Ask The Pros
Fishing Line Q. and A.
Is There Such A Thing As An All-Purpose Line?
Q. I’m getting ready for the upcoming fishing season so of course I’m restringing my reels. However, I’m overwhelmed by all the new choices currently available with all the different colors, types, brands, etc. Is there any one line that is basically good for all-around use (mainly river use)? For instance, is there a reason I should use a yellow line compared to a clear line?I need help with this "backlash" of line choices!
Scott
A. Unfortunately, there is no "all-purpose" line. In today's ever growing technology with lures, rods, reels and lines, the bass fishing angler has fallen into a world of very specific usage. Everything we use today is application specific; right down to the rods, reels and of course our line. For me, I look at my line as the single most important tool in bass fishing. If this tool fails, the fish is gonna win! If a rod breaks, you can still get that bass in the boat. If your reel fails, you can still find a way to land that fish. If your line breaks, that fish wins and swims away to hang your lure on his mantle!
I fish a river out here in California too, it's called the California Delta. I just love pitching and flippin’ jigs and big plastics here. When doing so, I want the absolute best fishing line on my reels and for that the 20# Yamamoto Sugoi is my line of choice. I just don't trust any other fluorocarbon line when using these two applications. To some, the initial cost is very expensive, but over the long haul, it is very cost effective to use since I'm not replacing it very often. I really like taking advantage of the Fluoro's low stretch and sensitivity when flipping and pitching in close quarters.
This is just one option of several. I am a versatile angler and I use other applications when warranted. In the case of Texas rigging, Carolina rigging, Senko fishing, tossing ripbaits, cranks, blades, dart heads and such, I'll use a variety of other fluorocarbon lines in lighter test of 14-17 pounds. Over the last year, I've become quite fond of the Pure Fishing fluoros available from Stren and Trilene. These are excellent 100% pure fluoro resin lines that cost less than the rest since they are now made right here in the US. These two also come in clear and blue tinted (Trilene) and clear and green tinted (Stren). Since fluoro lines refract light, they are virtually invisible under the water to the fish. Using one color over the other only assists the angler. By that I mean the tinted versions are much more visible above the water to the angler, especially on those low light condition days like when it's foggy, overcast or raining. The clear lines are very difficult to pick up at times for the line watchers. The tinted lines really can be seen much better under these conditions. So you really have some variables here that you must consider when choosing one over the other.
Another option is braided line. I've come to find that braid is best suited for all my topwater baits. Unlike fluoro which sinks, braided line will rest on the surface and not affect the way your topwater bait is fished, especially during long pauses as when fishing a frog or popper. Braid is not very well suited for most prop baits we use for black bass, since it gets caught up in the props often. Yet it is the line of choice for the Peacock bass fisherman using the Giant prop baits in South America. I personally don't like to use braid when flippin’ or pitching. It's too visible in clear water, you have no sensitivity on a slack line, and it really gets beat up and is easily frayed when fishing around rocks and barnacles on river systems. On the flip side of this, many anglers do use braid when pitching and flipping to heavy cover or in stained to dirty water. It can be very good when punching down through heavy matted canopies and debris pockets too.
The last option is the many varieties of mono and copolymer lines. These line types have been with us for ages. They are the least expensive of all the lines available, hence the most attractive to most weekend warriors. They are versatile enough to be used for every application available to bass fishermen. My biggest dislike with these is the sensitivity and strength - they just don't compare to the fluoros.
You’re going to have to make some choices - there really is no simple solution to your question in regards to an "all round" line type. But since you've mentioned that you have "reels" (as in plural meaning you have several) I'd suggest spooling one up with Braid, say Berkely's Stealth. Then spool up a reel or two with 20# fluoro for pitching and flippin’ on your river. For C-rig and Texas rigging, try a 14-17 pound fluoro and maybe a couple of reels with a 10 or 12 pound mono for say crankin' and blades as needed.
Andy Cuccia
Western Pro
Line Recommendation using a Senko Rod on Arizona Lakes
Q. I'm a beginner and I have a G-Loomis BSR852 GLX 7'1" Senko Rod coupled with a Shimano Stella SR 2500 FB Spinning Reel. Can you make a line type and weight recommendation for summer Senko fishing on Arizona Lakes?
Charles
A. I'm a big fan of the new braided or bonded fiber based lines. For spinning rigs I usually suggest Berkly Fireline. It has exceptional sensitivity which is handy for fishing weightless lures, casts like a dream, and is nearly indestructible. For the clear Western lakes, I'd go with the Crystal color, or colorless line. Your 2500 series is rated for nominal 10 lb test monofilament, which is usually .012" in diameter. The best match would be 20 lb Fireline which has a .013" diameter. Going too small (14 lb Fireline is only .010") will cause the line to dig into the spool under heavy tension which is a major complaint I hear about superlines. It's really just a mismatch of equipment. Stick with something in the .012" +/- .002" and you should be fine. You have exceptional equipment to get started. Take good care of it and it will last a lifetime.
Paul Crawford
South Atlantic Pro
A. First bit of advice I'd give you: do not wait until summer! The Senko is a deadly bait on pre-spawn and spawning bass. If you wait until June/July to start using the Senko on your local lakes, your gonna be way behind most Senko enthusiasts.
I like to toss the Senkos weightless with a round bend hook, Texas rigged. In most of the waters we fish up here in Northern California, we're presented with very clear water conditions, much like what you probably experience in your Arizona ponds. With that in mind, I really prefer using a 16# Fluorocarbon line that is invisible to the fish. Also when fishing this weightless, I tend to fish it often on a slack line allowing the bait to freely fall parallel to the bottom. Fluoro is the only line I've ever used where I can feel those bass pick up that bait on a slack line. Also, with it's density and stiffness, your gonna see that line pop really good. I think for the average angler, using a fluorocarbon line offers a lot more versatility and a better opportunity to stick every fish that bites with it's enhanced features.
Yamamoto has an excellent Fluoro available called Sugoi. You've also got great options with the new Stren and Trilene Fluoros, which should now be readily available in most bass shops in your area.
Andy Cuccia
Western Pro