Line!!?!?!?

[collegefishing12]

It seems that every year I find myself making a big fuss about line prices (and, from my opinion, rightfully so). My goal, as with other areas of my fishing disease, is to achieve good quality without breaking the bank. I also acknowledge that, out of all the other gadgets and components, fishing line is without a doubt the most important. Okay, so what to use?

Here are the setups that I am looking to spool:

Casting rigs:

Crank rod (smaller cranks, 1/4oz - 3/8oz)

Jig rod (bigger jigs 7/16oz - 3/4oz)

Smaller jig rod/ Swim jig rod (1/8oz - 5/16)

Worm/pitching rod (1/8oz-5/16oz)

C-rig rod (3/8-1/2oz)

Topwater (mostly, buzzbaits 3/8 oz)

i have left a few out, but that is because I already picked out the line that I want for them (ex., frog rod)

Spinning rigs:

Shakey head/drop shot rod

Senko rod

Any advice as to brand/test would be greatly appreciated, as would some suggestions of economically efficient line

[Hooligan]

12lb Seaguar Red label or Yo-Zuri Hybrid on casting except topwater and jerkbait rods, on which I'd put Suffix Siege.

6lb Siege or Elite on spinning if you want mono/copoly or Ultra-Soft if you want fluoro.

[BassThumb]

Casting rigs:

Crank rod (smaller cranks, 1/4oz - 3/8oz) 8-10# CXX

Jig rod (bigger jigs 7/16oz - 3/4oz) 50# braid, with or without a leader

Smaller jig rod/ Swim jig rod (1/8oz - 5/16) Trilene 100% 15# fluorocarbon or 12# Yo Zuri Hybrid or Ultra Soft

Worm/pitching rod (1/8oz-5/16oz) Trilene 100% 15# fluorocarbon or 12# Yo Zuri Hybrid or Ultra Soft

C-rig rod (3/8-1/2oz)

Topwater (mostly, buzzbaits 3/8 oz) 14-17# soft mono, Sufix Elite

Spinning rigs:

Shakey head/drop shot rod 6# Ultra Soft or CXX, or 6-8# Invizx fluorocarbon

Senko rod 6-8# YZ Ultra Soft, 6-8# Invizx, or 6# CXX

[Fish Chris]

Well, if your looking for economically efficient then I wouldn't even consider anything but braid. I fish darn near a whole season on one spool of braid, whereas I use to change my mono every second or third trip !

I use TUF-Line XP, but if it's true braided Spectra, it's going to be good stuff.

Fish

[Mattyvac]

YoZuri hybrid can be had on amazon or ebay for $8 a spool of 600yds in any #, and powerpro is 10.99 for 150yds at dick's sporting goods right now.

[Hyrule Bass]

Well, if your looking for economically efficient then I wouldn't even consider anything but braid. I fish darn near a whole season on one spool of braid, whereas I use to change my mono every second or third trip !

I use TUF-Line XP, but if it's true braided Spectra, it's going to be good stuff.

Fish

i dont get the every second or third trip, overkill? provided i have no major snags and such, a reel spooled with mono lasts me 2-3 years...

[WanderLust]

For baitcasters

Mono - Berkley Big Game 12# / 15#

Co-poly - Yo-Zuri Hybrid 12# / 15#

Braid - Fireline 30# / 5x#

Flouro - Triline 100% or BPS XPS in 12# / 15#

You could get away with Big Game and Yo-Zuri for everything except drop shot and heavy salad though. 900 and 600 spools are dirt cheap.

[SirSnookalot]

If you are looking to be economical use fewer set-ups, less line would be required and you will probably catch as many fish. Now I know that isn't the way you will go, but if it were me I'd using nothing but braid with backing, much less line will be needed, my freshwater braid hasn't been changed in 2 years, for me mono is ancient history.

[NBR]

You really don't need to respool every year so long as the line and/or reel has not been in the sun light a lot or exposed to really high temperatures. I have spools that approach 10 years old that are just fine. My spools are kept in a closed carton in my boat garage that has no windows. I do check them occasionally with a hand scale for break strength.

[A-Rob]

Buy some cheap line and back all your reels so your new line is about 1.25-1.5 casts long.

That will save a bunch of money and line.

Fish braid when you can (ie jigs, frogs, whatever else) b/c as mentioned above it can last all season. I like Power Pro.

Try the Stren Flourocast, it's like $10 for 200 yards. I'm sure you get what you pay for...but I know it works b/c I've used it and the price is right.

[BASSclary]

Casting rigs:

Crank rod (smaller cranks, 1/4oz - 3/8oz) 12# Sufix Seige

Jig rod (bigger jigs 7/16oz - 3/4oz) 65# Sufix Performance braid or Sufix 832

Smaller jig rod/ Swim jig rod (1/8oz - 5/16) 40-50# Braid ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Worm/pitching rod (1/8oz-5/16oz) 40# braid

C-rig rod (3/8-1/2oz) 15# Seagaur Abrazx Fluorocarbon

Topwater (mostly, buzzbaits 3/8 oz) 17# Sufix Elite. (Although, if you want to try something new try a lighter fluorocarbon line. I like 8# Seaguar InvizX for tops)

i have left a few out, but that is because I already picked out the line that I want for them (ex., frog rod)

Spinning rigs:

Shakey head/drop shot rod 8# Seagaur Invizx Fluorocarbon

Senko rod 8# Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon

With all the braids I answered, It will last you a long time and IMO give you the best bang for your buck, plus it's extremely sensitive. If you're worried about it's visibility, just add a fluoro leader about the length of your rod. I get the best results if my leader is the same diameter as my braid.

[detroit1]

Or go with this: XL and XT.

[BassThumb]

Spinning rigs:

Senko rod 12# Seaguar Abrazx Fluorocarbon

Using stiff, abrasion resistant 12# fluorocarbon on a spinning reel is just asking for a giant birdsnest that needs to be cut out.

[Hooligan]

Casting rigs:

Crank rod (smaller cranks, 1/4oz - 3/8oz) 12# Sufix Seige

Jig rod (bigger jigs 7/16oz - 3/4oz) 65# Sufix Performance braid or Sufix 832

Smaller jig rod/ Swim jig rod (1/8oz - 5/16) 40-50# Braid ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Worm/pitching rod (1/8oz-5/16oz) 40# braid

C-rig rod (3/8-1/2oz) 15# Seagaur Abrazx Fluorocarbon

Topwater (mostly, buzzbaits 3/8 oz) 17# Sufix Elite. (Although, if you want to try something new try a lighter fluorocarbon line. I like 8# Seaguar InvizX for tops)

i have left a few out, but that is because I already picked out the line that I want for them (ex., frog rod)

Spinning rigs:

Shakey head/drop shot rod 8# Seagaur Invizx Fluorocarbon

Senko rod 12# Seaguar Abrazx Fluorocarbon

With all the braids I answered, It will last you a long time and IMO give you the best bang for your buck, plus it's extremely sensitive. If you're worried about it's visibility, just add a fluoro leader about the length of your rod. I get the best results if my leader is the same diameter as my braid.

The whole purpose of knots like Alberto is so the angler doesn't have to match diameters. In doing so, you'd have 2different diameters of line to purchase in addition to what is being spooled, by your advice. You'd have him with 8lb, 12lb, 15lb, 20lb and if you go with 50lb braid 25lb. Learn to tie the Alberto or Albright and peel some off a reel that has fluoro or mono and use that as leader.

[collegefishing12]

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who took time to contribute and give some GREAT advise. Sorry I haven't been on since my original post, but I was not in town until this morning. But as I am looking over everything and making plans for each setup I am sure I will have some more questions.

On a side note, has anyone tried the new Lake Fork flurocarbon? It seems to be relatively inexpensive compared to most others. Also, I am glad to see so many firm believers in Yozuri Hybrid line, as this has been one of my favorites over the years. Does the Yozuri "soft" make a good difference for spinning combos? I have read that it does and given the feedback above I am assuming this is pretty accurate.

Thanks again everyone!!

[BobP]

If you're concerned about price, BassPro fluorocarbon line is good stuff. I've used it for years with no complaints. Also, Izorline Platinum is an excellent nylon copolymer line. It sells at a very good price for 1/4 lb spools. Izor comes in 2 formulations. Izor Platinum has a hard surface finish, low stretch, and outstanding knot strength, like Trilene XT. Izor XXX is designed for spinning, with a softer surface finish and a little more stretch, like Trilene XL. Both have very consistent diameters. Like all hard finish copolymer lines, the Premium will develop more spool memory in cold weather than the XXX.

If you really want to save on line, find one you like and buy it in bulk spools.

[collegefishing12]

If you're concerned about price, BassPro fluorocarbon line is good stuff.

Dunno if I wasn't using the right knot or just got the right batch, but I purchased the BPS fluoro 2 years ago and spooled my flipping and pitching rods. My first tournament with the line I broke the first 6 fish off, directly at the knot and upon hookset. I am a bit of a "power" setter, but I have never had near this problem with other fluro's, e.g., seagur (either kind), yozuri hybrid, or yozuri H20.

While I am on the topic, has Yozuri H20 quadrupled in price since last year? I seem to recall buying a spool for 8-9 (similar to what you would pay for that of hybrid), and now tackle warehouse is asking nearly $18. ?!?!

[philsoreel]

I'm still undecided on a lot of favorites. There's a few different lines I trust for certain techniques but one I am totally sold on is Toray Solaroam Superhard Upgrade. I use it for my jigs/t-rigs/c-rigs. One 16# 164yd. spool gives me two full spools on a Shimano Core 50MG7. I have been using that line since October of last year and it shows no sign of needing replacement anytime soon. Yes, it's really expensive but if it lasts a year it will be alot more economical than spooling up ten or more times this summer with a cheaper line.

I fish, on average, about 5 times a week including the winter. I have put many many miles on this line, even caught my PB 10.73lb. on it last month and it's still in excellent condition and have only used half of the spool. When this spool finally gives out, whenever that may be, I still have another brand new full spool left. Hypothetically, let's say each spool lasts me 9 months. That's a year and a half of line for $37. That's a really good bargain to me.

As far as other applications I would go with PowerPro or Sufix 832 with or without a good leader material when braid is feasible. P-Line CX Premium is an outstanding, affordable line for most applications other than topwater. When mono is needed Sunline Super Natural Mono is my top choice. Nothing wrong with Sufix Elite Camo mono I just prefer the smaller diameter of the Sunline.

Just my two cents...

[WanderLust]

Using stiff, abrasion resistant 12# fluorocarbon on a spinning reel is just asking for a giant birdsnest that needs to be cut out.

Strongly agreed. Besides 6-8# CXX about as tough as I ever need. I use 6# 100% on my dropshot rig.

[Fat-G]

Yeah, I don't see why you would ever put stiff 12# flouro on a spinning rig...

6# CXX would work much better.

[Fat-G]

Dunno if I wasn't using the right knot or just got the right batch, but I purchased the BPS fluoro 2 years ago and spooled my flipping and pitching rods. My first tournament with the line I broke the first 6 fish off, directly at the knot and upon hookset. I am a bit of a "power" setter, but I have never had near this problem with other fluro's, e.g., seagur (either kind), yozuri hybrid, or yozuri H20.

While I am on the topic, has Yozuri H20 quadrupled in price since last year? I seem to recall buying a spool for 8-9 (similar to what you would pay for that of hybrid), and now tackle warehouse is asking nearly $18. ?!?!

That would be double the price.

[collegefishing12]

That would be double the price.

Lol... I was being dramatic, but thanks for the good math

[BASSclary]

The whole purpose of knots like Alberto is so the angler doesn't have to match diameters. In doing so, you'd have 2different diameters of line to purchase in addition to what is being spooled, by your advice. You'd have him with 8lb, 12lb, 15lb, 20lb and if you go with 50lb braid 25lb. Learn to tie the Alberto or Albright and peel some off a reel that has fluoro or mono and use that as leader.

50 lb Power Pro has a 12 lb diameter. Definitely not 25. And I don't purchase two different diameter line spools, I use left over from spools with like only 30 yrds on them. And I do use an Alberto knot.

I may be mis-reading you though

[BASSclary]

Using stiff, abrasion resistant 12# fluorocarbon on a spinning reel is just asking for a giant birdsnest that needs to be cut out.

Whoops. Forgot it was a spinning rig in my reply.

I take it back, and say 8 # InvizX

[Fat-G]

50 lb Power Pro has a 12 lb diameter. Definitely not 25. And I don't purchase two different diameter line spools, I use left over from spools with like only 30 yrds on them. And I do use an Alberto knot.

I may be mis-reading you though

He's saying go with a 25# leader for 50# braid.