Fishing line used on Table Rock

[Fishin' Freak]

Do you guys use Spider Wire braid in the green color on Table Rock? I have always used it on my flipping rods and have always fished dirtier water than Table Rock and Bull Shoals. I just moved to the area and am wondering if I can get by with it in the clearer water. Any info would be appreciated.

[Phil Lilley]

I don't know about braided line but I do know that most used mono or fluorocarbon or hybrids. The water is very clear most of the time and lighter line is a must when using smaller, slower moving baits. When fishing around trees and brush, you need abrasion resistant line like Trilene XT. I just don't fish big bait on the Rock- I'm sure someone else has an answer.

[MOBass]

I can't speak to braided line as I haven't used it before. For mono I use green on anything that I don't watch the line as much. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater, dropshots, splitshot, grubs, and C rigs. For pitching a worm or jig I use clear. My only reasoning is that the green is less visible in the clear water and the clear is easier for me to see above water.

[ryan]

As for fishing line where you fish and what water conditions should dictate what you use. I like flourocarbon because it's less visable to fish I use 6lb on my spinning outfits and 10-12lb on my baitcasters. As for something abrasion resistant flourocarbon is already by nature very abrasion resistant so thats your best bet stick with the lighter smaller diameter lines

[Sam]

I can't figure out what fish can see and what they can't, and whether seeing the line bothers them. I KNOW seeing the line bothers trout, because I've seen that happen. But I don't fish for trout.

A couple of years ago I switched over to Fireline. I can't see the charcoal Fireline against the water, so about a year ago I bought a 1000 yard spool of PINK 8 lb. Fireline on eBay. I've been using it for most everything. It's the diameter of 3 lb. mono, and I don't know what the actual breaking strength is but it's a lot more than advertised.

The pink line is real visible to me (and I have to be able to watch my line), but I don't know how well fish can see it. I know that longer-wavelength colors are the first to become invisible under water, so maybe they can't see it after it's a few feet down. I dunno.

But the results are good. In that year I've caught plenty of crappie, white bass, bass, walleyes, catfish, goggleyes, bluegills, everything. Would I have caught more with a less visible line? I doubt it. On many of those trips I fished with guys using flourocarbon, monofiliment, braided, Spiderline, etc. I kept right up with all of them.

[crappiefisherman]

I use the floresant green on my crappie pole.Folks always ask why, and dont the fish see this.I dont know bout the fish but I can see the slightest tap and that helps catch them in the long run.

[gonefishin]

I have used the so called superbraids and dont like them at all. I didnt catch as many fish, had too many problems with abrasion and tangling/digging in. The extra expense just wasn't worth the extra hassels.

Depending on what I am fishing for I like either plain old mono or flourocarbon. I use flouro where there are abrasion problems and/or when I want to get on the bottom. Flouro just sinks faster and stays down better than mono.

[Sam]

Flouro just sinks faster and stays down better than mono.

That's what I'm missing!

I love Fireline to death, but that's the one drawback I've found. I like to do a lot of slow-trolling and drift fishing of 1/8 oz. crappie jigs behind the boat. Fireline tends to stay on the surface a long ways back, and I'm sure it's holding the lure up. I'm getting tired of having to put the rod tip underwater and constantly yank on it to get the line to sink.

I've had the same problems in the past, almost as bad, with mono lines like Trilene XL and XT.

I'm thinking of going after crappie again Tuesday, and I'm stopping by Bass Pro tomorrow. I may get a spool of flourocarbon line to try out. Do you have any suggestions as to what brand and weight for crappie fishing?

[gonefishin]

That's what I'm missing!

I love Fireline to death, but that's the one drawback I've found. I like to do a lot of slow-trolling and drift fishing of 1/8 oz. crappie jigs behind the boat. Fireline tends to stay on the surface a long ways back, and I'm sure it's holding the lure up. I'm getting tired of having to put the rod tip underwater and constantly yank on it to get the line to sink.

I've had the same problems in the past, almost as bad, with mono lines like Trilene XL and XT.

I'm thinking of going after crappie again Tuesday, and I'm stopping by Bass Pro tomorrow. I may get a spool of flourocarbon line to try out. Do you have any suggestions as to what brand and weight for crappie fishing?

Sorry I didnt get to reply to this sooner. Unless there is a compelling reason I rarely use anything over 4 lb for crappie. This time of year, when the water gets really clear, I have even been known to use 2 lb or even 1 lb. As to brand I like the new Berkley Vanish. There are other brands some of which I am sure are good but I am not familiar with them.

Bud

[ryan]

I also think berkley vanish is probably your best bet as far as quality and price go thats what I always use.