Fluorocarbon Line Size for Jigs

[Boomstick]

So this is less of an I don't know what I'm doing but more of a I can't decide for the life of me what to do type of question. It's been bugging me for days. So I have a new dedicated jig & carolina rig setup and I got a good price on some Daiwa J-Fluoro Samurai and I've heard good things so I'm going to give it a shot. What I can't decide for the life of me is what pound test should I go with. Most heavy weed areas where I would need braid are fairly isolated and only in some lakes and I have a flipping rod and frog rod with reels with braid for that, but there are areas I could see myself fishing with a fair amount of wood.

 

I've been using mostly Berkley Trilene Flurocarbon 17lb and occasionally 15lb which is great for knot strength and pretty thick and quite strong and especially with the 17lb, in most lakes I fish I know I'm getting my lure back and a fish out with it if need me.

 

The Daiwa J-Fluoro is a bit thinner though. The 16lb is .013 inches. The 20lb is .0145 (which is still thinner than the Trilene FC 15lb) and 18lb is somewhere in between. I kind of feel like if I'm going to step up to the 18lb, I might as well go one more for the 20lb, but in many scenarios I know I'd be okay with the 16lb line.

So, please help me pick.

 

[MN Fisher]

I got gifted mostly-full spools of 15#AbrazX and 15#Tatsu. Probably going to put the Tatsu on my jig/T-Rig rod and use the AbrazX as leader material on my two braid rigs.

 

15# should be plenty for bottom contact - last year I was using 12# YZH and didn't have any issues.

[Boomstick]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

I got gifted mostly-full spools of 15#AbrazX and 15#Tatsu. Probably going to put the Tatsu on my jig/T-Rig rod and use the AbrazX as leader material on my two braid rigs.

 

15# should be plenty for bottom contact - last year I was using 12# YZH and didn't have any issues.

15# InvisX/AbrasX/Tatsu I believe would be the same exact diameter as well as J-Fluoro 16lb. I think 12# Yo Zuri also is the same diameter but don't quote me.

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

15# InvisX/AbrasX/Tatsu I believe would be the same exact diameter as well as J-Fluoro 16lb. I think 12# Yo Zuri also is the same diameter but don't quote me.

You are correct, Sir...I have a tab in my tracking spreadsheet that has line diameters of a number of brands/types. The three 15# Seaguar FCs and the 12# YZH are all .013. Note that the 12# YZH has been tested multiple times to have an actual breaking point of around 19#.

[Boomstick]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

You are correct, Sir...I have a tab in my tracking spreadsheet that has line diameters of a number of brands/types. The three 15# Seaguar FCs and the 12# YZH are all .013. Note that the 12# YZH has been tested multiple times to have an actual breaking point of around 19#.

The 15lb's breaking strength, soaked for a day is probably 27lbs, that stuff is insanely strong.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Boomstick said:

The 15lb's breaking strength, soaked for a day is probably 27lbs, that stuff is insanely strong.

All-in-all...I'd go with the thinner line. So if you're 'stuck' on the J...go with the 16#

[Michigander]

15/16 is my normal jig leader. Works fine, never had a break off that wasn't my fault.

[FishTank]

I have some Daiwa J-Fluoro Samurai 14lb on order.  I hope it's good stuff but for jigs I like 15lb Abrazx.  I have also used the Trilene FC in 15lb and 17lb.  I liked it but just not as well as several other lines.  I do like the 6lb Trilene XL FC and it is still my favorite for spinning gear.  

[Bluebasser86]

I use 15lb for my standard jig fishing and step up to 20lb if I'm in the thick stuff.

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use 15lb for my standard jig fishing and step up to 20lb if I'm in the thick stuff.

 

Exactly...well almost ?

 

My standard jig rod has 15# Big Game & in thick stuff it's 20# InvizX.

 

FYI: Big Game is .015"

[A-Jay]

15, 17 & 20lb InvisX ~

Used the 20lb on this one . . . . 

A-Jay

[RichF]

Pretty much all the jigs I fish have stout hooks so I need to put the berries to her when I set the hook. For that reason, I rarely go under 17lb.  I'll drop to 15lb if I'm using smaller jigs. I say go for the 20lb.

[Mike L]

I use Sunline products exclusively for all flouro needs. 
I went the InvisX route a few times and although being a good product, I just couldn’t get past the amount of stretch it has compared to Sunline’s Sniper and Shooter lines. 
 

Anyway, I use 20# Shooter for heavy vegetation and woody areas and 12, 14 and 16 Sniper for everything else. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Lead Head]

So... your trying to pick between 16, 18, or 20.

I would split the difference and roll with the 18. It will give you a good idea of what the line is all about, and you will be able to decide from there if you should size up, down, or stay the same next time.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I have been a fan of #12 Tatsu forever, but I recently ran out and decided to run with #15.

Surprisingly, I like it!

 

[Mike L]

However,

To me, Tatsu is still the best. 

[Team9nine]

Go by diameter. Since this is also a  C-rig rod, I’d be more concerned about dragging through/over rocks and shells and stuff than anything your jig will be around. Based on your numbers above, go with the 20# first. Can always drop to 18# if things don’t seem right, later.

[FryDog62]

For simplicity and versatility sake - and to try to keep the cost down, I am toying with buying a 1000 yard spool of 15 lb Tatsu.  Would use it on several of my rods including Carolina, T-rig, Swimbaits, Football jigs, etc. 

[Boomstick]

11 hours ago, Michigander said:

15/16 is my normal jig leader. Works fine, never had a break off that wasn't my fault.

If I went braid to leader  that would actually solve the problem but I was hoping for straight fluorocarbon, and being that I have one high end reel my goal is to switch as little as possible if that makes sense.

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, Boomstick said:

If I went braid to leader  that would actually solve the problem but I was hoping for straight fluorocarbon, and being that I have one high end reel my goal is to switch as little as possible if that makes sense.

Oh gotcha. Then I'll defer to the straight FC experts. ?

[Boomstick]

2 hours ago, Mike L said:

I use Sunline products exclusively for all flouro needs. 
I went the InvisX route a few times and although being a good product, I just couldn’t get past the amount of stretch it has compared to Sunline’s Sniper and Shooter lines. 
 

Anyway, I use 20# Shooter for heavy vegetation and woody areas and 12, 14 and 16 Sniper for everything else. 
 

 

 

Mike

If I don't like the J-Fluoro, I'm going to give Shooter a try. In fact, I was all set to until I found spools for around $20 which is a bit cheaper. I've heard it's supposed to be top notch so let's see.

 

I'm kind of thinking I should go with the 16 to see if I can get away with it, or the 20 and see what I can throw it into for the real test.

 

I think what I'm going to do is use the 20# for the new jig rod primarily because it's the thinnest 20# out there, and then buy some 16# and put it on another reel that I'd use for T-Rigs usually as a test. I planned to buy a couple of spools anyway so that seems to make sense.

[MN Fisher]

25 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

If I went braid to leader  that would actually solve the problem but I was hoping for straight fluorocarbon, and being that I have one high end reel my goal is to switch as little as possible if that makes sense.

One thing I do with all my BCs is run backing...yes, even with FC or Nylon. 70-80yds of mainline, the rest of the spool filled with 10# Big Game. Saves money in the long run as you're only replacing that 70-80 yds with a change-out...the Big Game can stay on there forever (near-abouts)

[Catt]

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

I use Sunline products exclusively for all flouro needs. 
I went the InvisX route a few times and although being a good product, I just couldn’t get past the amount of stretch it has compared to Sunline’s Sniper and Shooter lines. 
 

Anyway, I use 20# Shooter for heavy vegetation and woody areas and 12, 14 and 16 Sniper for everything else. 
 

 

 

Mike

 

Ok you can shut up ?

 

I was given a spool of Sniper 16# that I HAD full intentions on putting on my worm rod!

 

Now I'm thinking jig rod, I mean it is Dec 1 & from here until mid-march it's jig time.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Almost all my jig fishing is with 15lb inviz x.  If I'm in the thick stuff its Suffix 832 in 60lb.

[WRB]

I have been fishing FC since the early 90’s about 25 years.

Started with Sunline Shooter 12 lb for jig fishing. I was never completely trusting of FC line do to random line failures but liked the increase jig contact feedback. As FC line became more available I tried every brand from Black Water Toray to Seaguar Tatsu, nothing solved the random line failures.

The next era in the 2000’s was super braids with FC leaders. Tried that and the knot issue became a total nightmare with every braid to leader knot known. 

Going up to 14 lb FC created line memory issues is dry hot weather and cold wet weather, nightmare continued.

When I looked back at the mono and copolymer era when I caught every bass over 16 lbs without FC started me wondering why I am still trying to use+FC line? I like FC line feed back back using jigs! 

I will never use braid to FC line leader....until now.

My last outing got my hat handed to me from my friend using bright braid with FC leader on spinning tackle with unweighted Sebko’s. The bright braid floating is like a strike indicator indicating the Senko moved slightly. I couldn’t see my copolymer Maxima UG move when the Senko was sinking and missed those strikes.

I bought Seaguar Smack Down bright green 20 lb braid for this presentation with FC leader!

Since all the FC line was over 6 years old I am giving 12lb Tatsu another try. I like Tatsu feel, time will tell! No leader with my jig fishing!

Tom

PS, I kicked  my partners (local guide) butt jig fishing 3-O using my old FC and older hair jigs w/pork trailers! Rematch this 9th!