Line recommendation

[zelmo]

I have been searching for a line to use on a Pixy SPR to cast small crankbaits and jerkbaits for many years.  For two years now it has been spooled with 6lb Invisix and I am going to give up on that.  I have lost too many lures after the line was compromised from a backlash and I didn't realize it until 20 yards came off and revealed a break.

 

I really like Defier on some other rigs but it only goes down to 11lbs.  What other light line is out there with good casting distance that would hold up better than FC?

[bulldog1935]

You're going to get the best cast distance with light braid, and your reel has the shallow spool for it.  

Per Jun at japan Tackle, PE#1 (0.165 mm = 0.006") is the finest line diameter you want to use on baitcaster.  

The Japanese X-braids are up to 22-lb in that size, Sufix 832 is 6-lb.  

[jimmyjoe]

   Look at your priorities the other way; "Which line holds up better than fluorocarbon?" Then take that list and start winnowing it for casting characteristics: compliance, distance, abrasion resistance, consistency and knot strength.

   Once you look at the issue from the viewpoint of balance, you might be surprised. Our ancient friends, Stren and Trilene, start to look pretty good.

 

   Unlike @bulldog1935, I was not interested in braid. But I have to admit that for light-lining, braid offers many advantages. Because the resistance of lighter lures is absolutely minimal, the sensitivity of braid is a big advantage for feeling the lure. Braid has no UV sensitivity and it doesn't shrink and expand with exposure to water.

   The only disadvantage that is significant is braid's susceptibility to "wind" knots from torsion buildup. That was a deal killer for me, because I use inline spinners a great deal. If you don't have the same problem, than braid might be the answer for you.

 

   Whichever way you go ........ Good Luck!               jj

  

[Dens228]

I use both 20 lb Seaguar Smackdown and 12 lb Tatsu for your stated application.   First year with the Tatsu and have no complaints yet. 

[dodgeguy]

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

I have been searching for a line to use on a Pixy SPR to cast small crankbaits and jerkbaits for many years.  For two years now it has been spooled with 6lb Invisix and I am going to give up on that.  I have lost too many lures after the line was compromised from a backlash and I didn't realize it until 20 yards came off and revealed a break.

 

I really like Defier on some other rigs but it only goes down to 11lbs.  What other light line is out there with good casting distance that would hold up better than FC?

Sufix Advance Mono. Super low stretch.

[zelmo]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

You're going to get the best cast distance with light braid, and your reel has the shallow spool for it.  

Per Jun at japan Tackle, PE#1 (0.165 mm = 0.006") is the finest line diameter you want to use on baitcaster.  

The Japanese X-braids are up to 22-lb in that size, Sufix 832 is 6-lb.  

 

I have tried braid with jerkbaits and was not happy with hooks getting fouled in it on the cast.  To be fair the line I tried was cheap Stren braid.  I have Sufix 832 in 10lb so maybe I should try that since I already have it.

[FishTank]

I have always liked invizx but not so much in anything below 10lb.  You might give Trilene 100% FC a shot or just step up to Tatsu.  Both are great.

[zelmo]

56 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

I use both 20 lb Seaguar Smackdown and 12 lb Tatsu for your stated application.   First year with the Tatsu and have no complaints yet. 

 

Thanks, but if I wanted to use 12lb line I would just go with 11lb Defier.

3 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have always liked invizx but not so much in anything below 10lb.  You might give Trilene 100% FC a shot or just step up to Tatsu.  Both are great.

 

Are you saying that those would not get compromised with a backlash?

[jimmyjoe]

2 hours ago, zelmo said:

I have tried braid with jerkbaits and was not happy with hooks getting fouled in it on the cast. 

 

   Wax the first 1 or 2 feet of line. That reduces the flexibility of the line. Flyline wax works well, but any old wax that changes the compliance (flex) and density of the end of your line will be OK.

   Be aware that it will change the flotation characteristics of your line, too.   ?        jj

[Mike L]

8 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Wax the first 1 or 2 feet of line. That reduces the flexibility of the line. Flyline wax works well, but any old wax that changes the compliance (flex) and density of the end of your line will be OK.

   Be aware that it will change the flotation characteristics of your line, too.   ?        jj

Of all the things I’ve read, seen or heard of on here or anywhere else, this is the first time I’ve ever heard about coating fishing line with wax. 
 

I guess I need to get out more. ?

 

 

 

 

Mike

[FishTank]

4 hours ago, zelmo said:

Are you saying that those would not get compromised with a backlash?

 

Not really.  Any line can get compromised with a backlash.   It just depends on how bad it is.  For me, usually the thinner the line is, the harder it is to dig out.  I try not to go thinner than 8-10lb depending on the line with casting gear.

 

Also, I have fished Invizx for years and it tends to last me about a whole fishing season but not two.   I think you are probably past due on changing it.  

[new2BC4bass]

12 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Sufix Advance Mono. Super low stretch.

OP, personally I wouldn't be using anything over 8# on this reel and think I would prefer 6# mono/copolymer.  That is what I will be using on similar reels for that type of lure, but my reel will be a standard Pixy.  I want the SPR for a rod dedicated for small cranks, but need to find one at my price in good condition.

 

Dodgeguy favoring this line has had me purchase some 20# for skipping around docks.  I want to get a couple lighter weights for my normal fishing.

[zelmo]

43 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

OP, personally I wouldn't be using anything over 8# on this reel and think I would refer 6# mono/copolymer.  That is what I will be using on similar reels for that type of lure, but my reel will be a standard Pixy.  I want the SPR for a rod dedicated for small cranks, but need to find one at my price in good condition.

 

Dodgeguy favoring this line has had me purchase some 20# for skipping around docks.  I want to get a couple lighter weights for my normal fishing.

That is why I put the 6# Invisix on.  I liked everything about that line except the unexpected broken line. The final straw was launching a pointer with 20 yards of line attached.  I tried chasing it and actually caught a glimpse of it but couldn’t get it.  

[WRB]

Strongest per diameter monofilament line I know of is 5# .008d) Maxima Ultra Green or 6# (.009d).

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

That is why I put the 6# Invisix on.  I liked everything about that line except the unexpected broken line. The final straw was launching a pointer with 20 yards of line attached.  I tried chasing it and actually caught a glimpse of it but couldn’t get it.  

And is a reason some people don't like using Fuoro.  Get a crimp in the line for any reason, and you stand a good chance of the line breaking.

[zelmo]

5 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

Also, I have fished Invizx for years and it tends to last me about a whole fishing season but not two.   I think you are probably past due on changing it.  

 
Actually, I respooled a month ago.  I can see how my original comment would be misleading.  I have also tried 6# Trilene 100% and had the same problem.  
 

I checked my line supply and the Sufix Advanced that I have is 10#.  I was surprised to see that the line diameter is the same as the 13# Defier.  For this application strength is not as important to me as castability.  I am still not sure what I am going to try next except to say it won’t be fluorocarbon.  

[jimmyjoe]

26 minutes ago, zelmo said:

 For this application strength is not as important to me as castability.

 

   That's why I choose lines based on diameter, not test.        jj                

[zelmo]

14 hours ago, WRB said:

Strongest per diameter monofilament line I know of is 5# .008d) Maxima Ultra Green or 6# (.009d).

Tom

 

While I was checking that out I found Gliss Supersmooth Monotex.  At 8# it is .004.  Does anyone have experience with it?

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

 

While I was checking that out I found Gliss Supersmooth Monotex.  At 8# it is .004.  Does anyone have experience with it?

I use Gliss with leader on spinning rods and like it a lot.  I only use 18#, though.   I can't imagine going any smaller.  Abrasion resistance is poor, bit that shouldn't be a problem with jerkbaits.  

[zelmo]

I thought I had the answer to my question but it didn't work out.  I got a spool of 5# Maxima Ultra Green and put it on the SPR.  I used it to throw some small crankbaits and it worked good, but my last trip out I was throwing a Slender Pointer 97MR and lost it.  I had a cast into the wind that gave me a very minor backlash that took no effort to get out.  A few casts later and the Slender Pointer was out there and it wasn't attached to the reel.  The line had broken on the cast the same as I experienced with the 6# Invisix.

 

I guess I could try Maxima in 6# or 8#.  I could also try the braid with wax idea.  Right now I am very frustrated.  I caught some nice fish on that Slender Pointer.

[ironbjorn]

Try 4# Yo-Zuri Hybrid

[bulldog1935]

You ran into the advantage of both braid and Daiwa SV brake v. Pixy centrifugal brake + separate mag brake on somewhat heavier and deeper spool. 

The centrifugal brake works best for start-up backlash with heavier lure weights, and doesn't do much mid-cast.  Mag brake works best for mid-cast wind backlash, and is very effective with light, shallow BFS spools. 

I suspect you had a deeper backlash loop you didn't find, and it froze the spool during the cast. 

 

SV brake gives you both. 

This is with a Ray's Studio honeycomb BFS SV spool, which lets me use really tiny braid - smaller than I would recommend - but set up is easy: 

You set the mag to prevent mid-cast wind backlash on the lightest thing you're going to throw, especially into the wind, and the SV takes care of all the heavy stuff at start-up.  

 

The problem with braid is dealing with backlash.  I keep a small soft plastic toothpick (Doctor's Brush Pick) in my spare reel and spool pelican box - haven't needed it yet. 

[dodgeguy]

Braid is the easiest to get a backlash out of. I never have to pick it.

[zelmo]

Maybe my problem is that I am using line that is too light as opposed to it being flourocarbon or mono.  I think I'll try something in the 8# range and see how that works out.

[Hulkster]

why not try 6 or 8 pound Sufix Siege? its awesome line.