mono filament vs fluorocarbon vs braided

[chris kowaleski]

what is the difference between each line, and the proper use or technique for each?  I use mono on my spincasting reels, but bought some fluoro for an old spinning reel i got running again. only reason i got the flouro is because it said optimized for spinning reels. so far that is the only difference that i know.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I use fluoro as leader. Mono as filler and braid in between.

Or just the mono/fluoro. I dont know very much, and I'm cheap.

[Leo Nguyen]

You and me both david..you and me both. But, experimentation is critical to find the sweet spots. I may have to switch back to mono Red Cajon because the braid is still way too expensive, and the lower test pound suffer way too much damage if I fish near the shore. Abrasions destroy the lower test pound way too fast. 10lbs and greater, no problem. 8lbs and less, huge problem.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I do normally put the braid on my cane poles. Then I add a 24" leader. This way the braid goes a long way.

[Glen Wagley]

Hey Leo,

Have you ever tried a copolymer line like Silver Thread Excalibur? I am almost to the point where I use it year round. Very abrasion resistant and small enough diameter with 4lb that I use it for gills, crappie, perch, and through the ice too. For bigger fish (especially catfish), I move up to 6 or 8 lb (yep, I know it sounds light) with a heavier weight leader (10-12 lb). I've only used this with spinning reels so I can't comment on how it behaves in a baitcaster. 

[Leo Nguyen]

Glen, you got me interested. Will check it out. Thanks.

[David Dillman]

thanks for the information Leo,  I will try out this fireline I guess, since I already bought it.

David Dillman

[Jim Dillow]

I have been using braid on my spinning reels for a long time without any problem. I don't even use a leader and find that I catch just as many fish as those who do. The braid cost a lot more but I don't have to replace it. When I was a kid, a few years back, I used that black dacron line and caught fish also. I guess line is just a personal choice and it all works as it should. Never had a fish complain I wasn't using the correct line. Although I'm not it the line selling business. 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

@ Jim - I have been collecting old reels for the past few years. Ineveitably, these reels come with the old line still on them. That old dacron stuff was the thing back in the day, and surely it worked. As you say, the fish dont know.

Personally, I like leaders, but your point is well taken with todays braid, especially the panfish sized stuff. 

[Jim Dillow]

I find braid at Walmart or other stores often on clearance and normally it's the low test weight. Sometimes cheaper than some mono. My wife has braid on a couple spincast reels and they are holding up OK. Pickup pins are fine. Of course she doesn't have much pull on her lines due to not catching many fish. Don't ever repeat this. Actually she often catches more than me.  Found a couple old Bronson Dart Reels not to long ago. I think they were the first spincast reels I used and the cost was around 2.50 each back then. We go to auctions and buy old tackle and store it for a room I am slow getting finished for our FishinPals Room. Not to long ago I bid up to 35.00 on and old bobber and didn't get it. Somebody wanted worse than me. Have a good day.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Yeah the weird world of vintage auctioning has certainly opened up.
Your secret is safe with me, too.

[Tony Livingston]

I guess I'm the odd man out, in that I just use mono. I've tried many different brands, but I'm currently enamored with Sufix Elite in 4lb test.  I've caught all the Bluegills I ever wanted, Channel catfish up to 10 lbs, and that one crazy grass carp that had to go over 20 lbs easy. Never had a problem with mono, so I've never switched over permanently to braid or floro. I've tried them, but always come back to mono.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

like you, Tony, I try some of everything. I also like certain things.... Leaders, for example. Ive just always used them. If I look at my rods, right now, many of them have mono in some form.