Limp vs Stiff

[zelmo]

Get your minds out of the gutter.  This is about fishing line.

 

Let's use Trilene as an example.  XL is limp.  ST and Big Game are stiffer.  What are the times to choose one over another?  I can see an advantage of stiff when throwing walk the dog types of topwater.  There must be other examples. 

 

What about spinning vs baitcasting reels?  Is one of the lines better suited to the type of reel?

 

[TnRiver46]

Hmmm, all I can come up with is that braid seems fairly limp and floro is like a slinky 

[Bluebasser86]

A lot of stiffer monos like your examples are better suited for moving baits like spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, or cranks imo. 

[Scorcher214]

As far as stiff vs limp...I dont see why you wouldn't want the limpest line you could get away with eh? 

 

Like I love monos castability(Suffix elite??), but Pline's fluroclear is pretty dang good. Throw some line conditioner on there and youre golden. 

 

Now limp doesn't mean stretchy. Correct me if im wrong but sometimes you want the stretchy for stuff like @Bluebasser86mentioned? I think because if you have a stretchy line moving a fast spinnerbait, it doesn't rip the bait away from the fish has some give to get the good hook set?

[Mobasser]

I've done best with a limber mono on spinning reels, and stiffer on casting reels.

[Hulkster]

I have found that Sufix siege is both limp and strong. I use 4, 6 and 8 or 10 on spinning gear, 12 and 14 on bass baitcasting gear and 20 pound on my pike/musky rod. 

 

its the best overall mono I have ever used and Ive used them all at one time or another over the years. 

 

its the only one i have found that is super strong yet limp enough to use with ease on spinning gear. 

 

I liked Big Game on baitcasting gear but I didn't like it on spinning gear. 

[Finessegenics]

I've thought about this as well. I have always had the impression that stiffer lines feel like they'd hold up to abrasion better. No way of proving it and it's not an element I consider when choosing line. The problem with overly stiff lines is they become a nuisance to cast. Stiff has usually equaled bad memory problems for me. I like Big Game, but only in the thinner diameters, 10# and 12#. 

[Fishing_Rod]

Good Day “zelmo” and all,

 

Interesting question you posed. This one got me thinking. I am generally an ultra lite angler, two to six pound mono on spinning rigs, with occasional use of heavier rigs in eight to twelve pound mono in bait cast configurations. So with mono the smaller lines are more flexible which makes them easier to cast.

 

The only advantage I experience with stiffer fishing lines (all types) is somewhat easier knot tying. Where managing (guiding) the tag end is a bit easier due to the resistance to flop about. When using supple line you have to have two points of line contact to guide it about. A pinch point as an anchor and another pinch point to lead the way. Less supple lines allow you to just manage things at the anchor point and kind of stab your way through fashioning the knot.

 

As for lures, generally minimal influence from the line is preferred. The lure can do it’s thing either under tension or not. This can be achieved in several ways in addition to using supple line. Using a loop knot, or hard attachment (snap ring or swivel) are some options.

 

My style of angling uses lighter lines bringing success along with risks. Gently working a swimming type bait close to you allows a comparison of the lure action based on your setup. There are differences with the different size lines when tied on directly. Thus with more rigid lines you may need that loop knot or other option to improve lure action.

 

Totally fun when you capture attention, then reality really hits. Especially when it is a strong fish. You quickly realize the limited amount of influence based on your rig configuration.

 

I’ve used small sized braid in the past and have some familiarity with it. Much more supple than mono. I do appreciate that supple quality. There are other qualities to braid that I don’t appreciate so much. Those numerous aspects compelled me to return to using smaller mono.

 

Using supple lines provides me a simple elegant angling solution with a lot of advantages over the more rigid alternatives. I do appreciate the casting performance. Minimal effort while maximizing distance with accuracy. Using more supple lines I experience fewer wind knots or spool spill loops as the supple lines lay better, less springy.

 

I hope sharing these observations helps you and others into a great New Year! Cheers!

[zelmo]

Plenty of line reviews advise whether they are limp or stiff but never say what the implication is.  I normally use braid and haven’t gone through many spools of monofilament to know the difference.  

[cyclops2]

I only use 4# test Braided & Ande mono for general fishing in WEEDS. The thinner Braid WILL CUT my skin or most weeds easily. Excellent for bass & pike running straight to the weeds.  I have used the braided to cut enough weeds and free  up the larger fish. 

[bulldog1935]

17 minutes ago, zelmo said:

Plenty of line reviews advise whether they are limp or stiff but never say what the implication is.  I normally use braid and haven’t gone through many spools of monofilament to know the difference.  

Limp mono/fc lines have worse memory - they coil.  They tend to tie better knots. 

Stiff lines have lower memory, act very springy, and harder surface increases knot slip tendency. 

[T-Billy]

I'm happy with XT on all my mono rigs both spinning and casting. Handles great on both, abrasion resistant, and low stretch. I only use 8# and under on spinning though. 

[WRB]

The only difference I could find between Trilene XL and XT is diameter per lb test is smaller for XL.

Larger diameter = increased PSI or pounds per square inch, more material increases memory and feels stiffer.

Softness of the line reduces memory and abrasion strength, increases elongation or stretch and improves impact strength.

Ideally you want high abrasion strength, high impact strength, good knot strength, smaller diameter per lb test and lower memory for line management on the reel spool. 

The closest mono to have all of the above is Sunline Defier Armillo, but it’s not available under 11 lb test / .011D.

Maxima Ultra Green offers everything except it’s higher memory, therefore feels stiffer. Trilene Big Game is good all around except it’s larger diameter per lb test and not available under 8 lb / .011D.

Tom

[islandbass]

16 hours ago, Hulkster said:

I have found that Sufix siege is both limp and strong. I use 4, 6 and 8 or 10 on spinning gear, 12 and 14 on bass baitcasting gear and 20 pound on my pike/musky rod. 

 

its the best overall mono I have ever used and Ive used them all at one time or another over the years. 

 

its the only one i have found that is super strong yet limp enough to use with ease on spinning gear. 

 

I liked Big Game on baitcasting gear but I didn't like it on spinning gear. 

Not only that, but I think (opinion) it seems to resist developing memory the best compared to other monos. And I am saying this as one who likes monofilament in general and love the standards - Trilene XL, XT, Big Game, Sufix Siege and Elite, Stren Flourescent Blue (my spinnerbait line in 14#). 
 

To the topic - wiry or limp. Not really an issue for me for mono as the lines I use since the highest I go for Bass fishing is 14#. Generally, I’ll lean toward the limp side for lighter/finesse tactics AND spinning gear so maybe 6-10# test and 10# is stretching it for me for plastics but I might also use it for smaller and medium cranks. On the Baitcaster side, the thicker, wiry monos are not an issue. Jigs, spinnerbaits, t-rigs, etc. 

[Columbia Craw]

I was thinking about this topic a few days ago, the times when those match’s shine .  Of course there flouro really does/it’s job it’s valued.

 

finally’ there are number braids that have really pushed themselves into our popular market. So my position is limp subtle braids are too plysble. So my thought is how to insert braid into the technique the gets the Benny of it.  I want braid for frogs, toads swim jigs and other moving baits like top water.

 Finally will use braid with a jig or Texas rig.  Even with having by for pitching and flippin zButt!! To maintain a sense of connection and loose that saggy feeling I use a stiffer braid, that being Suffix 131 in green.I stumbeled on is and like it at it handles in a bait caster.  That took way to long. some thing to ponder over.

[new2BC4bass]

14 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Limp mono/fc lines have worse memory - they coil.  They tend to tie better knots. 

Stiff lines have lower memory, act very springy, and harder surface increases knot slip tendency. 

I've always thought of the 'springiness' as memory, but your post has me thinking.  I use a fair amount of Big Game and Siege in 8# and 12#.  First few casts (baitcast reels) after they have set for some time haves me ending up with loose coils on the spool with Big Game.  Very seldom with Siege, yet the line in front of the reel looks like a slinky with Siege while the Big Game doesn't look nearly as bad.  Both lines settle down once the line gets wet.

 

OP.  I never want a hard line on a spinning reel as I abhor line jumping off the spool.  Will use both on baitcast reels.  My understanding is that harder lines are more abrasion resistant.  Not a problem where I fish,  Lucky me!  Would be luckier, tho, if fishing was better in my area.