Line for rat-l-traps

[Bassackward]

What kind of line do all of you use for rattle traps.  I've started using braid with fluoro leader, which I like because I can easily rip the traps through weeds.  Should I be using mono to keep from pulling hooks out from the fish?

[SteveF]

I absolutely love lipless crankbait fishing, however I have always preferred mono/copolymer over braid but not because of ripping the hooks out of a fish, but because I feel that the fish get the bait deeper because of the loss of feel and the stretch I am not taking it away from them.  

In other words, I would prefer to have to pick a few weeds that I might not be able to clear off my bait with mono, but have the entire bait in the fishes mouth when it does take it as lipless crankbaits are notorious for throwing the bait anyway, I guess I would rather put that favor in my side of the court as much as possible.

No braid for me.

Steve

[HesterIsGod]

I use fluorocarbon, Trilene 100%. Much more abrasion resistence, less visible, transmits vibration better, and has more stretch than most people think.

[iceintheveins]

If your fishing thicker weeds, I would go with braid of about 20 pound test. Power Pro is by far the best braid IMO.

[Catt]

Berkley Big Game 15# Mean Green  

[smallieking]

the braid w/ flouro leader should be great for fishing heavy mats   there isnt alot of heavy vegation up here so i use 14 pound test bereky vanish flouro  with a trilene knot on a snap

[Wayne P.]

I use the original Spiderwire in 30# with no leader. The minimal amount of stretch in a short leader is of no benefit and you lose the benefit of the small diameter braid at the lure where the weed cutting is most needed. I make long casts when fishing Traps to cover a lot of water and fluorocarbon or regular mono has too much stretch for good hook penetration if a take occurs at the maximum distance.

[rondef]

I use 17lb Stren line and I fish lipless crankbaits a lot and never have any problems with the line. The only thing I do differently is change all the hooks on my lipless crankbaits to Gamakatzu because I was loosing fish prior to that. Since replacing the hooks I have only lost one bass on a lipless crankbait.

[Bankbeater]

Berkley Big Game 15# Mean Green

X2

[SteveF]

rondef,

Amen to changing the hooks, specially on the Rat-L-Trap brand.  I have found that the Yo-Zori lipless hooks are pretty good.

Steve

[RoLo]

Polyethylene Braid (PowerPro)

On the downside, you need a good hook-remover

Roger

[KevO]

15lb yo-zuri hybrid, smooth and sensitive.  I can feel the slightest tap.  

X2 on changing the hooks on rat-l-traps, however I bought a couple with the sure set hooks and haven't lost a fish yet!!!!

[ww2farmer]

I always used 14lb Trilene Sensation, this year I will use Trilene 100% Flurocarbon. I also use braid, 30lb Spiderwire Ultracast, when I am fishing the trap above heavy grass and need the extra feel and not stretch to "rip" the bait free from any grass it snags on.

[RoLo]

when I am fishing the trap above heavy grass and need the extra feel and not stretch to "rip" the bait free from any grass it snags on.

I think you raised a very critical point, and a good case for braid.

Roger

[The Next KVD]

50lb Power Pro or 20lb P-Line Fluoro does the job well!