Braid for Jig Main Line

[papajoe222]

On 11/27/2023 at 10:21 AM, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

I would love to do that but I don’t think straight braid is feasible. A lot of the lakes and rivers I fish are very clear and not having a fluoro leader would absolutely cost me fish, especially as they start getting a little pressured. 
 

On 11/27/2023 at 11:22 AM, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

Just out of curiosity why no leader? The abrasion resistance of braid?

My recommendation  was to use straight fluoro if visibility was a concern.  Braid to leader has no advantages over using either type of line alone. The #1 reason to use braid is its no stretch. The #! reason to use fluoro is its low refraction (visibility). Not to say that braid or fluoro don't have other, positive qualities.

Using both together, IMO negates the strengths of both lines.

[WRB]

My suggestion is use what’s has worked for you, 12# FC.

I used 10# and 12# mono to catch nearly all my giant bass on jigs. I prefer 12# FC Tatsu or Shooter because it’s smaller dia line with less coefficient of drag going thru the water and less belly in slack line.  

Bass are not line shy fish so the refraction of FC is not a factor. The issue with FC is knot strength equal diameter mono or copolymer line.

I you want better feedback what the jig is doing feel the line, don’t rely on the rod.

The only braid used for jigs was 60# Fins for heavy vegetation cover at Clear lake and the Delta, not need for our local lakes.

Tom

[NorthernBasser]

On 11/10/2023 at 4:45 PM, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

Good responses thank you. I’m surprised to hear I would lose sensitivity on bites going broad to fluoro. No stretch with braid so why would I lose bite detection? Straight braid in slow jig bottom contact presentations is tough with moderate pressure and some clear water in places here. 

 

When offshore jig fishing I’m usually around weed edges not a lot of heavy cover like wood. Of fishing heavy stuff I have straight heavier braid. I might stick with fluoro but I’m interested in these answers. 

 

If you go to the 3:50 mark you'll see a nice little presentation showing you slack line sensitivity between braid and fluoro. 

 

 

[dodgeguy]

21 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

My recommendation  was to use straight fluoro if visibility was a concern.  Braid to leader has no advantages over using either type of line alone. The #1 reason to use braid is its no stretch. The #! reason to use fluoro is its low refraction (visibility). Not to say that braid or fluoro don't have other, positive qualities.

Using both together, IMO negates the strengths of both lines.

I agree

[ChrisD46]

Football jigs get #12 lb. to #15 lb. get straight FC . I want that constant feedback  of what the jig is doing on the bottom that straight FC lines used with jigs provided . With Braid + leader set up you will lose some sensitivity versus using straight FC line. 

[LonnieP]

5 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

Football jigs get #12 lb. to #15 lb. get straight FC . I want that constant feedback  of what the jig is doing on the bottom that straight FC lines used with jigs provided . With Braid + leader set up you will lose some sensitivity versus using straight FC line. 

I agree. I tried braid with a FC leader for the first time this year. It seemed like I couldn’t feel the bottom or bites as well. Took it off and went back to straight FC after one day of fishing. 

[PaulVE64]

I must be the odd man out.

All my bass setups are spinning with oversized reels and 10# - 30# hi vis braid main line. Everything gets a 6' mono leader 12# - 20# on an FG knot.

 

BUT - I fish for river smallies in 2' - 10' depth, rock bottom, clear water and always current.

I want a thin main line I can see.

[ChrisD46]

2 hours ago, PaulVE64 said:

I must be the odd man out.

All my bass setups are spinning with oversized reels and 10# - 30# hi vis braid main line. Everything gets a 6' mono leader 12# - 20# on an FG knot.

 

BUT - I fish for river smallies in 2' - 10' depth, rock bottom, clear water and always current.

I want a thin main line I can see.

I’m a braid mainline + FC leader on spinning set ups but a bait cast set up for jigs will always be straight FC . 

[papajoe222]

Just an add on to clarify my posts. I use straight braid for flipping/pitching jigs and straight fluoro for casting them. Even though I am a stickler for line watching, I like the sensitivity advantage fluoro gives, but I'm still not confident using it because I'm having difficulty adjusting my hook set.

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

Hmm. Really glad I posted this now. Got a lot of interesting feedback.