100% Fluorocarbon Question

[Justbass11]

I went to bass pro shop with a purpose today of buying 20lb fluorocarbon for my jig rod, (told the wife that was all I was getting and got the green light to go?) earlier this week I had a major tangle that turn into a nasty knot. Anyway there I was in the line department checking out all the fluorocarbon line that they had. To my surprise, there was a number of pricing differences between the companies. I settled for Bass Pro Shops Premium Excel 100% Fluorocarbon which was only $9.99, all the other Brands were $10 to $20 more. Anyway, my question: Is not all fluorocarbon the same? I look forward to your responses. Have a blessed day.

p.s. I did buy a few more items but had to be careful because my wife and her friend was there too. But I got caught just the same…Lol

[AlabamaSpothunter]

As a guy who primarily uses Fluorocarbon, there is a world of difference between the various ones on the market.  

 

Some have more or less stretch, some have better abrasion resistance, some have smaller diameters per lb. test, some have better knot strength, etc.

 

There really is a lot of variances between types.  

 

Expensive is not always better, or the law of diminishing returns kick in at some point, but the expensive stuff usually merits it's higher cost.   Tatsu and Shooter are at the top of the heap, and if you read the reviews, most are happy with it.      

[ElGuapo928]

I’ve had pretty good results with the Excel fluorocarbon. I like it much better than Berkley, and I haven’t noticed any difference in break offs between it and anything else.

It does seem a little wiry and doesn’t spool as well as Seguar or Sunline.
 

 

[WRB]

Memory come along with line diameter. If you compare diameters vs pound test on the label it becomes clear.

What is 100% Fluorocarbon line? Is it 100% or 50%  regrind from recycled line or virgin FC processed with high standards of quality control an consistent diameter.

Excel isn’t a manufacturer it’s BPS store brand of unknown manufacturing year to year.

Hybrid line is mono Nylon core with Fluorocarbon extruded jacket, Yo-Zuri and P-Line offer hybrid line.

There isn’t any free lunch when it comes to FC line.

Tom

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It was a while back, but at the time BPS fluoro scored well in a shootout by Tackle Tour. I don’t take their opinions as gospel but that’s all I’ve got. 

[Fishingmickey]

WRB is spot on again with regrind vs none. Look at that line diameter.  Like anything else. You get what you pay for in fluorocarbon! Seaguar's Tatsu 15# .013", Diawa's Samurai 14# .0127", Sunline Sniper #14 .0122". I also like Seaguar Invisx #15 .013".  Yes, they are expensive but you can literally see and tell the difference.

FM

I checked BPS Excel and 15# was .013". Vicious (is really stiff/springy) #15 was .015.

[PhishLI]

20 hours ago, Justbass11 said:

Anyway, my question: Is not all fluorocarbon the same?

The thing that matters to you since this is brand-new to you is handling. Better fluoros like Tatsu "handle" more like soft mono which means they're less inclined to want to jump off the spool as easily. Fluoros more inclined to do this by their nature will do it more in cooler weather. You should kick your brakes up several notches right off the bat and even add a skosh of spool tension until you get a feel for what this particular line does. Back things down once you've figured it out. If you get an over-run or a backlash, Gently remove it. No tugging or using the thumb-n-reel trick to unwind them. Fluoro doesn't like kinks. Go easy. They'll come back to bite you if you cause them.

[GReb]

Not sure about BPS but I’ve been using Berkley 100% Flouro in 15lb all summer and have honestly liked it a lot. 

[WRB]

30 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

It was a while back, but at the time BPS fluoro scored well in a shootout by Tackle Tour. I don’t take their opinions as gospel but that’s all I’ve got. 

At that time period Excell XPS FC was manufactured in Japan by Toray.

Tom

[Tackleholic]

1 minute ago, GReb said:

Not sure about BPS but I’ve been using Berkley 100% Flouro in 15lb all summer and have honestly liked it a lot. 

I've been using that very line for 2-3 years;  .015".  I am beginning to wonder if it has excessive stretch.  Can any of you members give me a knowledgeable heads up on this?

[MickD]

Not all FC is the same.  Not all mono is the same.  Not all braid is the same.  FC, IMHO, is best used for leader, not line.  Too fragile, too expensive, little if any functional advantages.  

[WRB]

FYI Seaguar Bass-X 100% FC is $9.99/ 200 yard spool all # test. Known and respected manufacturer who invented FC line.

BPS Excell 100% FC is $9.99 /200 yard spool 4#-8# test, $9.99 150 yard spool 10#- 20#.

No brainer!

Tom 

[813basstard]

46 minutes ago, MickD said:

Not all FC is the same.  Not all mono is the same.  Not all braid is the same.  FC, IMHO, is best used for leader, not line.  Too fragile, too expensive, little if any functional advantages.  

Ehhh..not sure about that. Flipping and frogging is all I have braid on for. Standard worm(or jig) going down the bank 20# Sunline Sniper. I think (could be placebo but that counts too!) I get more bites than braid. Granted I don’t know what ‘sniper’ vs ‘shooter’ vs ‘tactical’ or any of that stuff means but I haven’t had an issue and I snell the knot as well. 

Edited September 22, 2023 by 813basstard
Spelling

[Mike L]

“You get what you pay for”

Its 100% true when talking about and comparing fluorocarbon fishing line. 

You got good advice, no need to repeat what’s already been said. 
 

Other than flipping/pitching in the heaviest of cover and frog’s anywhere, every combo I use has either Sniper or Shooter. 
 

Tatsu is the most expensive because it’s worth it. 
For me Sniper isn’t too far off. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Lead Head]

I haven't found a FC that I like that is cheaper than invisix or sniper. I like sniper better than invisix, and the performance increase from sniper to tatsu isn't enough to justify the cost (for me).

 

In short, I agree with Mike.

 

I have a buddy who landed a 80lb+ foul hooked carp with 15 or 20lb bps fc, so it's definitely decent line. Keep in mind that fc can be picky about what knot you use. FWIW I think he uses the double pitzen.

[Fishin Dad]

17 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

I've been using that very line for 2-3 years;  .015".  I am beginning to wonder if it has excessive stretch.  Can any of you members give me a knowledgeable heads up on this?

I use this line a lot as I get it cheap at the factory store in Spirit Lake.   I actually find it to have less stretch than most of the fluoro carbon lines.   I use Sniper on my chatter bait rod as it has more stretch and I like that for moving baits.   I have had great success with 100% Trilene for my bottom baits.  I have a tote full of it with different pound tests.  I would love to have a tote full of Tatsu, but can’t afford to use that as often as I have to change my line on some reels.  I admit I haven’t even tried Tatsu, but many people I trust say it is the bees knees.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I fish 95% FC with casting gear.  Even within brands the difference of 1 FC to another can be vast.  Like Red Label is a decent line, but as you get up to #15 or more it really has memory and doesn't like cold water.  When you go up to InvizX, the handling is much better and it doesnt want to tighten up as much in cold water.  To me its worth the extra money.