Why Monofilament and not Tuff line or Braided

[Small Fry]

Do I really need to switch to Monofilament when I head down to Astoria for sturgeon?

I understand that the stretch factor is not a big deal when fishing in 7 to 20 feet of water. Are there other reasons?

Your wisdom is always welcome.......

[bajaspecial]

I wouldn't use mono for sturgeon unless I had too. I know it can still happen with braided, but if a sturgeon got wrapped up in the mono, it would surely cut that up faster than the braided.

[AngleThis]

The only reason I can think of is that mono might be less likely to gather weeds that float by..??? When I fish for sturgeon down there I use 40-80 lb braided.

[Dan Christopher]

go braided all the way. if it is a soft bit go to a light mono leader

[crabbait]

I use 50lb Tuf when targeting keepers and 80lb Tuf for oversized. The braided lines have less water resistance so they stay on bottom with less weight and are extremely sensitive so you can tell if a sturgeon is even breathing on your bait. Hook setting ability is enhanced by the lack of stretch.

Make sure you run a fairly light drag if you are setting the rod in a holder. Tight drags and no stretch can mean an empty rod holder and no fish if you are not paying attention.

If you are using a rod that is not rated for 50lb line you do run a risk of breaking it, especially if you hook an oversized and have to break off. If you need to break off to avoid being spooled, take a wrap around a cleat. Do not wrap braided line around your hand to break off. You don't want to see the results when that fish takes a run.

Good luck and good fishing.

[Pitch Pocket]

I use 50 lb Tuf line and a rod with a soft tip (like a plug rod) with the drag set so the rod won't break. You don't need a 50 lb rated rod, just set your drag like you have 20 lb test on it. I use plug rods for keeper sturgeon. I think the soft tip is the difference between catching and fishing some days, I have never had a problem with those 20+ fish days.

If I do have to break off Tuf line on a snag up, I put on my coat, wrap the line down my arm and pull. If you wrap it around your bare skin, especially if your skin is wet, you will cut yourself.

[ 05-22-2002, 07:16 AM: Message edited by: SjP ]

[David Johnson]

I run braided for all my sturgeon fishing.

[fishbait]

Small Fry,

If you are going to fish the flats (4 - 12 feet) take you med or med heavy salmon rod or your backbouncer with 20 - 30 mono. What a kick in the pants on salmon rods. Unless your in heavy current 2 - 4 oz and a sand shrimp is the ticket.