Line memory

[VTFan]

I've been using 20 lb. Berkley Vanish flurocarbon on half my reels....(using Power Pro braid on the other half)...anyhow, I don't change out line every season since it's stored out of sunlight and because it's so expensive.  This is the second season on the fluro and I've noticed a lot of line memory even though I use Reel Magic.  Am I doing something wrong or should I just bite the bullet and change out my line? 

 

[GreenPig]

You might could try giving the FC a little stretch. If that doesn't work I'd replace it. 

[Tom Orr]

KVD line conditioner is your friend. It really does work!

[Pat Brown]

I change my line out a lot.  Switch to 15 lb big game if you like 20 lb fluorocarbon but feel like it's too expensive.

 

I can feel bites and that's some tough stuff.  Reel magic/KVD line conditioner works well on it and changing it out is cheap.

 

Also use reels with shallower spools if you don't already.

 

Once I realized that with heavy line presentations, I'm not really using my drag for more than a second or two and then I'm winching in the fish, I stopped using bigger spools altogether for that.  Saves me a ton of money on line.

[MN Fisher]

37 minutes ago, VTFan said:

I use Reel Magic

Problem #1 right there

 

I stick with KVD, or Tom ( @WRB) uses Tangle Free and also suggests staying away from Reel Magic.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, VTFan said:

I've been using 20 lb. Berkley Vanish flurocarbon on half my reels....(using Power Pro braid on the other half)...anyhow, I don't change out line every season since it's stored out of sunlight and because it's so expensive.  This is the second season on the fluro and I've noticed a lot of line memory even though I use Reel Magic.  Am I doing something wrong or should I just bite the bullet and change out my line? 

 

 

All the things wrong if you ask me.

 

1- Vanish is junk.

2- I change out line twice annually, sometimes more

3- Reel magic.

4- using fluoro (debatable so won't dig into that one).

 

As a start, take it out into the yard or on the lake and strip off 60 yards.  Tie it to a tree or your bumper and stretch slowly it until its straight.  let it sit for 5 minutes and do it again. Then wind it back on (not tight) through some KVD on a rag.  That will help to start.  Next time you buy line, pick a different one.  If memory is your priority (and it is largely mine) then a softer mono will be better for you.  Supernatural 20 lb would be a good start and is actually a lot cheaper (per TW).  Its also just a touch thinner for the same 20 lb rating.  If you want lower vis, it comes in brown which is impossible to see in the water.  It has a slick coating like fluoro and ties a great knot.

[Bdnoble84]

Berkley has really gone downhill for me. I’ve always thought vanish breaks too easily.

 

i used to love sensation, but the last few spools i have bought have been virtually unusable. It instantly coils and rolls right off the reel or backlashes horably (I rarely backlash braid). The same goes for XL and XT. Maybe its how im spooling it but its seriously disappointing.

[JediAmoeba]

Vanish is known for high memory. Reel Magic breaks line down. Fluorocarbon gains a lot of memory sitting on a spool.

 

I don't know if your spools have bearings on them but you could dunk them in hot water for a minute and then stretch the line out.

[1984isNOW]

I second all this except for the reel Jacuzzi, find a better line, don't need no black label but I'm sure you can find something in the middle that will be worth paying a little extra for.

 

I would add that you ought to throw some backing on there, tie a 2 turn blood not and only spool up about 70 yards or so for your actual line, save money and you can re-spool without reservation. 

 

I'm curious to hear more about the use of Big game, I have heard others recommend it as well so I tried some 12# this year and I'm not sure how I feel yet. The stretch is absolutely noticeable compared to the Yo-Zuri hybrid I've been using. Maybe 15# would stretch a little less? I have been trying it with jigs/t-rigs but I might just use it for moving baits now... unless I can be convinced otherwise.

[VTFan]

Thanks all.  I haven't had any problems with breakage.  When I first put it on it came off the reel and laid straight.  Now when it comes off the reel it's in coils lying on the top of the water until it sinks.  I will take y'alls advice and find a new brand of fluro.  I did take it out this morning and gave it a good stretch.  Hope that helps this afternoon.  Thanks again.

[Mike L]

You shouldn’t have to purposely take extra measures to get fishing line, yes even flouro to lay down. 
Using a premium line from a major manufacturer will help without doing much. 
 

When you’re reeling on new line, wet a piece of nylon or other non absorbent fabric with KVD Line Conditioner or Tangle Free.
When done give it a few squirts and you’re good to go. 
 

And yes, so called “premium line” costs a little more up front but like most things, if you take care of it it’ll be worth it in the long term. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[WRB]

The OP has braid filler with 20 lb/ .018D Vanish FC Top Shot trying save a few dollars.

Why 20#? .018 diameter will take a set and coil in time on a small diameter casting reel spool.

Suggest considering down sizing the FC to .013D/.015D Max.

Sunline Sniper 16# is .013D not that much higher cost the Your 20 Vanish.

Tom

PS, stretching FC weakens the line!

 

[VTFan]

23 hours ago, VTFan said:

I've been using 20 lb. Berkley Vanish flurocarbon on half my reels....(using Power Pro braid on the other half)

Sorry for the confusion, didn't mean I'm using fluro and braid on the same reels, I only do that on my spinning stuff.  As for my casting reels, I use cheap backing line for the bottom half of the spool and then either fluro or braid to top them off.

[Bankc]

On 6/1/2023 at 8:51 AM, JediAmoeba said:

Vanish is known for high memory. Reel Magic breaks line down. Fluorocarbon gains a lot of memory sitting on a spool.

 

I don't know if your spools have bearings on them but you could dunk them in hot water for a minute and then stretch the line out.

Yup.  Vanish isn't worth buying.  Honestly, if you're not going to buy a high-end fluorocarbon line from someone like Sunline or Seagar, it's not worth owning, in my opinion.  The cheap stuff doesn't last and never fishes nearly as well.  

 

Maybe consider using a copoly line if you like fluorocarbon.  Something like Yo-Zuri Hybrid works really well as a cheaper alternative.  

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings and Happy Friday All,

 

Some very good points being contributed by all.

 

Tom, awesome point about stretching weakening the line.

 

I offer a basic option that has helped in the past when having to deal with lower quality fishing line. A simple soaking of the line in some water for a bit contributes some relaxation from the line soaking up moisture. Here in Arizona it is easily "warm" water just by a few minutes exposure. Much more exposure than that results in everything simply drying out.

 

It usually doesn't take much water. Better if you are able to dunk all the line in water. Still if all you can do is simply expose it to some water that can improve things.

 

I was out angling with friends where one of them purchased a rod with reel combo at the store to join in on the fun. Things were not running smoothly in the spincast rig. So the front cap was removed so we were able to dribble some lake water just on the spooled line. About 30 seconds or so of running some water on the line and then buttoning up things. The line soaked up moisture and relaxed enough to vastly improve casting quality. Usually a good sign when there is a smile as feedback. Oh by the way, the line eventually got stretched some by catching fish too.

 

Be well, cheers!

[Fishingmickey]

Since we've de-volved into the Fluorocarbon debates. I'll take the OP's original tangent.  I've used Big Game on my light (20-40#) Salt inshore/offshore fishing.  The thing about Big Game and "how strong" it is is because of the untruth in packaged marked lb test ratings. 8# breaks at 12#'s, 12# breaks at 16#'s.  And it's because it's diameter is thicker. Yo-Zuri hybrid is the same in it's untruthful labeling. But all said and done, fisherman like a strong line that doesn't break, stands up to some abrasion and can hold a knot.

  Before Fluorocarbon and Braid (30 years ago?). I almost exclusively used Berkley XL 14# for Bass fishing. My spinning reels would get 8 or 10lb XL depending  on what set up I was using.  But if your just wanting to use a "Good" line that has proven itself over the test of time and is very, very affordably priced.  Berkley started the Trilene line brand in the same year as AJay, MN fisher and myself were born. Stren came out about that same time I think.

     I won't go into my thoughts and experience Fluorocarbon.  But I have tried many different brands. I use three different brands of Fluorocarbon. Seguar Tatsu, Seguar Invisx and Diawa Samurai are the only three that have made the varsity line squad on my combo's. 

[Tatulatard]

20 lbs flouro is like fishing with a slinky.  It's going to have memory and coil.  For those types of line I like a twing reel with a more aggressive braking profile to tame the line rather than relying on spool tension.

[VTFan]

19 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

20 lbs flouro is like fishing with a slinky.  It's going to have memory and coil.  For those types of line I like a twing reel with a more aggressive braking profile to tame the line rather than relying on spool tension.

Exactly as I have learned my friend.  Hence my looking into a different and lighter brand of fluro.  Last night I hear somebody say the best fluro for the buck is Seagar Basix.  I know absolutely nothing about it other than it's cheap fluro...around $10 for 150 yd spool.  

[MN Fisher]

3 hours ago, VTFan said:

Seagar Basix.  I know absolutely nothing about it other than it's cheap fluro...around $10 for 150 yd spool. 

Glenn's commented that he likes it. I also gave it a try last year in 15# and it was pretty good.

 

I'm still an InvizX/Tatsu guy, but BasiX seems a good, inexpensive (not cheap) FC

 

'Cheap' to me means 'you get what you pay for', but BasiX seems much better than it's price would indicate.

[Glenn]

I have looked into your question about BasiX having more stretch than some of Seaguar's other fluorocarbon lines.

 

It is true. Per Seaguar testing, BasiX does have more stretch. Of all the fluoro lines Seaguar makes, BasiX has more stretch to make it a little more like monofilament for folks who are used to fishing mono. It's also softer and very castable for easy casting.

 

The focus of Seaguar BasiX is targeting the millions of anglers who are either fishing for the first time, getting reacquainted with the sport or managing a tight budget. It is designed to offer Seaguar performance at a price everybody will love.