I'm back after a long hiatus. Fortunately, the break was due to several fishing opportunities. When I started fishing again, I had no idea there were so many choices when it came to line. I used to use whatever came on my reel, but I began buying reels that didn't come with line on them, so I started learning what did and didn't work for me.
You can find treatises and diatribes all over the internet that extol and eschew brands, materials, color, whatever. I don't profess to be an expert. I can, however, give you my personal experience and my recommendations based on that experience.
The first thing I look for is the strength of the line. I know there are folks who like to use wimpy 2-pound test, but that stuff breaks when you hit a snag, and I don't like losing tackle and re-tying knots. So, the weakest I choose is ten-pound test line. People are going to talk about line sink rates, drag, visibility, and reel capacity, but this is just me talking, and I've found that for freshwater fishing, ten pound clear nylon line is a good all around choice. But then I discovered braided line.
I like braided line. It's super strong. I have 30 pound line on some of my reels, and I rarely loose my tackle. That's my reason for using strong line. Now, there are some things I don't like about braid. It will cut you if you're not careful. If I hit a bad snag and have to really pull, I wrap the line around a stick to pull the line. Braid is also really light and limp, and the wind catches it if I'm tossing light lures. Because it's so light, it also wraps around the rod tip occasionally, making for long pauses to reset. And the last caveat is the use of braid on a baitcaster. The thin line can dig into itself on the reel, leading to a backlash on the next cast. I adjust the drag on the reel and haven't had enough problems to stop me from using the stuff.
I still use monofilament line, though. I really like two types. Cajun line in red has been great, and I can see it. The other I like changes from clear to yellow in sunlight. The great thing about mono line is that it's cheap, and the stuff is everywhere.
The most important thing about the line you choose is that it's right for your rod and reel. You don't want to put 25-pound line on an ultra-light rod and you don't want 2-pound on a surf rod. If you're new to fishing, ignore all the hype about abrasion resistance and construction. It may make a difference to the experienced angler, but most of us are still trying to kill mosquitoes with cannons. Unless your livelihood depends on trophy fish, that stuff is just marketing.
You can find treatises and diatribes all over the internet that extol and eschew brands, materials, color, whatever. I don't profess to be an expert. I can, however, give you my personal experience and my recommendations based on that experience.
The first thing I look for is the strength of the line. I know there are folks who like to use wimpy 2-pound test, but that stuff breaks when you hit a snag, and I don't like losing tackle and re-tying knots. So, the weakest I choose is ten-pound test line. People are going to talk about line sink rates, drag, visibility, and reel capacity, but this is just me talking, and I've found that for freshwater fishing, ten pound clear nylon line is a good all around choice. But then I discovered braided line.
I like braided line. It's super strong. I have 30 pound line on some of my reels, and I rarely loose my tackle. That's my reason for using strong line. Now, there are some things I don't like about braid. It will cut you if you're not careful. If I hit a bad snag and have to really pull, I wrap the line around a stick to pull the line. Braid is also really light and limp, and the wind catches it if I'm tossing light lures. Because it's so light, it also wraps around the rod tip occasionally, making for long pauses to reset. And the last caveat is the use of braid on a baitcaster. The thin line can dig into itself on the reel, leading to a backlash on the next cast. I adjust the drag on the reel and haven't had enough problems to stop me from using the stuff.
I still use monofilament line, though. I really like two types. Cajun line in red has been great, and I can see it. The other I like changes from clear to yellow in sunlight. The great thing about mono line is that it's cheap, and the stuff is everywhere.
The most important thing about the line you choose is that it's right for your rod and reel. You don't want to put 25-pound line on an ultra-light rod and you don't want 2-pound on a surf rod. If you're new to fishing, ignore all the hype about abrasion resistance and construction. It may make a difference to the experienced angler, but most of us are still trying to kill mosquitoes with cannons. Unless your livelihood depends on trophy fish, that stuff is just marketing.
1 comment:
Glad you're back posting again. I don't get out very often so enjoy "Never Too Late To Start Fishing."
"Crabby Granny"
Post a Comment