CrankFate Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 I do not notice a difference with bass. But I do notice that in shallow clear water stren purple is just as clear as fluorocarbon but adds better bounce to an all braid setup. I have seen bigger bass roll upside down to shake the hook, literally belly up upside down. A short fluoro leader makes them successful when they do that sometimes, but not with a short (2-4’) leader of stretchy stren.
Super User geo g Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 When it comes to TX’s they are out to win and will only use what puts them in the best position to win! Floro does that for them!
waymont Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 I mostly fish McCoy Copolymer on my casting rigs except for frogging which I use PP 40lb braid. I use 8,10, 15lb PP braid on all my spinning rigs with a McCoy Copolymer OR Trilene XL leader tied on. Last year I switched to 6, 8, 10, 12lb InvizX Flouro for leaders. I didn't notice any more bites, but I did notice knots were weaker, especially with the 6 and 8lb InvizX. I didn't really have an issue with knot strength with the 10 and 12lb InvizX, and I did like the thinner diameter for equal line strength the InvizX has, but I'm not sure the finicky flouro knots are worth the benefits. I ended up using the 6 and 8lb InvizX like a size lower rating on my rigs. For example, I use the 6 in place of 4lb for ultralight stuff and the 8lb in place of 6lb for light stuff. I find that the knot strength using the McCoy Copolymer OR Trilene XL is so great and worry free that I'm going to go back to it as soon as I use up my InvizX line.
The Maestro Posted February 2, 2019 Author Posted February 2, 2019 27 minutes ago, mheichelbech said: Hopefully not too far of a tangent but I wonder why you see the pros throwing Fluoro so much? Are they just selling? Are there specific applications, such as jerkbaits, where it is a lot better? I remember when it first came on the scene it seemed all the pros were pushing it really hard without ever talking about the drawbacks. I haven't noticed them shilling it as hard these days.
Super User Team9nine Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 I think I'm closest to A-Jay in approaches mentioned. All fluoro on baitcasters with just 1 or 2 exceptions. I've got very little use for braid on them. However, I'm nearly all braid on spinning. A couple other thoughts. The knot issue with fluoro is not all encompassing. There are fluoro lines with as good or better knot strength than mono (nylon). They are the only ones I use. Also, if you are using straight braid, you are definitely getting a different presentation in many cases (vs straight mono/fluoro or braid with leader) that can affect the bite, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. It's why I don't go straight braid very often even when using it. 2
Super User Jrob78 Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 I use fluoro on most of my casting set ups but it doesn't have anything to do with visibility. I feel like it gives me the best bite detection, abrasion resistance, connection to the bait (no huge bow) and enough stretch to keep fish hooked up. Braid has no stretch, floats and doesn't transmit vibration while slack. I feel like all three of those things are negatives the vast majority of the time. I only use braid for heavy vegetation and some topwater.
Heartland Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 How exactly would one go about determining if they were getting more or less bites on one line over the other? 3
Super User WRB Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 The advantage fluorocarbon line has over braid and monofilament line is it's heavier specific gravity allows the line to sink and it has very low coeffient of drag going through water. Equal diameter FC line has lower knot strength then mono, that is it's major flaw. I use small diameter line because it enhances lure action, not that bass can't see, they can. I don't like braid even though it's the smallest line to diameter it's strength, it floats do to it's very weight creating a bow in the line between the rod tip and lure underwater. Braid is highly visible in larger enough diameters to use on a baitcasting reel effectively requiring a leader. Spinningvreels can use much smaller diameter line effectively and braid is a advantage to reduce line twist, leader is optional. Using FC as a leader with line that floats negates it's weight advantage plus 2 knots to fail. Choices....no panacea. WherecI bass fish the water has good clarity and very high fishing pressure, the big bass have learned to aviod anglers and lures or live bait that line effects movements. You can fish all day with jigs and worms using line .012D or larger and never get bit. Drop down to .010 or less, same lures and get bit during day light. At night it doesn't matter. I get about the same number strikes using FC or mono, easier to detect strikes using FC with jigs and worms, easier to put them in the boat using mono do to more reliable knot strength. The bass I catch often weigh equal to or 50% more then the line strength, knot strength is critical. Tom 1
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 2 minutes ago, Heartland said: How exactly would one go about determining if they were getting more or less bites on one line over the other? Exactly - it would require extensive experimentation and documentation. Exact same lures presented in the same way in the same location at the same time of year under the same weather conditions. Repeat with every other lure in your bag(s) in every location you fish. Only such a thorough research project could determine whether FC was better than Mono or Braid at catching fish. Only place I'll use FC is for diving lures where I want them to run at a depth, except in heavy weed situations...then out come the braid.
junyer357 Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 I dont think you will ever find the clear answer to your question, because there is no clear answer. If there was it would already be known. I have used braid, flouro, and mono for most techniques at some point in my life. I think each has its merits and flaws. I stick with mostly flouro now, as a personal preference based on past experiences. I use flouro exclusively for cranking, worm/jigs, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and chatterbaits. I only use mono for topwater and buzzbaits. Braid is for my spinning gear, frogs, and flipping. On my spinning gear, i have had mixed results on wether braid or flouro was better. I always use 15# or 20# yellow pp8 and usually color the last few feet with a black sharpie. I have had diffrent times in the same lakes or ares where i started with a flouro leader, broke it off, and went to straight braid and saw no change, especially if they were more aggressive. Other times i hardly got a bite til i added a flouro leader. This spring i am going to try 25# flouro on a 2nd flipping set up and try it, based on reccomendations from a trusted local i fiah with. He and his tourny partner found last year that it worked better at times, especially more pressured areas and times. Their belief is that the fish were alerted and spooked some by the sound of the braid zipping on grass and wood when flipping. 1
Super User Catt Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 9 hours ago, Heartland said: How exactly would one go about determining if they were getting more or less bites on one line over the other? Guess I aint that good! ? 1
The Maestro Posted February 2, 2019 Author Posted February 2, 2019 9 hours ago, Heartland said: How exactly would one go about determining if they were getting more or less bites on one line over the other? If you were in an area and not catching so you decide to switch lines (only) and start catching. If you're being badly out fished by someone doing the same thing you're doing except he's using flouro. Some people just swear they started getting more bites after switching. Obviously none of this is very scientific but scarcely anything in fishing is. 1
bagofdonuts Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 I reaaly like it for cranking and jig fishing in woody cover(prefer braid in the grass). I know i detect bites while cranking that i would never feel with mono. Im pretty sure i can even feel a fish miss the crankbait and have caught many by stopping the bait after feeling a miss. Gone back to mono a couple of times for shallow cranking and hated the lake of feel. Never had knot problems using a doubled improved cinch knot. For jig fishing its more of a feel thing, i just like the way floro feels sliding over the wood and the abrasion resistance.
Super User WRB Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 Use the same model rod, reel and lure on 2 outfits, 1 with mono and 1 with FC line the same diameter. It doesn't doesn't take a genius to determine which rod you catch more bass or how the lure feels using them alternately. Jigs and worms I prefer FC but...breaking off occasional big bass is a nightmare with FC, doesn't happen with mono. Tom
Heartland Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 49 minutes ago, WRB said: Use the same model rod, reel and lure on 2 outfits, 1 with mono and 1 with FC line the same diameter. It doesn't doesn't take a genius to determine which rod you catch more bass or how the lure feels using them alternately. Jigs and worms I prefer FC but...breaking off occasional big bass is a nightmare with FC, doesn't happen with mono. Tom So as soon as you pick up one rod and put down the other, you have created a problem regardless if they are identical except for line. How do then prove that the fish you just caught would not have been caught on the other setup if the lure had been presented in the same exact spot and at the same angle at the same time? The only difference between genius and insanity is genius has its limits. A. Einstein.... 3
Super User WRB Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 2 minutes ago, Heartland said: So as soon as you pick up one rod and put down the other, you have created a problem regardless if they are identical except for line. How do then prove that the fish you just caught would not have been caught on the other setup if the lure had been presented in the same exact spot and at the same angle at the same time? The only difference between genius and insanity is genius has its limits. A. Einstein.... Did I mention I have been using FC line since '95 and made thousands of cast catching hundreds of bass on both FC and mono. Arguing for the sake of argument is hopeless. Tom
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 1 minute ago, WRB said: Did I mention I have been using FC line since '95 and made thousands of cast catching hundreds of bass on both FC and mono. Arguing for the sake of argument is hopeless. Tom I think his point is that how do you know that a catch made on FC would not have been made on Mono - and visa-versa. There is no definitive proof that one is better than the other at catching fish - it's all supposition and 'feelings'. 3
Heartland Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, WRB said: Did I mention I have been using FC line since '95 and made thousands of cast catching hundreds of bass on both FC and mono. Arguing for the sake of argument is hopeless. Tom Could not have said it better myself..... 1
The Maestro Posted February 2, 2019 Author Posted February 2, 2019 2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said: I think his point is that how do you know that a catch made on FC would not have been made on Mono - and visa-versa. There is no definitive proof that one is better than the other at catching fish - it's all supposition and 'feelings'. If you're looking for proof and absolutes on the level of proving 2+2=4, it's not possible with fishing. That doesn't mean anecdotal evidence has zero merit. 2
Heartland Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 4 minutes ago, The Maestro said: If you're looking for proof and absolutes on the level of proving 2+2=4, it's not possible with fishing. That doesn't mean anecdotal evidence has zero merit. Anecdotal evidence is when a person uses personal experience or an isolated example instead of a sound argument or compelling evidence. It is in fact a logical fallacy.
The Maestro Posted February 2, 2019 Author Posted February 2, 2019 3 minutes ago, Heartland said: Anecdotal evidence is when a person uses personal experience or an isolated example instead of a sound argument or compelling evidence. It is in fact a logical fallacy. You're on this forum right? Do you watch fishing shows to try to pick up tips and information? Do you read about fishing? Do you talk to other anglers? Its ALL anecdotal evidence when it comes to fishing.
Super User FishTank Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 For me Braid and FC are two different tools used for the same thing. I use FC mainly and I like to think I catch for fish with it but that's because I have more confidence in it. With braid (sometimes with leader), I use it for thick weeds, topwater and large rock bottoms. FC for almost everything else, except crankbaits (mono).
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 2, 2019 Super User Posted February 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, The Maestro said: You're on this forum right? Do you watch fishing shows to try to pick up tips and information? Do you read about fishing? Do you talk to other anglers? Its ALL anecdotal evidence when it comes to fishing. Exactly, and that's how I treat it. The lake/bay/river/whatever they're fishing is NOT the ones I fish. I read/watch to bone up on techniques. What lures/line/etc they use won't be the ones I use as their 'fishing hole' is not the one I go to. Every location is unique, as are the fish in them. Do I try the lures that they've suggested? Maybe. But it's not a given...unless they produce a video or a detailed account of one of the spots I fish. Then I might listen more to lure/line selection.
The Maestro Posted February 2, 2019 Author Posted February 2, 2019 8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said: Exactly, and that's how I treat it. The lake/bay/river/whatever they're fishing is NOT the ones I fish. I read/watch to bone up on techniques. What lures/line/etc they use won't be the ones I use as their 'fishing hole' is not the one I go to. Every location is unique, as are the fish in them. Do I try the lures that they've suggested? Maybe. But it's not a given...unless they produce a video or a detailed account of one of the spots I fish. Then I might listen more to lure/line selection. The point of the question in my OP was to ask about what others have experienced. No different than if we were having a conversation irl. At no point do any of us ask for the peer reviewed studies (there aren't any) related to the topic or we're just going to disregard everything. Time on the water obviously matters and drawing on the experience of others can help shorten the already steep learning curve.
Craigholland Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 In clear water absolutely over braid. Did some trolling this year for other things crappie, walleye and bass. Ran four lines , it was like 9 to 1 floro over braid. Everything else was equal on more than one occasion. Mono vs florocarbon , I don't know I'm kinda on the fence , think it's a marketing deal and there are some good co polys out there too. Mono that doesn't stretch I like too. I used to be all braid , now I'm 80% folro/co ploy and mono. Don't know if there is a difference between those 3 in bites but vs braid in none heavy cover or non muddy water I was say 100 yes. 1
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