Best budget fluorocarbon

[Luke Barnes]

As far as knots, I tie the palomar unless it's a bulky lure then I use an improved clinch. Never lost a fish due to knot failure. I get the line is weaker at the knot from stretching and pulling it thinner and when I have ti snap a lure off it's at the knot. I learned with braid you have to tie a good knot or it will slip. That's all I know about knots. 

[RichF]

4 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

No freaking clue. This post went way off the rails. I never got a clear answer so I said screw it and used my own judgement from my own research. If the copoly I got sucks, I well, I'm only out $5. But if hated the $20-30 FC some said was the only good choice then I would not be happy. I'm new ish to fishing. Only been fishing 2 years and only ever used mono and braid. I wanted to try something new to see if I like it then eventually upgrade to higher dollar line. I may hate FC in general, let alone a $30 spool of Sniper or whatever. 

 

So far I really like the copoly I got over any mono I've used yet. Next combo may get FC or ma

If you really wanna try FC, wait until next spring during all the fishing sales. I've been able to get pretty high quality stuff for 50% off. Trilene 100% this year. PLine Tactical last. Honestly, I can't justify spending $30 on a spool of FC and I tournament fish! 

[J Francho]

14 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

First off I’m not gonna say if that bass is a ten or not ( I think you know) and who are they PROS, right?

Someone said all pros horse the fish in.  These two don't, when a big fish is on the line. 

 

Luke, good to hear you like the YZ.  It's really tough line, and hard to screw up a knot.  If you're good dealing with that line on a casting reel, you'd do fine with all but the stiffest FC.

 

 

[STBen1215]

 

19 hours ago, J Francho said:

It was a condescending, sarcastic response, to which I debunked.  I'm no "great fisherman."  I take what's there.  All those fish pull harder than any bass, including double digits.  I take my time tying knots, give 'em a quick pull test, and the rest is up to the rod, drag, and my own luck in landing the fish.  I think the whole knot thing is over played, in regards to fluorocarbon.  Heck, I just use an improved cinch knot on some baits.  I've even NOT wetted the line to see what happens.  Works fine.  I'll repeat, take your time, and tie a quality knot.  Doesn't matter which on, just use a knot you can tie well.  

 

 

19 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

@J Francho, I don’t think Tom meant to ask you. Do we need to really show since we all know you are skilled fisherman. I land many bass that heavier than my Lb test line but still compare to TOM I’m still average joe.

I don’t agree with him sometime but when a fisherman that land more than a dozen DD bass speak should we at least listen?

Exactly, great job J Francho. I agree as I took it the same way. Tieing a good knot is easy. Just find a knot that works well with the line you like and for the application you like. Tie it a bunch and practice will make it easier.

 

I'm sorry but DD bass mean nothing to me. For example, J Francho lives in NY as suggested by his location on his profile. The state record in NY is 11 lbs 4 oz. Whereas, if you fish in Florida, Texas, and California where the records are 17, 18, and 21. The quality of bass fishing is different. Do I think J Francho and many anglers on here that have a smaller PB than me can outfish me? ABSOLUTELY. There are some great fisherman on here. Catching a huge bass is always fun but you have to remember that someone fishing California versus somewhere like North Dakota, Hawaii, Minnesota is not an even playing field for largemouth. Those other states offer fishing we dream of but the largemouth doesn't thrive as well in that environment. 

[Steveo-1969]

On 10/10/2019 at 5:17 PM, NHBull said:

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

 

On 10/11/2019 at 3:40 PM, Steveo-1969 said:

Gamma Edge is the most abrasion resistant, good handling, low-stretch fluorocarbon I've ever used. But it's even MORE expensive than Tatsu.

 

10# Gamma Edge: 100 yard spool for $26

10# Seaguar Tatsu: 200 yard spool for $40

I found the above prices on the Tacklewarehouse website.

On 10/11/2019 at 6:34 PM, NHBull said:

Heck, I have never paid anywhere near those prices....

I would love to find Gamma Edge cheaper than the above price (and Tatsu for that matter). Where do you buy your fishing line? Thanks in advance!

[WRB]

Buy your premium line on sale like the upcoming Black Friday sales that offer discounts.

Comparing Gamma Edge to Seaguar Tatsu or any Seagaur or Sunline FC you must use line diameter. Gamma Edge is a brand with oversize line diameters; 8 lb is .011 D, Tatsu 8 lb is .009 D, Tatsu 12 lb is .011D.

This is like beating a dead horse, line diameter is important to lure performance.

Peace,

Tom

[GReb]

Best normal prices on seagaur are at academy. 

[Steveo-1969]

On 10/18/2019 at 12:46 PM, WRB said:

Buy your premium line on sale like the upcoming Black Friday sales that offer discounts.

Comparing Gamma Edge to Seaguar Tatsu or any Seagaur or Sunline FC you must use line diameter. Gamma Edge is a brand with oversize line diameters; 8 lb is .011 D, Tatsu 8 lb is .009 D, Tatsu 12 lb is .011D.

This is like beating a dead horse, line diameter is important to lure performance.

Peace,

Tom

Tom,

The topic of this thread from the OP was about budget fluorocarbon. I understand Gamma Edge is thicker than Seaguar Tatsu (or any Seaguar or Sunline) in the same pound test. So maybe I liked Gamma Edge because it was thicker? OK, I concede that point.

 

My real point was Gamma Edge is MORE expensive than Tatsu, and should NOT be considered a budget FC. It's at the opposite pricing spectrum.

 

Moving on........

[WRB]

6 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Tom,

The topic of this thread from the OP was about budget fluorocarbon. I understand Gamma Edge is thicker than Seaguar Tatsu (or any Seaguar or Sunline) in the same pound test. So maybe I liked Gamma Edge because it was thicker? OK, I concede that point.

 

My real point was Gamma Edge is MORE expensive than Tatsu, and should NOT be considered a budget FC. It's at the opposite pricing spectrum.

 

Moving on........

My point is you can buy Seaguar Red Label in 12 lb test and remark the label 8 lb test and achieve budget strong FC line.

The most expensive FC line I ever fished with was Toray Bass Hi Class @ $35 for 83 yards, very strong and low memory small dia line that was introduced at $35 for 150 meters, Sunline Shooter started out as $35 for 300 meters, excellent FC but today 2X that price point.

I get it, tried them all and haven't completely given it up yet.

Peace,

Tom

[Jason Penn]

i've thought about maybe trying vicious fc again. i used to use it, and would retie often.  at the time, i didn't use heat shrink in my tg weights and also just used a double line clinch knot. their 15# is the diameter of most company's 20#.

[Paul Roberts]

On 10/16/2019 at 8:13 AM, STBen1215 said:

...but you have to remember that someone fishing California versus somewhere like North Dakota, Hawaii, Minnesota is not an even playing field for largemouth. Those other states offer fishing we dream of but the largemouth doesn't thrive as well in that environment. 

For me, it has less to do with any "dream". We don't have DD bass here. If that was enough to dream about, I'd know to travel south. The issue is the strain in tackle large fish can create. And, if my experiences with BIG salmonids is relevant to BIG bass, the effect appears exponential. Gotta plan ahead for the big ones. It may seem kinda nit-picky or obsessive, esp where such fish are rare, until you hook one and discover what our southern brothers already know. They can expose the weak link in our planning, execution, and maintenance.

[Bird]

Not sure if I'm on topic or " knot " but another benefit to a FC leader is when you experience a snag......the leader will always break so your not pulling your boat under the surface trying to snap braid or cutting unnecessary lengths.

 

[WRB]

10 hours ago, Jason Penn said:

i've thought about maybe trying vicious fc again. i used to use it, and would retie often.  at the time, i didn't use heat shrink in my tg weights and also just used a double line clinch knot. their 15# is the diameter of most company's 20#.

Had to read this twice and still scratching my head, 15 lb (.015 D) the same as most 20 lb. why would anyone use this line if it's 25% weaker!

Tom

[Paul Roberts]

On 10/22/2019 at 3:33 AM, Jason Penn said:

i've thought about maybe trying vicious fc again. i used to use it, and would retie often.  at the time, i didn't use heat shrink in my tg weights and also just used a double line clinch knot. their 15# is the diameter of most company's 20#.

Ummmmm.... I can only speak about Viscious from years ago... I'm an old guy now, so decades swim by like years do for my son.  But that stuff was a nightmare! I only had it in 4lb (.008) on a spinning rig (no toy-sized spool either), and it was like wire. It was truly awful. I don't like to denigrate any product, but if you are considering FCs, Viscious -at least the stuff I bought probably 10yrs ago now- was not the way to go. Might be OK on casting tackle, if you are good with it(?) But there is better out there. Seems like Vanish and Vicious are/were at the extremes, one too soft for durability for most bass fishing, and the other too hard/stiff for sanity sake.

 

Many newer formulas out there that are more fishable. But, I'm hearing WRB on this, FC is still a specialty line in my experience; and there ARE advantages, but in my mind they are advantages someone might look for, rather than start out with. If you are considering FC's and Nylon's as interchangeable, you probably want nylons.

 

This said, to be fair, I've not tried any of the expensive formulas out there. I will say that I've found BPS KVD to work well, walking the line between durability and handling well. However, even this line is not recommended for spinning reels in above 12 to 14lb (.012-.014). I have 014 on one spinning rig, and that is a USReels 40, with a mega-sized spool. Still gotta watch that wiry-ness for potential trouble -loops, and twist tangles.

 

Good thread.

[Jason Penn]

On 10/22/2019 at 3:20 PM, WRB said:

Had to read this twice and still scratching my head, 15 lb (.015 D) the same as most 20 lb. why would anyone use this line if it's 25% weaker!

Tom

15# was as high as i ever used because it's thicker than most other lines. ?? i had to read your comment twice also....i don't pay much attention to stated test of a line, i just go by diameter, and thought you pretty much did as well?

 

i've been using sunline assassin in 17# for the past couple of years, and it's worked out great for me. i've thought about trying the vicious again just to compare the 2. i never used the original on spinning, but didn't have a problem with handling on casters.

 

i do have 8# vicious pro elite on a spinning reel, and it can get twisted up during a day of fishing. i just let it out 1st thing of the morning while idling and it usually lasts most of the day with no problems.