Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Floro,mono, braid...pound test...???? What do you guys use??? I'm A bigtime rookie with swimbaits and need A lot of help!!!

Terry on the river I use Braid or Fluro depending on what rod I have available. The braid is great when throwing the swimbaits through the sparse tulles. On the lakes I use 25lb mono and 20 lb fluro depending on the swimbait I am throwing.

I am not an expert either, but this is what works for me

Obviously it depends on what bait you're tossing, but anywhere from 15-25 fluoro is a good choice for the clean water swimbaitin'

To be honest, You can fish a swimbait with straight braid. In my experience I have caught just as many swimbait fish on braid as I have with a braid to flouro leader setup.

It seems that with a big bait, the type of line really doesnt matter. Others might have a different view, but straight up braid works for me.

Realy depends on a number of factors; Rod size, bait size, weight and hook, depth, and cover. For smaller baits and med. action swimbait rods 20# floro. is just fine. For med. (hudd.) size baits and heavy action swimbait rods you need to be using 25# mono. Baits of that size have so much draw that even in ultra clear water line size doesn't have that big of an effect. You don't want to get bit 10' from the boat (which happens more than you would think) with a heavy action swimbait rod and Floro.

line doesn't seem to matter if you are fishing the big swimbaits. they eat the bait no matter what...straight braid works fine too. I personally throw nothing but straight 25lb Maxima Ultra green and have NEVER had issues in clear water...they still smash it if they want it.

Thanks guys

Use mono or braid for floaters, and flourocarbon for sinkers. Here on the River I'd suggest at least 30# braid or 25# mono/flouro... on the lakes you can downsize a bit, and I myself wouldn't be so inclined to use braid (but that's just me - if elf is good with it then it probably works everywhere!).

Roger

so which is better? braid, mono, or fluro?

I only use straight Fluoro unless I am fishing topwater. Then I sometimes use mono. Never braid.I want every possible advantage and braid is way to visable.

Punker or top water, straight braid. I fish 10 to 20 feet of fluoro (Mono is fine). 20 or 25#. I think green spectra gets bit way better than white spectra. I fish at night a lot and straight braid works for me, but if its light at all i use top shot. All opinion. I think you can put to much emphasis on the set up. Time on the water and presentation will tell you the most.

If I am fishing deep I am fishing Fluoro and if I am fishing on top it is either braid or mono. Braid I use when I want less stretch or want to use a smaller size reel.

Rich

Mattlures wrote:I only use straight Fluoro unless I am fishing topwater. Then I sometimes use mono. Never braid.I want every possible advantage and braid is way to visable.

What type of fluorocarbon do you use when running it straight. Gets expensive and kinky if you get a backlash or two, or three...

I fish the Seaguar Carbon Pro 20lb for my floro if I do use it. That stuff won't break and is pretty reasonably priced too! lasts forever as well. This is all my dad fishes on his swimmers and loves it.

So in our boat we've got 25lb Maxima Green and 20lb Seaguar Carbon Pro

elfish16 wrote:I fish the Seaguar Carbon Pro 20lb for my floro if I do use it. That stuff won't break and is pretty reasonably priced too! lasts forever as well. This is all my dad fishes on his swimmers and loves it.

So in our boat we've got 25lb Maxima Green and 20lb Seaguar Carbon Pro

Seaguar discontinued the Carbon Pro, bummer. I tried to find some but its next to impossible to come by. Do you have a source?

Sorry Mike, I don't. We bought a giant spool a couple years back and just use that. Didn't realize they stopped making it...that SUCKS! Now I got to find something else to fish

No reason to use any line that is hard to cast or easily to tie good knots with.
I use 25 lb green or clear Big Game for the heavier swimbaits and respool the line as needed.
Line is a confidence builder and you need to use what you believe works good. The problem with FC line is line stretch can weaken it. Yes FC strecthes and stays strecthed, unlike mono that stretches about the same but returns to it's original diameter. Heavier swimbaits put a lot of pressure on the line during the beginning of the cast and that is when the line or knot damage occurs. If you backlash a heavy swimbait the FC line or knot may break during the cast or shortly after on the next cast or big bass.
Tom
PS; I believe Butch Brown and Bill Seimantel both still use Big game mono for big swimbaits.

Tom,

Butch may use some Big Game for sure but he was the one that turned my dad and I onto the Seaguar Carbon Pro. he likes it for fishing super slow with the lighter swimmers! Helps it hold the bottom much better!

Hey elfish, Butch here they don't make the seaguar carbon pro any more in bulk spools. But the seaguar Abrazx is as good but I think it's better 12,15,and 20lb are all I use for my swimbaiting.I havn't snap off any baits or fish using it in the last year and a half good stuff But for surface lures I really like the p-line cxx mono but I change it every time I go fishing.The Abrazx is good for many fishing trips casting swimbait all day great stuff.

I'll be damned...someone brings up Butch Brown's name and he shows up. Looks like he's posted before but it's the first time I've seen it. 1500 double digit fish and counting..he ought to be to able to offer up some insight on a few topics.
Good stuff
Tree

elfish16 wrote:Sorry Mike, I don't. We bought a giant spool a couple years back and just use that. Didn't realize they stopped making it...that SUCKS! Now I got to find something else to fish

It can still be found on line if you look a little.

As you can see, we all like this or that. If it works for you that's what you need. No matter if others think it's good or bad. I will bet that not ONE of them here use P-line PF Original (like I do). Maybe I'm wrong HAHA! Maybe they think it's to out dated? To cheep? for the new fishing world. I hope they never quit making it, If they did I guess I would just use Big Game then. IDK
I used Andy and Maxima when I was a Kid (Ocean fishing) Then went fresh water when I moved up here. I still used Maxima but started to like Silver Thread, Then tried all of the others. Then P-line came out with PF (I never looked back). I didn't have trouble with fish break offs and fish came in the boat. That's what matters. Confidence is key with all of fishing. The point is cheep line will boat fish just as well. Same as cheep rods and reels. As long as it puts fish in the boat and you don't have a bunch of "got away" stories Then it's good for you. I'm sure most think the line I use is not so good. But it sure put big fish in the boat and money in my pocket in some tourneys
So one mans trash is another mans treasure.
All you need to do is find what works good for you. I can't stand some of the line that some swear by. Some I just don't want to pay that much for it, because what I use is not broken
Good luck on line, lures, rods, reels, there is enought to make one go nuts!

Wow. Imagine that. Doesn't get much better. I use the same soft-ware as butch. Seaguar and CXX. But dont catch as many as he does. My point...Time on the water. Lake knowledge. And raw skill will get you further than line, swim bait or gear. Thanks Mr. Brown. Keep getting after it!