Using Flouro...brands, knots, "freshness", KVD/L@L, whats up???

[Bassnajr]

Hey all,

I have noticed that many folks here love using flouro and many hate it. It seems to me that there is just to big a discrepency involved in the use of this line. I myself us braid for everything, from 10 lb. equ. all the way up to 65 lb. equ. I have read the many benefits of flouro, and also what folks report as the down side: mostly breaking line, memory/bird nests, etc. I have been advised on spinning reels, not to put to much flouro on the spool and soak it with KVD L@L. I have also been told that the main reason for flouro break offs is the knot. Others say that the "freshness" of the line plays a big part. I would like the Flouro positives on here to explain what they can about this line. Knots, freshness, KVD L@L, and any other pertinent facts that will help. I understand the benefits of flouro, but I also understand why people wouldn't want to use it for the "constant fear" of breaking off that trophy fish.

Thanks in advance for all the POSITIVE replies!!!

[Redhed]

use a wet polamar knot and you should be fine. most other knots (to me) break off easier.. always inspect line esp if you have been over rocks, wood and whatever that can scratch or fray the line. also after a few hook ups tie another knot. using these tricks have helped me out with flouro... personally i do not use flouro that often. the price keeps me from it. i like to use a smaller diameter mono (zuri hybrid) seems to be a good choice with the diameter to strength ratio.

[Bass Dude]

I have had problems with certain brands of FC, but once I found one I liked, I haven't had a problem.  I think FC is great for all the usual reasons: invisibilty, sensitivity etc.

I haven't used KVD L&L, but after reading all the positives about it here, I'm going to give it a try this season.

[OnthePotomac]

Here is a good article on florocarbon. It pertains to Sugoi brand, but the information is applicable to floro users.

[Bassnajr]

Been practicing my palomar knot...

Not that tough!! Hope it works....

ajr

[Willzx225]

Not to cause mass confusion but I have found that the old improved clinch knot to be a better alternative for me to the Palomar.  I tie the palomar on all of my mono and braid but will not tie it on fluro.  I break too many off on the hookset with the fluro/palomar combo.  

Bassnajr,

Just experiment with your knots.  I have been a diehard Palomer guy for 15 years and have had to force myself to switch knots on fluro but other guys will tell you that the Palomar knot is the best knot for fluro.  I think it all boils down to what works for you and what doesn't.  It isn't any different than which brand of crankbait or soft plastics work vs which ones "don't work".  Hope that makes sense.

[fatmanslim247]

I personally think using the kvd helps out tremendously.  I was kind of worried when I went out and bought my flouro, cuz I didn't get exactly what I wanted.  I have been using seaguar and cabelas invis x (I think thats what it is called) and I have had no problems what so ever!  My buddy bought the  trilene 100 percent and he had to keep retieing because it would get nicks in the line.  My stuff has been amazing, no problems with abrasion, I throw into the thick stuff, drag the thick stuff, and fished jagged rocks with no problems.  I was worried when I put the flouro on my spinning reel thinking I was going to have a mess on my hands... I never had any problems.  I fished this stuff with ice on my guides with no problem.  

What you need to do is try some out, I studied up on here and on several other forums.  My buddy is struggling with his trilene which is a very good flouro and is high respected. But with his experience alone I will never throw it.  Seaguar will get my money or cabelas, granted the line is made by the same company.  O and cabelas had some of their flouro on sale a couple of weeks ago, alot of it was their pink line.... it works great I used it this weekend and placed in a large tournament with their pink stuff.

my 2 cents

[Bassnajr]

OK

I got the XPS Flouro and right off the spool, it was a slinky!!!! ;D

So I took KVD L+L and soaked the line. Gave it a few minutes and then spooled up two spinning reels and a baitcaster with a backing of P-Line co-poly line. I sprayed the XPS as I put it on the various reels, and again at the end. It did seem to calm the flouro down.

Now will see when I start to use it!!!!! Thanks for the help all!!!! :

ajr

[Primus]

As mentioned make sure the knot is moistened when tying, and to pull a little slower when you cinch it down. I also like to use a reel with at least a 3000 size or larger spool (learned this tip from a KVD seminar who uses 4000 size Quantum reels). I haven't tried the line conditioner but on my spinning reels I troll the line with no lures, hooks etc behind my boat the first outing of the year to soften my line up. I also like to use a tiny swivel ahead of my dropshot to minimize line twist with this presentation. I like to use the Gamma brand on spinning rods because it has a good combination of manageabilty & strength. I use the BPS or Pline on my casting rods because they are more affordable than Gamma and that manageability is not as much of an issue on a casting reel.

[Bassnajr]

I went out today and used the XPS Flouro on my Daiwa baitcaster. It seemed the more I used it, the more manageable it became. It was still coiling up on the spool and I spent a great deal of time peeling the line off the reel and reeling it back in onto the reel. I used the KVD L+L as I reeled the line in to get it onto all of the line. I'll keep trying, but it seems like alot of work.  

[Chuck H.]

KVD Line & Lure was made specifically to help the handling characteristics of flourocarbon and braid, although it works well with any line. To get the most benefit from it, spray it on the night before so it can dry before use. Then use it during the day as necessary. Also, when you're putting new line on your reel, spray some L&L on a synthetic cloth and run the line through it as you're re-spooling. The reason for the synthetic cloth is that the polymers in L&L like to attach to natural fibers and you won't get the full benefit if you use a cotton cloth. One other thing, the polymers in L&L actually bond to the line and won't wash off like other products. This actually strengthens the line which will enable you to fish the expensive flourocarbon lines longer, saving you money. I think if you try it, you'll be able to concentrate more on your fishing and not on your line.  

[Redhed]

KVD Line & Lure was made specifically to help the handling characteristics of flourocarbon and braid, although it works well with any line. To get the most benefit from it, spray it on the night before so it can dry before use. Then use it during the day as necessary. Also, when you're putting new line on your reel, spray some L&L on a synthetic cloth and run the line through it as you're re-spooling. The reason for the synthetic cloth is that the polymers in L&L like to attach to natural fibers and you won't get the full benefit if you use a cotton cloth. One other thing, the polymers in L&L actually bond to the line and won't wash off like other products. This actually strengthens the line which will enable you to fish the expensive flourocarbon lines longer, saving you money. I think if you try it, you'll be able to concentrate more on your fishing and not on your line.

what i did with spooling was to reel so many yards then spray liberally on the line, reel more in and spray and repeat.

-- side note, i am using silver thread 12lb excaliber and i used KVD and i do not notice a difference in memory. maybe it works better for flouros. i dunno.

[Bassnajr]

OK

For those of you following the saga, the adventure continues....

I went out again today, and the XPS Flouro soaked with KVD L+L yesterday seemed to have "calmed down" even more. It did cast a country mile, so that's one benefit I guess. Could it be the more it is used, the better it gets? I also like the idea of trolling it behind the boat and then reeling it in while applying KVD L+L. I continue to wonder, is all this work worth it???

ajr