i need line , braided ? mono ? WHAT ELSE TO CONSIDER

[Nashua Nev]

I fish mostly for lmb and smb here in new hampshire.

Lots of weeds and lots of clear clean water.

I am learning to be patient and let the plastics just sit with a little twitch after a 10/12 count.

Will braided line be more visable?

Will it matter to the fish ?

I am willing to try a few different ones and just want to narrow it down a bit.

I figure 12 lb test

I want good long casting with lighter weight plastics.

I currently have an open faced reel and a closed face reel.

Possibly a baitcaster next year or 2

SUGGESTIONS ?  INFO ?   THANK YOU

[BobP]

When I fish clear northern waters, I use 8 lb test fluorocarbon line on a spinning rod. It has great sensitivity and handles well on a spinning rod if you don't overfill the spool (I leave a 1/8" lip on the spool unfilled). Use an improved cinch knot, a San Diego Jam knot or similar knot including multiple wraps around the standing line. When you get up to 12 lb fluoro, you begin to have handling problems unless you use a baitcast reel. Northern bass are not too large for 8 lb line and you get more bites with fluoro. When fishing grass beds, I'd switch to 20 lb braid. Easier for the bass to see? Yep, but hard enough for them to notice it in heavy vegetation and the braid will cut through grass if the fish buries up in it.

[Nine Miler]

BobP,

More bites with fluoro?  C'mon, maybe in your opinion or experience, but you can't make a claim like that. 

To the OP, you don't have to use spinning gear and light line in clear water.  I can see to the bottom in several of the lakes I fish.  Use what you are confident in.  The gear should match the scenario.  You said you have a lot of weeds, if you are fishing in that, make sure your equipment can handle it.  If you are fishing in areas with less cover, downsize if you think it is necessary.

I hardly ever fish any braids or pure fluorocarbon lines.  I do have two rods spooled with braid- they are both spinning rods, with no leaders.  I don't think I have gotten less bites with these setups than with any of my other stuff, copoly or mono, whatever, regardless of line diameter. 

You mention 12 lb. test braid.  I would recommend at least 20lb braid which will typically have a diameter similar to 6 pound mono.  This will be ideal for your spinning "open faced" reel.

[Marty]

Will braided line be more visable?

Yes.

Will it matter to the fish ?

We don't know. There is a range of opinions on this matter.

I use 15# leaderless braid on spinning gear and much, if not most, of my fishing is done in clear water and I've caught plenty of fish and have confidence in what I use. Of course, nobody can possibly know what would have happened had I used different line or used a leader on the braid.

More bites with fluoro?  C'mon, maybe in your opinion or experience, but you can't make a claim like that.

I agree with this 100%. Unless someone has caught a lot of fish, over a long period of time, under controlled conditions, claims can't be made about one product, color, etc., being superior to another.