Monofilament line=Dinosaur tackle?

[joe the plumber]

Switched from mono [Ande Back Country] to braid [Suffix] last year.It has revolutionized the whole fishing experience for me.I only had one fish who put the braid through the rocks to the test for me,and I can understand the concerns.I hope to have more of this type of problem this season.
The thing I loved most about fishing braid was, I allways had terrible luck fishing in crosswinds and cold weather with mono.I had NO trouble with braid! Light plugs have presented challenges,I will now use a different rod for light stuff.

[NIB]

I have been using fireline since 95.
The last few bulk spools I got for 80 dollars each so thats 12.5 cents a yard.I usually put 200-250 yds of line on and flip it.Usually once in the spring.So I fill a spool 2 times a year.Thats not as bad as it seems.The difference between that and mono that I used to change out about every 5 trips is nill...I am the extreme also as some will go a few years on a spool of braid.I happen to like fireline best when it is new..I use 20 and the 30 lb tests depending on the weight of the lures I'm throwing and the amount of obstacles in the way.The past year I tried something kooky..I have been using 20 lb mainline and splicing on a topshot of about 2 rod lenghts of 30 lb fireline..it worked well for me.I use it for every application except jigging..
I still use mono for livelining.30 Lb big game snelled direct..It's just easier to retie without having to add a mono leader every so often.I ususally yank off a good rods length at least and retie after evey fish..Even with the 30 lb mono I have to be carefull where it's scratchy..It's not a long length of 50 or 60 lb leader material..
When I set the hook it's like I'm fishing with a rubber band in comparison.I love fishing with braid..I know there was this resurgence to it with some claims of this or that better than braid but I could not make the move backwards.I even went as far as winding up a spare spool with it.I could not bring myself to use it.I even made the mistake of trying a few other braids.I am done experimenting.I'm a fireline guy all the way.

[BigFish]

I am sure I am off on the price...as I say I do not use braid but know its considerably more money than mono.

[Circlehook]

I love 30lb Fireline on the sand, and 50# or 65# powerpro at the canal. The only reason that I changed over to powerpro is that it is a smaller diameter than the Fireline, and casts alot further.

I bet the 30lb Fireline is as strong or stronger than the 65lb powerpro though.

[Clammer]

I use braid for bottom fishing ll


I switch between mono & braid .. depending on where ,when & how ,

I don,t use braid in the boat at night anymore // from experience ...IT can be very dangerious ;;

I don,t care for braid ..if i,m fishing weightless plastic that I want on top / It will cast the light stuff further ,but you have to pickup the retreve to keep it on top & you lose the asction you want ;;


Mono . less the 10lb .. when fishing under 20 degrees ... I,ll deal with ice on the eyes .. its alot better than the waterlogged braid being frozen before you get it back on the spool

[Crafty Angler]

Just call me Dino I guess - the number of times a year I fish over sand or out of a boat I could count on my...uhh...thumb. Tried it this summer, completely threw me off working a plug -

Berkley Big Game is still my choice - of course I still listen to casette tapes too, from time to time so YMMV -

Feel free to not use me as an example...

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I am sure I am off on the price...as I say I do not use braid but know its considerably more money than mono.

The initial cost is definitely more. But like you said, you replace your line 4-5 times a year. I'll get 2 years out my braid. Even if I replaced the braid once a year, you're paying about $40/year for your mono and I pay $28. $18 savings or $58 savings since I get two years out of it.

Multiply that $58 times the number of reels you have, and braid is the better choice economically.

[steve]

I use mono and have been since the beginning. I tried braid ( Power Pro- 30 - 40- and 50 lb. test) for 2 seasons and hated it. I went back to mono and have been problem free. Last season a close friend of my got me to use 50 lb. Suffix braid and I used it for 1/2 of the season on and off. I must say that I liked it. I'll continue to experiment with it this year but I'm not sold yet considering the awful problems (lost fish from knot and abrasion problems)I had with Power Pro.

[BigFish]

Last season I only changed the mono on my most used reel 2 times.....for start of season and when fall approached. I tried a friends rod a few times with braid and thought it was ok. Definitely casts great! However I have watched my fishing buddies struggle with braid.........and I keep on fishing. I also feel a better connection to the plugs I fish (which I fish plugs exclusively) particularly when fishing topwater plugs I feel a better response to the action I impart.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Last season I only changed the mono on my most used reel 2 times.....for start of season and when fall approached. I tried a friends rod a few times with braid and thought it was ok. Definitely casts great! However I have watched my fishing buddies struggle with braid.........and I keep on fishing. I also feel a better connection to the plugs I fish (which I fish plugs exclusively) particularly when fishing topwater plugs I feel a better response to the action I impart.

This is Your Year Larry..I feel it..Your the man.
Yes mono is way more friendly with needles.I still carry that spool of mono...I think I have over come them problems...For all other types of fishing.Braid is King..
You will reach fish you only dreamed of with braid.
Try some on a extra spool..Give it a few trips.You think you connect well with mono now the braid will blow your mind.It's so sensitive you can feel a fish fart with it.There will be a bit of a learning curve.New knots,No stretch, means you have to take it a little easier on em.You'll figure it out.Trust the NIB.I would never steer ya wrong.It ain't like your taking a puff of anything.
It's just fishing.
Change can be good. You can do it big guy I have faith in ya..

[Striper_Haven_03]

Well I dont normally respond to questions like this because everyone has an opinion but will state my case for mono.

I actually use Yo-zuri Hybrid 25lb (mono-flouro hybrid) and have only lost 10 or so out of an estimated 300-400 fish from break-offs in the rocky areas/points here in Plymouth. And have to say the break-offs were my fault, not the lines. I tried braid in 2000 and was broke off in the rocks on my second hook-up of a large bass while using it. After visiting a few friends in NC that were using Yo-Zuri Hybrid fishing the OBX I never looked back.

I guess it all depends what application and enviornment you are using the line in. Rocky Shorelines - MONO.....Sandy Beaches - Braid....Jigging - Braid.

I did see the video from SWE and its pretty interesting. Needless to say I will fish mono until I find something better for the nasty stretch of shoreline I fish.

Fireman

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by steve

I'll continue to experiment with it this year but I'm not sold yet considering the awful problems (lost fish from knot and abrasion problems)I had with Power Pro.

Steve,

I'm surprised to hear you had problems with the PP. One of the benefits I've found with braid is when a fish goes deep into your spool in a rocky area(canal,for example), the line remains intact and strong. With mono many times I had to respool immediately due to a nick deep into the line. I always thought braid worked much better "damaged" than mono.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Steve,

I'm surprised to hear you had problems with the PP. One of the benefits I've found with braid is when a fish goes deep into your spool in a rocky area(canal,for example), the line remains intact and strong. With mono many times I had to respool immediately due to a nick deep into the line. I always thought braid worked much better "damaged" than mono.

You know thats funy I have recently learned that braid has a breaking point also.Not so much a snap off on the cast thing.Just overall strenght in general..Braid can be comprimised while appearing to be just fine.
I do quite a bit of jigging.I use the same set up at home for jigging as I do everything else.One thing I have found,when you get hung down your basically taking the line almost to the breaking point.After a while of this, the amount of pressure you can apply to bust off a leader of lesser material will deminish..
When New 20 lb fireline will bust off 40 lb leader.After a few trips it will no longer break the 40 lb leader material. It will break in a spot I have no control over.So I pretty much use 30 for most of my applications.Till later in the spring when I move to surf only..I can only assume what is happening is some sort of breakdown of the fibers.It's not obvious like a abrasion..Thats another one of the reasons I change it more than most.
While I can't think of any fish it has cost me.I see it happen to others..I don't like to leave things to chance..

[HESH2]

braid most of the time unless if i'm fishing very rocky area then ande backcountry.braid in cold weather as stated ices up pretty good,mono probably better choice.

[Al in Westport]

I guess I'm just an ol' fashion guy, I've tried braid a couple of times, went back to mono. The only rig I have braid on now is a conventional jigging rig. With my stiff old hands conquering the braid to leader knots was hard for me.

Al

[gone fishin]

This subject comes up every now and then. I learn something every time. I use conventional reels only and have settled on braid. The first line I ever used was linen and if I remember correctly it was made by Assinippi line. Used on a squidder, it would out cast any line at the time. Mono was introduced, but was a bear to use as it was stiff and had memory like nothing out today. I like power pro on my 7000 series abu's 65 or 50 lb test. On my 6500 series I use 30 or 40 lb. test. I tried suffix last season and really liked the line, it is soft and smooth, unlike power pro. I used it plugging all last year and the only problem was I found it susceptible to weakening after a backlash. (we all get em!) I lost a good fish due to a break off because of that and I didn't want to stop and check it.
The one thing I do is use a long leader (16 to 20 ft.) of mono. For that leader I use ande back country or any mono that will tie well using a crazy Alberto knot for smooth running through guides etc. Usually after a night of fishing I end up with a 5 or 6 ft leader. The long leader gives me back some degree of stretch allowing a cast without the snap of braid. Especially eeling or using floating plugs.
Great thread guys..............

[MikeToole]

Have switched almost completely to braid when surf fishing. Fish mostly rocky areas and often need the extra strenght of braid to keep the fish out of the rocks. Being able to stop them has increased the number of fish I land. When eeling and jigging you just can't beat the stuff. Have had no problems using 50# Sufix.

While the braid on my cod rod is 5-years old and still in great shape I normally have to change out the line on my surf reels at least ones during the season.

[DZ]

Tried braid a few years ago. Found that I didn't gain any advantage using it except for distance which is not important in 90% of my casting. Went back to mono.

DZ