Help me like straight fluorocarbon

[Bandersnatch]

I've been a braid to leader guy and still am. I've ventured out to straight fluorocarbon but just can't like it. Based on some reviews of people on here I put 12lb tatsu on two mgl reels. I use kvd line conditioner as well. I not only can't love it but I can't even like it. I tend to have more line management issues (slight nests) with the fluorocarbon, it feels like a rubber band and I just can't get any confidence. Here's an example, I got super confident last year with jerkbaits in the spring, I was fishing a 7'1 Kistler MH H3 with 40ln smackdown to 12lb leader. Each jerk felt like a thump that I could use to get my cadence. I then switched to a one ten special and 12lb tatsu at the same time. Yes, the one ten special has a softer tip but each rip of the jerkbait just feels like a sponge, a rubber band, I can't tell what's going on, on the other end. I also put tatsu on my light jig rod based on reviews. I struggle with line management issues on my bantam. Am I doing something wrong? I really want to like straight fluorocarbon for certain applications as I don't have to retie leaders. Would straight fluorocarbon like 15-20 lb be more manageable for longer and eaiser casting? I feel like that goes against conventional wisdom. 

[waymont]

Why? Why bother?

[Russ E]

To me fluorocarbon is for bottom contact baits or baits that often have a semi slack line like a weightless super fluke.

The semi slack line sensitivity can not be beat by any other line. With braid you have to keep a fairly tight line to get its sensitivity benefit.

Obviously flourocarbon or copoly will not lay on the reel as smooth as braid. Because it is stiffer.

 

I don't use tastu, because the price does not warrant the performance, in my opinion. All I use is sunline sniper or assasin.

 

For me

Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits get copoly.

Topwater I generally use the power pro braid.

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Chief250 said:

I've been a braid to leader guy and still am. I've ventured out to straight fluorocarbon but just can't like it. Based on some reviews of people on here I put 12lb tatsu on two mgl reels. I use kvd line conditioner as well. I not only can't love it but I can't even like it. I tend to have more line management issues (slight nests) with the fluorocarbon, it feels like a rubber band and I just can't get any confidence. Here's an example, I got super confident last year with jerkbaits in the spring, I was fishing a 7'1 Kistler MH H3 with 40ln smackdown to 12lb leader. Each jerk felt like a thump that I could use to get my cadence. I then switched to a one ten special and 12lb tatsu at the same time. Yes, the one ten special has a softer tip but each rip of the jerkbait just feels like a sponge, a rubber band, I can't tell what's going on, on the other end. I also put tatsu on my light jig rod based on reviews. I struggle with line management issues on my bantam. Am I doing something wrong? I really want to like straight fluorocarbon for certain applications as I don't have to retie leaders. Would straight fluorocarbon like 15-20 lb be more manageable for longer and eaiser casting? I feel like that goes against conventional wisdom. 

Seems you're still working through the transition.

Perhaps by adjusting your expectations to align with what FC is, what it does and what it doesn't do, could help. 

All lines have pros & cons - and these can be perceived differently by each angler.

The 'differences' between what you're used to and what you're getting from FC, are what they are.

Some bassheads choose to accept them and manage them, feeling that the pro's are worth it.

(I am in this group)

Other's see the differences as too many cons and choose to not use FC at all; and I respect that.

In the end, regardless of the line type used, there are knots tied, casts made and fish caught.

Conversely, there can also be lines that break mysteriously, line management issues, and fish lost.

When any of that happens, we often look for a reason or something to blame.

In my world, it all starts with the decision I make on which type of line to use.

After that, it's up to me to know how to use it.

If it doesn't workout, it's not the lines fault. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

6 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Seems you're still working through the transition.

Perhaps by adjusting your expectations to align with what FC is, what it does and what it doesn't do, could help. 

All lines have pros & cons - and these can be perceived differently by each angler.

The 'differences' between what you're used to and what you're getting from FC, are what they are.

Some bassheads choose to accept them and manage them, feeling that the pro's are worth it.

(I am in this group)

Other's see the differences as too many cons and choose to not use FC at all; and I respect that.

In the end, regardless of the line type used, there are knots tied, casts made and fish caught.

Conversely, there can also be lines that break mysteriously, line management issues, and fish lost.

When any of that happens, we often look for a reason or something to blame.

In my world, it all starts with the decision I make on which type of line to use.

After that, it's up to me to know how to use it.

If it doesn't workout, it's not the lines fault. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

I appreciate it Ajay. For everyone else, is a heavier fluorocarbon more manageable for casting? 

[JustJames]

15 minutes ago, Chief250 said:

For everyone else, is a heavier fluorocarbon more manageable for casting? 

I think it is on the opposite end bigger and stiffer line is tough to manage, there are so much memory that even line conditioner can’t do it in one night.

I understand of spongey feeling on FC compare to Braid, but that help to not put too much action onto your lure. @Russ E mentioned, FC for me is only for Finesse bottom contact and jig. You won’t feel bottom structure as crisp as braid but once the line go slack/semi slack you would detect the bite better. A lot of bite are not that tab tab, it more like you got some tension on the line why FC is better than braid.

Do I have problem with FC? yes mostly due to the memory of FC. I don’t like to spool FC to full or almost full like other lines. After spooling I would cast and strip most of the line out and reel in with tension to get the line in as tight as possible. This would help prevent line jumping off when cast.

[Mike L]

51 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Seems you're still working through the transition.

Perhaps by adjusting your expectations to align with what FC is, what it does and what it doesn't do, could help. 

All lines have pros & cons - and these can be perceived differently by each angler.

The 'differences' between what you're used to and what you're getting from FC, are what they are.

Some bassheads choose to accept them and manage them, feeling that the pro's are worth it.

(I am in this group)

Other's see the differences as too many cons and choose to not use FC at all; and I respect that.

In the end, regardless of the line type used, there are knots tied, casts made and fish caught.

Conversely, there can also be lines that break mysteriously, line management issues, and fish lost.

When any of that happens, we often look for a reason or something to blame.

In my world, it all starts with the decision I make on which type of line to use.

After that, it's up to me to know how to use it.

If it doesn't workout, it's not the lines fault. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

Well Said!

 

 

 

 

Mike

[FrogMann]

46 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Seems you're still working through the transition.

Perhaps by adjusting your expectations to align with what FC is, what it does and what it doesn't do, could help. 

All lines have pros & cons - and these can be perceived differently by each angler.

The 'differences' between what you're used to and what you're getting from FC, are what they are.

Some bassheads choose to accept them and manage them, feeling that the pro's are worth it.

(I am in this group)

Other's see the differences as too many cons and choose to not use FC at all; and I respect that.

In the end, regardless of the line type used, there are knots tied, casts made and fish caught.

Conversely, there can also be lines that break mysteriously, line management issues, and fish lost.

When any of that happens, we often look for a reason or something to blame.

In my world, it all starts with the decision I make on which type of line to use.

After that, it's up to me to know how to use it.

If it doesn't workout, it's not the lines fault. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

100%! Positives outweigh the negatives for sure. My recommendation is to buy from the top brands. Trilene, Seaguar, Sunline, and Gamma. 

[Mike L]

Just now, FrogMann said:

100%! Positives outweigh the negatives for sure. My recommendation is to buy from the top brands. Trilene, Seaguar, Sunline, and Gamma. 

Well Said Again!

 

 

 

Mike

[Team9nine]

The only thing you did wrong was start out on braid  You're probably stuck with it now, unfortunately. Again, just MHO, but while you may end up as an all braid guy, you should never start out as one. Reverses the normal learning curve and you can rarely get it back.

 

As for line management difficulties, you just need to practice more and become a better caster. Fluoro is somewhat stiffer in most cases (vs mono/copoly, and much more so than braid) and requires a bit more "educated" casting skills. If you start on mono/copoly and work your way up to fluoro, the leap isn't that difficult. Going from braid to fluoro is a bigger challenge (again, MHO).

[Bandersnatch]

19 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I think it is on the opposite end bigger and stiffer line is tough to manage, there are so much memory that even line conditioner can’t do it in one night.

I understand of spongey feeling on FC compare to Braid, but that help to not put too much action onto your lure. @Russ E mentioned, FC for me is only for Finesse bottom contact and jig. You won’t feel bottom structure as crisp as braid but once the line go slack/semi slack you would detect the bite better. A lot of bite are not that tab tab, it more like you got some tension on the line why FC is better than braid.

Do I have problem with FC? yes mostly due to the memory of FC. I don’t like to spool FC to full or almost full like other lines. After spooling I would cast and strip most of the line out and reel in with tension to get the line in as tight as possible. This would help prevent line jumping off when cast.

Maybe the fact that I'm not always using the line conditioner the night before is part of my problem? Sometimes I just use it right before I start fishing 

[Bird]

Pick yourself up a 2000 series spinning reel and spool it with 12# Vanish Flouro.......that should pretty much eliminate your desire to throw straight Flouro ever again. 

 

That actually happened last month to my best friend.

First cast and looked like 2 slinky's mating.

 

I like Sunline sniper. 

[Team9nine]

Just now, Chief250 said:

Maybe the fact that I'm not always using the line conditioner the night before is part of my problem? Sometimes I just use it right before I start fishing 

You shouldn't need to use line conditioner at all with any fluorocarbon. Not saying it doesn't help, just that if your casting skills are up to par, you don't need it, especially with the advanced versions of fluoro out on the market now. Sounds like you're trying to force the fluoro issue too much. If you use braid and like it, then just stick with it. Nothing wrong with that. If you want to love/use fluoro, start with a straight mono/copoly outfit with an easily manageable line (use L&L conditioner to help if needed) and work your way up.

[PhishLI]

Fluoro is less well behaved in cold weather, especially on your first few casts. Here it may slightly fluff as soon as you release your thumb after the lure has landed. If you wind in over that it'll feel lumpy. If you try to pull out the fluff even bigger coils will jump off the arbor unless you back down the drag and use it to maintain tension. The coils are much tighter and more more springy the closer they are to the spool's arbor. In order to slightly combat this I use braid as a backing and fill the spool a heavy 1/3rd of the way in order to create a larger arbor. This lessens the problem on 12-15 line. A little bit more spool tension than usual in the beginning of a session until the line settles will also help, but not so much with slack line techniques. It wouldn't hurt to throw a chuck 'n wind bait with some resistance first to calm down the line.

[Tywithay]

I don't think any fluorocarbon is as manageable as braid, but they're not that difficult. Main things are don't buy the cheap stuff and tie a good wet (like dripping wet) knot. 

[FrankN209]

So what # test do you recomend for jigs and such? 10 or 12? 

[long island basser]

15 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

Main things are don't buy the cheap stuff and tie a good wet (like dripping wet) knot. 

 

This is important and also cinch the knot slowly.

 

I like flouro a lot and been using it for quite a long time now without the “issues”  some of the other members mention. 14 to 20 lb for my jig fishing.

 

[JustJames]

He is using 12lb tatsu, I don’t think there are any FC better than that lol.

The Seaguar FC is really small, I use Abrazx, and 12lb Seaguar is thinner than 12lb Top knot, Vanish and even 10lb Floroclear (They are advertise as the same diameter)

[Bandersnatch]

Unspooling the line and reeling it back in under tension would help. I haven't been great about keeping the spool tight either. 

[FishTank]

I primarily use FC for just about everything and I am not a fan of braid.  Braid does have it's place but I use it for topwater and in thick vegetation only.   I find it to be unmanageable compared to FC.  I know this sound strange to some. But with braid, it constantly digs into the spool for me.  If I am monitoring it on every cast, it's OK but I don't want it to be something I am always having to deal with.  It just takes away from my fishing fun. 

 

As far as FC goes, I was out today and I caught 6 good size ones on 12lb Tatsu using a G. Loomis 783GLX paired with an Antares and I was using a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait.   I had zero issues.  It was windy, cold and I had a blast with this set up.  

 

Also, you shouldn't have to use line conditioner with Tatsu.  It's pretty limp and tends to stay that way under just about any condition.  This line tends to last longer than most for me as well. For example, I had two set ups where this line was on there for 4 years and both were fished heavily.   The only reason I changed it was the spool was starting to get lower than I like.