limp monofilament line

[adamwstewart]

Hey folks,

I'm dredging for opinions yet again. This time in regards to line.

I'm looking for a good, limp monofilament for topwater work. I normally use various types of P-Line for most applications, but P-line isn't great for topwater work--the flourcarbon coatings, small diameter, and slightly stiffer composition are somewhat counterproductive.

I'm curious for opinions on standard monofilaments (no copolymers) that are limp, have possibly slightly larger diameter than normal, are stretchy, and are more bouyant than other lines. I'm wanting such a line to work spooks and poppers--say 12 to 20 pound test?

Any input?

AWS

 

[B-Pro]

Stren Magnflex 14 lb test.

 

[Guest]

Adam have you tried the P-Line CX Premium? It is the softest memory free line I have ever used. It is way more limp than CXX Extra Strong.

Cheez

 

[Guest]

Tectan (Cabelas is the only place to order it in the US) is the limpest mono that I have ever seen. It is ultra thin so make sure you order by diameter instead of lb rating. For example the Tectan 13.9 lb is about the same diameter as most 6 lb test.

 

[Bass Addict]

Bass pro EXCELL is the best mono I have found and its not expensive. Tough, limp, and worth every dollar.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Bass Addict - 6/6/2007 8:57 AM Bass pro EXCELL is the best mono I have found and its not expensive. Tough, limp, and worth every dollar.

</p>

</p>

I've started tieing off to to pole or tree and stretching it when I respool. Really does wonders ! Thanks FA!</p>

 

[RangerRob]

Just out of curiosity, but why would you prefer a fat, limp, rubber band for TWs instead of a good copoly? For fat and stretchy, I'd say Big Game. For all of the above, then maybe Trilene XL?

Me? I'll take McCoy Mean Green in 15lb for TWs any day of the week. It has less stretch (and crazy limp) and that means a bunch when that Sammy/Spook is 60+ ft away from the boat.

BTW ... this is NO knock on your request Adam. I'm actually curious to hear why you want mono over copoly and look forward to your reply. To each their own ... right?

-RR

 

[adamwstewart]

Ok, looks as though I have to explain my logic (if you can call it that).

I personally use CX premium or CX flourocarbon on virtually all my tackle (I don't care for CXX, and I have a spool of 4lb flouroclear that I'm hoping to finish off soon, because it doesn't hold certain knots well). For 80% of what I do, CX is perfect. For another 15%, the P-line flourocarbon gets the job done.

It's that last 5% I'm after. I'm wanting something for working spooks, and poppers. I built a fiberglass rod for this purpose a few weeks ago--6.5 feet, light, and floppy. I want a limp, stretchy sort of line to compliment the fact that I'm trying to keep extra slack in the line for the working of spooks and poppers, to give them that extra, critical 'slide' in the water. I want a standard mono because it will be less dense then a copolymer that is part standard nylon mono and part flourocarbon--it won't sink as easily. I want a fatter line because (1) it will have more surface area to interact with the surface tension of the water and keep it on top, and (2) it will be easier to apply a silicone fly-line dressing to increase the floating effect. In fact, a line that floats (I have heard certain monofilaments are designed to float) would be ideal.

I tried Berkley big game and was disappointed in the limpness of the line. I've used BPS XPS mono, and I remember it being fat and very stretchy--stretchier than most, but it also seemed to have a lot of memory too. I haven't tried XL yet, although I suppose it's the next step. I was mainly curious to see if there were other options I hadn't considered.

Does that logic make sense, or have I finally lost my mind?

AWS

A post-script: I do stretch my lines, when I remember it, and it does help--I attach a ball-bearing swivel to the tied-down end.

AWS

 

[Guest]

LOL Whatever happened to the days of just buying line and dealing with the consequences of using it? Sometimes, it honestly amazes me how much we, as bass anglers, honestly think about line, rods, reels, etc.

Back in the day, a pre-spooled Zebco 33 on a Zebco rod would catch anything that swam. Now, we have to have specialized line for everything.

Oh, for the simpler days. emoBang


I use Big Game for TW, and I haven't had a problem with it. I personally use 12 lbs. Big Game.

 

[Guest]

Two things:
1) Braid (PowerPro) floats, I don't see why a dressing would not work on them either
2) Buy mono by the diameter not the lb/test because any given lb/test will have brands varying in size by as much as 0.2 or 0.3 inches. Lines advertised as limp tend to be same lb/test but smaller diameter. Lines advertised as abrasion resistant tend to be same lb/test but thick diameter (ie they overtest).

 

[jason]

Although the braid casts a country mile, it's lack of memory is actually it's downfall when it comes to topwaters that require a stop-n-go retrieve...it will literally tie knots around the front treble. Berkley Sensation in 14lb test is an excellent mono for popping and walking. 

 

[adamwstewart]

Yeah, I'm aware braided line floats, but I simply hate braided line for 99% of applications for a variety of reasons (you probably don't want to hear them all). It's not what I had in mind for topwaters, primarily because it has no stretch.

I may have to give big game another try in 12 lb test. I bought a spool of Trilene XL yesterday (and promptly spooled about half of it on one of my uncle's reels today). I'm not much of a berkley fan, although I will say that fireline is the only braid I've ever used that I actually sort of appreciated, in a reluctant, surly sort of way, mainly because it has some memory and is easier to tie. I've treated the XL I spooled on one of my reels with silicone fly-line dressing, and I'm hoping to try it tomorrow. Not that the Nick is the best topwater lake in the world (the only TW bite I've ever been on there has involved small buzzbaits in very thich aquatic grass) but I should be able to tell if the action is correct anyway.

I sort of wondered about Maxima line. Does anyone here use it? It's just a straight-up monofilament and not a copolymer, isn't it?

AWS

 

[Fat Albert]

<font color="#ff0033">With all monofishinline....  after you put it on the reel,  tie the end off to something and walk off about 60 yards and stretch it real good. that takes the memory out of it and it lays on the spool like it should...both cast and spin reels...been doing it for many, many years... old indian trick....BTW I use trilene also...good line...FA</font> </p>

<font color="#ff0000">I never was a big fan of braid line.  However, a friend introduced me to UGLY BRAID and I really like it.  but I only use it for t-tig and jig fishing...just thought I would throw that in here.</font></p>

 

[cutthroat]

JUST DONT USE FLOUROCARBON BECAUSE IT SINKS AND WILL DESTOY YOUR ACTION AND TANGLE IN YOUR HOOKS!

 

[adamwstewart]

Yeah, I had heard that about flouro but didn't quite believe how big a difference it would make until I actually tried a Pop-R (or maybe it was a skitter pop?)on some--it definitely gave the Pop-R a different action. I caught the same number of fish on the Pop-R as I normally do, though, so I don't think it was a complete loss.

I tried the Trilene XL today, and in spite of my general hatred of most things Berkley, (they have a few products I like, but they have this depressing tendency to discontinue them) I actually liked it. I had pre-treated the line with silicone floatant, and it was nice and limp and generally behaved just as I desired, and it definitely didn't sink. Of course, there was no topwater bite today (I'm not very good at topwater. Or midwater, or on bottom, for that matter). Anyway, I was generally pleased with it. Not that I'm giving up Pline cx for most of my other stuff. You would need a prybar to keep me from my CX.

I'll give McCoy a whirl next time I'm in the mood to experiment (probably the next time I fish).

AWS

 

[Gator]

Here's my 2 cents worth.
Personally, I've used Tri-lene XL in 14# test on all bass rods including top water and love it. Also the Bass Pro brand does just as well for me. I spool it up by running it thru a wet rag and that seems to help. Also I keep "tangle free" and some spray silicone in the boat and hit it a lick if it starts to give me a problem.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Fat Albert - 6/10/2007 9:44 AM

<font color="#ff0033">With all monofishinline....  after you put it on the reel,  tie the end off to something and walk off about 60 yards and stretch it real good. that takes the memory out of it and it lays on the spool like it should...both cast and spin reels...been doing it for many, many years... old indian trick....BTW I use trilene also...good line...FA</font> </p>

<font color="#ff0000">I never was a big fan of braid line.  However, a friend introduced me to UGLY BRAID and I really like it.  but I only use it for t-tig and jig fishing...just thought I would throw that in here.</font></p>

</p>

I started stretching my line these past 2 months and I'm really impressed with the results. It works!</p>

 

[churly]

BPS Excel is the limpest, stretchiest, most forgiving mono I have used. My 2 cents.