New to floro on a baitcaster, need help.

[07Rapala]

Long time fisherman, picked up my first (Daiwa) baitcaster last year, which I use with braid-to-leader. Just picked-up a Shimano Curado to use with moving baits, so I put 12lbs SPRO Gouken Fluorocarbon on it.

I'm having issues with the line kind of exploding off the reel when I cast. I'm 90% sure this is a memory issue, because the line seems to burst off the reel and unspool whenever there is not tension on it. Though it could be a brake issue since the Shimano braking system is different than what I'm use to.

I put some line conditioner on it, and I've cast it maybe 100 times now. The problem is getting better, but not going away. Any thoughts?

[MediumMouthBass]

Idk if this would work for fluoro, but when im using mono i take the spool off, put tape over the line and soak it in a container filled with hot water for about 10 minutes. Always fixed line memory problems but thats mono. Might be worth giving a try?

[Bandersnatch]

21 minutes ago, 07Rapala said:

Long time fisherman, picked up my first (Daiwa) baitcaster last year, which I use with braid-to-leader. Just picked-up a Shimano Curado to use with moving baits, so I put 12lbs SPRO Gouken Fluorocarbon on it.

I'm having issues with the line kind of exploding off the reel when I cast. I'm 90% sure this is a memory issue, because the line seems to burst off the reel and unspool whenever there is not tension on it. Though it could be a brake issue since the Shimano braking system is different than what I'm use to.

I put some line conditioner on it, and I've cast it maybe 100 times now. The problem is getting better, but not going away. Any thoughts?

Sounds maybe like you put it on backwards. I hate fluorocarbon until I learned to put it on right, spray the heck out of it when putting it on, as well as before use and be careful 

[new2BC4bass]

"Any thoughts?"  Nope.  First I've heard of this line.  So I looked for some reviews.  Fluorocarbon is something I seldom use.  But given what I've read about it so far, I'd be willing to try it on a couple crankbait rods.  Reviewers really liked this line.

 

I honestly have no idea why you are having such a problem.  My fluorocarbon line experience is very limited, but I've never experienced this.  I suggest trying a different line and see what happens.  Sufix Elite or Sunline Super Natural would be a couple good choices.  If these lines blow up, then it isn't the line causing the problem.

 

EDIT:  I assumed the line was spooled on correctly.

[MN Fisher]

Both tips are good - you want the line to go on the reel the same way it comes off the spool. Since every baitcaster I've had the line reels in over the top...the line coming off the source should come off the top so the 'coils' are the same. Also, KVD Line and Lure Conditioner is almost necessary for not only FC but also Hybrid line.

[Team9nine]

Outside of the possibility of having spooled it on wrong, the simplest answer that no one likes to hear is keep practicing to become a better caster. Fluoro is a stiffer line than mono, and much more so than braid - one of the many reasons I don’t recommend anyone starting with braid that is new to baitcasting. It takes some time to get used to. Adjust your brakes up along with the spool tension knob if you have to to start, and just practice making pitches and short casts initially using a little heavier weight until things get comfortable…but double check if you can remember if you spooled it on properly first. Braid doesn’t care, but fluoro definitely will.

[rangerjockey]

More brake. Open the side plate and see how many tabs are on . I'd start with 4 and give it some spool tension and don't over fill it.

That's some good line. 

[Mike L]

All possible cures that you need to try. 
 

One tip about using “line conditioner” 

Make sure you’re letting it dry completely before a cast.

Especially KVD Line and Lure. 
 

I’ve seen folks spray it on and immediately start throwing, don’t do that. 
Put it on the night before or before you leave the ramp. 
If you must use it during the day, use another combo for about 10 minutes. 

Also, use it when spooling stopping periodically for a few squirts. 
You’ll be surprised 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[MickD]

For most fishing there is very little advantage to FC and one very big and expensive to fix problem: manageability.  Ask yourself whether the advantages are worth the expense and hassle.  I answered that question years ago and have only mono and braid on all my reels, using FC only for leaders.

[Jig Man]

I agree with rangerjockey.

 I am a Curado fluorocarbon user.  I use it for everything except top water.  I use 12 and 15# mostly.  

[Bigbox99]

Put the flouro on the Daiwa and the braid on the Shimano.

[07Rapala]

Thanks for all the replies. A couple thoughts after reading them:

 

Yeah, last night as I was going to bed I was thinking about my casting technique. I still default to a spinning rod casting technique and have to mindfully apply a more bait caster friendly technique.

It's also possible I was over-spooled... but that problem has now solved itself as I had to toss about 30 yards of line last night due to damage from the wind knots.

I'm still not sold on Floro as a main line. I was running a spinnerbait yesterday with a big blade and I couldn't feel whether it was spinning or not. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to tell when a crainbait is bouncing off something and when it's a fish strike. I've been spoiled with the sensitivity and response of braid for a long time.

[msgf91]

How full do you have the spool? If you overfill the spool with centrifugal brakes and FC then the brakes don't work right. Try taking off a little bit of line and giving that a try.  

 

Nevermind, just read your last post. 

[Mike L]

If you use a quality flouro, spooled correctly on a properly adjusted reel, with a smooth cast, flouro can be as manageable as anything else!

Few lines (Tatsu especially and Sniper in smaller diameters) may not need any conditioner to settle it down 

 

OP

99% of posters here will shake their head, roll their eyes and think disparaging thoughts about my mental health for what I just said. (done it before) 😊

My opinion is from experience.

I use it for everything except 2 presentations and have no reason to change. 
You were given all possible causes and remedies…Good Luck
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Fishingmickey]

I'm in the same camp as Mike L. I use Fluorocarbon almost exclusively. It took me a couple of years to find which lines work for me. There is a big difference in between brands and price range.  The cheaper lines don't perform nearly as well as the premium brands. I try to offset the cost by spooling half of my spool in mono and then top off with Fluorocarbon. I can get a extra spool off a 150 yrd. roll and two extra off of a 200-220 yrd. spool.  I have switched to buying the larger bulk spools since I've found good performing (for me) Fluorocarbon.

     The brands I prefer are Seaguar Invisx, Seguar Tatsu and Diawa Samurai.  I'm currently trying out Shimano Mastiff now.  I used mostly 12, 15, 17 and 20lb.  I don't use the KVD line conditioner. It's on the list of things to try.

Fishingmickey

 

p.s. Freshly spooled, I feel is much more prone to bird nesting then after it has been used for a day or two.  Overfilling your reel is another issue too. Both of the above combined can really make you wonder about your casting ability and fill up the swear word jar quickly.

[wisconsin heat]

12 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Also, KVD Line and Lure Conditioner is almost necessary for not only FC but also Hybrid line.

 

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

Especially KVD Line and Lure. 
 

 

I’ll third the use of KVD line and lure. I bought it off TW after hearing recommendations on this site. And wow it does make both Flouro and mono/copoly  lines cast a lot better. I spray it on the spool the night before an outing.

 

Another tip I use is to “stretch” or tighten the line to “straighten” it out and remove some of the coiled memory. In the backyard or at the ramp I’ll hook the lure to a fence or post, and walk with the rod a casting distance or more in a direction and then pull on the line to get it tight and hold it for 10-15 seconds. When you let go of the pressure you will find that the line won’t be as springy and won’t remain in such tight coils.

 

 

 

[rangerjockey]

46 minutes ago, Mike L said:

If you use a quality flouro, spooled correctly on a properly adjusted reel, with a smooth cast, flouro can be as manageable as anything else!

Few lines (Tatsu especially and Sniper in smaller diameters) may not need any conditioner to settle it down 

 

OP

99% of posters here will shake their head, roll their eyes and think disparaging thoughts about my mental health for what I just said. (done it before) 😊

My opinion is from experience.

I use it for everything except 2 presentations and have no reason to change. 
You were given all possible causes and remedies…Good Luck
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

100%. Flouro is not nearly as evil as some make it out to be. Honestly if you blow up a reel with flouro it would have blown up with mono also. Just not as expensive, so for that reason I would practice with mono until you get some confidence back.

 

[JN94]

Just go back to braid and all your issues will be solved!!

 

In all seriousness, casting fluoro vs braid are very different. Fluoro requires much more braking power than braid does. Don't be afraid to turn your brakes up much higher than you have ever had to in the past when fishing braid. That was my issue when I first tried fluoro after only fishing braid in the past

[Lead Head]

It sounds like your only baitcasting experience is a Daiwa with braid. If that is correct, your difficulties are likely just because your new setup is pretty different. You have switched from what is (in my opinion) the most forgiving braking profile (mag-z, sv, and their boost variants) and the most manageable line, to the line that requires the most attention to detail and a

braking system that requires a very different and slightly more involved setup.

 

Unlike braid, almost all FC (and mono) will coil off the the spool to some extent if you release the spool with no resistance on the line and no tension on the spool. Double check all the good advice in this thread, and keep in mind that your new equipment will come with a small new learning curve. For example, Daiwa encourages you not to adjust the zero adjuster (spool tension knob), while most shimano reels require a bit of spool tension and some brake adjustments made on the spool itself. 

 

 

[waymont]

Sounds like you put too much line on your reel 

[dodgeguy]

12 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

More brake. Open the side plate and see how many tabs are on . I'd start with 4 and give it some spool tension and don't over fill it.

That's some good line. 

I'm surprised it took so long. You learned on braid and your used to it. Flouro carbon requires more brake as it has memory where braid has none. Two totally different animals.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I love FC for casting gear, it does 80% of the work, easy.  

It sounds like you need to use more brakes and possibly tighten the spool up, especially coming from a Daiwa.  Generally, if the line begins to get squirrelly in the begging of the cast its a brake issue and later is the cast its spool tension.  Start with heavy brakes and spool tension and ease them back gradually as you progress.  It sounds like there could be other issues as well, but I would start with brakes and spool tension. 

If you continue to have issues, just get a spool of Big Game mono and try that out, its dirt cheap and at worst is great as backing.  Once you figure the reel out and want to try FC again, just use 50 or 60 yards of FC with mono underneath it as backing, it goes a long way.

Although I love FC there are some nuances.  I would think the water is fairly warm by this time in Wisconsin, but keep in mind some FC gets very stiff when the water is in the 40s and can be a hassle to use as I ran into that problem with heavier Red Label.  Personally I've found InvizX to be very consistent and supple enough to fish all winter especially in 12lb. 

Your going to notice a loss in sensitivity with FC compared to PE, but not to the extent where you cant feel a spinnerbait slow roll or crankbait work. 

If its a stiffer rod and it doesn't have enough load, that could dampen sensitivity and would 100% be more challenging to manage a reel on.