RacerxV6 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 So it is Saturday morning and I am getting over Covid for the 3rd time in 3 years, for some reason I Have Smooth Criminal floating around in my head and thought to myself I don't believe I ever came across a thread where us fisher people have a reason why we use what we use on our reels for line. Back in the 80's I always tied on Andes, to me it was the best or maybe the cheapest, but mono was the no.1 line probably because that's all there was really for a viable reason, Then I jumped to Trilene XL, a modified versions of mono, gave me the strength but had flexibility, and XT for toughness. Then this thing called braid hit the scene and like many of you I am guessing I changed every reel over to braid in the event I could go with stronger line and smaller diameter. But wait, now there's flouro, in conjunction with braid and the fish can't see it. Well, here I am 40 years later and every one of my reels are back to Trilene Big game green. What was your journey in the revolution of fishing line and why.......? Sorry for the long entry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 I fished Trilene Big Game 20 lb for a long time and yes switched to Power Pro 30lb Braded and slick to increase spook capacity and strength on my light tackel, Flouro leaders, nothing wrong with mono line and some oy older rods still have it. All depends on what ya like and works for you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 3 hours ago, George Seither said: nothing wrong with mono line and some oy older rods still have it. All depends on what ya like and works for you. I keep Mono on my offshore rods for dolphin and trolling with the Penn Squal's and big Penns for schoolies. I learned from a guide a long time ago that, especially when Phin fishing or even yellow tailing, you can get your finger wrapped, braid will cut you off right at the nuckle if it gets wrapped.....and you have a 30 lb dolphin coming on to the boat.... For inshore on my personal rods (St. Croix Avid's and Penn 2500's) and my guide rods for clients (Penn 4000's with St. Croix Triumph's) I keep 20 lb braid for the back country.....and my chunking rods...... Just my preference..... DC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 While I’ve gone almost 100% to braid. I recently used a reel with Stren, I was impressed, much better then it used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Still fishing 2 Calcuttas with cajun red line 17 lb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 I followed much the same path. Recently I have switched to only Mono for my leaders. Some testing I have seen yields that is is better in almost every category including visibility, abrasion and cost. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
searing Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 I pretty much use Daiwa J-Braid x8 and only mono for leader material. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 I trout and redfish fish using Falcon Low Rider rods, Shimano 2500 Nasci spinning reels with Fin 12 lb braid and 10 lb fluorocarbon leader about 18” long. I only fish artificial either DOA or ZMan plastics and occasional Zara Spook or Mirrorlures. My only deviation is Tripletail season when I step the tackle up to 40 lb braid and 30 lb. leader because of the structure we fish around for TTT. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 I saw a test once about visibility under water, performed by Chuck Pippin a bass professional. Mono was the most invisible out of the three, but then I am reminded by what the G-Man Swindle said once. "If he didn't see the first 100 ft of line don't worry bout the tag and leaving it a little long"....that kinda really put it in perspective for me. I was never fully committed to braid, I just like the feel and castability of mono.... really appreciate ya'll commenting, keep'm coming... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 100% Diawa J Braid Grand , on the reels . Nothing is smoother or stronger . Leader to me Flouro is too stiff . Ande mono for leader . Dunno , it works for me . 🇺🇸🏴☠️ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINCHASER Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 I dont fish anything with mono.... fresh, inshore, offshore is all braid. Converted a few people who've been out with me that subscribe to the old lore or are afraid to switch... they see my gear outfishing theirs and getting fish to the boat quickly (avoiding sharks). I will run a short top shot for a few specific applications. Floro is overated.... tho is higher abrasion resistance outfishes mono leader when fishing real abrasive bottom. I recently read some testing that exposed a weakness in floro.... it showed that if the floro is stretched under a load toward the upper end of its strength rating (dont rememeber the %) it becomes significantly weaker.... thats good to know 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 GETTING FISH TO THE BOAT ! 👊🏻 Sums it up right there! Take it from us meat fishermen! 🇺🇸🏴☠️ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 I use Braid exclusively. I use Fluro carbon leader for it's visibility advantage in clear shinny water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 inshore loaded with braid (4lb, 10lb, 20lb on the spinners)... generally 18" - 30" of 20lb flouro leader, but use mono too. Around structure for Sheepies and Snook I push up the leader to 30 or 40lb, mono. Offshore the spinners have braid with mono leaders (generally 40lb), trolling rods still use mono with braid backing, bottom rods braid with 40-80lb mono leader. For what is worth, I switched to braid on my surf rods - not being a great long distance caster every bit helps! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 Braid, power Pro Slick blue on all my reels with fluro leaders and line wt. varies except my Shark set up, mono 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted February 27 Report Share Posted February 27 It’s funny, I’ve been reading all the comments. While I use braid on almost everything, I don’t usually use any leader. I tie braid directly to the jig head or Mirro Lure. I’ve tried it both ways and I don’t see a difference. I fish the Apalachicola Bay, and often we have some color in the water, maybe that’s the difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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