Thoughts on Line Conditioners?

[AJ Hauser]

Hey all,

I suffered a bit of heartbreak the other day when I broke off two - count 'em - TWO nice largemouth with an overly aggressive hookset. I was fishing some muck with a light TX rig, 14 lb fluoro leader on 50 lb braid. One broke at my knot (back to back uni-knot connection) the other broke at the hook. I need to adjust my hookset, and I have bumped up to 20 lb test leaders in the meantime... but it got me thinking about my spinning rods. 

 

I use 10 lb fluoro for a lot of my smallmouth fishing, and finesse largemouth presentations as well. This is a bit heavy but again - I tend to get a bit excited and set hard. 

 

What do you all think about over-the-counter "line conditioners"?

 

I'm changing all of my line out today with stuff I bought new ($$ OUCH $$), but I don't want any of it getting brittle if I can avoid it. Hoping to get maybe 2 seasons out if it. I've been using that "Real Magic Spray" you can get at Walmart because it lubes both the line and it's a light lube for the reel as well, usually popping a bit on when I retie and change presentations between trips. 

 

What are your thoughts? Have you found these to be beneficial, do more harm than good, or just be worthless?

 

Thanks! 

[MN Fisher]

Helps manage the line, makes it limper - especially FC lines

 

You can take my KVD when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers - I won't use anything else.

[Jig Man]

KVD is very good.  I use it instead of Real Magic.  You might loosen your drag where it slips a little when you set the hook.

[Bankc]

KVD is what I recommend as well.  I had to get it online, but a little bottle will last many years (or it does for me).  I mainly use it for taking the memory off fluorocarbon and making it easier to cast.  Unlike other line conditioners, it's not an oil-based lubricant, but a water-soluble silicone.  

 

As far as making the line last longer, I don't think it does anything for that, other than reducing backlashes, which will put kinks in the line.  With fluorocarbon, once it stretches, it doesn't shrink back (unlike mono).  So it gets brittle with use and needs to be replaced more often than mono or braid.  I can get about six months out of it as a mainline before needing to replace it.  If longevity is what you need, go with braid, and maybe use the fluoro for a leader.  

[A-Jay]

Line conditioner can help with handling & manageability.

But will do nothing in the way of supporting heavy hooksets and or knot failure.

When I do use it - it's the KVD, but I find myself using it less and less.

Usually just once when I spool up an entire new FC maniline.

(casting gear)

Then only occasionally again after that.

A-Jay

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

I keep a can of reel magic handy.  I've found suffix elite mono to be super supple and low memory but for whatever reason it will occasionally go curly-cue.  I don't know if it is being left in the truck in the heat, because the weather was cold/dry/humid/hot/whatever, or something else.  A good spray of RM and a stretch are usually enough to get it back to good.  On my spinnerbait and chatterbait rods I don't mind as much but pitching a jig or throwing a walking bait gets tough.  Like said above, it doesn't help with hooksets or bad knots.  If you're snapping a double uni between 50 and 17 on a hookset I'd suggest checking your knots better when tied.  

[JustJames]

It seems like the knots is your problem not the line itself. FC line especially one that stiff is goons be hard to clinch properly and also easily to burn when connected with braid line. 
Light Texas rig, finesse techniques don’t require hard hook set like heavy wire jig hook plus wire guard. 
Changing to bigger line might help in short term but changing the way you set hook might save you for a long run, along with proper connection knot and hook knot.

[WRB]

Why use FC leader? You are using a line with poor knot strength and tying 2 knots!

I use 10 to 12 lb FC as a main line only for deeper water jig and worm fishing for slightly better lure feedback. I only use San Diego knot with FC using jigs. T-rigged soft plastics a Palomar correctly tied works good for hooks.

Set your drag & 4 lbs and trust it using 12 to 15 lb FC or mono. 

Adjust your hook set to reduce impact force that breaks FC.

Use sharp hooks and reel set with a firm rod sweep to penetrate the hook passed the barb. 

Tom

Ps, I use Tangle Free line conditioner. KVD is OK and helps FC to wet and lay on the spool for better management. Real Magic can gum up your reel bearings and gears, avoid it.

[Mike L]

KVD Conditioner

 

’Nuff said

 

 

 

 

Mike

[jimanchower]

How are y'all applying the conditioner? Spraying the spool? Applying with a sponge or something?

 

I keep dipping my toes into FC lines in some applications but tend to find my way back to straight braid or braid + mono leader.

[MN Fisher]

When I'm spooling new line on the reel - I keep a rag dampened with the KVD and run the line through it as it goes on the reel.

 

Night before every trip - a couple squirts on the spool.

[DitchPanda]

Ill agree with the above: use kvd line conditioner, tie good knots and lighten up a tad on the drag.

[BigAngus752]

Yes!  KVD Line and Lure and for gosh sakes take half a valium and chill out a little...

[RDB]

Many on here love using line conditioners but I am not a fan.  My belief is the first fish you hook or the first snag you work will remove most of the line memory.  I just don’t like adding anything unnecessary and never have issues with memory that would make me want to change.  I also felt like it made my line look a little cloudier but it may have just been my perception.

[Mbirdsley]

I’ve used the kvd  and the cabelas/ bass pro stuff.  They both work.  There are sometimes I don’t need to use.  However, there are other days I use it a ton.  More do on spinning reels. 

[AJ Hauser]

Got it - thanks all, appreciate the feedback and input!! 

 

Lots to work on over here...

[swhit140]

I tried Real Magic once it made the line coil terribly, stick with KVD.

[Tatulatard]

I refuse to put that crap on my line.  I think the tws and daiwa braking must help me out.  I also don't go over 16 lbs flourocarbon line or 20 lbs mono so maybe that helps too.  

[NoShoes]

I like KVD. I’ll hit my reels the night before a trip. 

[T-Billy]

Another vote for KVD. Ditch the leader for LM in cover. They're not a bit line shy. Straight 40# or higher braid, and hit 'em as hard as you want.

[AJ Hauser]

10 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Another vote for KVD. Ditch the leader for LM in cover. They're not a bit line shy. Straight 40# or higher braid, and hit 'em as hard as you want.

 

Noted - thanks!

[TriStateBassin106]

I use KVD L&L and it helps. Probably the best spray you can use for line. 

[AJ Hauser]

5 hours ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

I use KVD L&L and it helps. Probably the best spray you can use for line. 

 

Cool I ordered some - seems like everyone here loves it and it'll be worth checking out - thanks! 

[Mat_ski]

Line conditioners work by breaking down the “stiff” polymer structure of the line, making it more limp, but also weaker in the process. 
 

How much weaker? I have no idea.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Mat_ski said:

Line conditioners work by breaking down the “stiff” polymer structure of the line, making it more limp, but also weaker in the process. 
 

How much weaker? I have no idea.

Not KVD Line & Lure. It actually slickens  the line with long chain polymers.