Stan Fagerstrom
02-03-2005, 06:52 AM
Braided Line Or Monofilament?
You Can Have The Best Of Both
By Stan Fagerstrom
There has been a tremendous change in fishing lines over the past half century.
If you’ve been around as long as I have, you’ve had opportunity to witness those changes. It’s easy to recall when the first monofilament lines were introduced. I had a terrible time with that stuff in the beginning. It was easy to recognize its potential, but those first monos were so stiff and wiry attempting to cast with them was a cinch to create problems.
It was a whole lot easier to use those new monofilaments on open-faced spinning reels than on the level wind variety. I wish I had a couple of bucks for every backlash I had on my casting reels with those miserable early monos.
Prior to the introduction of monofilament, bass fishermen used braided lines on their level wind reels. The best of the old braids spooled reasonably well. They were tied direct to a lure. No bass man I knew back in the 30s and early 40s messed around with a leader of any kind where bass fishing was concerned.
Once monofilament became available, I often took an approach that I still use today. I simply continued to fill my level wind reel with the braided line, but I attached a few feet of monofilament to the end of it. That way I had the mono, with its lack of visibility, out where the fish were. I had the braided line on the reel’s spool to take the misery out of casting.
I felt this approach gave me the best of both lines. I still feel that way. That’s why I mentioned that I still do the same thing for much of my present day bass fishing.
If you’ve followed my columns here at the ifish web site, you know my sentiments where Power Pro braided line is concerned. I flat love the stuff! This small diameter, super strong braid handles beautifully on either level wind or open-faced spinning reels.
When I do casting demonstrations I’m often asked what kind of line I have on my reels. In recent years I’ve gone exclusively to Power Pro. I used to run 10-pound monofilament on my level wind reels for the tricky stuff I do in my presentations. I was forever changing knots because I worried about one of my 5/8th-ounce casting weights coming off and whacking someone in the audience.
I don’t have to worry anymore. Now I use 20-pound Power Pro where I used to use 10-pound monofilament on my level wind reels. I spool 10-pound Power Pro on my open-faced spinning reels where once I used 6-pound monofilament for demonstration purposes.
http://www.ifish.net/sfmespinn.jpg
I fill my reels with Power Pro braided line, then I attach a few feet of monofilament. It gives me the best of both lines
As I mentioned before, today I still use a combination of braid and mono for a great deal of bass fishing. Why? Because once again it gives me the best each type of line has to offer. I attach a few feet of monofilament or whatever leader material I choose to use to my braided line. The lure is attached to the other end.
What this gives me is a main line that spools and handles really well. I’m no longer constantly concerned about line kinks or twists as I cast and reel. Line visibility is no problem because the last few feet of monofilament is out where the fish are.
I often use this combination on both my level wind and open-faced reels. The one thing you want to be especially careful about if you do the same is the knot used to attach braided line to monofilament. It must be tied properly or you’re asking for trouble.
http://www.ifish.net/sfuni2.jpg
Be sure you learn how to tie the proper knots if you attach a leader to your braided line.
I prefer the Uni to Uni knot. It’s not all that hard to tie and it holds really well. You’ll find a pamphlet showing this and other important knots enclosed with each spool of Power Pro line.
I’ve detailed the main reasons why I favor this set up. There are others I’ll get into another time. It has worked really well for me and might be something you’d like to try in your own approach to bass fishing.
http://www.ifish.net/sftahkenitch.jpg
Here's evidence that the braid and monofilament line combination does indeed work.
You Can Have The Best Of Both
By Stan Fagerstrom
There has been a tremendous change in fishing lines over the past half century.
If you’ve been around as long as I have, you’ve had opportunity to witness those changes. It’s easy to recall when the first monofilament lines were introduced. I had a terrible time with that stuff in the beginning. It was easy to recognize its potential, but those first monos were so stiff and wiry attempting to cast with them was a cinch to create problems.
It was a whole lot easier to use those new monofilaments on open-faced spinning reels than on the level wind variety. I wish I had a couple of bucks for every backlash I had on my casting reels with those miserable early monos.
Prior to the introduction of monofilament, bass fishermen used braided lines on their level wind reels. The best of the old braids spooled reasonably well. They were tied direct to a lure. No bass man I knew back in the 30s and early 40s messed around with a leader of any kind where bass fishing was concerned.
Once monofilament became available, I often took an approach that I still use today. I simply continued to fill my level wind reel with the braided line, but I attached a few feet of monofilament to the end of it. That way I had the mono, with its lack of visibility, out where the fish were. I had the braided line on the reel’s spool to take the misery out of casting.
I felt this approach gave me the best of both lines. I still feel that way. That’s why I mentioned that I still do the same thing for much of my present day bass fishing.
If you’ve followed my columns here at the ifish web site, you know my sentiments where Power Pro braided line is concerned. I flat love the stuff! This small diameter, super strong braid handles beautifully on either level wind or open-faced spinning reels.
When I do casting demonstrations I’m often asked what kind of line I have on my reels. In recent years I’ve gone exclusively to Power Pro. I used to run 10-pound monofilament on my level wind reels for the tricky stuff I do in my presentations. I was forever changing knots because I worried about one of my 5/8th-ounce casting weights coming off and whacking someone in the audience.
I don’t have to worry anymore. Now I use 20-pound Power Pro where I used to use 10-pound monofilament on my level wind reels. I spool 10-pound Power Pro on my open-faced spinning reels where once I used 6-pound monofilament for demonstration purposes.
http://www.ifish.net/sfmespinn.jpg
I fill my reels with Power Pro braided line, then I attach a few feet of monofilament. It gives me the best of both lines
As I mentioned before, today I still use a combination of braid and mono for a great deal of bass fishing. Why? Because once again it gives me the best each type of line has to offer. I attach a few feet of monofilament or whatever leader material I choose to use to my braided line. The lure is attached to the other end.
What this gives me is a main line that spools and handles really well. I’m no longer constantly concerned about line kinks or twists as I cast and reel. Line visibility is no problem because the last few feet of monofilament is out where the fish are.
I often use this combination on both my level wind and open-faced reels. The one thing you want to be especially careful about if you do the same is the knot used to attach braided line to monofilament. It must be tied properly or you’re asking for trouble.
http://www.ifish.net/sfuni2.jpg
Be sure you learn how to tie the proper knots if you attach a leader to your braided line.
I prefer the Uni to Uni knot. It’s not all that hard to tie and it holds really well. You’ll find a pamphlet showing this and other important knots enclosed with each spool of Power Pro line.
I’ve detailed the main reasons why I favor this set up. There are others I’ll get into another time. It has worked really well for me and might be something you’d like to try in your own approach to bass fishing.
http://www.ifish.net/sftahkenitch.jpg
Here's evidence that the braid and monofilament line combination does indeed work.