Fishing Line

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on February 27, 2016 at 5:38pm

Hey! I fished along with my friend for one year with me on 6lb Invisix and he using 5lb FC sniper. His numbers were far superior then mine. like 25% maybe??? But I think my fish were larger, and I had way less break offs. I think it was all about action of the baits, not visibility of the line, since both were clear fluorocarbon. I know Chris Ferry has actually calculated some more specific numbers on the matter. He actually set up a test with some parameters. Hope that helps!

Permalink Reply by Dana Steiner on February 27, 2016 at 6:02pm

Russ,

So what you are saying is: you landed more fish than your partner and had less break offs. I rest my case. Action of the bait is based on diameter of the line and line properties, not the manufacturer brand or pound test. You missed my point.

Is your friend a better fisherman than you? Line won't matter at this point.

Russ Kroeker said:

Hey! I fished along with my friend for one year with me on 6lb Invisix and he using 5lb FC sniper. His numbers were far superior then mine. like 25% maybe??? But I think my fish were larger, and I had way less break offs. I think it was all about action of the baits, not visibility of the line, since both were clear fluorocarbon. I know Chris Ferry has actually calculated some more specific numbers on the matter. He actually set up a test with some parameters. Hope that helps!

Permalink Reply by Russ Kroeker on February 27, 2016 at 6:37pm

Nah, he caught more with the smaller diameter, but I seem to catch LARGER fish. My theory is that the extra action caused by the smaller line diameter attracted the higher numbers because there are higher numbers of small fish in any given spot, and they fight over the "more wiggly" bait, that's all.

Permalink Reply by Cody Hampton on February 27, 2016 at 7:09pm

I agree with the theory on how the action of the bait is as well as the conditions you are fishing. Ill use chelan for an example , cause that water is stupid clear. I have been throwing 15 lb flouro with jigs with bright sunny skies and have been consistently getting fish, just as much as my buddy who goes with me and he is using significantly lighter line. I really think if the fish are active and feeding, the line size doesn't matter as much as if you are trying to provoke a strike under tough conditions. The other thing I think too is, what bait are you throwing and with what line size? I think a guy could easily have success throwing a trap using 20 lb flouro just as much as somebody is using say 15 or so lb mono, especially since you are using a moving bait. Maybe not so much when you are using a more finnesse tactic, but I think the mood of the fish as well as the conditions can all play a factor. And how you are using your bait too, whatever that may be

Permalink Reply by Dana Steiner on February 27, 2016 at 7:54pm

Russ,

Now you are putting the puzzle together.

Russ Kroeker said:

Nah, he caught more with the smaller diameter, but I seem to catch LARGER fish. My theory is that the extra action caused by the smaller line diameter attracted the higher numbers because there are higher numbers of small fish in any given spot, and they fight over the "more wiggly" bait, that's all.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on February 28, 2016 at 7:18pm

thats a great point Dana. I'll have to go back and see what my diameters are and what ive been giving up.

I do know that Im headed back to mono for some applications. Tired of burning through fluro.

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on February 28, 2016 at 9:05pm

I'm with you Dana, I always pay attention to line diameter. I learned long ago working in a tackle shop that many line manufacturers under-rate their line, presumably so it gets the reputation of being "the strongest line". Most guilty of this are Maxima, Trilene 100% flourocarbon, Trilene Big Game, Trilene XT, P-Line CXX, McCoy Mean Green, Izorline, and a number of others, normally those that call themselves extra tough, high strength, or something else along those line.

For reference, I find that normally Sunline is pretty spot on, as is Seaguar.

As for how it effects fishing, I would agree that for some techniques I think a smaller diameter is important, dropshotting would certainly be one of those techniques. For others, I don't think it makes much of a difference ie. reaction baits, or almost any technique that envokes a reaction strike.

Permalink Reply by Tyler Brinks on February 29, 2016 at 5:34am

You are right Jordan.  The line diameters are so far off it is crazy.  I know that Seaguar rates it on the break strength and along with Sunline is the smallest diameters out there.  12lb Seaguar is as thin as some 8lb lines.  I use Seaguar exclusively and can always upsize my line without affecting my baits.  Jerkbaits on 12lb, crankbaits on 15lb and pitching jigs with 20 or 25lb.  

Braided line is the same thing, I use 20lb Smackdown for drop-shotting and it is the same diameter as some 10lb braids.

Jordan Doucet said:

I'm with you Dana, I always pay attention to line diameter. I learned long ago working in a tackle shop that many line manufacturers under-rate their line, presumably so it gets the reputation of being "the strongest line". Most guilty of this are Maxima, Trilene 100% flourocarbon, Trilene Big Game, Trilene XT, P-Line CXX, McCoy Mean Green, Izorline, and a number of others, normally those that call themselves extra tough, high strength, or something else along those line.

For reference, I find that normally Sunline is pretty spot on, as is Seaguar.

As for how it effects fishing, I would agree that for some techniques I think a smaller diameter is important, dropshotting would certainly be one of those techniques. For others, I don't think it makes much of a difference ie. reaction baits, or almost any technique that envokes a reaction strike.