Do you find flurocarbon improves bites when throwing moving baits in rivers for smallmouth when compared to mono?

[Ohioguy25]

If so, what test would you recommend? The setup I currently throw soft paddle tails on is spooled with 8 lb Trilene XL mono. 

[Donnie Beasley]

Honestly, I think you are perfectly fine with that. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think the use of fluorocarbon is exaggerated. The only time I have personally seen fluorocarbon make a big difference is still fishing for trout in gin clear water. 
 

I do use fluorocarbon for bass if I’m using a very slow moving application like drop shot, Texas rig, jig where the bass has a long time to look at the bait.  For all other moving baits I’m using mono or braid. Think about an A-Rig for a second with all the wire arms and then think “How important is it really?”

[PressuredFishing]

I've found bass generally aren't line shy, I don't use floro much nylons work just fine, only time I really like it is for presenting a light bait  or getting baits deeper. 

[dodgeguy]

It doesn't make a bit of difference at all. If the bite is slow fishing flouro over braid or mono will do nothing for you. I've fished many times when it was slow with my brother in law and seen it proven. He fished braid with a long flouro leader I fish straight braid high vis with the last 6 feet colored black. When it's slow we both still catch close to the same amount of fish . When it's a hot bite it matters even less. lve seen it time and again over 30 years where it makes no difference.

[T-Billy]

Nope. I'd recommend switching to XT though. It's lower stretch, more abrasion resistant, and it handles just fine on spinning up to 10# test.

[Drew03cmc]

For moving baits, use whatever you want. Mine are normally thrown on CX Premium in moss green in 10 or 12lb test. The waters I wade fish a couple times a year are super clear and the fish don't mind. 

[Bankc]

19 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

If so, what test would you recommend? The setup I currently throw soft paddle tails on is spooled with 8 lb Trilene XL mono. 

If you're using 8 lb test mono, I don't think you'll see any difference at all.  Bass are pretty aggressive and rarely line shy.  If you were using 20lb test, then maybe, maybe fluoro would present a tiny advantage under certain, rare conditions.  But generally moving baits illicit a reaction strike.  So the bass aren't really studying the lure and making a conscious decision, so much as just reacting to it out of instinct.  

[WRB]

Compare mono and FC by the one factor that matters diameter.

Fluorocarbon line is smaller diameter per pound test.

Seaguar InvizX

SunlinecSniper

8#   .009

10#. .010

12#. .011

Berkley 

 

                     8#          #1O    12#

XL                 .010.   .O12.    .015

XT                .011.     .014.    .012

BG                .013.   .015.     .014

Sufix Adv.   .011.    .012.    ..014

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Compare mono and FC by the one factor that matters diameter.

Fluorocarbon line is smaller diameter per pound test.

Seaguar InvizX

SunlinecSniper

8#   .009

10#. .010

12#. .011

Berkley 

 

                     8#          #1O    12#

XL                 .010.   .O12.    .015

XT                .011.     .014.    .012

BG                .013.   .015.     .014

Sufix Adv.   .011.    .012.    ..014

Tom

I thought flurocarbon was almost completely invisible underwater?

2 hours ago, Bankc said:

If you're using 8 lb test mono, I don't think you'll see any difference at all.  Bass are pretty aggressive and rarely line shy.  If you were using 20lb test, then maybe, maybe fluoro would present a tiny advantage under certain, rare conditions.  But generally moving baits illicit a reaction strike.  So the bass aren't really studying the lure and making a conscious decision, so much as just reacting to it out of instinct.  

Gotcha, thx!  How about in finesse, does 8 lb make a big difference over 10 for fluro leaders?

[dodgeguy]

Flourocarbon is not completely invisible under water. It depends on water clarity and sun angle. It doesn't matter anyway.

[bulldog1935]

Fly fishing moving water, fluoro vs. mono makes a big difference getting your fly down, both for diameter difference (drag) and line density difference.  The same is true in salt water. 

You're certainly not giving up anything by trying fluoro. 

 

[Ohioguy25]

13 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Fly fishing moving water, fluoro vs. mono makes a big difference getting your fly down, both for diameter difference (drag) and line density difference.  The same is true in salt water. 

You're certainly not giving up anything by trying fluoro. 

 

Yes honestly I’ve noticed how long it takes for my swim bait to sink, although I’m generally keeping that in the top 1/3 of the column so not sure how important that is.

[SpinLight]

Since I use mostly light lines, I prefer mono over fluorocarbon due to better knot strength. Sunline is one of the largest fishing line companies in the world. On one of their webpages (could be on the JDM site), they state that mono knots break at 84% of line strength, fluoro at 70%, and braid at 40%. 

 

As for line color up to 10 lb. test, in my experience bright colors in line do not prevent me from catching lots of fish. I use the brightest chartruese, green and orange lines for spotted bass and all other species I fish for. I fish a clear water lake for spots and catch several almost every time out, except sometimes in the summer. I fish bottom baits and moving  baits. Your mileage may vary.?

[WRB]

On 10/30/2022 at 3:00 PM, Ohioguy25 said:

If so, what test would you recommend? The setup I currently throw soft paddle tails on is spooled with 8 lb Trilene XL mono. 

Spinning reel?

FC only has 2 primary advantages over mono/copoly line; it has lower coefficient of drag going through water ( less bow in the line) and it’s specific gravity is heavier the water ( it sinks). Both physical elements may be advantageous for bottom contact lures in current, slightly better strike detection.

Smaller diameter compared to XL per lb test at .010D would be a good choice; 10 lb Sniper FC is .009D, 10% smaller diameter.

Tom

[Spankey]

No Fluoro for me. I have no complaints with using an XL or Stren mono. Has served me well. 
 

But over the last handful of years I’ve been using SunLine Super Natural mono and McCoy CoPoly. Been happy with it. Strength, castability, spool memory or lack there of.