Line for finesse fishing

[EGbassing]

Just got my first spinning reel for finesse fishing. (ned rigs, shaky heads, drop shot, etc.) It's a size 3000 Pflueger president XT. I was planning on using straight flouro, but I read that it can cause a lot of line twist and other problems like that. Is that true? I really want to stay away from mono due to the low sensitivity of it, and I'd also rather not have to use a leader, but I can if I need to.  

[Darren.]

If you are going with a straight fluoro, try to use one of the 

more limp varieties out there. Usually that means more $.

I'm thinking of Tatsu, Sunline, etc. And I'd use around 5 or

6 pound test.

 

Of course I'm in the braid+leader camp and probably will

be forever  . Once you learn a good leader knot, and get

good at tying it, it's all good from there.

 

I have 100% confidence in my leader knot (uni-to-uni #1, and

Modified Albright/Alberto #2). Combined with a properly set

drag and a proper rod for your technique, you should never

have a problem with a well-tied leader connection.

[Todd2]

I've got 3 different braids/superlines on my spinning rods each with their own pros and cons. Fireline Crystal Ultra 8 might be my new line. Not as slick as the Nanofil but more durable it seems although I like Nanofil quite a bit.

[BankBasser]

For years I used Fireline Original (sometimes Crystal) tied direct and never really had an issue. After reading about braid to leader a lot here on BR I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and try braid and leader on one of my spinning outfits. So far so good.

 

A couple issues/concerns I had with a leader knot was having to re-tie often which isn't easy due to some nerve damage in my hands and also whether or not the knot would work well with micro guides. Once I determined a uni to uni knot works fine with micro guides I'm using about a 3 foot leader, which gives me a couple days worth of tying on a few different lures. I don't see there being an issue with the braid to leader knot giving out as long as you tie it well.

 

I'm using 10lb hi-vis yellow Power Pro with an 8lb Invisx leader. The power pro is already fading after just a week, but that shouldn't be an issue. One advantage to this system I've already used is the ability to break off a snag at the knot and save some braid (ie... $$$). Good stuff there.

 

As far as using straight fluoro, you can. I've tried both Tatsu and Gliss, but still prefer PP or Fireline over either of those. Just a personal preference is all.

 

Good luck!

[WRB]

Spinning reels will twist any line if the end is attached to something that doesn't allow the line untwist. Fluorocarbon, copolymer, hybrid, single filament lines twist the same amount. Braid also twist because it's a yarn, not a single filament line, the twisting doesn't show up quickly.

You can untwist line by running it behind a boat a few minutes a slow speed without anything tied on the end.

Tom

 

[EGbassing]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Spinning reels will twist any line if the end is attached to something that doesn't allow the line untwist. Fluorocarbon, copolymer, hybrid, single filament lines twist the same amount. Braid also twist because it's a yarn, not a single filament line, the twisting doesn't show up quickly.

You can untwist line by running it behind a boat a few minutes a slow speed without anything tied on the end.

Tom

 

I'll keep that in mind. So straight flourocarbon doesn't twist more than a braid + flouro leader combination?

[The Fisher]

I had bad line twist problems with straight Fluoro I now use 10# Power Pro to a 8# Seagur Invizix Leader or straight coploymer 6# Silver Thread AN40 with very few problems

[WRB]

9 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

I'll keep that in mind. So straight flourocarbon doesn't twist more than a braid + flouro leader combination?

No, the braid twist when it's between the reel and FC, mono, copolymer or hybrid line leader. Line only gets a twist with each revolution of the spinning reel bail roller that wraps the line onto a fixed spool.

Tom

[EGbassing]

Just now, WRB said:

No, the braid twist when it's between the reel and FC, mono, copolymer or hybrid line leader. Line only gets a twist with each revolution of the spinning reel bail roller that wraps the line onto a fixed spool.

Tom

Ok, thanks.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

5 hours ago, EGbassing said:

I'll keep that in mind. So straight flourocarbon doesn't twist more than a braid + flouro leader combination?

The effect of twists will show a 1000 times quicker with fluoro than twist in braid. You really have to twist the crap out of braid to get it to behave negatively.

[EGbassing]

One more question for anyone who knows the answer... Would using this hook for dropshots rather than a standard dropshot hook prevent line twist? https://www.cabelas.com/product/VMC-reg-Spinshot-Drop-Shot-Hook/1307365.uts?productVariantId=3603890&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03748132&rid=20&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=CjwKCAjw6djYBRB8EiwAoAF6oaXrMGdGFq-hhpH6ABSJTamWOuNDIyebuXLNuc-jB2rydA86EmtVpBoC9T8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Bluebasser86]

Someone needs to tell these poor fish I just lucky catching them on mono on my spinning gear since there's no way I should have been able to feel their light bites in the cold water.

 

Seriously, the whole mono isn't sensitive enough thing is silly. That's all there was for a long time and lots of bass were caught on way less advanced gear than what we have now.

 

You can get a good higher end mono like Sunline Defier Armilio and it will handle as good and probably better than fluoro and if you can tell a difference in sensitivity, you're a better man than I am. 

 

 

[Brad in Texas]

20 hours ago, EGbassing said:

One more question for anyone who knows the answer... Would using this hook for dropshots rather than a standard dropshot hook prevent line twist? https://www.cabelas.com/product/VMC-reg-Spinshot-Drop-Shot-Hook/1307365.uts?productVariantId=3603890&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03748132&rid=20&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=CjwKCAjw6djYBRB8EiwAoAF6oaXrMGdGFq-hhpH6ABSJTamWOuNDIyebuXLNuc-jB2rydA86EmtVpBoC9T8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

To a degree, yes, these do allow any plastic attached to them to swing more freely. But, do know that not all line twist is created by your bait rolling on retrieves or during casts . . . but occurs back up on the reel, a condition related to the line being picked up. 

 

I use the Gamakatsu version of this sort of hook, though, with its wonderful pinch grip on the bottom where a separate sinker leader can be attached, then down on this separate piece of line to a sinker itself with the pinch grip. It allows one to tie on the hook, no worries about leaving a sufficiently long tag end for sinker attachments. This means you can make very fast sinker leader adjustments, say, you want to go from 4" to 16".

 

For me? Other than line twist experienced trying 100% fluoro once, it just isn't much of an issue with light braid. As already mentioned, it isn't that braid doesn't twist, it does, it is that it doesn't create handling issues related to twisting nearly as fast.

 

My order of Rebarb hooks came in yesterday in sizes from #2s and now for other presentations, some purchased larger sizes up to 4/0s. These hooks for drop shots T-Rigged knocked me off of using the swivel hooks. I'll take the increased hook up ratio over any concerns for line twist.

 

Brad

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Someone needs to tell these poor fish I just lucky catching them on mono on my spinning gear since there's no way I should have been able to feel their light bites in the cold water.

 

Seriously, the whole mono isn't sensitive enough thing is silly. That's all there was for a long time and lots of bass were caught on way less advanced gear than what we have now.

 

You can get a good higher end mono like Sunline Defier Armilio and it will handle as good and probably better than fluoro and if you can tell a difference in sensitivity, you're a better man than I am. 

 

 

Amen! Some of the monofilament lines are so very well made these days, I often wonder why people torture themselves over fluorocarbon usage. Almost every declared advantage of fluorocarbon is "situational" at best: invisibility, sink rates, and so on. I do like and use it for leaders, tried it once straight, didn't like it. I now choose between straight braid, braid with a short fluoro leader, or straight mono. Some advantages to one over the others, for sure, but not as overwhelming as product guys would have us think.  Brad

[TOXIC]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Someone needs to tell these poor fish I just lucky catching them on mono on my spinning gear since there's no way I should have been able to feel their light bites in the cold water.

 

Seriously, the whole mono isn't sensitive enough thing is silly. That's all there was for a long time and lots of bass were caught on way less advanced gear than what we have now.

 

You can get a good higher end mono like Sunline Defier Armilio and it will handle as good and probably better than fluoro and if you can tell a difference in sensitivity, you're a better man than I am. 

 

 

You are my hero!!  ???

[EGbassing]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Someone needs to tell these poor fish I just lucky catching them on mono on my spinning gear since there's no way I should have been able to feel their light bites in the cold water.

 

Seriously, the whole mono isn't sensitive enough thing is silly. That's all there was for a long time and lots of bass were caught on way less advanced gear than what we have now.

 

You can get a good higher end mono like Sunline Defier Armilio and it will handle as good and probably better than fluoro and if you can tell a difference in sensitivity, you're a better man than I am. 

 

 

Haha, I definitely can tell a difference in the sensitivity of mono, but I still use it most of the time.  

[NYWayfarer]

On ‎6‎/‎5‎/‎2018 at 10:03 AM, EGbassing said:

One more question for anyone who knows the answer... Would using this hook for dropshots rather than a standard dropshot hook prevent line twist? https://www.cabelas.com/product/VMC-reg-Spinshot-Drop-Shot-Hook/1307365.uts?productVariantId=3603890&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03748132&rid=20&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=CjwKCAjw6djYBRB8EiwAoAF6oaXrMGdGFq-hhpH6ABSJTamWOuNDIyebuXLNuc-jB2rydA86EmtVpBoC9T8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I use them and they help some. I do notice a slight difference when switching to a regular dropshot hook.

 

My dropshot lines of choice are Kastking Flourokote 6-8# for super clear water and Suffix Elite 6-8# for everything else.

[Chance_Taker4]

I use 6 and 8 lb mono on my finesse setups usually Vicious Ultimate and spray ReelSnot on the spools to help with line twist.

[Ariffy]

Seaguar red label works well 

[BobP]

It’s just a fact of life that small diameter braid on a spinning reel will be easier handling and give you less trouble than mono or fluoro.  It twists just as much but it’s not going to jump off the spool in knotted coils.  It’s sensitivity is also superior and it lasts a long time.  After fishing mono and fluoro for many years I recently switched to braid with a long leader.  I can’t see any downside to it and I appreciate the advantages.  I use 12 lb Power Super Slick, 10 lb Sufix 832, and Gliss 18 lb Monotex on various reels.  They all have very small diameter and I like them equally.  I used to be a staunch 6 lb fluoro or mono guy.  Now I’m opting for fewer hassles.

[Mobasser]

I agree with Bluebasser86.I like mono for finesse fishing. I agree the sensitivity thing with flouro is overblown, and I've tried flouro.Sunline mono is good, as is maxima. I use 6 and 8lb test.No problem feeling bites on smaller plastic worms,  ned rig, or small hair jigs.Mono is more affordable too. Spool it correctly and your good to go.

[EGbassing]

7 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I agree with Bluebasser86.I like mono for finesse fishing. I agree the sensitivity thing with flouro is overblown, and I've tried flouro.Sunline mono is good, as is maxima. I use 6 and 8lb test.No problem feeling bites on smaller plastic worms,  ned rig, or small hair jigs.Mono is more affordable too. Spool it correctly and your good to go.

Yeah, I've decided to go with braid/flouro leader. I learned how to fish using flouro and braid and just can't stand the lack of sensitivity in mono.  

[PatrickKnight]

I use braid to a mono leader or straight braid. Mono has many advantages to fluro when it comes to leader material imo. Its more abrasion resistant, better knot strength, its less expensive, and has some stretch (yes this normally is a good thing).

 

 

[Glenn]

I never use braid on spinning gear, and I've never had issues with line twist.  Aside from the obvious (spooling the line correctly), here's what causes line twist (note it has nothing to do with the type of line you're using).

 

 

 

[EGbassing]

58 minutes ago, Glenn said:

I never use braid on spinning gear, and I've never had issues with line twist.  Aside from the obvious (spooling the line correctly), here's what causes line twist (note it has nothing to do with the type of line you're using).

 

 

 

That's interesting. I actually watched that video last night and it was really useful. Also, if all of the things in this video are done perfectly, will it just reduce the amount of line twist, or completely eliminate it? I heard from someone on here that just turning a spinning reel handle twists the line due to the design of the reel. Is that true? Also, thanks for your reply. 

[NYWayfarer]

I have one of those Pisicfun line spooling stations. https://www.amazon.com/Piscifun-Fishing-Spooler-Spinning-Spooling/dp/B01CVGOGA0

 

That combined with liberal use of line conditioner has really helped me with line twist this year. I notice a huge difference.