Monofilament line=Dinosaur tackle? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Back Beach · 02-10-2009, 03:47 PM

Its been seven years since I last used mono for surf fishing. I'm strictly a braid fisherman and I see no possible application for mono in the surf beyond leader material.
I'm interested in hearing other's thoughts on this....as always, use some supporting evidence/experience to back your opinion

The Dad Fisherman · 02-10-2009, 03:55 PM

I hate braid when I'm using Chunk Bait......line sinks to fast, and I always feel that the fish feel it when they pick it up and run w/ the bait. Tried Braid and it seemed like everytime i got a pick up on my bait-runner they spit the bait to quick

Berkley Big Game 20lb test mono for chunking for me.....

JohnnyD · 02-10-2009, 04:43 PM

I'm strictly a braid guy as well. However, I do think that mono has its applications. The SWE has a fascinating, unscientific video on how much better mono holds up when a fish takes you down in the rocks when compared to braid.

BigFish · 02-10-2009, 04:55 PM

I use mono. Love it and have no problems with it. I would rather re-spool mono for $8 a pop 4-5 times a season per reel than pay $45 a spool every time for braid. It ain't broke so I ain't fixin' it.

LeCounts1099 · 02-10-2009, 05:19 PM

I've been the "mono only" guy here & elsewhere before... so what the heck-- I'll be that guy again!

(Hi, B.B.

)

I use NOTHING for my surf- fishing ever, but mono.-- 20 or 25 lb. test absolute max., even for Eeling & chunking... (yes, I lose my share of corkers doing so!

)

Lots of reasons for my choice: but I guess I want to hook up my "40- 50" on line 1/2 her weight... not on 50 or 80 lb. braid where I should never lose really! It CAN be done! ('cause it was done so many many times in Striper Surf history, even from craggy areas like South side of Block or M. Light or Nobska or Squibby... etc.

A HUGE factor w/ mono. over braid for me, IS whatever line I'm using I want to constantly cut back without fear, & fish only with "mint cond." line! The high price of braid & pain in the butt of respooling or even the difficulty of cutting back braid & re- knotting the leader (esp. in the dark while on a rock) keeps many a braid- guy fishing charred/ haggard line longer than they should... 'till "ping!" --

(at the very worst moment usually!)

So I guess I'm mainly here agreeing with Larry: the low- cost of mono. encourages always keeping your top- shot fresh, & that is a huge plus (esp. when throwing "custom" Wood that can cost $25- 80. or more! Yes I still throw BM large Dannys & Habs 3.5s rather than collect or sell them!

)

BUT-- Larry: you must not fish M. too often? (Several times a Season only you need to replace the mono. top- shot?)

At the height of my Fall run there... I'm respooling a new 250- yard top- shot on my VS250 w/ 20 lb. mono. at least twice a week! -- sometimes even after only one session! (IF Blues are more pesky than normal... or good- size fish digging line into the bottom occurs, etc.

)

Sweetwater · 02-10-2009, 05:25 PM

I typically use a 10' conventional off the beach when fishing bait (such as sand eels). I've tried both mono and braid and much prefer mono for that application. The stretch in the line is actually an advantage as the fish basically hooks itself dragging the lead after it has taken the bait. Also, I find it easier to cast, fewer backlashes, I don't need the extra line (yardage) for fighting a fish, and I've noticed no difference in casting distance. Plus, it's easier to break-off when a seal decides he needs the fish more than you do.

MAKAI · 02-10-2009, 05:42 PM

what sweetwater said . . . mono on the big conventional bait rods in the surf , braid on everything else.

Raider Ronnie · 02-10-2009, 05:48 PM

On the boat.
I fish braid.
Charters fish mono. Too many problems with clients and braid.

Pete F. · 02-10-2009, 05:51 PM

I only use Fireline and pay a little more than a hundred for 1100 yard spools. Mono feels like a rubber band to me now. But I don't fish bait and usually load a lot on to start with then when it gets low on the spool I take it off onto another spool, add some more mono backing(it's good for that) and put the fireline back on.

Sweetwater · 02-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raider Ronnie

On the boat.
I fish braid.
Charters fish mono. Too many problems with clients and braid.

RR, you mentioned you don't like to use braid with clients due to the problems (I agree). But, do you jig wire line with clients on board? If so, do you find they screw that up a lot to?

Raider Ronnie · 02-10-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

RR, you mentioned you don't like to use braid with clients due to the problems (I agree). But, do you jig wire line with clients on board? If so, do you find they screw that up a lot to?

Wire can be problem also but we don't have 4-6 rods going at a time.

BigFish · 02-10-2009, 06:42 PM

Lecounts....I dream of fishing "M"!

Slipknot · 02-10-2009, 06:43 PM

Braid or fireline 95% of the time
I may use mono for eels with conventional at night.

Raider Ronnie · 02-10-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

I use mono. Love it and have no problems with it. I would rather re-spool mono for $8 a pop 4-5 times a season per reel than pay $45 a spool every time for braid. It ain't broke so I ain't fixin' it.

Larry,
How often you re-spooling braid ?
Many go a few years without re-spooling !

BigFish · 02-10-2009, 06:59 PM

I do not use braid Ron. I just can't justify the cost given I have no issues using mono?

eastendlu · 02-10-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

Lecounts....I dream of fishing "M"!

Larry its only a ferry ride away let me know if you ever decide to take the ride.

joe the plumber · 02-10-2009, 08:46 PM

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.

BigFish · 02-10-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastendlu

Larry its only a ferry ride away let me know if you ever decide to take the ride.

Oh Lou......don't tease me like that.

Flaptail · 02-10-2009, 10:08 PM

The only time I use mono now is the rare occasion when I decide to fish the beach in August when the mung is in. 15lb Big Game because mung is easier to clean off of mono than braid, otherwise I couldn't dream of not fishing braid or "tech lines".

Mike P · 02-10-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

I use mono. Love it and have no problems with it. I would rather re-spool mono for $8 a pop 4-5 times a season per reel than pay $45 a spool every time for braid. It ain't broke so I ain't fixin' it.

If you're paying $45 for a spool of braid, either your tackle shop guy is screwing you or you're buying the wrong brands

JohnnyD · 02-10-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

If you're paying $45 for a spool of braid, either your tackle shop guy is screwing you or you're buying the wrong brands

Agreed...

I pay $27.95 for 300 yards of 50#PP and I'll get at least 2 seasons from it. Much cheaper than paying $8 four times per year. $30 over 2 seasons or $80-90 over 2 seasons... braid please and thank you.

MAKAI · 02-10-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Agreed...

I pay $27.95 for 300 yards of 50#PP and I'll get at least 2 seasons from it. Much cheaper than paying $8 four times per year. $30 over 2 seasons or $80-90 over 2 seasons... braid please and thank you.

J D , the 30 # power pro on my plugging stick going on 6 yrs, still o.k. nice and supple too

JohnnyD · 02-10-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAKAI

J D , the 30 # power pro on my plugging stick going on 6 yrs, still o.k. nice and supple too

I know it. Gotta love when the moss green is bleached white from all the sun.

NIB · 02-10-2009, 10:46 PM

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 · 02-10-2009, 10:53 PM

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 · 02-10-2009, 11:24 PM

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 · 02-11-2009, 12:13 AM

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 · 02-11-2009, 12:24 AM

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 · 02-11-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

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 · 02-11-2009, 07:35 AM

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.