12 or 14 lb Sunline FC Sniper for Tube Jigs?

[ABrugs]

I'm building a dedicated baitcasting tube jig setup for Lake St. Clair this year and would love to hear advice on if I should go w/ 12 or 14 lb Sunline FC Sniper? For context, I used 16 lb Sniper last year and thought it was too much. It also had a good amount of memory as well. I fish from shore in about 4 - 6 feet if that helps at all.

[fishwizzard]

I used 12lb Sniper on my most used combos for a season or two, also fishing from the bank in similar depths.  It never let me down but for a single instance.  Long story involving a new rod whose power I underestimated, a much larger bass then I normally get at that spot, and heavier cover then I was expecting.  The line snapped at the back side of the knot as I was lifting the bass out of the water.  

 

I was about out my filler spool of 12lb, so I decided to give 14lb a try.  In my very crude backyard tests, it does feel a bit weaker then the 12lb, but it also is a little more wiery and hard to deal with.  Having fishing with the 14lb all 2020, I think I will be going back to the 12lb.  The rod I have it on isn't really powerful enough that I will do much cover fishing with it and I think I would prefer the easier handling 12lb.  

 

 

[WRB]

All FC line has higher memory then mono line of equal diameters. Sunline Diefer Armiilo is of equal diameter to Sniper, stronger  knot strength with higher abrasion resistance and superior casting distance. 

Take a look at 11 or 13 lb test Armiilo.

Tom

 

[ABrugs]

@fishwizzard - That breakdown is really helpful. Thanks! For additional context, I used 12 lb Sniper on my lipless crankbait setup last year and really liked it. It was very low memory and seemed strong. Now, that was for moving baits and not dragging across the bottom. LSC is pretty rocky and I'm wondering how well 12 lb Sniper would hold up to that style of fishing? The other thing I'm curious about is on the hookset. In open water w/ basically no cover, should I be concerned about 12 lb holding up to smallies? I'm not referring to a jaw-breaking hookset by the way.

 

I appreciate that suggestion and will look into that line, @WRB! I've learned a ton from your posts on BR over the past year and appreciate your willingness to share knowledge.

[fishwizzard]

Up until the single break-off I mentioned, I used 12lb Sniper on a 3 power Loomis MBR, 1/4-3/4oz, rod for about two seasons.  I fished every kind of cover a reasonable person would with a rod like that and can't think of a single other issue.  Most of the spots that I fish are soft bottoms with a lot of wood, so I have never really had to deal with much bottom abrasion.  I do get a lot of pickerel and snakeheads as bycatch and I have don't remember ever having one bite me off with the 12lb, only when I was finesse fishing with lighter lines.  

[ABrugs]

Alright, that’s good to know. Thanks! The good news is I have about 3 months to figure it out up here in Michigan.

[RichF]

I always use the heaviest line I can get away with. 12 and 14 won't be a ton different. I used to drag heavy tubes around Lake Ontario with medium, fast action casting rods with both those size lines. As long as I checked for knicks and retied every now and again I was good to go. I'd go with the 14 since you'll be fishing from the shore. A little extra strength never hurt anybody.

[iabass8]

I prefer 12# shooter for tubes. More abrasion resistant. 

[ABrugs]

2 hours ago, RichF said:

I always use the heaviest line I can get away with. 12 and 14 won't be a ton different. I used to drag heavy tubes around Lake Ontario with medium, fast action casting rods with both those size lines. As long as I checked for knicks and retied every now and again I was good to go. I'd go with the 14 since you'll be fishing from the shore. A little extra strength never hurt anybody.

14# was what I was originally thinking. I’ll probably start there as I can always downsize.

 

@iabass8 - That’s good to know and interesting because I’ve only read about Shooter being used in higher lb tests.

[roadwarrior]

22 hours ago, WRB said:

All FC line has higher memory then mono line of equal diameters. Sunline Diefer Armiilo is of equal diameter to Sniper, stronger  knot strength with higher abrasion resistance and superior casting distance. 

Take a look at 11 or 13 lb test Armiilo.

Tom

 

 I spool Armilo for both jerkbaits and crankbaits. Otherwise, my preference

is Tatsu for mainline or Gold Label as leader for Smackdown braid.  I fish

tubes exclusively on spinning tackle and #6 line.

[evilcatfish]

@ABrugs I think 12-14# will be just about perfect for you.

 

I absolutely love fishing tubes and throw them with casting gear using anywhere from 6-22# fc depending on how I'm fishing. That said, about 70% of my tube fishing is done with 3.5-4" tubes,  12-14# fc, on a MHish rod, and using 3/16-3/8 insert heads or stupid rigged. I honestly find 12 and 14# pretty much handle about the same, and just use whichever size I have on hand-so usually whichever size a got a deal on haha. While I don't fish the great lakes, do fish various Ozark rivers and lakes at similar depths as you described. I also find 12/14 is a pretty versatile line size and use the described setups for various other applicatons.

[J Francho]

It was so long ago that I regularly threw tubes, that pretty much used 12 mono.  I think either would be fine.  These days, I throw them shallow for prespawn smallies using fairly light weights, and a spinning rod with 6# Tatsu.

[ABrugs]

I appreciate all of the advice. I'll mainly be throwing 1/4 oz tube jigs, w/ the occasional 3/8 oz if it's windy. I'm also going to be trying the Xtreme Bass Tackle 4" tubes this season and I'm excited about them. It sounds like I'll be good either way w/ 12# or 14# Sniper.

[FishTank]

I through tubes on 12lb but in the past most of guys I use to fish with, fished for small mouth.  To them tubes were used on spinning gear with 6 or 8lb FC.