Need line advice!

[Scuba Steve]

Hey all, quick question. 

 

The spinning rod this applies to is a 6'6 ML st croix avid with a 2500 stradic. So here's my dilemma...

 

Part 1 - This is my small river/creek wading combo for smallmouth and smaller fish. I'm currently running 10 pound moss green power pro. Problem is, I can't see it for the life of me after I cast. I lose it in the current. 

 

Part 2 - I also want to use this combo for vertical jigging walleye this summer.

 

Do you guys think I could use a high vis braid, and continue tying leaders on of various lengths, for both applications? Any recommendations on line? I have had success with power pro and slick 8 version. Not a fan of spider wire or 832. 

 

Thanks.

 

 

[A-Jay]

Hey Steve ~ 

 Since you're a Power Pro fan, perhaps check out the Power Pro Super8Slick V2 Braided Line Aqua Green in the test of your choice.   While I have not tried it - it does get decent reviews by the anglers who prefer high vis braid.

While I do like the Power Pro Maxcuatro Spectra Braided Line quite a bit, it's not yet available in a high vis option; though that would be my choice, if it were.

And as a Sufix 832 fan (which I do recognize you are not), if I were looking for high vis braid, I'd go with Sufix 832 Braided Line Neon Lime.

Good Luck with you decision.

A-Jay

[waymont]

I have good success with 8 and 10lb Power Pro high viz yellow braid. It's great strong thin line. I've been wanting to try 832, what is it that you don't like about it?

[Scuba Steve]

Thanks for the replies guys. Love the big daddy reference haha. I've had 30 pound 832 on a baitcaster and it came apart easily. Not sure if I had a bad batch but I wasn't impressed with it. I didn't trust it. Think 10 pound yellow power pro would be alright? I usually have about a 6 foot leader. The lake I'll be jigging in is very clean. 

[Fishes in trees]

I've used 14 lb Fireline Crystal (allegedly the same thickness as 6 lb mono) in creek fishing situations.  As it is kinda white on the surface, visibility is excellent.   I've tried it in fairly low water situations on the Gasconade in Missouri, both with various weights of fluorocarbon leader and straight to jig head, leader didn't seem to make much difference.

Same situation, I've had similar results using Berkley nano-fil.  So there are a couple more higher visibility options. Both these line options are basically Ned rigs.

I would point out that on the few trips I've had, in a low water river/creek situation, all but one of my best fish (14-16" small mouths) came on War Eagle Screaming Eagle spinnerbaits ( half ounce weight, quarter ounce size ) , 14 lb mono - greenish in color.  Line visibility had nothing to do with bites - throw the bait upstream and bounce it off rocks, slow as you can without getting hung.   Of course, wouldn't you know it, the big fish of the day (20" small mouth" came on a ned rig thrown into a slack eddy.

 

I seriously out fished my buddy on those trips, he was primarily using 6 or 8 lb mono, so I currently think that light braid is the way to go for low water creek fishing.  In my situation the Gasconade was very clear, and line visibility didn't seem to affect things.   Another option, if you're going straight braid and fishing consistent depths, maybe dyeing a section of the line with your chartreuse marker is an option, IDK.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

https://www.finsfishing.com/FINS-Windtamer-p/fnswtb.htm

 

In yellow or pink.

[hwright38]

I use 15lb PowerPro in the hi-vis yellow and it's been really good. I personally don't like the 10lb because it's a bit too thin for me. 

 

I usually tie closer to a 20ft leader for smallmouth in clear water, and the same for walleye. In creeks and stuff if the water is super clear you may want to take a sharpie to the last couple of feet before your leader so you can keep the leader short and still be "stealthy", but honestly I haven't noticed too much of a difference switching from green to yellow anyways so that's probably optional.

 

TLDR: yes, you can totally use hi-vis braid for your situation, and I personally don't use anything but hi-vis braid for everything. Once you go black yellow, you never go back.

[Scuba Steve]

I got the 15 pound yellow power pro. Just the standard stuff. It was the only power pro that bass pro had in yellow. They had super slick in the aqua green, but I didn't see it being as visible as the yellow. 

[hwright38]

Good choice. I actually like the regular stuff on spinning gear more than the super8. Though I'm also not a huge fan of the super anyways.

[Scuba Steve]

Yeah I think I am too actually. Thanks for the help. 

[Hulkster]

if you are considering mono, 8 pound Sufix Siege would be perfect for that setup. 

[tander]

I have settled on Power Pro hi viz yellow with 7# test Sunline FC Sniper, works for me.

[Steveo-1969]

It drives me crazy when I can't see my line so I always use some kind of hi-vis braid on my spinning rods. At home in my shallow rocky snaggy river I tie on a FC leader for abrasion resistance and ease of breaking off if necessary. Not really for "invisibility" but it can't hurt.

 

Last week while on vacation in WI I was jigging walleyes in clear water 3 feet deep with 15# hi-vis yellow braid and no leader. And catching walleyes (and northerns and white bass and catfish and sheephead). None of the fish seemed bothered by the hi-vis braid at all.

 

I guess my point is this: Yes you can (and IMO should) use hi-vis braid. And you don't need a leader for "invisibility".

[Armtx77]

Im a Sufix guy, but admittedly I dont have anything over 20lbs test.

I did just get in a 600yd spool in 10lbs, lime green and used it for the first time yesterday evening. I caught 3, around the two pound mark and this a high pressure lake.

I was using a moss colored line and it was nice to actually watch the pick up and move to deeper water action of that lime green.

[Scuba Steve]

Again thanks for the replies everyone. Very good info!

 

My ML is going to have the 15# yellow power pro with 10# flouro for a leader. I also fish two rocky, snaggy rivers, and being able to break off at that knot is key. 

 

Honestly I feel like my terminal palomar knot breaks before my alberto knot. If I do maybe 7-8 wraps in each direction, after I pop free i usually have my whole leader. Plus that knot is super easy to tie when you’re wading.

 

 

I was running the 10# moss green and if im facing the trees forget it. I lose it every time, cant see my line on the water, and feel like it decreases my confidence.