Been at it for a few years so far so and all I've used so far for line has been Power Pro. Looking for some tips or preferences on brand/LB. Does the LB matter based on the type of fishing (jerk baits,bucktails,bulldawgs,etc)? Also I switched to flourocarbon leaders last year and I didn't see much improvement in our success rate, any thoughts on steel vs. flouro?
Thanks for any input in advance!
A lot of braid is pretty similar these days, but I still like Spiderwire or Powerpro. Sunline is the new big thing and it is pretty awesome. More expensive than the others, but lasts longer and absorbs a lot less water than the others. 80lb test is pretty much the norm as far as line poundage; sometimes I go with 100lb if I am fishing big lures on BIG fish waters though. As for leaders, I use steel for everything except bucktails or straight retrieve topwaters as those are baits fish eat from behind. I know a lot of guides only use fluoro, but I've seen 40" fish completely engulf a pounder and I just don't trust fluoro down a muskies' mouth like that.
If your talking about casting then yes, most of us run 80-100# with steel on everything except on our bucktail rod. Some jerk baits won't even work right without a good heavy wire leader. As for line brand I'm switching everything over to sunline this year you can find deals online that make it about the same as power pro.
I still use flouro for bucktails and for trolling. I occassionally use them in the 150 and up variety on pounders, but I don't like it, and you have to check them a lot for nicks after dawgballs. I think the better question is 7 strand 49 strand or single strand. They all have their place, for instance phantoms work best for me with heavy single strand, and they get fouled a lot less often, same with suicks and a few other jerks. on the other hand small twitch baits like little claws really like flexible leaders, so I use either 49 strand or 15 strand titanium. And the seven is cheap, and easy to work with and works for everything else.
For main line I switched to sunline from powerpro last year and won't go back any time soon. IT holds it shape better, and like Jason mentioned it holds less water which is awesome in the winter time. I found I had to flip my powerpro after a half a season, and the sunline looks like I just put it on after a whole season. There might be something better for someone else out there, but until this stuff fails me for some reason I think I will stick to it. I spooled 80 on my heavy rods, and 60 on my lighter rods. For trolling you can get away with lighter line also, since you don't have the constant abuse of casting the lures.
I agree with pretty much everything said, but I'll just reiterate:
Sunline ROCKS! Never flipped it yet, or cut off any line at the end after 1 season. I used to have to cut off 20' or so after a couple times out using Stealth because of fraying. And, this past March while fishing cold temps, my hands stayed 80% drier. All smiles here!
If I had to choose only 1 style leader, it would be steel. It's the only thing bite-proof. You can still use steel on bucktails, but you can't (shouldn't!!) use flouro on Dawgs. Just have to watch the kinks on the steel if you use them for tails.
"jawtag" said:
If your talking about casting then yes, most of us run 80-100# with steel on everything except on our bucktail rod. Some jerk baits won't even work right without a good heavy wire leader. As for line brand I'm switching everything over to sunline this year you can find deals online that make it about the same as power pro.
I would have assumed flouro leaders would be the preferred choice but it seems it's the other way around (except bucktails).
Don't be an idiot and use fluoro when things like this happen.. Especially if u fish a river with sticks/rocks among other things that could fray or snap ur line
start at the 23 min mark.. Sometimes im stunned at the stupidity of some of the things i see on keys outdoors shows he puts on youtube
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I've tried every line over the last 30 some years and I can tell you without hesitation that Sunline FX2 (or Musky Innovations braid) is the most advanced and best braid you could put on a reel. The durability is so much better than the others that instead of one season it will last many seasons. Sure, it is a little more expensive but if it lasts two or three times longer you'll come out ahead. Get yourself some FX2.80#.and you'll have no regrets.
As far as leaders go the responses above are spot on, 90% wire and flouro for specific situations.
"swanezy" said:
Don't be an idiot and use fluoro when things like this happen.. Especially if u fish a river with sticks/rocks among other things that could fray or snap ur linestart at the 23 min mark.. Sometimes im stunned at the stupidity of some of the things i see on keys outdoors shows he puts on youtube
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I wish I could un watch that.
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