Your Choice Of Line And Why 2024
archman reply :
I have gotten into smallie fishing on Lake Erie this year pretty hard. I am having trouble deciding what type of line to use. I had success with 8 lb mono, but someone who has fished for them for years on the great lakes recommended fluorocarbon. I used all different types (p-line, seaguar, p-line fluoroclear) and experienced significant break offs. Much more than mono. I have researched braid, and most recommend a fluorocarbon leader, which puts me back where I am now, with more breakoffs. Is there something I am missing out there? I have read where some say they use braid without a leader and do not notice a difference in the number of bites compared to using a fluoro leader. I fished the fingerlakes with p-line fluoroclear and did not have any breakoffs in 3 days. I had 3 breakoffs when I got back to Lake Erie in the first hour.
Dwight Hottle reply :
I use 10lb braid & maxima ultragreen as a leader. Works well for me.
ClackerBuzz reply :
sounds like a knot issue.
mono line is more forgiving with knot tying. fluoro burns easily ie gets brittle and breaks. sit down in front of the t.v. one night and tie ur knot a hundred times. make sure the knot lies down properly. wet it good. a palomar knot burns easily. make sure to pull the tag end thru. you want to 'burn' the tag end, not the main line. the san diego jam knot is one of the best b/c you can cinch it down (actually pushing it up the line) while not burning line. and it lays down nice.
testing the break strength will improve ur skills and increase confidence. don't wait till ur on the water w/ a fish on the end. use ur hands and break ur line while watching t.v. pull to the breaking point at 12". try it with another knot at 24". experiment and break at different lengths.
only other possibility is backlashes are kinking/compromising ur line. does this breakage happen after a baitcaster backlash? or ru using spinning gear? if you use spinning gear then its def a knot tying problem.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
x2On 8/21/2013 at 8:51 PM, Dwight Hottle said:I use 10lb braid & maxima ultragreen as a leader. Works well for me.
On 8/21/2013 at 10:37 AM, archman said:I have gotten into smallie fishing on Lake Erie this year pretty hard. I am having trouble deciding what type of line to use. I had success with 8 lb mono, but someone who has fished for them for years on the great lakes recommended fluorocarbon. I used all different types (p-line, seaguar, p-line fluoroclear) and experienced significant break offs. Much more than mono. I have researched braid, and most recommend a fluorocarbon leader, which puts me back where I am now, with more breakoffs. Is there something I am missing out there? I have read where some say they use braid without a leader and do not notice a difference in the number of bites compared to using a fluoro leader. I fished the fingerlakes with p-line fluoroclear and did not have any breakoffs in 3 days. I had 3 breakoffs when I got back to Lake Erie in the first hour.
75% of the time I'm fishing for smallies I am jigging or fishing a buzzbait/topwater. Most rods are M/ML and strung up with 10-15lb. braid with a 6-8lb. fluoro leader.
I tie my lures to the fluorocarbon using a San Diego jam knot, and don't have any issues. When tying fluorocarbon it's very important to lubricate the knot before cinching it down.
archman reply :
Thanks for all of the advice. It could be the knot. But I fished at the Fingerlakes for 3 days (different kind of structure) and did not have one breakoff. I am just thinking the zebra muscles and rocks on Erie are causing a lot more abrasians on my line, and the p-line fluoroclear can't handle it.
Anyone try Yo Zuri hybrid (fluoro and nylon)? It seems like the reviews are good.
I went with a guy who had no idea what he was doing. He was using 12 lb test and clear water, and was catching as many as I was. I wonder if fluorocarbon is even necessary.
keith71 reply :
I think it could be mussel beds damaging your flouro. Although I dont fish over mussel beds I fish alot of Rip-Rap and experienced a few breakoffs. Try a good light mono leader and maybe your luck will change.
EvanT123 reply :
I'd second that it sounds like a knot issue and trying braid with either flouro or trying a copoly like yo-zuri.
Driftb reply :
A good braid like fireline or Nanofil will give you significantly the best feel. Using very small diameter like 6 or 8 will usually work fine in clear water conditions, altho the abrasion resistance isn't as good as copoly or mono. Flouro has good feel too, because of it's low stretch. The thing to remember with Flouro is that once it has been stretched to it's breaking strenth, as in a breakoff, the structure of that piece of line has been significantly weakened. So cut off a bunch of line and retie. The yozuri Hybrid seems to have a better feel and excellent abrasion resistance when compared with most mono, and is very tough, without the knot issues of flouro.
IneedAnewScreenName-3261 reply :
Arch,
I do alot of smallmouth fishing around the great lakes, Erie, St. Claire, Lake Michigan. For me it's flouro strictly. I'm in love with Seaguar InizX. It holds up too the abuse and is pretty user friendly as far as flouro goes. Great lakes smallies are tough critters, you HAVE to back off on your drag and just take it easy. Most of the time there is absolutely nothing they can get wrapped around so take your time and let them fight. Use the smallest sharpest hook you can get away with too, for me that seems to help. Especially when I'm dropshottig.
I do like Berkley Nanosilk, but I truely belive it effects the amount of bites a day I get. However I will say, I have been in the boat with lots of people that do throw braid and they seem to do fine. For me it's a confidence thing. I can remember breaking off once in the last 2 years and it was my fault for "horsing" it. Light drag, light rods, take your time.
NathanW reply :
Does anyone hear use Nanofil??? I tried all options mentioned above. Nothing comes close. I started using 12# and 10# nanofil mainline with a 8 or 6# Trilene 100% Fluoro leader two seasons ago and have never looked back....
Use the knots Berkley advertises in their Nanfil packaging. Its called a double albright, master it before you leave the house. It honest to god ties 3 times faster than a double clinch and it is noticably stronger. I have a stubborn fishing partner that swears on light fluorcarbon mainline for drop shotting (because Aaron Martins does it). The guy lives and dies by his line managment, line twist, and break offs, respooling. I find it pretty ammusing becuase I dont have to stress out or worry about any of those things. I slap fresh mainline on all three of my drop shot setups at the begining of each season and am good to go all year. Just somthing to think about.
MichBassMan reply :
In Lake Michigan I strongly prefer flouro #8 to #12 (invizx). Flouro has much better "slack line" sensitivity than mono does. Braid has none. Knots and flouro is a learning curve but well worth the effort. I use Shaw Grizbys no-name knot. It's FAR superior to any other knot I've tried with fluorocarbon line.
IneedAnewScreenName-3261 reply :
That's what I meant nanofil not silk. It's good stuff, but I mostly fish it for largemouth on inland lakes. Love it for skipping docks and jig worms stuff like that. I just never got into dropshotting with it. Like I said in water that clear I think it effects bites. Probably all in my head. I will be up in Traverse City this weekend maybe I will do some comparing.
ClackerBuzz reply :
I think line matters less than 5% of the time. #1 is location #2 is presentation (being that multiple lures will work at any given time but presentation must be correct) #3 type of lure. #4 color....# way way down: line.
fluorocarbon requires a learning curve when tying terminal knots. and it def requires learning when tying connection knots. it doesn't sound like ur ready to go thru this learning curve. you can skip all this by going braid to co-poly ie Yo Zuri. co-poly knots cinch down as easy as mono and remain strong. you could 'upgrade' to braid with co-poly with ease.
or go with all Yo Zuri. Great line and you won't be disappointed. lake Erie is def a big lake environment so the fish aren't as line shy as a small stable farm pond. lots of guys use straight (small diameter) braid and I wouldn't hesitate if i lived there.
Dwight is a lake Erie smallie slaying god. i would hesitate to buy maxima ultragreen
archman reply :
I use seaguar for steelhead fishing as a leader and don't have issues with knots breaking. But I guess it's a different animal with all of the rocks and zebra muscles on Erie.
Zach Dunham reply :
Personally, I just don't like using leaders if I don't have to. In my opinion it just adds more points of failure. I have had success even in pretty clear water with Vicious Ultimate Copolymer Mono at 6lb or 8lb. I'm sure the brand doesn't matter all that much, it is just my preference.
rjf385 reply :
Been using 6lb-8lb stren for most of my life. Never used braided or fluorocarbon line.
archman reply :
I tried both Yo Zuri hyrid and Power Pro (with the Yo zuri as a leader). I definitely preferred the yo zuri. I did not have any breakoffs, and two of the smallies I landed were pushing 5 lbs. I didn't care for the braid, but I'm sure I need to just get used to it. Every little rock seemed like a bite. The Yo Zuri was good as far as feel and abrasian resistance, but it does seem a little stiff compared to straight mono.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
Not a big fan of the hybrid for most smallmouth techniques... too stretchy for my tastes. I usually use line conditioner, especially with mono/copoly/hybrid. Helps a lot with stiffness and memory.On 8/26/2013 at 9:00 AM, archman said:I tried both Yo Zuri hyrid and Power Pro (with the Yo zuri as a leader). I definitely preferred the yo zuri. I did not have any breakoffs, and two of the smallies I landed were pushing 5 lbs. I didn't care for the braid, but I'm sure I need to just get used to it. Every little rock seemed like a bite. The Yo Zuri was good as far as feel and abrasian resistance, but it does seem a little stiff compared to straight mono.
If every rock seemed like a bite with braid I'd suspect the rod, not the line.
IneedAnewScreenName-3261 reply :
Come on arch! That's a good thing. Rock rock rock rock goby rock toad smallie! You know the drill. I hear you though. It can be boy that cried wolf type of thing. Like I said early, I don't prefer the braid either. Keep expeirementing, you will figure out what works for you
archman reply :
I might try the line conditioner. I hear a lot of talk about the KVD stuff. Does the real magic you can get at Walmart work? is it all the same stuff?
NathanW reply :
I stock up on real magic. Keeps your line lubricated real well.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 9:33 AM, archman said:I might try the line conditioner. I hear a lot of talk about the KVD stuff. Does the real magic you can get at Walmart work? is it all the same stuff?
I use Ardent Line Butter and I'm very happy with it. Can't speak for anything else.
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 8/24/2013 at 9:55 AM, rjf385 said:Been using 6lb-8lb stren for most of my life. Never used braided or fluorocarbon line.
you have no idea what ur missing out on.
i know a guy who is die hard "mono is just fine". i quietly laugh at his constant lost fish. they always mysteriously spit the hook before he can boat them. i tried to tell him he never had them hooked in the first place but you know how that goes.
i agree mono is fine if you like trying hook set a jig 60 ft away with a rubber band. on a more serious note mono is better for cranking
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
On 8/30/2013 at 11:17 AM, ClackerBuzz said:you have no idea what ur missing out on.
i know a guy who is die hard "mono is just fine". i quietly laugh at his constant lost fish. they always mysteriously spit the hook before he can boat them. i tried to tell him he never had them hooked in the first place but you know how that goes.
i agree mono is fine if you like trying hook set a jig 60 ft away with a rubber band. on a more serious note mono is better for cranking
This. x2.
Was about to write the same thing, then I saw your post. I'll even go one step further and say that if you're not using bright yellow (or some other high-vis braid) you're probably missing fish too.
Basshammer reply :
I would say just go with braid as it is strong and sensitive and probably won't break off. Seems your leader is what is breaking and this won't happen with braid. How are you attaching your leader with swivel or some kind of knot?
ww2farmer reply :
On 8/21/2013 at 10:37 AM, archman said:I have gotten into smallie fishing on Lake Erie this year pretty hard. I am having trouble deciding what type of line to use. I had success with 8 lb mono, but someone who has fished for them for years on the great lakes recommended fluorocarbon. I used all different types (p-line, seaguar, p-line fluoroclear) and experienced significant break offs. Much more than mono. I have researched braid, and most recommend a fluorocarbon leader, which puts me back where I am now, with more breakoffs. Is there something I am missing out there? I have read where some say they use braid without a leader and do not notice a difference in the number of bites compared to using a fluoro leader. I fished the fingerlakes with p-line fluoroclear and did not have any breakoffs in 3 days. I had 3 breakoffs when I got back to Lake Erie in the first hour.
I fish the same places, although not as much as I would like to on Erie. My line choice is the same on the finger lakes as the big lake. For drop shotting it's 10lb braid with an 8lb fluorocarbon leader. For tubes it's the same. Even though both the finger lakes and Erie have zebra mussles, for some reason on the finger lakes I fish (Conesus, Honeyoe) things don't get chewed up as bad as they do on Erie. I have had a tube hit the bottom on Erie and been broke off instantly.....it's the nature of the beast. All the good Erie smallmouth fisherman I know use 8lb fluoro. that's why I use it.
TankBobcatWatts reply :
I live on Lake St Clair and fish smallies multiple times per week all year... I use only fluorocarbon. Sunline FC Sniper or Pline Halo to be exact. I also use a palomar knot on everything and I very rarely break off. I range from 8 pound to 15-16 pound test. maybe an issue with hooksets? Are you letting them have it too long? are you torquing on the bronze backs while using a drop shot when it is unnecessary? What technique are you using out there?
gravestone reply :
On 8/22/2013 at 9:18 AM, keith71 said:I think it could be mussel beds damaging your flouro. Although I dont fish over mussel beds I fish alot of Rip-Rap and experienced a few breakoffs. Try a good light mono leader and maybe your luck will change.
I think keith it correct. If you're fishing one lake and not getting breakoffs and you fish another and are it' gotta be the structure, assuming you're tieing your knots the same way one both lakes.
I 've fished lakes in ny that had zebra mussel beds, no line stands up to it.
AssassinAngling reply :
I have fished Lake Erie my whole life. I personally use a leader of fluorocarbon coated P-Line either 8-10lb on 30lb braid. I have used regular fluorocarbon but It seemed to break more fish off. But this is mostly a personal preference thing just experiment and find out what you like!
bostonsox2904 reply :
I'll second that it could be a knot issue. Yozuri flourocarbon is awesome. Been catching a lot more fish since I switched to a flouro leader!
Felix77 reply :
All my baitcasters are fluoro (Seaguar Invizx) with the exception of one topwater rod which gets P-Line. My spinning gear is all the same ... 10 lb Braid (PowerPro) with an 8lb FC leader. Tied with a double uni.
FWIW ... This sounds like a knot issue. There should be no reason you have that much inconsistency with those many lines. If the knots you are using might be the problem try mastering another one to see if it helps. I tie on a trilene knot 90% of the time. The other 5% is a snell knot and/or a palomar when needed.
Hope this helps.
Hi Salenity reply :
I either use nanofil with a Abrazx leader or 100% abrazx. I like the nanofil the best but I HATE to tie on a new leader on the water!
Yes I fish around razorclambs when I fish for smallies.
fstr385 reply :
If I had only one go to line for everything overall as a whole including price it would be 12lb vanish flouro.
Moderate viz, decent strength, great feedback, and decent price. I use braid and mono deoending on app.... but if I had one pick bang for buck....
mod479 reply :
I love YZ hybrid 4# and 6#, it covers a number of techniques for me and it's tough as nails. I like Tatsu for dropshotting, handles very well on spinning gear after a bit of a break in period and line conditioner.
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