Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

[R Socey]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Ive had mystery breaks. Always happens on the hook-set. Fireline was way worse than power pro for this. I've never had a mystery break on a freshly tied line so I think it has to do with the line abrading itself at or near the knot and then letting go when shock loaded.

Of course I finesse fish bass, sounds like you two are trolling for stripers so we are not talking apples to apples here.

Trolling is my least favorite way to fish though it is very effective ( so is netting ). Casting bucktails is how I usually fish.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Braids like Power pro and Fireline are very susceptible to cuts and abrasion. I have #65 and #80 PP on all my trolling stuff but you couldn’t pay me to use it in any application where abrasion might be an issue. The stuff is miserable to use around bridge pilings, rock piles (barnacles) and oyster bars. The multi-filment braids hold up much better in these applications

I've never had a knot problem with braid. If you use a braid specific knot like a 10 x10 or a slim beauty, knots are not an issue.

Of course I finesse fish bass, sounds like you two are trolling for stripers so we are not talking apples to apples here.

Your right about the finesse. Catching bass doesn't take anywhere near the finesse it takes to land #30-#40 Stripers using the same tackle The fact of the matter is that Saltwater fish tend to be very agressive by nature. Most could care less how that next meal got in front of them.

All the guys in my brothers fishig club love Power Pro - about 15 of them.

What fishing club does he belong too?

 

[R Socey]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Braids like Power pro and Fireline are very susceptible to cuts and abrasion. I have #65 and #80 PP on all my trolling stuff but you couldn?t pay me to use it in any application where abrasion might be an issue. The stuff is miserable to use around bridge pilings, rock piles (barnacles) and oyster bars. The multi-filment braids hold up much better in these applications

I've never had a knot problem with braid. If you use a braid specific knot like a 10 x10 or a slim beauty, knots are not an issue.



Your right about the finesse. Catching bass doesn't take anywhere near the finesse it takes to land #30-#40 Stripers using the same tackle The fact of the matter is that Saltwater fish tend to be very agressive by nature. Most could care less how that next meal got in front of them.


What fishing club does he belong too?

I'll PM you when I find out. They are a group of guys who migrated from another forum/club because any info went viral, and small bodies of water with only resident populations are restricted to a finite amout of areas. They fish mainly Bass ( largemouth ) at Little Senaca ( Black Hills ) Tridelphia ( T. Howard Pickket ) I think - your backyard. The Potomac etc. They do sometimes target Musky, Stripers, Sharks at Assateaque etc. I don't pay much attention to the freshwater stuff - you know saltwater spoils you.
I started out with Spiderwire, and as you indicated while fishing the Key Marathon area I had many breakoffs - the salwater guys hated the stuff because it does cut easily. That is why I use an abrasive resistant leader! Even then like you said, if your line hits a piling or lighthouse abutment etc. you will lose in a hurry. They stopped selling the Spiderwire in the stores in large enough capacities for me - I didn't have internet so I switched to Power pro under the advisement of my brother's gang - they are a hard core fishing bunch!
I trust your judgement but new line is not in the near future for me

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Well, we are heading out in the morning with all new lines on the rods....will see what happens. Talked to a neighbor who frequents the lake and based on his and the posts here we are trying heavier lines with a mix of Power Pro and some regular (green) Stren that I have a LOT of with 10-12 weights the norm except for my crappie rod which I have 6lb on for now. I want to see how this power pro works for us before trying anything else out. Will upgrade further when we get our house loan closed (money is a bit "scarce" right now) and will be getting some leaders as well. New rod or two with bigger lines will be added as well. We have plenty of room so we need to take more rods..Will advise how it works. I know it is a work in progress.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Braid is the way to go if you are looking for strength vs diameter. I use 80lb Powerpro braid with a 17lb mono diameter for trophy catfishing. The main two things you need to watch are how you tie your knots and for any signs of fraying or damage. Normal knots wont work with braid. They may seem plenty secure when you tie them, but once they get wet they WILL slip. I use a double palomar, which is a palomar knot tied by going around the mainline twice, then through the loop twice instead of once. It is a pain to tighten down and will require you to use pliers to wrap the line around the handle to pull tight, but it will hold 100%. Watch the first 3ft past your hook or leader fr any signs of fraying and retie when necessary. I have caught 60+lb catfish on braid tied this way.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Well, results were mixed....The rods with the Powerpro casted well but had few fish caught on them. It was Bluegill and small Bass day apprently.....It was a slower day than normal, as we had storms yesterday and the weather was hot. Still here is what happened. I screwed up one of the knots and the one big fish the wife hooked got away, much to her (and my) dismay.....I had one big bass break me off on a stump with regular Stren. Wife did manage to catch a nice 24" Channel cat that she is now uploading to facebook....The 12lb line helped a bunch on that. She was using 8lb line and this would have been another lost fish. Impressed overall with the Powerpro, but will need to fish some more with it before switching the other rods.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

One of the cool things about being on a two month fishing trip is being able to see what a lot of other people are using in real time. Before I left I picked up a bunch of the Sunline products. I've been dragging it over muck covered lava rocks and the Stren I had was trashed after a few hours. I had 6lb Sunline mulitcore nylon on my ultra light and it got the same treatment but came through really well.

I also ran the Sunline FC Reaction as a 50' leader in front of 18lb lead core and it did well. If there was a difference in stretch that would affect hook ups I didn't notice it. All my fish were hooked solid through the lips and only one spit the hook but that was when it was flopping on the deck.

I like it the most of any I've tried so far. As for Seguar Tatsu -- The stuff suxs and costs an arm and a leg. The only person that will tell you its great is they jerk salesman thats selling it to you. Did I say that strongly enough! LOL..

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Ok, I'm a little late, but, I'll still give my .02. I use 65# Stren Sonic braid low-vis green(17# mono equiv.) on my musky rod. They go down to 8# test. 20# sonic is equiv. to 6# mono. Plenty to land "most" of the toothy critters yet a small diameter for casting and using smaller baits for bass...... Just a thought.....