Question for bank drift fisherman

[TheHunt]

I agree with Phool on this.  But I also find many fish resting low in front of structures.  I am hoping this thread does not go into the entire flossing topic.  We all agree people do it as long as the hook is front of the gill plate they are legal. 

[Stickerbush]

so what is the verdict here as the best line for leaders? u guys are sayin that flouro is best? or depends on wether you are drift fishin or jig and bobber? I think I have 15lb test maxima as my leaders right now same as my main line but I have to pick up some new line anyways what shoull I get? lots of great info on this post thanks everyone.

btw I dont really know what "flossing" is. Is it basically snagging? Last fish I saw caught was by a guy who had probably a 5ft leader driftin it into a small hole on a SMALL river. Hard to know its unethical to do somethin without there bieng a fisher ed class like hunters ed. haha

[TheHunt]

THe verdict is that if you are fishing in gin clear water and the fish are line shy (the fish see your leader and stay away) you best put on some fluoro.  If the fish are not line shy use mono or braid. 

[teal101]

THe verdict is that if you are fishing in gin clear water and the fish are line shy (the fish see your leader and stay away) you best put on some fluoro.  If the fish are not line shy use mono or braid.

Or get a co-poly line.  It's basically mono with a fluoro coating to make it more invisible in the water.  I find the P-Line floroclear has less memory than mono and aslightly more stretch than pure fluoro.  Perfect for my every day fishing needs.

[TheHunt]

 

[Huntbear]

 

[JODakota]

Im going to throw this in there, in my experiance I have found that steelhead just don't seem to be leader shy. Ive used green and yellow leaders and they don't seem to care at all. Its all about the presentation!

[RadSav]

JOD, I agree.  They're fish.  We tend to give them more credit for rational thought than they deserve.  I've tried to test just about every leader material out there and I have not found a difference. Water clear, muddy, dark or otherwise.  However, I think confidence in what you are presenting is essencial.  So if you feel better using Flouro or Copoly in clear water by all means do not let anyone stop you.

[TheHunt]

My theory is use what will catch fish.  If they run from your line you best have a solution to make the line invisible.  If copoly will work then go for it.

I have seen fish scoot away from line. 

Heck I even seen them run from me.  While I was wearing a nice white T-Shirt and a white hat on a bright day.  So use what you need.  Dirty water who cares.  If it is clear you might want to have something in your box to throw on.   

[RadSav]

If they are running away from the line they are either catching your movement or your presentation is flawed.  That is just my opinion, of course.  Backed by many years of guiding some pretty damn clear water.

[Dhoey07]

I use 10lb or 8lb maxima 99% of the time for steelhead.  The only other line i use is Yo-zuri. 

[Button Nubbs]

Imo flourocarbon is pointless for salmon/ steelhead. If the water is drity they're not going to see your mono, why use flourocarbon? If the water is gin clear your heavy flouro, although "invisible" is not going to give you a natural presentation, your better off with 6lb or 8lb.

[tmike]

Steelhead aren't line shy. I use 10# maxima in the winter even for Nates. They are also good biters. It's more about reading the water and presentation. Don't over think it.

[JODakota]

 

My theory is use what will catch fish.  If they run from your line you best have a solution to make the line invisible.  If copoly will work then go for it.

I have seen fish scoot away from line. 

Heck I even seen them run from me.  While I was wearing a nice white T-Shirt and a white hat on a bright day.  So use what you need.  Dirty water who cares.  If it is clear you might want to have something in your box to throw on.

I have as well, But were talking specifically steelhead, who don't seem to be line shy, trout can be a different story.

[Dhoey07]

The only "line shy" fish i have seen have been pounded by snaggers or have already been spooked