Line Basics

[RobbyZ5001]

I just wanted to state what I think I know about line in general. Feel free to correct me or give me your opinion and how things work with your setups. Also the usual pattern with my posts are multiple questions.

Flouro- Flouro is basically invisible. The line should be used in clear waters, with finicky fish, and with finesse applications.

Mono- This line is more abrasion resistant then flouro. Use this line with cranks.

Braid- I use power pro with topwaters. Looking for other uses and lb tests and why. I hear people using jigs on braid with a leader and braid used to cut through grass. I am lost with braid!

I am also confused about when to use leaders and when not to. Obviously you use leaders with a C rig. I am more interested in using leaders with jigs.

Some lures that I am curious of what line to use are Jigs, lipped cranks, lipless cranks, Crig (braid main line leader flouro ?), buzzbaits, dropshots.

I am not really looking for brands so much as I am the lb test and type and an explanation why.

[alger319]

you can also use fluro with cranks to help get more depth. and another use for braid is flippin heavy/dense cover. - i dont use a leader for this cause it's just another knot to break. u ought to try some new coploy lines for your treble bait--they're stronger and have less stretch (IMO)

[roadwarrior]

It doesn't have to be complicated:

Spinning tackle:  Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test)

8-)

[dodgeguy]

I just wanted to state what I think I know about line in general. Feel free to correct me or give me your opinion and how things work with your setups. Also the usual pattern with my posts are multiple questions.

Flouro- Flouro is basically invisible. The line should be used in clear waters, with finicky fish, and with finesse applications.

Mono- This line is more abrasion resistant then flouro. Use this line with cranks.

Braid- I use power pro with topwaters. Looking for other uses and lb tests and why. I hear people using jigs on braid with a leader and braid used to cut through grass. I am lost with braid!

I am also confused about when to use leaders and when not to. Obviously you use leaders with a C rig. I am more interested in using leaders with jigs.

Some lures that I am curious of what line to use are Jigs, lipped cranks, lipless cranks, Crig (braid main line leader flouro ?), buzzbaits, dropshots.

I am not really looking for brands so much as I am the lb test and type and an explanation why.

flouro is not invisible.no line is.it is less visible.flouro is not only for finesse.it's good for flipping also.flouro is the most abrasion resistant line.i suggest seguar invizx.it's the flouro haters flouro.

mono is a good all round line.greaat with cranks and spinnerbaits and topwaters.

braid is good in heavy grass.i suggest sufix braid.

[RobbyZ5001]

Thanks dodgeguy you cleared up some misconceptions I have had in my mind.

If flouro is the most abrasion resistant why wouldn't you wanna fish it with cranks? I have fished Seguar I love it. You say about using braid in grass but with what techniques?

[Joel W]

As for leaders, I use them with braid when pitching or casting jigs and wt'd plastics where there are rocks, wood, etc that could fray and or cut the braid.  Leader length varies from 2 to 4 ft depending on the water clarity.

[Tpayneful]

RobbyZ,

           The theory for using mono with crankbaits is that it will stretch when you set the hook ensuring that you don't rip the bait out of the fishes mouth.  Of course as with everything it may change with more people switching to Fluorocarbon.  I have ready that the people that switch to Fluoro on cranks make sure that they have a really limp rod to absorb the shock of setting the hook.

P.S.  I have also read line comparisons that state that Fluoro and Mono have the same amount of stretch.  Fluorocarbon doesn't feel like it has the same stretch to me!

[dodgeguy]

Thanks dodgeguy you cleared up some misconceptions I have had in my mind.

If flouro is the most abrasion resistant why wouldn't you wanna fish it with cranks? I have fished Seguar I love it. You say about using braid in grass but with what techniques?

mono is strechier than flouro and helps keep fish from tearing treble hooks loose.you can fish flouro with cranks but a lot of guys prefer mono.i personally have not completely made up my mind.

[dodgeguy]

RobbyZ,

           The theory for using mono with crankbaits is that it will stretch when you set the hook ensuring that you don't rip the bait out of the fishes mouth. Of course as with everything it may change with more people switching to Fluorocarbon. I have ready that the people that switch to Fluoro on cranks make sure that they have a really limp rod to absorb the shock of setting the hook.

P.S. I have also read line comparisons that state that Fluoro and Mono have the same amount of stretch. Fluorocarbon doesn't feel like it has the same stretch to me!

i have read about that also.upon furthur reaserch i found that flouro stretches at it's upper limit of it's pound test rating and once it streches it does not go back to it's same length.once this happens it does not seem to hurt the line.

[OkobojiEagle]

A lot of information above to absorb... or you can put on whichever line you find easiest to cast with and just go fishin'

[dodgeguy]

A lot of information above to absorb... or you can put on whichever line you find easiest to cast with and just go fishin'

ROFLMAO!!!sometimes i wish that we only had stren mono to chosse from like when i was a kid!!!actually i couldn't even put that stuff on my reels now but it sure was simple then.

[Darkman]

I use Triple fish Xrated 25# for swimbaits

15-20 X rated or Camo for top water

jigs and leaders Ill go with TF floro...also all my spinning reels are floro.

Braid when Im in nasty stuff

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[Pencil Pusher]

I just wish Royal Bonyl was still available.

[Tokyo Tony]

i have read about that also.upon furthur reaserch i found that flouro stretches at it's upper limit of it's pound test rating and once it streches it does not go back to it's same length.once this happens it does not seem to hurt the line.

Lol, I read that too, that flouro will stretch but not return to its original length.  So would it be possible fight a big fish (with the drag set close to the line's strength), lose her, then as you reel in your lure you have way too much line on the reel and it overflows?  I know as it stretches, the line becomes thinner, but it's still a funny thought  ;D

As for stretchy line being better for treble lures, I have read that many times, but I'm not sure I agree with it.  I personally don't see how using braid on a rod with a soft tip is much different from using mono with a stiff tip, and I've landed plenty of feisty smallies with braid and crankbaits without losing any that wouldn't have been lost had I been using mono, IMO.  

I also doubt the conventional wisdom that says mono is better for cranks because you won't pull the lure out of the fish's mouth when he hits it.  If your lure is in a fish's mouth, and you set the hook, you're gonna hook him whether you're using braid or mono, and I would argue that you'd hook him more often if you're using braid (as long as you don't overdo the hookset).

[dodgeguy]

all of those generalizations are based on using the same rod.of course you can compensate and use a softer rod and less drag with braid.

[skip]

Since this is the line basics thread I have no problem asking this question.

If I plan on catching 2-3 lb. fish should I use 2 lb line (or 4 or more)?

Can I catch a 4lb fish on 2lb line IF i set the drag properly?

If I catch a 4 lb fish on 2 lb line, with NO drag will it break?

If I catch a 2 lb fish on 2 lb line, with NO drag will it break?

I'm really just trying to wrap my head around "what does 4lb test mean?"

--- Now to complicate things.  If I buy a line that is 4lb but has a diameter of 0.004 less then others will it break sooner because it is thinner?

What does 4 lb test actually mean (not the physics) for actual fishing?

Back to the basics (like the thread topic states).

Thank you,

Skip

PS.  Being a noob I would understand if you just point me toward other forum topics too (I have searched...but unsuccessfully).

[Tpayneful]

Skip, you have asked a real loaded question.  The line manufacturers put three things on the package that are important.  Line type (mono, fluoro, or braid), pound test (breaking point of the line) and diameter.  Knowing the pound test and diameter you are able to compare lines from different manufacturers and keep them honest.  

The breaking point of the line is not always a direct reflection of the pound test on the box.  The breaking point will be diferent depending on if it is wet, dry, how the knot was tied and whether the line has been damaged by the environment (rocks, weeds and brush).  

If you plan on catching 2-3 pound fish (I never size my line on the fish but the environment) you probably need to use 6lb or 8lb on a spinning rod.  I would suggest 10lb or higher on a baitcaster because I find that I can cast thicker lines better.

Yes you can catch a 4lb fish on a 2lb line with the drag set properly in open water.  If you have that same fight in an environment with vegetation, rocks or brush your chances of landing the fish go down.

If you catch a 4lb fish on a 2lb line with no drag it will probably break off but there is a slight chance that you will land the fish in open water.

If you catch a 2lb fish on 2lb line there is a good chance that you will land the fish in open water.

The problem with all of these scenarios is that Largemouth Bass (I will not speak about smallmouth because I don't have much experience with them) live in areas that are full of obstructions.  They like to live in vegetation, rocks, logs, brush and just about any other environment that damages fishing line.  Pick the lowest visible line for the hazards that you will face.  Downsize your line in clear water open environments and upsize your line in stained vegetation or brush filled environments.

Being new I hope this helps.  Picking line is really confusing to many people including some of us that have been fishing for many years.

[skip]

Great answer, if you charged new fishermen 5 cents for that info you'd make a millon dollars.

I am going to pick line based on diameter and the conditions...and adjust one way or the other on the size of the fish I will probably catch.

Thanks

Skip

[Tpayneful]

Skip,

        No problem.  Glad I could offer an answer that helps.  As a new fisherman I would do two things.  Click on the Fishing Articles section and read the beginner articles.  You can learn a lot in that section.  One other thing you can do is search on a topic before you post.  You might find what you are looking for there as well.  Common questions and answers are posted at the top of a section like "How to fish a Senko", "How to fish a Carolina Rig" or "How to adjust a baitcast reel".  Enjoy the board, post questions anytime and have fun.

Also.....WELCOME to the BOARD!!!!

[skip]

Thanks

I read almost every single article before I even knew there was a forum.  I loved every one of them.  I fond this site when I was looking for information on rods.

Really, nowhere else on this forum/site or google could I find anywhere where someone defines what 4lb test actually means to the fisherman.  Which if you compound with the myriad of choices on the shelf can be really frustrating.

Your post helped a lot.

Thanks again.