Line Choices

[Jschen]

So I did some fishing yesterday.  Did some wacky worm and got a couple of bites.  Threw on a 3/8 or 1/4 ounce jig with a trailer and was fishing that for maybe 45 minutes.  This was all done on braid.  I could see the fish from the bank but couldn't get much interest.

 

I left the pond for about 30 minutes tied on 8# FC leader and casted in the same spots with the same jig.  Caught maybe 10 fish.  Maybe it was due to the difference in time but got me to wondering maybe it was the line choice?  Most of the bites came from either swimming the jig or dragging it along the bottom.

 

Also, did some fishing in Florida and a lot of the shop/guides said you have to use FC because the fish will get spooked by other line choices.  I've always caught fish on braid but yesterday got me wondering if I could get more fish/bites with using different lines.

 

Is there a guide for which lines to use with each type of technique?  I'd think top water would be mostly braid  and almost everything else would be FC?  Of course braid for heavy cover as well.

 

[J Francho]

In clear water, especially a pond where you can see them, I *DO* think low-vis line helps.  I think you make a reasonable conclusion in this case.  I don't always think it matters, but I've observed the same thing on clear ponds as well.

[PersicoTrotaVA]

In clear water yes it can make a difference. I personally haven’t noticed a difference but I fish mostly stained water with about a foot of visibility.

[Big Rick]

The biggest cause of interest in your statement was the bait you were fishing.  You were using a presentation that gives the fish ample time to really scope out the lure. So, yes, the line definitely makes a difference in the reaction the fish has to your presentation. 

 

You have a much better chance of catching fish on braid with reaction strike fishing like frogs, topwater, chatter baits, and the like. The fish is so zoned in on the action of the bait and the speed of the presentation that there's not much time for them to shy away from braided line. 

[the reel ess]

Just go somewhere with dirtier water.  That's what I do.

 

Just kidding. I don't know if fish really care about braid, but even in the stained waters I fish, I use a mono leader with braid. I figure it can't hurt.

[Jschen]

Yeah I found it interesting as well.  Guess I'll try using FC more often, always hated the stuff because it seems to get tangled a bit easier mono and braid.  Having about 7' of leader solves that though.

[Big Rick]

If you don't get to fish as often FC can develop spool memory and give you fits. One easy way to solve that is to spray your spool with line conditioner the night before and then the day of your trip hook your bait on something solid, unspool about 50 yards or so. Then hold tension on the line for about 5-10 seconds. When you give it slack it should lay limp and smooth. If not, repeat the steps. Then, wind it all back in and go fishing. 

[soflabasser]

What lure you are using, how you are fishing it, what depth you are fishing in, and where you are fishing is far more important than what line you are using. I catch big bass on a consistent basis and many of those bass are caught on braid in clear bodies of water. Other presentations I use mono and I stopped using fluorocarbon a while ago since I did not see enough of a difference to justify using flourocarbon.