What line should I use? Sooo many variables!?

[Choporoz]

The 87th different thread this year about line got me thinking once again about why this is such a difficult topic to get much agreement, even among pros.  Aside from the fact that anything about targeting bass leads to differences of opinion (at least until the bass start talking).  

Just off the top of my head, I came up with a list of variables that might maybe should be considered before making a decision about what line to use.  I'm not here to argue what line gives you best solution to any one of these....just thought it interesting to step back and look at why this is a difficult decision - and why many of us change our minds on the 'answer' - sometimes a few times a year

 

 

-Slack-line sensitivity
-Buoyancy
-Visibility (to fish)
-Visibility (to angler)
-Knot strength
-Risk due to multiple knots
-Strength
-Abrasion resistance
-Cost – initial
-Cost – over time
-‘Castability’
-Likelihood of developing loops on spinning reel
-Likelihood of getting a weakening kink during a backlash
-Risk of leader knot catching on guides and creating backlash or wind knot
-'Durability' over time as affected by heat/cold/sunlight

-Stretch – many ‘sub-variables’ here….stretch that’s ‘desired’, like for trebles – stretch that’s negative, like for hook setting – lack of stretch for slicing vegetation or straightening snagged hooks....stretch that may damage line?

-Sound - does it annoy the angler?

-Sound - does it affect the fish?

 

Not looking for answers or comments about best line....just thinking out loud about why this seems complicated

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Bass fishing is the most nuanced hobby/sport/activity I've ever seriously pursued in life.

 

The slightest wobble on a crankbait might make all the difference, a little lighter tip on the rod can lead to landing way more fish on moving baits. the difference b/t 6lb and 8lb mono is one angler in a boat catching smallie after smallie, while another angler in the boat can't catch a single one.

 

The only thing I know for sure about Bass fishing is there is no hard and fast rules to anything.  Weather, tackle, techniques.....nothing has a hard set of rules.  

[Choporoz]

8 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

I tried it on spinning, braid to leader, manageability was great and casting distance did gain 15 extra feet, but I just can't get over the sound and the feeling. The newer 9+ strand ones are much better, but the manageabilities of nylon has also gotten much better.  I don't nessesarily mind tying leaders, I just hate the feeling and sound of braid.

Don't know how I totally forgot an important one....especially since I have probably overthunk it lately: sound

 

-Sound - does it annoy the angler?

-Sound - does it affect the fish?

[Jar11591]

Diameter is another important factor when choosing line. 

[PressuredFishing]

17 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

 

-Sound - does it annoy the angler?

-Sound - does it affect the fish?

From what I've heard carp can hear line moving through the water. 

[Deleted account]

4 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

From what I've heard carp can hear line moving through the water. 

All fish can hear line moving through the water.

[PressuredFishing]

2 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

All fish can hear line moving through the water.

Perhaps, hear or feel with lateral lines, don't want to claim things off of anecdotal evidence.

[Choporoz]

How different lines sound moving through water might be important.  What about the sound of line coming across a dock beam, or rubbing along a lily pad stem?

[TnRiver46]

I’ve never found anything I couldn’t do with 6, 12, and 20 mono. It’s nice to have some 50-65 braid for frog but you can make it work with 20 mono 

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

Perhaps, hear or feel with lateral lines, don't want to claim things off of anecdotal evidence.

 

Nothing anecdotal about it. Fish "hearing" is a combination of what we consider ears and perception from the lateral line, there is no difference, they are both detecting vibration in the medium the organism lives in, just like us, ever feel the whip with the quad 15s thumping your chest before you actually hear it? pretty common around here. I think I hear some Fity...

 

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[Big Hands]

The angler themselves, and the way they use their equipment is another variable to consider. We all have our own unique style fishing, tying knots, casting, setting a hook reeling a fish in, etc.

 

Also, some line/guide combinations are noisier than others and I can only imagine that at least some of that is going back into the water. 

[PressuredFishing]

5 hours ago, Deleted account said:

Nothing anecdotal about it. Fish "hearing" is a combination of what we consider ears and perception from the lateral line, there is no difference

Good info, I didnt know any of this was out there, learning every day. Never meant to say it in the context that what you where claiming is anecdotal, though im glad you shared this with me. maybe better phrasing would be "I only have anecdotal on the water experience to support this claim"

[Glenn]

10 hours ago, Choporoz said:

just thinking out loud about why this seems complicated

It's because you're thinking out loud. 

 

But seriously, sometimes we overthink things in fishing.

[Woody B]

I believe in keeping it simple.   Using "whatever" kind of line, with a different kind of leader isn't what I consider simple.  (for bass)

 

People catch a bunch of bass using "blank" line.   (whatever kind of line you can imagine).  

 

If you're not catching bass it probably isn't because of the line.   

 

Edit/added.  I believe confidence is a big factor, not only in fishing, but pretty much everything.   If using "special" line, with a "special" leader, or whatever gives you confidence it's a good thing.  

I suspect the best fisherman around here use different techniques and equipment.  I also suspect they all have a bunch of confidence in their methods and equipment.  

 

 

Regarding overthinking stuff.   I overthink stuff all the time.  It keeps my mind occupied and helps keep me out of trouble.  

 

[Deleted account]

8 hours ago, Glenn said:

It's because you're thinking out loud. 

 

But seriously, sometimes we overthink things in fishing.

Sometimes?...  

[the reel ess]

I use braid and mono depending on the technique. It was mentioned that mono will suffice for every technique. Mono can have 10% stretch. So lets say you are using a C rig. You make a 70+ft cast. You get a bite out there and you swing the rod. You need to take 7' out of that length of line before you're getting all of the force to the hook. You might not get a good set. I was a believer that mono was all I needed until I tried different braids about 15 years ago. My hooksets and fish landed went up. It's a useful tool.

[jitterbug127]

I just use straight braid for everything. I like it and it keeps it simple. 

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I use braid and mono depending on the technique. It was mentioned that mono will suffice for every technique. Mono can have 10% stretch. So lets say you are using a C rig. You make a 70+ft cast. You get a bite out there and you swing the rod. You need to take 7' out of that length of line before you're getting all of the force to the hook. You might not get a good set. I was a believer that mono was all I needed until I tried different braids about 15 years ago. My hooksets and fish landed went up. It's a useful tool.

I’ve broken 50 braid every time I’ve used it for C rig, too many rocks 

[Captain Phil]

Bass don't care that much about the line.  Most bass water does not have enough visibility for the line to make a difference. Up until a few years ago, I used all mono for bass fishing.  When fluorocarbon line came out, we used it for leader material when fishing offshore with live bait.  In that situation, the water is extremely clear and it did make a difference.  There are some things I like about braid.  It's thinner diameter and zero stretch are the main points.   I get more tangles with braid and knots don't hold as well, but I can deal with that.  I am not a fan of the heavy braid some people use these days.  Unless you are frog fishing or similar, I see no need for 50 pound plus braid unless you need anchor rope. ?

[Tennessee Boy]

Everyone should read the 61 scientific articles that @Deleted account posted…. or just use mono.  ?

[the reel ess]

35 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve broken 50 braid every time I’ve used it for C rig, too many rocks 

Touche. Not many rocks where I fish. I can only remember a couple of times I broke 30# braid. I even use straight braid with blade baits to avoid losing several per trip. And my frog rod is a dedicated setup, so it always has 50 lb braid on it. If I were to dedicate a rod to C-rigs it would be this one. It's XH-XF so no matter the line, you get all of the action on the hookset.

[Bankc]

On 9/29/2022 at 11:06 AM, Choporoz said:

The 87th different thread this year about line got me thinking once again about why this is such a difficult topic to get much agreement, even among pros.  Aside from the fact that anything about targeting bass leads to differences of opinion (at least until the bass start talking).  

Just off the top of my head, I came up with a list of variables that might maybe should be considered before making a decision about what line to use.  I'm not here to argue what line gives you best solution to any one of these....just thought it interesting to step back and look at why this is a difficult decision - and why many of us change our minds on the 'answer' - sometimes a few times a year

 

 

-Slack-line sensitivity
-Buoyancy
-Visibility (to fish)
-Visibility (to angler)
-Knot strength
-Risk due to multiple knots
-Strength
-Abrasion resistance
-Cost – initial
-Cost – over time
-‘Castability’
-Likelihood of developing loops on spinning reel
-Likelihood of getting a weakening kink during a backlash
-Risk of leader knot catching on guides and creating backlash or wind knot
-'Durability' over time as affected by heat/cold/sunlight

-Stretch – many ‘sub-variables’ here….stretch that’s ‘desired’, like for trebles – stretch that’s negative, like for hook setting – lack of stretch for slicing vegetation or straightening snagged hooks....stretch that may damage line?

-Sound - does it annoy the angler?

-Sound - does it affect the fish?

 

Not looking for answers or comments about best line....just thinking out loud about why this seems complicated

I deal with the same questions.  

 

Then I just go with 30# braid for almost everything since it seems to work for almost everything and choosing one line for everything makes buying in bulk easy.  Every once in a while, I'll branch out and try something different.  Sometimes I like the new line and sometimes I don't.  But I've never thought "now I can do things I couldn't do before with my 30# braid!".

[Catt]

On 9/29/2022 at 12:31 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve never found anything I couldn’t do with 6, 12, and 20 mono. It’s nice to have some 50-65 braid for frog but you can make it work with 20 mono 

 

K.I.S.S.

 

plus I don't gotta read all that B.S.!