Anyone used Stren Fluorocast?

[ROCbass]

Has anyone ever used this line? I'm thinking about trying fluorocarbon for the first time this year, and this is a relatively inexpensive option at around 8-9 bucks a spool. It got mixed reviews on bps' site, with the primary complaint being knot strength, which IMO is more often the fault of the person tying the knot than the line. If I did get a spool, I would probably get 8lb and use it mainly as leader material on spinning rigs with a braid mainline. Is it worth trying or should I look elsewhere?

[deep]

I have. Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth.

As a mainline: A little less stiff than trilene 100% FC, way stiffer than Invizx. Pretty good abrasion resistance, good to almost great knot strength.

As a leader: Great. For the price it sells at, it's more than just a bargain.

I caught my PB (8 lbs and change) on Daiwa Samurai 6/30 mainline with a 6 lb Stren FC leader. When I landed her, the leader was all frayed and tattered (literally), but the knot and the line held. That fish cured me of using a 6 lb leader, and I've upgraded to a 10 lb FC leader (also Stren).

I have nothing but good things to say of Stren Fluorocast as leader material. As a mainline, I think depending on your needs, you might have better options.

[Kevinator1]

I used it last year on my spinning rods and had good luck with it. Its memory wasn't too bad for a fluorocarbon line. I didn't break off any fish so I was impressed for the price.   8-)

[hmongkidBee]

I am in total agreement with everyone above that stren flourocast is a worthy flourocarbon line.  For the price it can't be beat.  I am using 10lb and 15lb right now at the moment and it feels really good.  It's stiff but to me there is no stiffer flourocarbon line than berkley triline 100% flourocarbon.  Buy a few and try them out yourselves, they're a good investment.

[krisjack69]

Dont Berkley make stren line now.

[Hooligan]

As a mainline: A little less stiff than trilene 100% FC, way stiffer than Invizx. Pretty good abrasion resistance, good to almost great knot strength.

I've got two reels spooled with it, and I'd really have to disagree.  The Stren has performed very well, much better than I'd initially thought.  It's not even close to the hardness of Invizx, and retains its strength like Abrazx.

More and more, I'm thinking that I'll go to the Stren as a mainstay, depending on its overall durability.  It has all the qualities I'm looking for in a line: great knot strength, it's easily handled, it isn't as hard as other fluorocarbon, it casts very well, and it's reasonably sensitive.

The more I fish it, the more I like it.  Considering it's under $10, too, it's worth it. 

That all said, I've had it spooled for a short time.  It remains to be seen what the longevity is and how well it performs over its lifespan.  All things considered at this point in time, the only line I've liked more is Tatsu.

[deep]

Hooligan, as far as the stiffness is concerned, I think we'll have to agree to disagree

I'm, in general, not a big fan of fluorocarbons. I almost always use mono and braid and I like superlimp lines. Btw, the only reel I have fluoro spooled on is a spinning reel with 6 lb test. But, IMO Invizx is one of the most limpest fluoros out there, and it retains it's limpness over time.

I only ever bought two spools of Stren FC, one in 6lb, the other in 10 lb. I intended to use these as mainline. Initially everything was fine, but it developed too much memory over time (to my liking). So I trashed the line on the reels, and used the rest of the spools for leaders; for the later purpose I really like it.

[Hooligan]

That's a good point.  It may well be stiffer in lighter test.  I haven't felt anything under 10lb in the Stren.  I'm fishing 15 and 12 and it's noticeably softer than Invizx.

And I totally agree that Invizx doesn't get brittle or memory like a almost every fluoro I've fished.

[ROCbass]

Thanks guys. Like I said, I'll probably use it just as leader material, at least to start out.  Since I've never used fluoro, I want to get something inexpensive in case I don't like it, but I  also don't want to fall into the trap of not liking it because I went cheap, and then not giving other fluoros a fair shot in the future because of that. Seems like it'll be a decent choice for me.

[deep]

Thanks guys. Like I said, I'll probably use it just as leader material, at least to start out. Since I've never used fluoro, I want to get something inexpensive in case I don't like it, but I also don't want to fall into the trap of not liking it because I went cheap, and then not giving other fluoros a fair shot in the future because of that. Seems like it'll be a decent choice for me.

I think most folks over here would tell you to get a heavier leader than 8 lb test.

I didn't care for their advice initially; I should have known better; and I learnt in a while.

[ROCbass]

Thanks guys. Like I said, I'll probably use it just as leader material, at least to start out. Since I've never used fluoro, I want to get something inexpensive in case I don't like it, but I also don't want to fall into the trap of not liking it because I went cheap, and then not giving other fluoros a fair shot in the future because of that. Seems like it'll be a decent choice for me.

I think most folks over here would tell you to get a heavier leader than 8 lb test.

I didn't care for their advice initially; I should have known better; and I learnt in a while.

I currently use 8lb mono leaders on my spinning reels with 20lb braid and I don't have any problems with it, I just thought fluoro might give me a little bit more of a visibility and sensitivity edge. Will 8lb fluoro present any problems that 8lb mono doesn't?

[rubba bubba]

I currently use 8lb mono leaders on my spinning reels with 20lb braid and I don't have any problems with it, I just thought fluoro might give me a little bit more of a visibility and sensitivity edge. Will 8lb fluoro present any problems that 8lb mono doesn't?

I believe what he meant was unless you are fishing finesse and/or very clear water, 8lbs is a pretty light leader. 8lbs fluoro won't, as a leader, cause you any problems compared to your 8lbs mono leader.

Since it's your spinning gear, it appears that this is more for finesse for you, so there's nothing wrong with an 8lbs leader.

[deep]

I don't know buddy. I fish relatively snag-free water. I personally use as light a line as I can. Hell, I use no more than 6 lb on my spinning and no more than 12 lb on my regular casting (17 lb on my swimbait) set-ups.

That one fish (my PB) changed my leader lb test from 6 to 10. She didn't snag me anywhere to the best of my knowledge, didn't take any drag, only a lot of head-shaking, and it was early winter, so she was sluggish I guess. All I know is that a 7 feet length of 6 lb test leader, perfect before that fish bit, was literally torn to shreds when I landed her.

I haven't caught any fish over 8 lbs before or after, so maybe it was a one-off affair; I don't know. I don't think I want to find out either.

The set-up I have that leader on is my T-rig/ light jig rod. I am throwing that senko right into that laydown, in between the branches of the tree. Probably that's precisely where my PB bit, and the wood did that to my 6 lb leader, although I didn't feel it.

EDIT:

If you're pleased with a 8 lb mono leader though, I don't see how a 8 lb FC leader would hurt you.

I get too full of emotions when I think of that eight pounder

[=Matt 5.0=]

Junk, junk, junk. Horrible. Absolute garbage. Worst line I've used in the last 25 years.

Bought a spool of 6lb to try on my shakey head rod. Didn't even get out of the garage. Tied a jig on, lubed it up, tightened it down... DINK, knot broke. Repeated that twelve times, tried a few different knots. Everyone of them broke.

Back to my trusty Berkley 100%, no problems.

[A-Rob]

I used the line a bunch b/c I'm not sponsored by a Fluorocarbon manufacturer so I don't want to pay $30 to spool up haha.

I used the 17# test on my lighter pitching gear and also on my worm rod. I had NO problems with it. It's got decent sensitivity, casts well, and I have  yet to break a knot with it. I mainly tie UNI KNOT with fluoro as per Mr. Aaron Martens orders. (The 17# line cinches down fine in a uni knot if you snug it up)

For the price I will use it a lot.

[Hooligan]

Part of the reason I tried it in the first place is because of its knot strength.  They were testing it for break strength and it broke at the knot once or twice, but it was above the test rating.  I've not had any problems with knots, fray, or anything else.  I'll keep fishing it for darned sure.

[PondBoss]

I just got a spool of 15lb test the other day and I'm glad to have read some mostly positive things about this line. After reading on BPS web site I was thinking I'd just wasted $10. But listening to you guys puts me more at ease. Looking forward to using it tomorrow. I'll report back with my review.

[Hyrule Bass]

the line works ok to me, but tell me this. isnt fluroucarbon supposed to be invisible underwater? if so then whey did i have bluegills biting at my line

[Hooligan]

I know I posted this in one of the other threads, but I'll post it here, too. After a month fishing it the line just goes to pot in a hurry. I couldn't have been more long about the qualities of the line than I was. It's up there with the worst of the worst. The initial quality of the line is very high, but degrades very quickly.

[PondBoss]

I actually didn't fish the Fluorocast today. Stuck with my Vanish, didn't break off any fish, so I had no reason to try something different. But next time I get the breaks, here comes the Stren.