Problems With Fluorocarbon Line

[tjulianc]

I'm having some problems with using a 100% fluorocarbon line with my spinning reel. I am using a Shimano Sedona 2500 reel and I bought Seaguar red label 8 lb test fluorocarbon line. The line twists so bad that the line will unravel off my reel by simply opening the bail. I've never had line twists this bad before. I spooled it by laying the line on the floor label side up, and it spooled correctly on the reel.

I've used 100% fluoro for my baitcasting reels, and I really like it, so I decided to go with it for my spinning reel, but now I think it was a mistake. With the gin clear rivers right now I wanted something low-vis, so I have been thinking about trying FireLine Fused Crystal line? Has anyone tried this out for a spinning reel? They make a 10 lb line that has 4 lb test diameter which I may give a try. I used P-Line fluoro clear in the past, its a hybrid line, and it worked well enough, but wanted something even more transparent in the clear water.

Any advise on using fluorocarbon with spinning reel?

[Gavin]

Forgetabout flouro on a spin gear...I go with some fine hi vis (yellow or orange) braid and add a 7-10' flouro leader I'm worried about visability in clear water...but braid is only good if the temps are above freezing...if its below freezing I go with mono.

[eric1978]

You may have over-filled your spool...that would account for the line falling off your reel.

Or you may have spooled up backwards...just because you had the label-side up doesn't mean that was the correct way. The line needs to come off the spool in the same direction your reel rotates, which is clockwise. That would be my guess if you have a bunch of twist before you've gotten the line wet.

[tjulianc]

I think I may just give up on using 100% fluoro with my spinning reel. I am very frustrated with it.

If I go with braid, and want to tie on a fluoro leader, what knot is recommended? I used the double uni-knot last weekend, and the line broke at the knot. Maybe I should tie the braid to a swivel, and then tie the leader to the swivel, and avoid line to line knots?

Is the reason you can't use braid when the temp is less that 32 degrees because braid absorbs water and the water freeze in the line? Can fluoro or copolymer lines be used with freezing temps?

Thanks.

[Gavin]

I use a triple surgeons to attach a leader to braid...its a quick tie, and it holds pretty well, but it will break at the knot...youll know right away if its a good knot or not.....But you really do want it to break at the knot...no sense in loosing lots of braided line.

Braid will freeze to the spool in low temps...moreso than mono...and flouro is even more useless than in warm weather......guess you could use mono with a flouro leader but I usually go with plain old green maxima......Line spray helps when its below freezing.

[RSBreth]

For below freezing one of the coated braids is better, but I like Fireline - it picks up less water. For line to line knots it depends on both what the main line is and what the leader is. Some combination's work better than others. For Fireline to mono or fluoro I use a blood knot, and for most braids I still use the Uni-to-Uni, but I have experimented with both the Slim Beauty and Alberto (which is basically a modified Albright).

Both are harder to tie than the uni, but do seem a little stronger -if you tie them right. They're a little fussy, where the uni-to-uni is really easy for me to tie, quickly.

Fishing knots.

Uni-to-uni

http://www.marinews....ht-Knot-221.php

I think one of the most interesting things happening for superline-to-leader connections is the number of hollow-core braids coming to market. These will allow connections to be nearly seemless. I haven't tried this yet, but I'm ordering some now. It may be the best way to connect lines yet. We'll see.

http://www.bassfishin.com/blog/hollow-core-braid-fishing/

When you say the line broke at the knot, do you mean while trying to free your lure from a snag, or on the hookset, or ? When using superlines you'll have to back off the drag on a reel, and learn you can apply more force, quicker than is possible with straight mono or fluoro. If the main line has no stretch, something will still have to give, somewhere.

I use straight braid on my spinnerbait set-ups, but I do like the "stealthiness" of a fluoro leader when using slower moving lures, but I agree it can be a pain too switch at first. In the long run you'll get it.

I can't imagine having to go through all the stupid "which way do I spool" and having to do it all the time with mono like the old days. Now I spool up, and generally don't have to worry about it for a season or two.

[tjulianc]

I tied on Fireline crystal to my spinning reel, and already there is a big improvement to the twists, just casting in my yard. I will take it fishing this weekend and test it out. I've used braid a lot on a baitcaster, but down south where the water is stained and in a bass boat on a lake. Didn't want to use braid in the clear rivers and on a canoe but maybe I am over emphasizing the need for low-vis line up here in the Ozarks?

So RS, do you now only use braid for your spinning reels, and have eliminated line twists by doing that?

When I spooled on the fluoro to my spinning reel, I did it label up, saw there were twists, turned the label over still twists, had my wife hold the spool like I would do for a baitcaster, still twists. There was no technique that would work. Thats when I thought, maybe fluoro just doesn't work with spinning reels. I love it on my baitcasters, low stretch, sinks, low-vis.

The Uni to Uni knot broke on a hook set and of course it was the fluoro that broke. I was in a canoe(so not alot of leverage), and I didn't set it like Bill Dance, but I guess it was stout enough. For now I am going to go with a swivel, which will help alleviate line twists too. The blood knot and the albright are two knots I need to learn, since I see they are recommended a lot.

[DChance]

I have switched all my spinning rigs to braid with a fluoro leader. best decision on line I have ever made. I love it. no twists, small diameter and strong line, great sensitivity. Awesome on spinning gear.

[RSBreth]

I tied on Fireline crystal to my spinning reel, and already there is a big improvement to the twists, just casting in my yard. I will take it fishing this weekend and test it out. I've used braid a lot on a baitcaster, but down south where the water is stained and in a bass boat on a lake. Didn't want to use braid in the clear rivers and on a canoe but maybe I am over emphasizing the need for low-vis line up here in the Ozarks?

So RS, do you now only use braid for your spinning reels, and have eliminated line twists by doing that?

When I spooled on the fluoro to my spinning reel, I did it label up, saw there were twists, turned the label over still twists, had my wife hold the spool like I would do for a baitcaster, still twists. There was no technique that would work. Thats when I thought, maybe fluoro just doesn't work with spinning reels. I love it on my baitcasters, low stretch, sinks, low-vis.

The Uni to Uni knot broke on a hook set and of course it was the fluoro that broke. I was in a canoe(so not alot of leverage), and I didn't set it like Bill Dance, but I guess it was stout enough. For now I am going to go with a swivel, which will help alleviate line twists too. The blood knot and the albright are two knots I need to learn, since I see they are recommended a lot.

I use superlines (Fireline isn't braided ) on every spinning rig I use. If you learn to back off on the drag, you won't pop off fish on the hookset. I wondered if that was the cause, because it's a common problem when folks make the switch. You don't have to do the "Bill Dance" hookset either - can you lift 40- or 50- pounds quickly? Then you can apply that same amount of force to your tackle with a no-stretch line.

Don't use a swivel - just too much junk involved. Everything just needs a little tweek and you'll get it right. If you're using Fireline Crystal I'd use a Blood Knot to connect to your leader. Most of the time I make my leaders about the same length as the rod I'm using, or maybe a foot or so longer.

Check your P.M'S.

[tjulianc]

Thanks for the info. I like the swivel for when I am fishing a tube, which is what I have on that rod/reel now, but I will definitely learn the blood knot. What do you find to be the best knot for Fireline to lure? I've never used fireline before, but for the braid I am using on my baitcaster, (super pro) I have been using the Palomer knot, and I've used the Trilene knot and the Palomer for Fluoro, which has been working well so far.

On a side note, I also read your article on your blog about finesse jigs, which is one of my favorite lures. I used the Bitsy Bug, quite a bit, but like you said it has a sub-par hook, and I had trouble with the skirts sliding down. I found a locally made jig by a company called P.J.'s Finesse Baits, (I am in no way associated with them), they make for the money the best finesse jig I have found. They use a quality Mustad hook, and good silicon skirt, etc). They are decently priced (2 pack is $4.60), so about 30 cents more than the Bitsy Bug, but worth it. I get them at my local tackle shop here in Fayetteville (Southtown sporting goods). Here is a link to their website:

http://ejigs.com/Files/Product/C/BASS/FINESSE_JIGS_4632.asp?

Again, thanks for your help.