Fishing Line

[Machias]

Can we have a discussion about fishing line, in particular braided line and fluorocarbon? I haven't fished nearly as much as I have wanted to for the past 5 years.  Getting back into it and it's like a whole new world has evolved.  I've never used anything other than Trilene mono, I've been doing some research on braids and I'm leaning towards Sufix 832.  I would like some opinions on weight and color and other brands to consider.  If you use or recommend a different brand, can you also say what poundage and color you like.  Thanks!!

[GWP]

I have and use all of them.
Pounds depends on what fishing you are doing, type will depend on same plus depending on casting or spinning equipment also. Both mono and braid have advantages and disadvantages.
I tend to run multi color braid with a leader most of the time, but there again, ‘it depends’. I rarely use floro but do have a pole rigged with it.
Brand, I think, is more of a ‘personal’ decision than anything else, but saying that, I had a cheap brand of braid that was a ‘screaming deal’ that started getting weak within a few years.

[Machias]

Bass in clear water, what brand and color braid?

Pike in clear(ish) water.  Anyone use Knot 2 Kinky leader material for pike?  Looks like awesome material for pike.

Salmon and big trout when trolling?

[ASHQUACK]

I'll start by saying I'm not a bass fisherman. But I have a ton of experience with braid. I use 20# Maxima ultragreen for side drifting steelhead, 40# ultragreen for trolling b10 for salmon as well as the salt. When I sturgeon fish I run 100# ultragreen . I will say that it takes some learning as there is no stretch in braid, as in none. I also never run braid to my set ups, there's always a mono bumper of some sort.

[wadu1]

I use 10lb green or chartreuse. Know your knots and braided line can damage guides. 

[Machias]

I use 10lb green or chartreuse. Know your knots and braided line can damage guides. 

Well that's a bit scary!   

[Fidelk]

A few basic comments on fishing the bottom at different depths. I've fished off the No. Cali coast (300-400 feet) and used 40 lb. mono. I've fished out of La Push with Randy Lato at Allways (600-700 feet) and used 80 lb. braided line. Fishing at 300-400 feet, it was all about "feeling the bottom" because you needed to be on the bottom to catch fish but also needed to just let it bump the bottom or you could easily snag. When I heard how deep we would be fishing out of La Push, I thought that feeling the bottom was going to be difficult. Not so......I was amazed at the feel the braided line provided at double the depth.

[Machias]

I've read it has excellent sensitivity!

[2MANY]

I love braid and run it exclusively on our reels for salmon, steelhead, trout, bass.
I do run a short section of fluorocarbon on the end for a shock buffer and ease of knot tying.
Has anyone mentioned to you to watch your fingers yet?? Braid slices skin easily.

I personally haven't had any issues with guides.

Shoot me a PM if you wanna talk.
I could help you out but hate typing.

[30.06]

I switched over to braid except for a few rods. I did have braid damage guides on a cheap rod. I generally run Power Pro Moss Green. 30# casts easy but digs into the hand horribly, and is very difficult to untangle. Also tends to wrap the tip top worse. 50 is a good all around choice for bass. I use 65 for saltwater trolling, 80 for deep water bottomfishing. Being hung to the bottom in current sucks, I use a real smooth round piece of wood to free snags. Wrapping on a cleat works if unable to pull loose by hand.

 Once you get used to the sensitivity, it's tough to go back to mono. Downsides are knot slippage and it can break easily once frayed. The lack of stretch does makes it more likely to pull hooks out of fish. There is a learning curve, but light bites are way more obvious. I always use a short mono leader. Straight braid is fine for bass unless you are finesse fishing. The coating wears off of braid but it does not degrade in sunlight like mono. It also won't cut with most nippers, so good scissors or sidecutters are a must. I check knots by pulling really hard with the end hooked on to something. I have seen knots in braid slip under heavy strain. It also needs to be wound on a reel spool much tighter than mono, otherwise the line can dig deeply into the lower layers under heavy tension.

 Sufix 8-32 is the best braid I have used. The smoothness of an 8 strand is easier on the guides and your fingers. Worth the extra dollars. High vis or white definitely has it's place. Can be nice to know right where your line is at.
 Just starting to use Fluoro for some leaders. It sinks where most mono floats. It's clearer but I still prefer Maxima UltraGreen for spinning reels, Chameleon for conventional reels. Not a thing wrong with Trilene. It does generally break well above the rated strength and has a great coating.

Braid can cut mono if they get wrapped together. So it's better if everyone on the boat is using the same type of line. I also see really long broken sections of braid around our waters. Lasts a long time and not good for our feathered friends. Lots of trade offs. A buddy started using braid before I did, but ended up switching back to Trilene. I still have a rod rigged with mono for each application in case I am fishing with someone who does not use braid. I have used braid for a leader and did not notice a decrease in action.

Braid used to be called Dacron. The difference is the new kevlar stuff doesn't rot, has a powdered coating to be smooth and that is also how it is colored. Avoid the cheaper braid as it is very rough and can damage your rod and reel while making China wealthier. Mono is stiff and has memory. Braid is floppy but can knot up in mid air on the next cast if not wound somewhat tight on the retrieve. Some people think it is best to have at least a few turns of mono on a bare spool before winding on the braid. Tight Lines!

[wadu1]

I use 10lb green or chartreuse. Know your knots and braided line can damage guides.

I should note; damage was done on older Fenwick rods and the bail on a Mitchell Garcia 300. My old school gear.

[jackelope]

I've got my 2 spinning rods/reels for my boundary waters trip this fall spooled with braid. I've got my lighter action setup full of 15# with an 8# flouro leader section that's 4-ish feet long.  The heavier setup if full of 20# braid with a 10# length of flouro leader on that one. The guys at Outdoor Emporium said not to worry about mono on the spool before the braid. Lighter rod for walleye and bass and the heavier setup for pike and lakers.

Also taking my 8 weight fly rod...
 
I've been pretty much only fly fishing for the last several years and can totally understand what you're saying when you say it's a whole new world gear wise than it was 5-10 years ago. 

[Machias]

I love braid and run it exclusively on our reels for salmon, steelhead, trout, bass.
I do run a short section of fluorocarbon on the end for a shock buffer and ease of knot tying.
Has anyone mentioned to you to watch your fingers yet?? Braid slices skin easily.

I personally haven't had any issues with guides.

Shoot me a PM if you wanna talk.
I could help you out but hate typing.

No, I had not heard that it could cut fingers.  Thanks for the heads up!!!  We'll have to chat, Thanks!

[Machias]

GREAT info 30.06!  Thanks

[Machias]

I've been pretty much only fly fishing for the last several years and can totally understand what you're saying when you say it's a whole new world gear wise than it was 5-10 years ago. 

I fell like dude, have you ever fished before?