Best budget fluorocarbon

[Luke Barnes]

The only fluoro I've ever used is 4lb on my crappie rod. Never used it for bass. I cant afford $20-$30 Sunline or anything. Thinking $15 max because I'm getting a new baitcaster and need line for it but have an overall budget I'm trying to stay with.

 

I've looked at Vicious, Seaguar Red Lable and Berkley Vanish in the 15lb test and read reviews but would like first hand experience. 

[Russ E]

With fluorocarbon you definitely get what you pay for.

saving 4 or 5 dollars is not worth it to me. there are a lot of things that can make you lose the  fish of a lifetime.

I do not want crappy line to be one of them.

 

you can save money by putting a mono backing on the reel and only using 75 to 100 yards of fluoro.

 

cheaper fluorocarbon lines usually have terrible knot strength and strange breakoffs.

 

Lines I will no longer use are:

seaguar red label

spiderwire ez-fluoro

berkley vanish

p-line fluoroclear

vicious fluorocarbon

 

 

lines I have had success with:

sunline sniper    ( my favorite)

sunline shooter

sunline assasin

berkley 100% fluorocarbon

seaguar invis-x

seaguar abras-x

seaguar tatsu      (probably the best overall, but extremely expensive)

 

there are othe lines available, but I do not have any experience with them.

[Luke Barnes]

Isnt Pline fluoroclear a coplymer?  I know its fluoro coated. But experience with it. I know the Berkley trilene fluoro runs about $20 and that may be manageable. I've heard good stuff about it. But I was hoping some in the teens would be equally as good. Live and learn!

[FishinBuck07]

 

59 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

Isnt Pline fluoroclear a coplymer?  I know its fluoro coated. But experience with it. I know the Berkley trilene fluoro runs about $20 and that may be manageable. I've heard good stuff about it. But I was hoping some in the teens would be equally as good. Live and learn!

Yes the Pline fluoroclear is a copolymer, I have not had an issue with it.

[Russ E]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

Isnt Pline fluoroclear a coplymer?  I know its fluoro coated. But experience with it. I know the Berkley trilene fluoro runs about $20 and that may be manageable. I've heard good stuff about it. But I was hoping some in the teens would be equally as good. Live and learn!

It is not an actual copoly. It is flouro carbon coated mono.

I had a lot of knot strength issues with it.  Multiple breakoffs with hooksets.

Some people love it.

[Paul Roberts]

I've used a few different "inexpensive" 100% FC's. The one I've gone with is BPS KVD 100% FC. It rated high in some testing that was published a while back, although, apparently, the formulations have changed over the years. You know, "New! Improved!". Regardless, I've used at least two formulations and found both to hold up and handle well -for a full FC. Nylon it isn't. When it goes on sale, I've bought my supplies.

 

I found Berkley 100% to be a good line. However, you should know that it is under-rated in terms of lb test. Or at least the older stuff I have was. Meaning, if you want "8lb", buy the "6lb" if you value diameter as much as I do. Again, don't know where that stands now but, just a head's up.

 

Another option is to use braid with a FC leader, of various lengths. Certainly saves money. While FC does not degrade in sunlight -a bane of nylons- it does get frayed and nicked, so still needs replacing. I use the braid/leader option most often.

[Luke Barnes]

7 minutes ago, Paul Roberts said:

I've used a few different "inexpensive" 100% FC's. The one I've gone with is BPS KVD 100% FC. It rated high in some testing that was published a while back, although, apparently, the formulations have changed over the years. You know, "New! Improved!. Regardless, I've used at least two formulations and found both to hold up and handle well -for a full FC. Nylon it isn't. When it goes on sale, I've bought my supplies.

 

I found Berkley 100% to be a good line. However, you should know that it is under-rated in terms of lb test. Or at least the older stuff I have was. Meaning, if you want "8lb", by the "6lb" if you value diameter as much as I do. Again, don't know where that stands now but, just a head's up.

 

Another option is to use braid with a FC leader, of various lengths. Certainly saves money. While FC does not degrade in sunlight -a bane of nylons- it does get frayed and nicked, so still needs replacing. I use the braid/leader option most often.

I run straight braid on one combo, never thought about the braid to FC leader option. Going to be using the combo for mainly chatterbait, larger spinnerbait, and swim baits, so I figured the lower visibility would be good. But then again maybe I should make my Texas rig combo have FC since fish have more time to look at it. 

[JustJames]

For moving bait like you mentioned, FC line is a waste, any copolymer or mono will work just fine. I only use FC for weightless worm, Fluke and Jig when fish deeper water or long target, but again I have success with copolymer as much as FC with these presentation. 

[Paul Roberts]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

I run straight braid on one combo, never thought about the braid to FC leader option. Going to be using the combo for mainly chatterbait, larger spinnerbait, and swim baits, so I figured the lower visibility would be good. But then again maybe I should make my Texas rig combo have FC since fish have more time to look at it. 

To tell you the truth, I'm not convinced that bass even see the line, when they are focused on the bait. They physically can see fishing lines, but don't actually have issues with line shaped objects in the water.

 

I think -and this is just my opinion- what can put them off is the disturbance line might make on, or in, the water. This is esp an issue on the surface, esp under high visibility conditions. Underwater it's an issue of displacement: If the line is thick enough to register with the fish, it doesn't register as a "fishing line" but as some large unidentified object, that's too close for comfort -whether they actually "see" it or not. Or line might appear to be part of the lure, making the lure appear larger than expected.

 

Again, this is what I think are the major effects line can have.

[fishballer06]

For me, I'd rather not use fluorocarbon rather than using budget fluorocarbon. Every budget FC I have tried has been completely garbage (Seaguar Red Label, Stren Fluorocast, Berkley Vanish). Honestly, if my first experience with FC had been with any of these lines, I would probably never use FC at all. 

 

With that being said, 90% of my reels are spooled up with fluorocarbon and I have a few favorites that are well worth every dollar. 

 

Sunline Sniper

P-Line Tactical

Seaguar Tatsu

[RichF]

I've used Sunline Super fluoro and Yo Zuri Top Knot.  They're within your budget and (IMO) much better than Red Label and Vanish.  I've only used 12lb and up though. 

[Big Rick]

InvisX 20% off at Tackle Warehouse. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Seaguar_InvizX_Fluorocarbon_Line/descpage-SIF.html

[Timberwolf530]

BPS fluoro is strong and impact resistant, but it is as stiff as piano wire.  If you can deal with that, buy it when they have their 2 for 1 deal, and you can't beat the price.  Otherwise, I recommend getting a premium line like Sunline FC Sniper.

[lo n slo]

i’m an InvizX guy, but for the price you can’t beat Red Label.

[jr231]

Use braid. And a leader 

[Kdizzle]

1 minute ago, Yeajray231 said:

Use braid. And a leader 

Seconded.

[Big Swimbait]

7 minutes ago, Kdizzle said:

Seconded.

Thirded.

 

[NHBull]

Gamma Edge fits your needs and is better than red label and such

[JediAmoeba]

29 minutes ago, 1201vilbig said:

Thirded.

 

Fourthed.

[Luke Barnes]

2 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

For moving bait like you mentioned, FC line is a waste, any copolymer or mono will work just fine. I only use FC for weightless worm, Fluke and Jig when fish deeper water or long target, but again I have success with copolymer as much as FC with these presentation. 

I did some more reading and decided copolymer was the way to go for me. After reading you're replies it sounded like FC wasnt needed for what I want to do. Thanks for the input everyone  

[Kdizzle]

Seriously though, as soon as you find a knot that gives you confidence, and you become competent at tying it effectively through sheer repetition, braid to a leader is the best option for pretty much all spinning applications.  The only time I use a straight anything is usually a Flourocoat line for when I'm flipping with a spinning setup. 

[primetime]

I use the Red Label Seaguar or Invisx when it is on sale.....I would not recommend Stren, Suffix, or Vanish....I have had bad experiences with them...I use the Red Label in 12lb and up and I have not had any issues with it that I have not had with more expensive lines, but I have never become a fan of Fluoro as mainline. I will use it as a leader for abrasion resistance which is the one property I find that matters for me.

 

However, I tend to use Mono or copoly or straight braid more than straight fluoro. Even in clear water, I usually stick with my berkley Trilene. Moving baits, lots of casting....I just feel like Mono is more reliable...I don't notice any difference personally on weightless worms, or sometimes just tying straight to braid when being lazy with light line either...I try to simply use the lightest line possible....and it sinks fine, looks clear....I set the hook to hard for fluoro under #6-#8 lb test....

 

I actually think that sometimes tying straight to braid on lighter lines with 2-4lb diameter is as good and maybe better on moving baits, even weightless worms as fish can feel the diameter of the line in the water, thin braid doesn't seem to effect strikes,sinks quickly since thinner.... it just frays easily so have to always check it.

 

I would never punch or pitch in heavy cover with anything but straight heavy braid unless its loud, then I go 25 mono...I have broken off too many fish with fluoro, even the good ones. I don't have patience to massage oil all over it the night before fishing....

[Bird]

Braid + sunline sniper + Alberto = fish.

[senile1]

5 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

I've used a few different "inexpensive" 100% FC's. The one I've gone with is BPS KVD 100% FC. It rated high in some testing that was published a while back, although, apparently, the formulations have changed over the years.

I have found the BPS fluorocarbon to be decent as well.  Contrary to some of the reports, I have had good look with Seaguar Red Label as well though I typically use Seaguar Invisx.  I also use braid with a fluoro leader also.

[Shimano_1]

I tried Berkley vanish, vicious, basspro and seaguar red label. Once I found the red label I haven't bought anything else. I will admit I haven't tried the higher end so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.  My dad, cousin and I will go in and buy several bulk spools at a time and it's all we use except a rod or 2 a piece with mono and braid for specific applications.  I've never found anything I would consider negative about the red label and if you bargain shop it can be found for like 40 bucks per thousand yard spools which comes out to like 8 bucks per 200 yard spool.