MyFishFinder Forum
MyFishFinder By Species => Bass => Topic started by: sbfpa_Mike on Feb 28, 2004, 05:58 PM
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I have one good baitcaster, what kind of line should I use? I am looking for a good all around line for jiggin, wormin, and other general applications.
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I prefer Mono.
just my .02
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Hey Kid,
I figured that you would. Why do you prefer mono and what kind do you use. I would figure 12ld test should be a good middle of the road line, do you agree with this assesment? I have had Fireline on since I got it and I really like it, but I want to know if there is a better way to go about things. I know another way to go about things is to add a mono leader to the braid. The sensitivity in the braid is great, but I still don't know what I am feeling down there. There are lots of variables to this game and I want to get them figuired out this year. Thanks for the help!!!!
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I also liek mono. I like 12 or 17lb test depending on what kind of structure or whatever I am fishing. I use rapala fishing line. I rarely break the line.
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I'm really happy with power-pro superbraid and a mono leader. I tie them together with a uni-uni knot. I really like the sensitivity of this line. You have to remember to not set the hook like you do with mono though.
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I like mono most of the time but use braid on scum frogs for long line hook sets and the fact the braid will float better than the mono.
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The only thing that I don't like about braid on baitcasting equipment is that sometimes the line digs in and when you make the next cast, so much force is put on the knot that you lose your lure (on a long cast attempt). Doesn't happen often, but I've lost a couple lures that way (spiderwire). And, my knots are good, so that ain't it.
Nothing like seeing your favorite lure go flying farther than any human can cast.
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These are good answers and I appreciate the reply, but I guess I am still not sold one way or the other. I guess I need the solid sell.
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I fish lots of Tourny's in a years time and spend around 100-120 days a year fishing, I have used all kinds of lines and always find myself going back to mono. I like Berkley's XT or XL in the 17lb, low vis green. I don't break off that often and when I do it was usually my fault. I too have had the superbraid backlash from the previous hard hookset and it stinks watching a $9.00 lure fly off to the promise land. Vanish is okay but stiff. I use only 17lb or 20lb mono all year and never have any problems.
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Thankyou all for your participation, but I think I have a winner. SuperX2 has won the speak to me contest. The XT and XL are my mono lines of choice. Why do you use 17lb, isn't smaller diameter what it's all about? Ok, that's right, this is Bass fishing. Thanks for the help with my choice this year guys.
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What I have found in our semi-clear waters in NY is the line makes no difference to the fish (usually). What the line does for you is lure presentation and depth of running. I catch just as many dinks as hogs with 17lb line all year. I doubt fish are smart enough to say "Hay that looks like Trilene XL don't bite it".
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I guess I didn't care what the fish thought, I am asking from a mechanics and performance perspective. Also, they are usually smarter than me. :)
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I fish lots of Tourny's in a years time and spend around 100-120 days a year fishing, I have used all kinds of lines and always find myself going back to mono. I like Berkley's XT or XL in the 17lb, low vis green. I don't break off that often and when I do it was usually my fault. I too have had the superbraid backlash from the previous hard hookset and it stinks watching a $9.00 lure fly off to the promise land. Vanish is okay but stiff. I use only 17lb or 20lb mono all year and never have any problems.
You took the words right out of my mouth! I to have tried different "super" lines and find myself always going back. Largemouth lines are 10, 12 and 20 lb Stren Extra Strength and most my smallie fishing is done with 8 lb Vanish. Of coarse I vary from time to time depending what I'm doing, but it usually boils down to that.
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These are good answers and I appreciate the reply, but I guess I am still not sold one way or the other. I guess I need the solid sell.
mike i dont think this will help you but what the hell ?both lines have thier pros and cons as all of these guys have pointed out,the decidind factor for me believe it or not is i prefer 12# mono because when its time for retying jigs and lures and hooks ...i can bite through the line ;D i have a little spot where my canine tooth is sharp enough to cut the line making my knot tying one step easier...for the record i can bit through 20#flourocarbon with ease :P
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I don't like braid on a baitcaster because it either slips on the spool when you have a fish on or digs in tight and your next cast is a disaster. Backlashes with it are tough to deal with. You can't cut it with your teeth if you forget your hemostats and it doesn't have any stretch to it.
I don't think sensitivity in a baitcasting set-up is super important anyway. The rods are very stiff so I think what sensitivity you get from mono is enough. Besides, bass hit hard enough that you will know it.
I like trilene and cortland mono. 10-12lb test on my shimano baitcasters.
just my .02
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Most of my rods are rigged with mono except one, and on that one is fireline.I started using it last year I didn't lose a lure on it. I cast to overhanging trees alot and with the fireline, I can usually rip the branches off the tree. I use 20lb with a 8lb dia.
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i can bite through the line i have a little spot where my canine tooth is sharp enough to cut the line making my knot tying one step easier...for the record i can bit through 20#flourocarbon with ease
Yeah, that's a downfall of mine to. I get lectured all the time about it, but hey, it's a real time saver!! I have been known to naw through Spiderwire once. It took awhile, but I did it ;D
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All this information is a help!!!!! I amy not agree or want to try it, but there are really no bad answers. My teeth are no good, so the line biting is out.
WNYBassman, You have to get rid of that Avatar, I can't take the overwhelming envy! :(
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I went to cutters after a nasty trip to the dentist. That heavy mono can crack a tooth, trust me. Also the line is easier to thread when it's cut clean, seems like the tooth cut makes the line flat and hard to get through a hook eye sometimes.
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Mono is best, because superline handles very poorly. You will backlash like crazy unless you use limp, premium mono like easy cast.
I have to say, I really think baitcasting tackle is overkill and uneeded for most all bass fishing. I use spinning tackle and light line and have no trouble breaking off bass.
I fish for large river dwelling trout in Colorado, in snaggy, nasty rivers. No bass has the fighting power of a good sized trout. I fish for these fish with no heavier than six or eight pound line. These fish routinely top ten pounds, and even a six pounder is like snagging an amtrack doing 90.
Six pound line on spinning tackle is best for most situations for bass. Lighter lines casts farther, brings lures deeper, and gives them a better action. For flipping heavy cover for double digit largies is about the only thing you would need casting tackle for. Even then though, 12 or 14 pound premium mono is plenty.
Try light line when not fishing really heavy cover. Scale down with smaller lures, and I guarantee a huge difference in the number of bass you hook.
Good Fishing to all.
Tyler
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Well you hook a Big Bass in 15ft of Coontail weed on your little 6lb fishy line and I'll go eat lunch while your trying to get him in. The reason for the big line isn't for the size or power of the fish, it's all the crap they live in and under. I love to use light line but I hate to always loose the fish in heavy weeds. So the 20lb mono comes out, and that ends that problem. You can use 6lb all day for smallies, there isn't too much for them to get wrapped up in a big lake.
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SuperX2 has the point on getting Bass out of those weeds and other nasty stuff. the point of using a Baitcaster is not, the bigger the better, rather that the Baitcaster has a far superior Drag system. Just like you need to have a larger BC for Northern Pike and Muskie, you need to go larger for Bass. Jusy my $.02.
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Well it's tough to find a reel that isn't a baitcaster that can handle 15lb plus lines, that doens't look like a saltwater rig that is. Tough to cast 20lb XT on a spinning reel.
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For my spinning outfits, I usually use 10-12lb mono. Generally, it's 10 lb Trilene XL or sometimes XT. The 12 lb I use is Trilene Sensation. Sometimes I try other lines out. I don't know if anyone else has realized this, but for about $4.00, the Shakespere Sigma mono is extremely good line. I can't find it very many places, but when I have it, I'm always happy with it. SpiderLine XXX is also nice line.
For my baitcasters, I like to use Hybrid lines, such as SpiderWire Fusion. This stuff is so strong is unbelievable. Very thin too. The 24 lb line I usually use is sometimes hard to tie knots with on certain lures. The only problem with this, however, is that shortly after you put it on your reel, it will be a little "waxy". No big deal really, just have to break it in. The waxiness can make it a little more difficult to tie knots, as well.
Want a REALLY good line? Berkely Iron Silk is awesome. It runs around $10-11 for a regular spool, but it's really sensitive, and it's strong as hell. Very low stretch, also.
Line is such an important element in fishing, don't skimp out. Don't go overboard on line weight either. 17 lb mono is pretty much overkill, and can really mess up some presentations. The only times I would find line that heavy necessary is when fishing heavy milfoil, or other vegetation, or fishing a log jam/ brush pile, where theres alot of coarse surfaces. Oh wait...you still don't need it. IronSilk or Fusion will work just fine.
-Zach
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I use baitcasting gear for pike, large trout, and catfish. These are big fish that can take line in a hurry.
Yeah baitcasters work much better for line testing 12 pounds or better. And no I don't use the same six pound test in extremely heavy weeds. But 14 is as high as I go, and I have only broken off a couple bass, mostly from accidently tightening the drag when I meant to loosen it.
But even for big bass in cover that's not too bad, six pound test is great. I use 12 for notherns and lake trout in open water, and 15 - 20 for Channel Cats.
I am actually just saying I see lots of guys using overkill line for bass that aren't in heavy cover, and I think it might cost you some strikes. Just a thought.
Tyler