Fluoro Vs Mono Trout Line

[mstbasser]

Hello guys,

Getting ready for the season and about to spool up a couple of reels. I have always used 2 lb test Maxima, but I am curious if I might be missing something by not using fluorocarbon. Anybody prefer one over the other? Why?

[fishinwrench]

Abrasion resistance is the only true property of flouro that amounts to anything. For me that is enough.

Personally I don't buy into the invisable thing, nor the sinking thing. But the increased abrasion resistance is a very noticeable thing, and the shelf-life of a spool of flouro is a lot longer also.

[Ham]

None of the above. I use 6 lb Nanofil with a leader. I usually use 6 lb P Line CX Premium as my leader. I catch my share of trout.

[Deadstream]

Mr. Ham Could you expand on that? Length of leader, etc. Why not use the Nanofil 6 or the P line Cx alone? Is the coated P Line different?

Probably the first of many silly question I have, been trout fishing for 45+ years and I didn't realize how much I didn't know. Thx.

[fishinwrench]

Deadstream, The stuff you don't know after 45+ years probably doesn't matter.

[grizwilson]

I use the nano also, with a 6' plus or minus leader, that varies 4-6 # mono or fluro depending on what I am doing, attached with a alberto knot. The leader provides less line visibility, and saves on my high $$ nano, when leader gets under 4 ft. or so I replace so instead of wasting nano each time i retie i waste leader. When the nano is worn i swap ends, (pull off reel like DT fly line)use the end off the reel (only put 50 yds on reel to begin with)(yes I am frugal) Bottom line, if a fish looks at it too hard I can feel it... much better than fluro or mono. Not had twist problems on spin rigs. My second choice is 8-1 power pro braid, Nano cast slightly better IMO. Both better than mono. Fluro can give a spin rig fits. with the leader can drop with fluro or do on top with mono.

g

[Ham]

Well, I prefer Nanofil because it out throws mono and it has almost no stretch so it is super sensitive and I get great hook sets and any distance. I use the White, but I would be comfortable using the chartreuse as well. The opaque colors don't bother the fish when I use a leader and they I also help you detect strikes.

I use the leader because I am concerned that the Nanofil might reduce my number of bites and I want to extend the life of my Nanofil. It also doesn't hurt to have a leak link when you get hung up and WANT to break off.

I use mono under the Nanofil and I am able to get two or three reels spooled with one 150 yard spool of Nanofil. I have used one spooling of nano for over a year w/o any problems.

I use an Alberto knot to join my line to the leader. I tie in a piece of leader just long enough that the knot is not on the reel. I re tie when needed. I will use it until the leader length is down to 18 inches or so.

I have used just the P Line CX or Silver Thread AN 40 as the main line and I caught fish just fine, but Nanofil has flat out made me a better fisherman. I think I have been using for about 18 months and I am an absolute believer in it.

I also used braid for a while, but I lost casting distance using it. I dropped down to 4/15 and still struggled to throw it 2/3's the distance of mono, but I liked the lack of stretch. Nanofil is strong for its diameter, but it is thicker than braid on a per pound basis. Nanofil is thinner than mono on a pound per pound basis.

Nanofil isn't perfect. It catches the wind a little bit more than mono and it gets twist in it and it is a little more difficult to de twist than mono is, but I have just about switched all my spinning gear over to Nanofil.

Ham

[joeD]

mstbasser:

1, While you're spooling up with "x," ask yourself: "What is my fishing goal?"

2. Is it numbers of fish?

3. Size of fish?

4. How far do you want to drive for your fish?

5. Does the fishing "setting" matter to you? Why?

6. Obviously, where do you fish?

7. How much money can you realistically spend on fishing?

8. How often do you go fishing, realistically?

9. Can you name one human being who actually knows what a fish sees and how it interprets that sight?

After you answer those questions, you will come to the obvious conclusions:

A. Don't use 2 lb test

7b: It's more important to go fishing often, than it is to use any certain brand of equipment or technique for catching success. There is no consensus among fishermen.

III: Then there's fly fishing.

[Terrierman]

Talking strictly about line on spinning reels: Ham got me off 4 lb maxima onto nanofil for casting distance and feel. He is right. I still like 4 lb maxima for leader. Alberto knot which is a PIA to learn but then once you get it you got it. Not as user friendly as spooling up with mono. But still and all, a superior line/leader combination if you are more concerned with catching fish than with convenience. Do not get the low vis nanofil if you want to use a leader. That stuff is hard to see with old eyes. White with mono is tough enough.

[mstbasser]

This will be mainly for trout park and trout stream fishing. I like the enjoyment of wrestling with a trout on 2 lb test, gives it a little more of a challenge.

On the braid subject, I have all my bass spinning reels spooled with braid. But am afraid to do that to the trout stuff because of the wind issue. A bow in the line with a small marabou jig would make that jig float a lot higher then I would want. I do appreciate the info Ham, you seem to have a lot of good knowledge and insight.