A love letter to mono

[Hulkster]

3 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I've heard a lot of guys complain about mono on spinning reels, but I think it starts with how the line is initially spooled on the reel. And, if you haven't fished for a few days or a week or so, and you think your line may not handle well, take the spool off your reel and soak it in warm.water for an hour or so. This works, and makes the line handle better.

 yup and the line lay and line roller on the reel makes a big difference too. 

I've fished with mid to higher end shimano spinning reels since the 90s (Stradics, Sustains, Saros etc) and I've never had an issue with line twist. 

 

 I think on cheaper reels it really must mess up the mono.  

 

[FishTank]

On 3/15/2025 at 11:16 PM, WRB said:

Let me know when any of you braid or FC line users catch one bass the  size of my 5 PB’s listed caught on Mono line using jigs.

Tom

Does a 20+lb blue catfish count?  PE braid #1.2 and 10lb leader with a lot of patience and a net.

[FishTank]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

Meanwhile, I like to slide into fluoro's DMs. 

Best comment yet. 😃

[WRB]

18 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Does a 20+lb blue catfish count?  PE braid #1.2 and 10lb leader with a lot of patience and a net.

Not really my 10 year old son caught 26 lb Channel from shore using his Split Shot rod with 5# UG mono.

Tom

[FishTank]

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

Not really my 10 year old son caught 26 lb Channel from shore using his Split Shot rod with 5# UG mono.

Tom

 

I know you have caught some big ones but what bass would fight harder than a 25lb+ blue catfish in 30 feet of water? Personally I have only caught one bass that was just a fuzz over 10lbs. It was a blast but it was nothing like that catfish.

 

 I've also caught a few catfish over 40lbs on much heavier gear and line but the light line, knot and tackle brought that 25lb fish up just fine. Bent the hook out though. 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

I know you have caught some big ones but what bass would fight harder than a 25lb+ blue catfish in 30 feet of water? Personally I have only caught one bass that was just a fuzz over 10lbs. It was a blast but it was nothing like that catfish.

 

 I've also caught a few catfish over 40lbs on much heavier gear and line but the light line, knot and tackle brought that 25lb fish up just fine. Bent the hook out though. 

PM your email I will send you a photo of my late son with his channel cat and In-Fisherman award.

Tom

[Catt]

Y'all be funny 🤣

 

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

PM your email I will send you a photo of my late son with his channel cat and In-Fisherman award.

Tom

 

I totally believe you and sorry about your son.  So no picture necessary. 

 

I know it is totally possible to haul in fish like this. There is a young man in southern Indiana that brought in a 100lb+ blue that is a story of legend. https://www.wlky.com/article/what-a-catch-9-year-old-southern-indiana-boy-reels-in-nearly-100-pound-catfish/32687945

 

I have also seen a young boy on a bridge outside of Eagle Creek Reservoir that caught a large 40lb catfish. He pulled it straight up on to the bridge with a boys equivalent of a Barbie rod.  I believe both these kids were using the pre-installed mono that came on the rod and reel when they caught these fish.

 

But that was not exactly my question/thought. Concerning the fish I caught.... I was using a ML spinning rod with #1.2 PE X-braid Upgrade and a 10lb FC Daiwa X-Link Leader. For the lure, I was using a 2.8in Keitech Fat Impact with a 1/8oz jig. I was next a dam fishing for whatever I could find on my graph in deep water. A 25+lb blue catfish nailed that bait and I brought it up from the bottom which was over 30 feet only to have that fish blow its guts out all over my kayak. The line and knot stayed together fine after that battle. No break offs and I used the same leader and connection knot the rest of the day. I did bend out the jig hook. The drag on that reel was not happy and a net saved my rod from breaking.  So with that said, how does my this differ from the monster bass you caught on mono when it comes to durability of line and knot strength? 

[WRB]

Tommy was fishing with friend at Castiac lagoon from the swim beach. I wasn’t there Tommy’s friend  family was having a picnic and Tommy was using his new outfit Iovino signature Phenix Split Shot rod w/Shimano Stradic 1000 reel filled with 5# UG and rigged with a slip shot and Reaper for bass. Apparently the boys beached the big cat and the family brought the fish home. They put the cat in the bath tub to show us later, still alive!

Tommy used that rod/reel until passed away from cancer in 2020, still have the rod/reel.

Tom

PS, don’t mind sharing the photo.

[FishTank]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Tommy was fishing with friend at Castiac lagoon from the swim beach. I wasn’t there Tommy’s friend  family was having a picnic and Tommy was using his new outfit Iovino signature Phenix Split Shot rod w/Shimano Stradic 1000 reel filled with 5# UG and rigged with a slip shot and Reaper for bass. Apparently the boys beached the big cat and the family brought the fish home. They put the cat in the bath tub to show us later, still alive!

Tommy used that rod/reel until passed away from cancer in 2020, still have the rod/reel.

Tom

PS, don’t mind sharing the photo.

 

Great stuff. That must have been some fight for a 10 year old. 

 

If it's not any trouble, just send me a message on Bass Resource. I think it would be cool to see a picture of it. 

 

Thanks