (not too limp) that won't break the bank..lol.

 

To the OP,  Spiderwire Invisbraid is the one Ive been using for a few weeks and it's pretty tough stuff, but way too early for me to give it my weekend warrior endorsement, and it's a little pricey but I have haven't lost one lure on it yet after quite a bit of casting. Those saved lures help me justify the price, if only in my head...lol

[Steve1357]

The copolymer Sufix Tritanium works for me. Was using some 14lb worming and discovered it's hell to break compared to 14 lb mono. I use 10lb now, doesn't get chewed up like mono does...

fwiw

[bigbill]

I been using Excalibur Silver Thread Copolymer line for over two decades now. Less stretch and can take abrasions. I’m a shore fisherman and I’m in rocky areas all the time.

[govallis]

Pline C21, in a Walmart near you. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On 5/21/2018 at 9:07 PM, Team9nine said:

 

That line doesn't exist to my knowledge....at least not yet! 

 

Invent it and call it Unicorn.