In the early days of bass clubs there
were few monofilament lines to choose from. Most anglers opted
for one brand and used it in varying sizes for every fishing
application. The major dilemma was whether to buy a clear or
fluorescent monofilament.
Things are more complicated today because line makers have
continually developed new monofilaments to upstage their
competitors. We now have monofilaments in a myriad of colors,
and those that are tougher, stronger, more sensitive, more limp
and cartable, and that have all these attributes to some degree.
When the super braids and their likes blitzed bass fishermen,
there was a hectic period of adjustment. Some pundits believed
that the thinner, more sensitive super lines would replace
monofilament. Bass anglers eagerly experimented with the new
lines. Some fishermen have since forsaken super lines
altogether, and few anglers use them exclusively. Most bassers
use super lines for flippin’ dense cover, such as matted
vegetation, and for Carolina rigging, where the line’s low
stretch helps strike detection and hook setting.
Just when fishermen were settling into a comfort zone with
their monofilament and super line choices, along came
fluorocarbon. This “invisible line” has a refractive index
nearly the same as water. When a fluorocarbon line is immersed
in water, it blends in so well that it virtually disappears.
Here, finally, is a line that will not spook fish, even in
crystal clear water. As with the super lines, bass fishermen are
now sorting out where fluorocarbon line fits into their fishing.
The first fluorocarbon lines were leader material for
fly-fishing. A fly-fishing leader needs to be stiff so that it
rolls over smoothly as it transfers the inertia from the fly
line to the fly. But, a stiff line is detested for most bass
fishing applications. It tends to backlash baitcasting reels,
and it springs off spinning reels in stiff coils that reduce
casting distance.
Newer fluorocarbon lines designed for bass fishing are more
limp. But, Berkley states that fluorocarbon line is still
inherently stiffer then monofilament. That’s because
fluorocarbon line does not absorb water, as does monofilament,
and become more flexible. Even so, some anglers now use
fluorocarbon line extensively, including Mike Fillmer of
Lithonia, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.
Fillmer, an ex police officer and a retired IBM salesman, now
manages a warehouse at SPRO/Gamakatsu. He has been a member (and
the secretary) of the Dekalb Bass Club since 1986. The club
fishes lakes throughout Georgia and the surrounding states.
As did many fishermen, Filler first used fluorocarbon line as
a leader when he Carolina rigged with braided line. He soon
found that, besides being invisible, fluorocarbon line is low in
stretch and more sensitive than monofilament. It helped him feel
bites, set the hook, and it proved tougher than monofilament.
Fluorocarbon, unlike monofilament, is also unaffected by the
sun’s UV rays. Since it does not absorb water, fluorocarbon
maintains superior wet strength to monofilament. It also sinks
faster, because it is more dense. This is beneficial with
sinking lures, such as jig and worms, but it can hamper the
action of topwater baits.
“I’ve tried just about every fluorocarbon line out there,”
Fillmer says. “I’ve had good luck with many of them, but my
favorite is Seagar. It’s very limp.”
Fillmer first tried 8- and 10-pound fluorocarbon as a leader for
a Carolina rig on 14-pound braided line. He was so pleased with
fluorocarbon’s sensitivity that he eventually switched from a
super braid to fluorocarbon as the main line. Another item that
improves his sensitivity is a tungsten sinker from Tru-Tungsten
instead of a lead sinker.
“With that tungsten weight and that fluorocarbon line, I can
feel mud, I can feel brush, I can feel limbs, and I can feel
grass,” Fillmer says. “And when a bass picks it up. I know it.”
Encouraged by his success with fluorocarbon when Carolina
rigging, Fillmer tried the line with other lures. He soon found
that it improved his catch when fishing jigs and Texas-rigged
worms. When he spooled 6-pound fluorocarbon on his spinning rod
for drop-shotting, he knew he had found the perfect combination.
"Besides being more sensitive, fluorocarbon sinks faster,”
Fillmer says. “It gets down there quicker and I can get by with
a lighter weight.”
When Fillmer tried 10-pound fluorocarbon line on his crankbait
rod, he found that he could cast 15 to 20 percent farther than
with monofilament. He admits that other anglers question this,
but he claims there is no doubt that he casts farther. Since he
usually fishes from the back seat of his club member’s boats,
longer casts help him keep pace with the angler fishing from the
bow. He also claims that the increased casting distance,
combined with the sinking line, allows his crankbaits to run
deeper. The increased sensitivity of fluorocarbon tells him when
the crankbait contacts cover or the bottom, and when a bass nabs
his bait.
Fillmer also switched to fluorocarbon for fishing jerkbaits
and topwater baits, including Lucky Craft’s Sammy, his favorite
dog-walking stickbait. By working the Sammy at a faster cadence,
Fillmer overcomes negative effect of the sinking fluorocarbon
line.
“I now use fluorocarbon for 90 percent of my fishing.”
Fillmer says. “I just love this stuff. I’m not about to switch
to anything else.”
The only bait that Fillmer doesn’t fish on fluorocarbon line
is a snagless frog, specifically the Rojas Frog. He retrieves
this bait over matted grass and other nasty cover, and opts for
65-pound braided line so he can horse the bass out.
One drawback Fillmer has found with fluorocarbon line is that
it is hard to see above the water, especially through his
bifocals. He sometimes struggles to see the line when he watches
for strikes with jigs and worms. However, Fillmer claims that
fluorocarbon has so many advantages it more than compensates for
this handicap.
Another negative is the high cost of fluorocarbon. You’ll pay
as much for 200 yards of fluorocarbon as for 750 to 1,000 yards
of monofilament.
“It is expensive,” Fillmer says. “But I tell you what, it
handles well, it casts well, it holds up well, and I can feel
everything down there with it. It’s worth it.”
SIDEBAR TWO FLUOROCARBON LINES
Bass Pro Shops XPS Signature Series Fluorocarbon was used by
Kevin VanDam when he won the 2001 Bassmaster Classic. He claims
that the advantages of fluorocarbon help him with many fishing
applications.
Berkley Vanish Transition turns gold above water for
higher visibility to the angler, while remaining invisible
underwater.
Cabela’s No-Vi 100% Fluorocarbon has all the benefits
you expect from a 100 percent fluorocarbon fishing line.
Cabela’s ProLine Fluorocarbon is formulated to cast well at a
relatively low cost.
Gamma Technologies Edge Fluorocarbon has been
engineered to be more supple, to deliver more strength per
diameter, better knot strength, higher shock resistance, and
greater abrasion resistance.
P-Line Soft Fluorocarbon is extruded from the highest
quality Japanese Fluorocarbon Crystals to have very little
memory.
Seagar Carbon Pro is a castable 100 percent
fluorocarbon fishing line. Seagar claims that their 20 years of
experience in fluorocarbon technology allows them to provide a
superior line.
Silver Thread Fluorocarbon has all the benefits of a
pure fluorocarbon line. The proven performance of Silver Thread
monofilament bodes well for their fluorocarbon line.
Sunline Siglon Fluorocarbon is a new Japanese line
company that has been generating attention from professional
bass anglers. The manufacturer claims that it performs as well,
yet costs less.
Triple Fish Fluorocarbon is supple because it is made
for casting, not for leader material. This company claims that
the smooth, hard surface of a fluorocarbon line makes for better
casting than with monofilament.
Gary Yamamoto Sugoi Fluorocarbon is advertised to feel
and act like monofilament and have the superior strength and
high sensitivity of braid.
Sugoi Fluorocarbon Drop Shot Line comes in 5-, 6-, and
8-pound test, sizes that are ideal for drop-shot fishing.
Yo-Zuri X-Tex Cobra is a multicolor camouflage blend
of fluorocarbon, nylon and X-Tex. The result is a strong,
abrasion resistant line with softness and low memory.
— Mark Hicks
KNOT STRENGTH
Because of its high density, fluorocarbon line, builds up heat
much faster than a nylon monofilament. The non-absorbing nature
of fluorocarbon increases this problem. This friction can happen
when cinching a knot. Wetting the line or lubricating it with
silicone prevents heat and maintains the line’s strength.
Spraying silicone directly on the line while it is on the reel
helps with this problem and adds more abrasion resistance
Berkley recommends the Trilene knot, with the full five wraps,
before cinching the knot. Whatever knot you use, be sure to
lubricate the line thoroughly before cinching it.
