Never used fluoro - need a recommendation

[pauldconyers]

I've got a new rod setup and I think I want to try fluoro on it but having NEVER used fluoro I'd like a make and model recommendation to try. I wanted a rod/reel to throw primarily crankbaits from square bills to 3XD's. But from time to time chatter baits and 1/2 oz spinner baits and such. I went with a 7' Lews David Fritts glass crank rod and I am pairing it up with a 6:3 Daiwa Fuego CT reel. I am thinking maybe 10 or 12 pound fluoro maybe? What brand and model should I go with and all that?

 

TIA

[A-Jay]

First off it may not be a good plan to select a bargain priced fluorocarbon line. 

These forums are full of threads noting unhappy anglers who went that route only to be woefully disappointed.  You may want to save yourself some $$ & time and select a quality product the first time. 

If you want the very best ~ IMO Seaguar Tatsu is it, but it's $$$.

Seaguar InvizX is a very close in performance but only about half the $$$$ making it a solid choice as well. 

I'd go with 15 lb in either one for the applications you mentioned, especially if you're around plus size bass & or moderate to heavy cover.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[anderb54]

Sunline Sniper is a good one to start out with. It has a well deserved reputation of being manageable and doesn't have serious memory issues. It's also not going to bust your wallet either. I'd go with the 14 lb if you're going to throw chatter and spinnerbaits.

[CroakHunter]

sunline assassin for me. 10lb for 3xd. 15 for chatter and spinnerbaits

[pauldconyers]

I doubt it matters but I probably should have mention I went with the medium action rod. Probably won't change recommendations but I should have mentioned it.

[Way north bass guy]

I’ve had really good luck with Berkley 100% fluorocarbon in multiple lb tests, both on spinning and casting rods. Little tip for ya, get some kvd line and lure conditioner, it definitely helps. 

[Angry John]

As a first flourocarbon I would go with the invesx.  It handles about the best and is easy to get along with.  I use a lot of sniper and pline 100%. They are my favorite and both are quality at a not so painful price.  Dont know how often or if you backlash, but flourocarbon kinks very easy and they need to be cut off.  This can get expensive and I would get used to a brand new setup before switching over.

[Janderson45]

I throw 12lb tatsu in the manner that you’re talking about.  That said if I was just getting into fluorocarbon I’d recommend abraz X, Invis X, or Sunline Sniper which are all cheaper than tatsu by quite a bit... I still use all of them in various applications.  

 

Im also a big braid to fluorocarbon leader guy.... if you learn to properly tie an FG knot I can’t recommend it enough.  You can absolutely have your cake and eat it too with this setup, best of both worlds. 

[the reel ess]

Along these same lines, I have a related question. Is there any reason you can't use a braid main line with a fluoro leader on BC gear? I know a lot of people do that with spinning gear.

[Yumeya]

Tatsu is what I would use.

 

I use it as leader material, I also use a lot of sunline.

[MinnowzNuttin]

I've been using the Seaguar red label and Invizx for several years. It has been good to me.

[EGbassing]

Seaguar Red Label is amazing for the price. It should be on sale for $12.00 at Dick's Sports.

[Bluebasser86]

Tatsu if you can afford it, InvisX if not.

 

On a side note, zero reason to use fluoro for the applications you described imo. Save yourself some money and get a good mono or copolymer for cranking and moving baits. 

[ChrisD46]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Tatsu if you can afford it, InvisX if not.

 

On a side note, zero reason to use fluoro for the applications you described imo. Save yourself some money and get a good mono or copolymer for cranking and moving baits. 

*Your main applications for FC line then ?

[Bluebasser86]

23 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Your main applications for FC line then ?

Bottom contact baits, and I use mono or copolymer for some of those as well. 

[MickD]

Unless you are really proficient with a BC outfit, don't go FC.  Its advantages are minuscule, and its problems are not.  Expensive, fragile, stiff.  It's good for leaders (leader grade FC.).

 

OK, FC fans, pile on.

[WRB]

The bottom line, pun intended, there isn't a fluorocarbon line that can equal premium monofilament line abrasion resistance, impact strength or knot strength per diameter available. 

The question is why use FC line for anything other then bottom contact lures where it's reduced drag coefficient and weight creating less belly in the line is an advantage?

The most reliable FC lines are expensive compared to premium monofilament lines.

Seaguar Tatsu, Blackwater Toray, Sunline Shooter and Seaguar  AbrazX, Sunline Super Sniper are all good FC lines to choose from with Tatsu the most expensive to Sniper the least expensive.

Most recreational bass anglers don't change or respool their line very often and FC is susceptible to use degradation more then premium mono is. If the price isn't an issue and if you respool line often after use and take great caution in tieing knot carefully and correctly, then FC line may work for you.

For the lures and presentations The OP is using Berkley Big Game 12 lb or Sunline Defier Armillo 13 lb Nylon are choices.

Tom

[pauldconyers]

Well for what I am going to be fishing with this rod/reel should I stick with braid? I am a big fan of the 832 sufix and usually go with the 40lb variety. Since I will be throwing a lot of small/medium cranks and such I thought giving fluoro a try might be the way to go. From what I said I would be using it for what is the way to go?

[ratherbfishin1]

1 hour ago, pauldconyers said:

Well for what I am going to be fishing with this rod/reel should I stick with braid? I am a big fan of the 832 sufix and usually go with the 40lb variety. Since I will be throwing a lot of small/medium cranks and such I thought giving fluoro a try might be the way to go. From what I said I would be using it for what is the way to go?

I would not be using braid for cranks because then you risk ripping the hooks out of their mouths. You want the stretch to give you a little “forgiveness” and that is why people usually use mono of floro for cranks.

[Catt]

23 hours ago, A-Jay said:

You may want to save yourself some $$ & time and select a quality product the first time. 

If you want the very best ~ IMO Seaguar Tatsu is it, but it's $$$.

Seaguar InvizX is a very close in performance but only about half the $$$$ making it a solid choice as well. 

 

Or Sunline JDM FC Sniper Invisible ?

[NYWayfarer]

I have been using Kastking Fluorokote for the past two seasons. It’s a copolymer line coated with fluorocarbon. 12# on some of my baitcasters and 8# on my spinning gear. I think it’s a great line for the price. 

 

It’s my go to line for anything other than topwater baits.

[pauldconyers]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

I have been using Kastking Fluorokote for the past two seasons. It’s a copolymer line coated with fluorocarbon. 12# on some of my baitcasters and 8# on my spinning gear. I think it’s a great line for the price. 

 

It’s my go to line for anything other than topwater baits.

Yeah I don't know much about copolymer lines. What is the main benefit of them and it's best use?

 

[NYWayfarer]

4 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Yeah I don't know much about copolymer lines. What is the main benefit of them and it's best use?

 

The idea with Kastking Fluorokote is it’s a hybrid line. It’s supposed to have the benefits of Fluoro (visibility and sinks) with none of the weaknesses (knot strength) 

 

So far it has met my expectations as I have not had the breakage issues I have had with straight Fluoro. I will be trying 4 and 6# next season on trout to test the visibility aspect.

[Stephen B]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

The bottom line, pun intended, there isn't a fluorocarbon line that can equal premium monofilament line abrasion resistance, impact strength or knot strength per diameter available. 

The question is why use FC line for anything other then bottom contact lures where it's reduced drag coefficient and weight creating less belly in the line is an advantage?

The most reliable FC lines are expensive compared to premium monofilament lines.

Seaguar Tatsu, Blackwater Toray, Sunline Shooter and Seaguar  AbrazX, Sunline Super Sniper are all good FC lines to choose from with Tatsu the most expensive to Sniper the least expensive.

Most recreational bass anglers don't change or respool their line very often and FC is susceptible to use degradation more then premium mono is. If the price isn't an issue and if you respool line often after use and take great caution in tieing knot carefully and correctly, then FC line may work for you.

For the lures and presentations The OP is using Berkley Big Game 12 lb or Sunline Defier Armillo 13 lb Nylon are choices.

Tom

You could also argue that you aren't getting the sensitivity from the mono that fluorocarbon has. Big Game vs Sunline Sniper, Tatsu, Invizx, Shooter is a night and day difference in my hands and for all the buddies I fish with. I don't use mono much at all for bottom contact due to this. Mono has its place but not for bottom contact for me. With everything there are tradeoffs and one must make their individualized choice.

[WRB]

I have only used Sunline Shooter FC since 1994 or 24 years and know what premium FC feels like and can't see any reason to use it for the lures the suggest he is using. Jigs and worms there is better feedback then premium mono because it has less drag coeffient in the water. Don't you wonder how anyone ever caught bass using mono?, it stretches too much, bass can see it etc, etc. Take a look at my 5 giant bass listed, all were caught on either 12 Trilene or 10 & 12 lb Big Game fishing jigs cast over 100 feet in 15' to 25' deep. The reason is the stretch and sensitivity hype is BS.

The Sunline JDM Sniper is $34 /82 yd spool!

Tom