Fishing line?

[special K]

I would like if someone could explain the pros and con's of mono and braided lines. I have been using mono for the last two years(that's how long I've been fishing). I've gone fishing with some friends and they have braided line. Ask them why and all they can really tell me is they like it better. Thanks for any advice.
Special K

[Putershark]

Braids with a fluorocarbon leader is the only way to fly for most types of fishing. The braid will transmit even the slightest (no stretch) tap on the the line (can almost tell when the fish is LOOKING at the bait ) while the fluorocarbon leader (I use about 3 feet of such) makes it just about impossible for the fish to see the line attached.

The trick to using braids is to...
1. First spool on some mono on the bottom, maybe around 10 to 20 yards as backing. This does several things like not force to you use a lot of Braid (can buy the 100 yard spools) and help keep it form digging into (very important) the spool.
2. Manually close the bail on your spinning gear after each cast to help prevent line twist.
3. If you do get a line twist (wind knot), do not open the bail on your spinning gear... Just loosen up the drag (with the Bail still closed) and slowly pull out the knot or it will keep forming over and over again...

I use Power Pro on my spinning gear and Spider Wire on my bait casters (softer) and though more expensive to buy at first, they last much longer and much easier to pull out a bird nest (though you won't get as many) on your bait casting gear.

I have some of my bait casters that are STILL spooled with the very first lines that Spider Wire ever put on the market (whats that now 10 plus years?) and I just pull them off and re-spool them on backwards every 6 months or so. So in the long run they are more cost effective to use and both your hook up ratio and number of cast per hour (name of the game) will improve greatly by using such

Tight lines!
Dave

[calicokid]

I always use spectra line for shallow water rock fishing out here we can only fish down to 360’ so all recreational rock fishing is shallow water. The line has virtually no stretch which creates incredible sensitivity but doesn’t provide any of the forgiveness associated with line stretch. It takes a little getting used to losing drag on a hook set! I also use a long 9’ mushy (parabolic) fiberglass rod to absorb the head shakes and other possibilities for slack line. I think it quadruples my success rate its just amazing to feel a tap at 250’! For me the jury’s still out about my bait casters I’m trying it on a couple starting today actually the waters cold out here so the Calicos weren’t on the chew. The one I caught was kind of cool I seemed to lose a lot of jigs in the kelp though more than usual I think? I’ll give it a good work out this summer before I make a final decision I’m enough of a tackle Ho to have a couple mono and a couple spectra on the boat at once and I’ve heard to much good stuff not to give it a try.

[cagrove]

Both type of lines have their place. I use braided lines when I'm fishing for light biting fish and want to feel every little nibble. However, when I use ultralight gear (4lb or lighter), I prefer mono because it stretches during the hookset and absorbs some of the shock a fish can generate during the fight. The biggest adjustment for me is not trying to "cross their eyes" when setting a hook using braided lines. I've actually pulled up just lips instead of the whole fish. More often than not if I get aggressive it will pull the hook our or break the leader. My favorite combo is a heavy duty casting rod with braided line, a two foot fluorocarbon leader, and circle hook when fishing bait. Just let 'em have a couple feet of line and start reeling. Get's them in the corner of the mouth every time. Tight lines.

[Cincinnati]

Fireline sux - too many breakoffs at the knot

Mono is great to handle, but is easily nicked up and breaks off. Mono also has thick diameters in the 20+ lbs test range

Braid is very strong and can last multiple seasons. Braid can be almost impossible to untangle in a baitcaster backlash. It takes some practice to keep your braid tangle-free.

My favorite line is the Spiderwire Stealth. Has teflon in it and runs smooth through the rod guides.

[IT'LL DO]

I Use Spectra On Everything. Like Calico Was Saying It Takes Some Getting Used To But I Love It. Ive Been Fishing Straight Spectra With Short Flouro Leaders About 4-5 Feet Long For About 5 Years. Ill Never Go Back To Mono. You Never Have To Change Your Line. Its Great.its Worked For Me In Every Application. I Especially Like It For Fishing The Jig. No Stretch Buries The Hooks Deep!!! Plus It Cuts Thru Kelp Like A Knife...taylor.

[Putershark]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati

Braid is very strong and can last multiple seasons. Braid can be almost impossible to untangle in a baitcaster backlash. It takes some practice to keep your braid tangle-free.

My favorite line is the Spiderwire Stealth. Has teflon in it and runs smooth through the rod guides.

Brother, "if" you are using Bass sized gear (you know the palm sized) like I do (yep even for Big Reds and Monster Snook!) try laying down some mono as backing first, then re-set your magnet's to around 7 to 8 (pending on your reel's make) and you just have re-train your thumb some. The softer braids though have next to no memory, and I have found that bird nest pull right out and much easier then with any mono... Matter of fact, other than backing, I do not use mono for anything on the flats for it has way too much stretch, memory, and can absorb water and have not since the the super braids came out

As far as knots go, I use a double surgeons knot for line to leader and a loop knot for all my lures. I have yet to have one let go, and that loop knot has even pulled my boat to the dock (too funny) when I get a DOA shrimp that I have skipped up under one hung on some part of it... My buddy Blair shows you how to tie that loop knot (real fast and easy to do even in low light) here http://www.addictivefishing.com/tips/CanoemanKnot_H.htm which is not all that much different than tying a bowline

Enjoy!
Dave

[special K]

I do mainly live and frozen bait fishing. Casting is sometimes just too much work, I do have two poles that i will bring along for casting(I should do more casting I always seen to land a fish w/that curly tail grub). Most of the gear I use is Shimano spinning reels and ugly sticks. Would any of this change whether I should use braided or mono. Thanks for all the great advice already. With fishing season about to start in a month I need to restring my poles.
Brian

[special K]

Also I stay in the flats not more than 10 miles off shore, usually.

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by special K

Most of the gear I use is Shimano spinning reels and ugly sticks. Would any of this change whether I should use braided or mono.
Brian

Brian,

If you ask 50 fishermen the best way to do something you will get 50 different answers. What it all boils down to is using what feels comfortable to you. If you want to change from your current setup, pick one rod and experiment with it until you find a combo that you really like. 90 perecent of fishing is having confidence in what you are using. If you have confidence you will concentrate more and fish more in areas where the fish are.
I know of guys that will only flyfish for trout because they have confidence in their system. I also know of kids who've caught more and bigger trout using pink bubble yum. The fish don't care what you use, if they're hungry for what you offer, they'll eat it. Most of all, get out and fish. That in itself is the reward. The catch is just icing on the cake. Tight lines.