Sept 20 - What kind of line do you use and why

[Ouachita]

I use Trilene Sensation for topwater lures. It has some stretch, not enough to cause problems setting extra heavy treble hooks, and it floats well. I havern't noticed a memory problem, the line lying flat and straight to the lure. I stopped using it soon after first trying it until I got onto the half-spool habit. That solves most line problems except for high memory line which is tighter packed than when full-spooled. That line is plenty sensitive, somewhat nearly as good as carbon line without the kinkiness. Sharp bends from a backlash don't weaken it like carbon lines do, so when I don't need an invisible line as with carbon line I do well with it.

Jim

[Ouachita]

For drop shotting and vertical jigging I once swore by Berkley Vanish as soon as it came out, but have returned to P-Line. I think the P-Line Fluorocarbon line is less brittle than Vanish, the knots holding up better. It also casts better, being softer, but casting it has some problems. When casting it I use it as a leader for the super invisibility, and it's easier to manage than Vanish Transition casting less than 50 feet out. When using any fluorocarbon line there really isn't much advantage to long casts anyway since close-in casting puts a lure down with the line not seen in clear water when bass can be a little more spooky.

Jim

[Team KaRu]

I've just started spooling up with the Cajun red line and have been rather impressed with it's lack of memory. It makes for a good truck rod line.. (you know when ya throw a rod in the back of the truck and the line stays on it all summer).  It just keeps it shape, the 12 lbs. is a great line for tube lure casts in the deeper weeds..not sure about the red line disappearing never swam down to see it or not see it with my own eyes

[LoonyToon]

  The only line I will never, never, never use again is Gorilla. My fishing partner Big Bubba talked me into that crap the beginning of the year and I fell for the advertising. A total waste of money, time and fishing. The line does not do 1/2 of the advertised things stated, does not tie well, gets saturated quickly, and will fray.....not what I expected.........hard to cast correctly.............a NO GO for me......

[Team KaRu]

Now as father time takes my eyesight away I actually like to see the line  so the yellow lines that are out there are not so bad for us in need of lenses. I read an article about Ricky Clunn fishing with an old timer that just schooled him fishing with bright illuminated yellow line. He stated that if the fish are biting the line doesn't really matter.  Didn't George Perry catch the world record on lure tied to a jump rope?

[Team KaRu]

 I guess it is ok here to rip on the lines we don't like so here goes... TRILENE BIG GAME I will admit it is a GREAT line for mono hook setting but it is ABSOLUTELY useless the 2nd or 3rd day beacuse of the MAJOR MEMORY PROBLEM.  Don't EVER think about spooling it on spinning gear ..

[Team KaRu]

I will never go slop fishing with a froggie not tied onto fireline. Just to risky fishing the pads. No stretch and the pulling strength is phenomenal.

[Ouachita]

For low light conditions like sunrise or sunset and heavy clouds Cajun Red Lightnin is a good one when line watching is needed. The red really shows up and the line is limp enough for long casts. It's a reasonably priced premium line at 5 cents a yard and holds a knot well.

Jim

[LoonyToon]

  Just bought some Cajun Red Lightning 10# test and am going to try it saturday the 24th in our tournament on two spining rods I'm taking............to reduce line memory try this..When spooling line onto the spool spray it with Yum Fish attractant as you spool----It eliminates your odors transferred to the line and creates a non-memory in the line.........after using this for one day spray it with Reel Majic and leave it set until you use it again, turn your drag off the reel so that the line isn't so tightly wrapped around your spool

[Ouachita]

Fireline! Although I've added other brands I keep going back to it for special occasions. At first I had problems casting it but with a half-full spool those problems disappeared. I can cast farther with it than any line I've tried. It's sensitive and tough as a boot, knot tyiing a little difficult because of its thin diameter. It's pricey and kept on hand for competitive fishing. I prefer the smoke colored line, really good for when the water has some color.

Jim

[Ouachita]

I probably use more BPS Excel than all the others put together mainly because that's the line we use for guided trips. It's easy line for a beginner to learn quickly with few problems. At a little under 2 cents a yard it's economical and gets the job done. I don't mind cutting it out to quickly cure a serious backlash in the hands of a novice wanting to stick with the same rod. There's about 11,000 yards on the big spool that lasts a very long time.

Jim

[Ouachita]

For deep trolling I've been using Cabela's Nylon lead core line mostly because it comes in a 200 yard spool. Most come with 100 yards, sometimes not enough, and I don't like having to splice lead core. There might be better choices out there but that's what we got onto.

Jim

[Ouachita]

I agree, Big Game on a spinning reel is just looking for trouble. You need a large capacity baitcaster for that line. I can't imagine going after stripers with a spinning rig anyway. Having to reel against a 30# striper putting up a 60# fight isn't fun with a reel that won't stay put, rolling over for most folks with not much grip. It'll wear you out. The coils coming off a spinning reel are enormous, and they just keep falling off around your feet if you aren't careful.

I also agree about the Gorilla line. Junk.

Jim

[Ouachita]

The Big Game memory buildup is fixable. It's tough enough to tie off to a tree and stretch it really hard. Reel back to the tree then let it loose and tow it a half mile behind the boat. It'll return to near new.

Jim