Best budget fluorocarbon

[Luke Barnes]

I've never researched copoly so I read a bunch about it. Pros and cons and what not. I found it to be more what I was looking for than straight fluoro. Besides my fly rod I've never done mainline with leader. I know some swear by it. That's why I'm buying another rod, so I have another line option to run straight.

 

So I'm going to try some copoly with a fluoro coating. 

[Kdizzle]

12 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

I've never researched copoly so I read a bunch about it. Pros and cons and what not. I found it to be more what I was looking for than straight fluoro. Besides my fly rod I've never done mainline with leader. I know some swear by it. That's why I'm buying another rod, so I have another line option to run straight.

 

So I'm going to try some copoly with a fluoro coating. 

Once you start using it, you won't wanna switch back to a straight line.  I promise.  You'll get better hooksets with less energy needed, pretty much just pulling straight up when you feel the tap of the fish taking your bait.  Plus the added sensitivity of braid with a flouro leader will have you feeling more of those taps period.

[bowhunter63]

I know a lot guys don’t like it but i have had good luck with Berkley Vanish. I fish the rivers hard for Smallmouth and holds up great.

[WRB]

Yo -Zuri Hybrid is inexpensive, meets your needs and the bass or you will never know it isn't high price. 

Braid plus FC is the most expensive option.

Your best overall choice is Berkley Big Game mono for price to performance ratio.

Tom

[Russ E]

if you want to try copoly, Suffix Advance coply is a good line.

I started using it ion my jerkbait and crankbait rods.

so far I have been impressed.

low stretch.

very good knot strength.

good abrasion resistance.

and very manageable. not much memory.

[STBen1215]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Yo -Zuri Hybrid is inexpensive, meets your needs and the bass or you will never know it isn't high price. 

Braid plus FC is the most expensive option.

Your best overall choice is Berkley Big Game mono for price to performance ratio.

Tom

Braid to FC leader is extremely effective and offers a lot of versatility as you can cut the leader off and run straight braid in certain applications. Also, braid can last a long time on a reel plus tying in leader material will make great use of the fluorocarbon line. It's actually not that expensive if done properly. IMO you are looking at it wrong. Don't think about it in terms of up front additional cost for the same product. They are not even remotely close. Braid does not degrade like mono so it lasts longer, strength/line diameter advantage, sensitivity advantage. Tying in the fluorocarbon leader is the additional option which Seaguar Red Label would be the best budget line. I know you will mention knot strength but most people on here have no issues.

 

[WRB]

1 hour ago, STBen1215 said:

Braid to FC leader is extremely effective and offers a lot of versatility as you can cut the leader off and run straight braid in certain applications. Also, braid can last a long time on a reel plus tying in leader material will make great use of the fluorocarbon line. It's actually not that expensive if done properly. IMO you are looking at it wrong. Don't think about it in terms of up front additional cost for the same product. They are not even remotely close. Braid does not degrade like mono so it lasts longer, strength/line diameter advantage, sensitivity advantage. Tying in the fluorocarbon leader is the additional option which Seaguar Red Label would be the best budget line. I know you will mention knot strength but most people on here have no issues.

 

When I started bass fishing braid was all we had, mono wasn't availble yet. I caught a lot of bass using direct braid to lures no leader. Mono comes along and free spool casting reels like ambassador 500 ( before 5000) and we used braid with mono leaders and caught lots of bass. Mono line becomes more popular, braid becomes less popular so we changed to mono direct to lures and caught lots of bass. The mono era last about 40 years for most bass anglers until Fluorocarbon line becomes popular based on low light refraction claims that fish can't see it. 

Keep in mind we caught bass using braid and using mono for one reason bass are not line shy fish. 

As you noted you can cut off the FC leader and catch bass and that is a fact.

So what does FC line offer a bass angler that mono doesn't? Lower knot strength. If knot strength isn't an issue why all the knots trying to resolve this issue? Simple it's an issue.

FC line may be the biggest hoax ever pulled on bass anglers. It's more expensive and lower performance then mono line. 

I say this from 25 years of experience using FC line, it offers nothing for bass anglers except weaker knots and higher cost.

1500 yards of 10 lb Big Game $10

150 yards of 30 lb braid is $20

150 yards of FC 10 lb is is $20

Braid with leader initial cost $40

Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6 lb 600 yards $11 ( 8 lb is .011D equal to most 10 lb Mono or 12 lb FC).

Tom

[Jig Man]

To answer your question, in my opinion the best budget fluorocarbon line is Seaguar red label.  I have it on at least 12 setups and it works just fine.

[Cgolf]

I have been using flouro as a leader with braid for a while now. Spinning combos get 8-12 lb red label and I have great luck with it fishing a rock filled river. The only time it breaks off is when I snag up and to be honest even then it takes more than I would expect to break it. For my heavier line rigs I have 20 lb sniper and like that as well.

 

As far as lines I have tried and don't like, Gamma seemed to shed when I used it, perhaps I had a bad spool. Vanish I won't use for gear fishing, but it seems to work well as a leader fly fishing, not sure why it holds up well there and not for other applications.

[Cgolf]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

When I started bass fishing braid was all we had, mono wasn't availble yet. I caught a lot of bass using direct braid to lures no leader. Mono comes along and free spool casting reels like ambassador 500 ( before 5000) and we used braid with mono leaders and caught lots of bass. Mono line becomes more popular, braid becomes less popular so we changed to mono direct to lures and caught lots of bass. The mono era last about 40 years for most bass anglers until Fluorocarbon line becomes popular based on low light refraction claims that fish can't see it. 

Keep in mind we caught bass using braid and using mono for one reason bass are not line shy fish. 

As you noted you can cut off the FC leader and catch bass and that is a fact.

So what does FC line offer a bass angler that mono doesn't? Lower knot strength. If knot strength isn't an issue why all the knots trying to resolve this issue? Simple it's an issue.

FC line may be the biggest hoax ever pulled on bass anglers. It's more expensive and lower performance then mono line. 

I say this from 25 years of experience using FC line, it offers nothing for bass anglers except weaker knots and higher cost.

1500 yards of 10 lb Big Game $10

150 yards of 30 lb braid is $20

150 yards of FC 10 lb is is $20

Braid with leader initial cost $40

Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6 lb 600 yards $11 ( 8 lb is .011D equal to most 10 lb Mono or 12 lb FC).

Tom

 

Totally agree. I got folks on twitter swearing by the stuff and I did finally break down and try some, but when it is gone I will be back to straight fireline on spinning reels and power pro or 832 on baitcasters.

 

I just don't see more bites with flouro, I think for some folks it is a confidence thing. I grew up near Geneva lake, gin clear, and we would throw baits on solar xt and would get bit.

 

I will say a couple of times catching toothy critters, the flouro didn't get bit off like braid would. Do you think a line like Yo Zuri Hybrid would be a better leader or is it not worth it since your essentially adding 2 more knots to the system and just deal with the loss of a bait or two? I do like Yo Zuri Hybrid for cranking deep divers, but it is amazing how much more sensitive braid is.

[diehardbassfishing]

Seaguar Red Label - 12 lb and 15 lb.

On baitasters. No issues.

Could be a bit stiff for spinning.

 

Karl

 

[LegendaryBassin]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

When I started bass fishing braid was all we had, mono wasn't availble yet. I caught a lot of bass using direct braid to lures no leader. Mono comes along and free spool casting reels like ambassador 500 ( before 5000) and we used braid with mono leaders and caught lots of bass. Mono line becomes more popular, braid becomes less popular so we changed to mono direct to lures and caught lots of bass. The mono era last about 40 years for most bass anglers until Fluorocarbon line becomes popular based on low light refraction claims that fish can't see it. 

Keep in mind we caught bass using braid and using mono for one reason bass are not line shy fish. 

As you noted you can cut off the FC leader and catch bass and that is a fact.

So what does FC line offer a bass angler that mono doesn't? Lower knot strength. If knot strength isn't an issue why all the knots trying to resolve this issue? Simple it's an issue.

FC line may be the biggest hoax ever pulled on bass anglers. It's more expensive and lower performance then mono line. 

I say this from 25 years of experience using FC line, it offers nothing for bass anglers except weaker knots and higher cost.

1500 yards of 10 lb Big Game $10

150 yards of 30 lb braid is $20

150 yards of FC 10 lb is is $20

Braid with leader initial cost $40

Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6 lb 600 yards $11 ( 8 lb is .011D equal to most 10 lb Mono or 12 lb FC).

Tom

Much better sensitivity is its advantage with its lower coefficient of drag is just one but there are a couple other advantages. Make a decision whether its worth it. A lot of people seem to love fluorocarbon and braid especially if you know how to use it and make the best use of it. Every line has its advantages and disadvantages, accept them and move on..

 

Buy fluorocarbon in a bulk spool so you get your price per yard to where you'd like.

[Luke Barnes]

Decided no FC. Bought some copoly. Figure it's best of both worlds and was cheap. We will see how it works. 

[Deleted account]

15 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

Figure it's best of both worlds...

It's actually the worst of both worlds, but a better option than FC, so you'll be ok, (assuming you stop reading)...

[Paul Roberts]

16 hours ago, senile1 said:

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.

I've wondered who actually manufactures BPS, and many other, FCs. Seaguar, if they are indeed a manufacturer, is not unlikely. 

[Paul Roberts]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

When I started bass fishing braid was all we had, mono wasn't availble yet. I caught a lot of bass using direct braid to lures no leader. Mono comes along and free spool casting reels like ambassador 500 ( before 5000) and we used braid with mono leaders and caught lots of bass. Mono line becomes more popular, braid becomes less popular so we changed to mono direct to lures and caught lots of bass. The mono era last about 40 years for most bass anglers until Fluorocarbon line becomes popular based on low light refraction claims that fish can't see it. 

Keep in mind we caught bass using braid and using mono for one reason bass are not line shy fish. 

As you noted you can cut off the FC leader and catch bass and that is a fact.

So what does FC line offer a bass angler that mono doesn't? Lower knot strength. If knot strength isn't an issue why all the knots trying to resolve this issue? Simple it's an issue.

FC line may be the biggest hoax ever pulled on bass anglers. It's more expensive and lower performance then mono line. 

I say this from 25 years of experience using FC line, it offers nothing for bass anglers except weaker knots and higher cost.

1500 yards of 10 lb Big Game $10

150 yards of 30 lb braid is $20

150 yards of FC 10 lb is is $20

Braid with leader initial cost $40

Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6 lb 600 yards $11 ( 8 lb is .011D equal to most 10 lb Mono or 12 lb FC).

Tom

Agree. Not so sure it's a quite a hoax though, except maybe the "fish can't see it" part. Hey, maybe fish can't actually "see" it as well, but, that's not what scares them. And... maybe the abrasion resistance (AR) part. I suspect that the AR claim has much to do with the fact that FC doesn't soften and weaken when wet, like nylons do. I too have been leery of FCs apparent susceptibility to nicks, and associated knot issues. In the end, FC doesn't last much longer than nylon's, except under a high summer sun. And it's much more expensive.

 

FC offers one advantage: its density, ability to sink. Can be an advantage, although in the mostly shallow waters I fish I do fine most of the time with braid and/or nylon monos. Where I find an advantage in my shallow waters is under windy conditions, when that density helps in the air, in that "sticky" surface film, and for detection when sunk. I'm most apt to use it in winter, when my fish are "deep". But, then, super-fine "braids"/PE lines out now fish deep really well, with a (usually FC) leader where abrasion is an issue. But... this kind of stuff is "splitting hairs". And, hey, there are times when splitting hairs makes a difference.

 

Bottom line for me, so far, is that FC is an "extra" in my mind, and in my fishing budget.

[WRB]

I bought into the better feedback from lower coeffient of drag in water and heavier density to reduce line belly or a more direct connection to the lure. Harder surface and zero water absorbsion should increase abrasion resistance. The low light refraction was also a early reason to use for off shore tuna that can be extremely line shy at times using live bait.

Today after 25+ years I changed my mind on all those factors based on simple performance that clearly shows no improved catch rates verses premium mono and very low success landing giant bass using FC. Strike detection is better using FC as a main line but this is offset by the FC line random failures. FC as a leader offers nothing over mono, too short a length to have any advantage.

FC line failures are a result of normal fishing issues; damage when it crosses over itself on the reel spool, or knot tying, nicks from sharp hook bards or rocks, permanent reduced diameter when over stressed un snagging lures etc, etc.

Non wetting becomes a problem casting requiring line conditioners to retain some moisture to keep the line on the spool.

It's a high price to pay for slightly higher density line.

Tom

 

 

[LegendaryBassin]

45 minutes ago, WRB said:

I bought into the better feedback from lower coeffient of drag in water and heavier density to reduce line belly or a more direct connection to the lure. Harder surface and zero water absorbsion should increase abrasion resistance. The low light refraction was also a early reason to use for off shore tuna that can be extremely line shy at times using live bait.

Today after 25+ years I changed my mind on all those factors based on simple performance that clearly shows no improved catch rates verses premium mono and very low success landing giant bass using FC. Strike detection is better using FC as a main line but this is offset by the FC line random failures. FC as a leader offers nothing over mono, too short a length to have any advantage.

FC line failures are a result of normal fishing issues; damage when it crosses over itself on the reel spool, or knot tying, nicks from sharp hook bards or rocks, permanent reduced diameter when over stressed un snagging lures etc, etc.

Non wetting becomes a problem casting requiring line conditions to retrain some moisture to keep the line on the spool.

It's a high price to pay for slightly higher density line.

Tom

 

 

I have no issues at all and most of the yellowfin tuna fisherman that I've been with out of Venice, La all use Seaguar fluorocarbon. Mexican Gulf Fishing Company and Voodoo Fishing Charters, and weve landed 150-200+ yellowfin and caught plenty of nice 8-10+ lb bass. I personally would double check how you tie knots as it's key to success with fluorocarbon. I think you are tying bad knots.

[JediAmoeba]

Everything aside in the mono/fc/braid debate the reason I usually run a FC leader off my braid is because it sinks.

[RB 77]

I'll just be one more person to reiterate that "budget" and "Flouro" do not belong on the same sentence. Of ALL the different types of lines, this is exceptionally true. You would be much better off just fishing a decent Mono instead of trying to skimp on Flouro.

[WRB]

2 hours ago, LegendaryBassin said:

I have no issues at all and most of the yellowfin tuna fisherman that I've been with out of Venice, La all use Seaguar fluorocarbon. Mexican Gulf Fishing Company and Voodoo Fishing Charters, and weve landed 150-200+ yellowfin and caught plenty of nice 8-10+ lb bass. I personally would double check how you tie knots as it's key to success with fluorocarbon. I think you are tying bad knots

It's not my knot tying skills. I retie a lot more then 99% of bass anglers because stress over time weakens all polymer including FC line. My issues are not common for the average bass angler who use line pound test that exceed the bass they catch by a factor of 3. The bass weight I target exceed the pound test so very little margin of error.

Consider the 5 LMB listed as PB; 3 over 17 lbs, 1 over 18 and 1 over 19 lbs all caught using 10 to 12 lb mono. Caught somewhere north of 50 bass over 14 lbs using mono and 1 over 15 lbs using FC line. I have lost at least 6 bass in the 15 lb range on FC, very discouraging to lose these bass from line failures. All these bass are jig fish.

Tom

[LegendaryBassin]

13 minutes ago, RB 77 said:

I'll just be one more person to reiterate that "budget" and "Flouro" do not belong on the same sentence. Of ALL the different types of lines, this is exceptionally true. You would be much better off just fishing a decent Mono instead of trying to skimp on Flouro.

I agree personally. I use Sniper, Invizx, Gamma Edge, Tatsu. But I know people who like Red Label. 

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

It's not my knot tying skills. I retie a lot more then 99% of bass anglers because stress over time weakens all polymer including FC line. My issues are not common for the average bass angler who use line pound test that exceed the ass they catch by a factor of 3. The bass weight I target exceed the pound test so very little margin of error.

Consider the 5 LMB listed as PB; 3 over 17 lbs, 1 over 18 and 1 over 19 lbs all caught using 10 to 12 lb mono. Caught somewhere north of 50 bass over 14 lbs using mono and 1 over 15 lbs using FC line. I have lost at least 6 bass in the 15 lb range on FC, very dissapiinting to lose these bass from line failures. All these bass are jig fish.

Tom

Retying won't help if you tie improper knots though. Double check how to tie a proper knot that works well with fluorocarbon

[Cgolf]

I just read an article in Bassmaster by David Fritts that he uses braid on his cranking setups because his cast is violent enough to actually break flourocarbon. Kind of insane when you think about it.

[Luke Barnes]

31 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I just read an article in Bassmaster by David Fritts that he uses braid on his cranking setups because his cast is violent enough to actually break flourocarbon. Kind of insane when you think about it.

That's another reason I went with copoly. I'm not the smoothest caster and have flung off lures on casts before. I'm very new to baitcasters so I still get the occasional backlash. Always when I'm casting it seems. 

[LegendaryBassin]

46 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I just read an article in Bassmaster by David Fritts that he uses braid on his cranking setups because his cast is violent enough to actually break flourocarbon. Kind of insane when you think about it.

I've heard a couple people try it. Interesting though