Monofilament Line

[huZZah]

For the cost conscious, non-pro, mono is awesome. I love 12lb big game. Lol that stuff just works.  I recently changed my 12lb floro t rig to 8lb big game and I already like it much better.
 

But I have light braid on 2 spinning setups, and 65lb braid on my frog rod. I think the braid is the answer to spinning reel line memory issues for me.  Specially super light rigs. But I have mono on my panfish rods and my kids rods. Just can’t beat it. 

 

To each their own.  

[Log Catcher]

I use mono on all my setups for moving baits. I have been using Sufix Siege for a many years and I really like it. Once I find something I like I just don't change. I use floro on my setups for Texas rigs and jigs. The only other line I have tried is Yo-Zuri Hybrid copolymer. I put 6# on a couple of spinning reels. I haven't used it much but so far I do like the way it handles.

[bowhunter63]

Big Game is tough knots well and handles great 

 

 

[islandbass]

@MobasserI think that might be the perception about mono, but like you, I use it for just about everything. It’s economic savings is one of the main reasons but it truly is a well rounded line. 
 

I like braid but stopped using it because even at 30# that I’ve used, my adventures from the bank lead to lots of snags. 30# is hard to break off and as for using a leader, no thanks. I also shudder at the notion that while I try to minimize the length of braid that would be broken off that some creature might get entangled in it. 
 

I will use fc in 6# for my DS rig if the bite is so tough that even 6# mono falls short. 
 

Other than that, it’s nylon or if not available, a reasonably priced copolymer or yozuri. 
 

 

[soflabasser]

8 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Mono handles better, has better knot strength and shock strength. Mono recovers from stretch better. Mono has proven more abraision resistant, in both tests I've seen, and on my rods, and if flouro has any visibility advantage it's WAAYYY overrated. Flouro cost me two PB's in two years. It's been braid, XT, and Big Game ever since. No more phantom break offs. Most of the claims about flouro's advantages are pure marketing BS IMO. Feel free to disagree, but that's been my experience.

I agree with you and this is why I prefer fishing with monofilament over fluorocarbon. Abrasion resistance, knot strength, and shock strength is very important for me. My favorite monofilament line is Berkley Big Game monofilament line, have caught many PB fish on it.

[huZZah]

35 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Abrasion resistance, knot strength, and shock strength is very important for me.

Funny thing is I fished for years with mono before ever hearing any of those terms. Big game was what I could afford, it lasted, and it was dang strong when I got snagged in trees. Rip a branch down before my line would break. Then I’d throw straight in the water without even looking at the line. And it still held when I set the hook lol. 

[Bass Rutten]

Chucking and winding? Copoly.

Chucking and waiting? Fluoro.

Spinners get braid to leader.

Simple as a dimple. I’d estimate 50-60% of my fishing is done on copoly line.

[Bluebasser86]

I use a lot of mono for moving baits. 

[Dens228]

Having grown up on mono line I have only used it for leaders the last 5-6 years.   I was all braid all the time.  Tried FC and didn't like it and then realized I used the cheapest I could find to try it. 

Now I use braid for everything except cranks, jerks, and my contact jigs, those are FC.  I also don't ever use leaders anymore. 

 

[LrgmouthShad]

14 hours ago, T-Billy said:

40 years of setting the hook with mono is why 15 inchers usually fly over the boat when I'm pitching with braid.

Sounds like you got a hookset into that fish :). I used to use exclusively braid to leader. When I transferred over to mono, I had to improve my hooksets, and I see that as nothing but an absolute win. Mono and a more flexible rod = absolute confidence for me that that fish is not coming off. 

[Mobasser]

I think some of this may come down to our ages. Lots of younger guys have probably started bass fishing with braid/ leaders, or flouro lines. Us older anglers grew up with mono, and many of us still use it. 

 

As an example, not long ago I was looking at high end rods at a local.sporting goods store. The salesman was a much younger guy- probably early twenties. We started talking about the different models, and he saw me pick up a nice Shimano rod. He asked what line I used and I told him monofilament. He said" oh, it would be a shame to buy a rod like that, and string it up with monofilament".                                            Obviously, he didn't know me very well. Had I bought that rod, the first thing I would have done is bring it home, and string it up with monofilament. It's worked well for me for a long time, so, it's what I use.

[flatcreek]

I mainly use Big game and Sufix mono on most of my setups. I’ve got braid on a couple of spinning reels and flouro on a couple also.Not a thing wrong with changing up from time to time to keep things interesting.Part of the fun of bass fishing to me is using the fine gear we’re allowed to choose from.

[huZZah]

14 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

He said" oh, it would be a shame to buy a rod like that, and string it up with monofilament". 

I think this speaks to a bigger issue that because kids think anyone actually gives a crap about their pics of their breakfast, they are now experts in every field. I now prefer the Ron Swanson approach when he’s walking into Lowe’s and the greeter tries to say hi: “I know more than you.”

 

[river-rat]

Other than a couple of rods I have set up with braid, I use monofilament for everything else. I've been using Stren Hi Impact for years for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crank baits, and topwaters and have never had a problem with it. 

 

I don't have to worry about water clarity in the Atchafalaya Basin so for jigs and plastics I still use clear blue fluorescent monofilament, either Stren or P Line. 

 

[billmac]

I've mostly followed the advice I found on this board.  I use braid for jigs (which I don't use enough), topwaters, and moving single hook baits (like a jig and spinner).  I use mono for treble hook baits.  I use fluoro or fluoro leader for dropshot and ned rig.

[Catt]

It's all personal preference ?

 

I've been using Big Game so long I understand how much abrasion it'll take, how much shock absorption it'll take, how much it actually stretches under different conditions. I understand with the way I fish & set hook, I need a MH X-Fast rod.

 

I can't find anything negative enough to make me wanna change. Kinda like straight shank hooks, they work so why change.

 

For me to change something in my approach to fishing ya gonna show a definitively change in results. 

[Hulkster]

my favorite mono that I have used is Sufix Siege in smoke green.

 

I use it on all setups from UL (4 pound) to musky/pike (20 pound)

 

its awesome! I tried braid and didn't like the windknots on spinning gear. that said i probably used one that was too thin.  

[FishTank]

For me each line type has a specific purpose.....

 

Mono> Crankbaits and some topwater 

Braid> Topwater and heavy cover

FC> Everything else 

 

Each line has its pluses and minuses.  They just need to be used appropriately to fit your personal needs.  If one line does the trick,  all the power to you.

 

On a side note, fished Big Game for years and it's good line until it isn't.   When I started fishing tournaments, I was changing it too often to fit my needs.  I quickly switched to FC for most of my fishing.  I haven’t looked back since.  I only know a few guys that use Big Game anymore.  

[islandbass]

5 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I think some of this may come down to our ages. Lots of younger guys have probably started bass fishing with braid/ leaders, or flouro lines. Us older anglers grew up with mono, and many of us still use it. 

 

As an example, not long ago I was looking at high end rods at a local.sporting goods store. The salesman was a much younger guy- probably early twenties. We started talking about the different models, and he saw me pick up a nice Shimano rod. He asked what line I used and I told him monofilament. He said" oh, it would be a shame to buy a rod like that, and string it up with monofilament".                                            Obviously, he didn't know me very well. Had I bought that rod, the first thing I would have done is bring it home, and string it up with monofilament. It's worked well for me for a long time, so, it's what I use.

Ha! If I had the time, I’d press him why, and have fun with that. And if I did buy that rod and had my reel with me, I would have asked him to spool it with mono, lol. 

[GRiver]

I had everything spooled with braid until mid last year, I just didn’t like it. I couldn’t stand the noise it made when casting or on reeling it in. I know I didn’t use the most expensive braid out there, but I shouldn’t hear it. I also didn’t like the fading ether.
I switched everything back to mono, but one, my pitching rig…for around dock, Lilly pads, or any other kind of rough stuff. 
I’m glad this thread came up, thought I was one of the few that has made the switch back to mono. 
Most of my friends fish with braid, guess I’m just…..

“Old School”

[Skunkmaster-k]

49 minutes ago, GRiver said:

I couldn’t stand the noise it made when casting or on reeling it in

That noise is like nails on a chalkboard. I have one spinning reel loaded with 20# braid to take on somebody else’s boat , In case I need to swap heavier or lighter leaders, but the rest of them are loaded with nylon or fluorocarbon. 

[WRB]

My 1st bait casting rods and reels used braided silk and Dacron line in the 50’s before nylon mono line was popular. I did the leader with mono thinking it was clear and bass would strike better. I hated the leader blood knot going through the rod guides so stopped using leader for bass, trout yes.

Fast foreword 40 years and smaller diameter super braids hit the market destroying reel level winds and rod guides the early braid was too abrasive. The reels and rod guides were redesigned to handle braid without damage and braid slowly started to be more popular. 

The off shore salt water anglers discovered the small diameter spectra braid line double the reel capacity. No longer needed 50 or 80 wide when a 30 could hold 650 yards with a mono or FC top shot.

Bass anglers don’t need more then a 100 yards of line so small diameter braid isn’t a big advantage, it’s just become popular along with FC line that isn’t needed for low visibility to catch bass. We all like to use state of the art line.

IMO it’s all about confidence, if it works for you use it.

Tom

[JustJames]

If you look for one overall setup for different techniques, mono/Copolymer is hard to be beat.
Just like every other here, it is good excuse to buy new reels for different line type and size. Each line type and size can be used for it full potential for different techniques. Braid for improve sensitivity and hook up on long cast or ability to cut thru weed better than other line. FC for sink rate and also improve sensitivity especially in windy. Copolymer for abrasion resistance, knot strength, natural movement of the lure on lighter line. 

[king fisher]

I use all three types plus braid to leader, but if I could only use one it would be mono.  I read an article by a pro who said he accidently hooked a big catfish while using floro.  He applied maximum  pressure on the fish to land it quickly so he wouldn't waste time.  Because he stressed the line to it's limit he quit using that rod until he changed the line, because over stretching floro would weaken the line.  That is when I realized why I have had great success with floro, and then have a line failure that I had no explanation for.  I didn't know I couldn't stress the line.  Isn't that what fishing is about?  The most accurate rifle ever made isn't any good if every once in awhile it doesn't go bang for no apparent reason.  I am back to using mono, for most of my bass fishing, straight braid, and braid to mono leader for some techniques.  Only time I use floro, is for saltwater leaders.  I'm sure I will be back to using floro again. It's not the first time I have been off the floro wagon, and probably wont be the last.  After all the pros use it , and it's expensive, must be the best.  I just need to learn another knot, and change the line every time I stress it too much.  Berkley should just make a mono called Big Game Plus, priced just over the most expensive floro.  They wouldn't have to actually change the line, just the name and price and I would be happy.

[Raul]

I've caught thousands of fish with nylon monofilament including my 14.5 lber PB

probably 80% of those with Trilene Big Game

Most of my reels are spooled with 10,12,14 & 17 lb Big Game

The only times I don't fish with Big Game is when I "finesse" fish.

So ..... why fix it if it ain't broke ?