Tatsu #6 lb. vs. Seaguar Finesse #6 lb. for Drop Shot ?

[ChrisD46]

I'm interested in the best FC finesse main line (#6 lb. ~ #7 lb.) that handles well on a 2500 series spinning reel for drop shot : For those that have tried the above two FC lines as a drop shot main line (i.e. straight FC )   - what are your experiences ? ... Do you notice enough difference in say Sunline Sniper #7 lb. FC line or Seaguar InvizX #6 lb. FC used as a main line ? ... My plan is to load a 2500 series spinning reel about 2/3rds of the way with mono backing and then a top shot of straight FC main line for drop shot applications . Thanks in advance !

[TBAG]

Good thread, following. I want to respool my Stradic Ci4+ that will pair with my new Sierra 702S for Ned rig and maybe drop shot. What mono backing? I was just going to go straight fluoro. 

[Dom Hendricks]

I run the sniper as a leader material on fireline and have not found a reason to change yet. I run the sniper for pretty much all of my leaders on braid. 

[NorcalBassin]

If you don't mind the price you can't lose with Tatsu. I'm currently using Sniper on my spinning reels after getting a great deal on a couple bulk spools and really like it, but I can't say it's at the same level as Tatsu. Invizx is also nice but IME it seems to stretch a bit more than the other fluoros I've used and the line from my last 4# spool (for trout) seemed way too easy to break by hand. I'd lean towards 8# Invizx for bass fishing if there's a chance of catching any sizeable fish or you'll be doing more horizontal-type drop shotting in deep water or with long casts.

[Stephen B]

Sunline FC Sniper, Sunline Shooter, Seaguar Tatsu, Seaguar Invizx, and Gamma Edge are personally my favorite fluorocarbon lines, however they all have different characteristics making them excel in different applications. 

 

For example, Seaguar Invizx is IMO more supple, more limp, and has more stretch than Sunline FC Sniper. However, the Sunline FC is more abrasion resistant with less stretch than Invizx while still being very manageable. Both are phenomenal lines. 

 

If I was looking for the best of the best overall fluorocarbons I would say Seaguar Tatsu and Gamma Edge. But if could only fish one flurocarbon while still being price conscious, I would pick Sunline FC Sniper as my line. That's just me.

[Team9nine]

I don't have enough experience with Sunline products to make any definitive statements with it. I know they are really popular. However, I use a lot of Seaguar stuff, primarily Tatsu and InvizX. "Finesse" is double-structured like Tatsu, so I have little doubt it probably works about as well. I'm not a huge fan of overspecialization though. InvizX is a good lower cost alternative with some of the same properties as Tatsu. If money is no object, I'd go Tatsu. If you wanted to save a bit, InvizX is a strong contender. Between those two lines I've caught thousands of fish using both straight fluoro and leader fluoro applications.

[Blacktail 8541]

I use 6lb and 8lb Tatsu on my 2500 and 3000 size reels. Some have 15 or 20 lb braid with top shots of FC. I am now trying P Line tactical in 6lb and am liking it so far.

[WRB]

I have tried every premium FC and Tatsu isn't the strongest per line diameter under 12 lb test in my experience. For example Tatsu 6 lb is .008 dia same as InvisX with identicle knot strength and memory. Abraix 6 lb is smaller .007 dia, less memory and equal knot strength, in fact 8 lb AbraiX is .008 dia with similar memory to both Tatsu and InvisX 6 lb with close to 7 lb knot strength. If 6 lb is your choice AbraiX would my choice with Seagaur FC.

Sunline 7 lb is .008 dia, less memory the Seaguar but  6 lb knot strength.

If you go with FC and mono backing use a good line conditioner and untwist the line after the days outing by running it behind the boat without anything tied on at walking speed.

Tom

PS, knot strength based on Palomar I use for drop shot rigs.

[ChrisD46]

13 hours ago, TBAG said:

Good thread, following. I want to respool my Stradic Ci4+ that will pair with my new Sierra 702S for Ned rig and maybe drop shot. What mono backing? I was just going to go straight fluoro. 

*You can save money by using a mono backing - all you need is about 60 yards of FC line on top (not a whole reel full) .

[fishwizzard]

I have been working my way through a 660y spool of 7lb Sniper over the last few years and while I have mixed feelings about it, I do like it a lot on spinning reels, it’s even reasonably managable on small 1000 sized Shimanos.  

[FishTank]

I have tried Tatsu, Invizx, and FC Sniper in 6lb and out of the three I like the Invizx the best for finesse fishing.  Tatsu was great but it just didn't work as well on spinning gear.  FC Sniper was just too hard and I was constantly fighting it.  If this was 12lb on casting gear, I would probably have a different opinion.

 

[ChrisD46]

I can find #6 lb. InvizX locally - I figure worth trying as a mainline (50 ~ 60 yrds.) for drop shot (even Ned rig) and if I don't like it I can always use as leader material for my other braid + FC leader spinning set up .

[Fishin' Fool]

17 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

I'm interested in the best FC finesse main line (#6 lb. ~ #7 lb.) that handles well on a 2500 series spinning reel for drop shot : For those that have tried the above two FC lines as a drop shot main line (i.e. straight FC )   - what are your experiences ? ... Do you notice enough difference in say Sunline Sniper #7 lb. FC line or Seaguar InvizX #6 lb. FC used as a main line ? ... My plan is to load a 2500 series spinning reel about 2/3rds of the way with mono backing and then a top shot of straight FC main line for drop shot applications . Thanks in advance !

Have you tried using a mono backer then braid and then a 6 to 7 foot fluorocarbon leader before? I've tried straight fluorocarbon on a spinning reel before and found that within a few times out the line would get incredibly twisted to the point that birds nests would form. I found it expensive to fish that way but using the other method I described above I've been using the same spool for 3 seasons.

[roadwarrior]

Tatsu

 

[Brad Reid]

Tatsu and many of the fluoro lines listed above are super lines.

 

But, reeling on a third of a spool of Tatsu for drop shot presentations seems a waste to me. I do what Fishin' Fool recommends: I use a bit of mono just as a backer, then spool on 10 lbs. braid as my mainline and attach about a 6 ft. fluoro leader. I use Seaguar Invizx out of habit.

 

With 6 ft. of fluoro as a leader, there simply isn't enough length for line attributes to matter much. Well, other than issues related to abrasion if that is an issue in your fishing areas.

 

I fish almost exclusively from my canoe or kayak and I make very short casts, actually pitches with drop shot riggings.

 

A spool of good fluoro will last a very long time used for short leaders. The braid main line? It'll last for literally years.

 

If you go this route, be certain and tie on a fresh leader before every trip out, then keep and eye on it. It takes just a few minutes to re-tie the terminal tackle, another minute to snip off the junction knot and make a fresh one. If you begin with a 6' leader, you'll still be around 4' after one re-tying both knots. After that, time to pull off some fresh fluoro.

 

Brad

 

[Fishin' Fool]

2 hours ago, Brad Reid said:

Tatsu and many of the fluoro lines listed above are super lines.

 

But, reeling on a third of a spool of Tatsu for drop shot presentations seems a waste to me. I do what Fishin' Fool recommends: I use a bit of mono just as a backer, then spool on 10 lbs. braid as my mainline and attach about a 6 ft. fluoro leader. I use Seaguar Invizx out of habit.

 

With 6 ft. of fluoro as a leader, there simply isn't enough length for line attributes to matter much. Well, other than issues related to abrasion if that is an issue in your fishing areas.

 

I fish almost exclusively from my canoe or kayak and I make very short casts, actually pitches with drop shot riggings.

 

A spool of good fluoro will last a very long time used for short leaders. The braid main line? It'll last for literally years.

 

If you go this route, be certain and tie on a fresh leader before every trip out, then keep and eye on it. It takes just a few minutes to re-tie the terminal tackle, another minute to snip off the junction knot and make a fresh one. If you begin with a 6' leader, you'll still be around 4' after one re-tying both knots. After that, time to pull off some fresh fluoro.

 

Brad

 

I used straight fluorocarbon for a while as a way to avoid learning to tie line to line connections but in the end that was very costly.

[ChrisD46]

*I understand braid mainline + FC leader . My questions on FC mainline with a drop shot are due to an article I read by KVD for Michiana bass fishermen  : While KVD uses a braid + FC leader drop shot set up - he discusses the attributes of using straight FC main line for drop shot in certain situations where he likes it better (less line bow with FC main line versus braid which means better feel and bite detection) ... KVD goes on to state that:  "if you are going to use a braid mainline for drop shot  - consider going from a 6' FC leader to a 18' FC leader (yes,  a 3X longer FC leader which means winding the FC leader onto your spinning reel ) ... Your thoughts on this ?

[Fishin' Fool]

46 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*I understand braid mainline + FC leader . My questions on FC mainline with a drop shot are due to an article I read by KVD for Michiana bass fishermen  : While KVD uses a braid + FC leader drop shot set up - he discusses the attributes of using straight FC main line for drop shot in certain situations where he likes it better (less line bow with FC main line versus braid which means better feel and bite detection) ... KVD goes on to state that:  "if you are going to use a braid mainline for drop shot  - consider going from a 6' FC leader to a 18' FC leader (yes,  a 3X longer FC leader which means winding the FC leader onto your spinning reel ) ... Your thoughts on this ?

What's your biggest concern? Bringing your knot through your guides? I drop shot alot and I like the idea of a longer leader. 

[ChrisD46]

I think most people would be concerned with bringing a knot through the guides as well as spooling a knot ... An Alberto knot is pretty small though .

[Brad Reid]

15 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*I understand braid mainline + FC leader . My questions on FC mainline with a drop shot are due to an article I read by KVD for Michiana bass fishermen  : While KVD uses a braid + FC leader drop shot set up - he discusses the attributes of using straight FC main line for drop shot in certain situations where he likes it better (less line bow with FC main line versus braid which means better feel and bite detection) ... KVD goes on to state that:  "if you are going to use a braid mainline for drop shot  - consider going from a 6' FC leader to a 18' FC leader (yes,  a 3X longer FC leader which means winding the FC leader onto your spinning reel ) ... Your thoughts on this ?

Chris, I have done this a time or two, see no reason why one can't tie on an 18' leader of fluorocarbon.

 

The issue won't be the junction knot moving through the guides, if you have an issue at all, it will be as the line flies off the reel spool. As it comes off, it can catch on the junction knot as it "surfaces" on the spool.

 

Your junction knot needs to be very well-tied and small.

 

Brad

[fishwizzard]

5 minutes ago, Brad Reid said:

The issue won't be the junction knot moving through the guides, if you have an issue at all, it will be as the line flies off the reel spool. As it comes off, it can catch on the junction knot as it "surfaces" on the spool.

That has been my experience as well.  I have a rod on the way that I very much want to use braid/long leader with so I am going to finally sit down and try to lean the FG knot and see if that works.