Don't Make These Fishing Line Mistakes!! (And The Tricks To Fix Them)

Who makes the best fishing line? Let's find out! Which line should you be using and when does it change? From Monofilament to Copolymer, Fluorocarbon to Braid, we're covering all the different lines and explaining the advantages of each!  Let's start simple for beginner anglers then dive in deep for advanced anglers!

The majority of line failures are a direct result of mistakes in line selection. Each style of line has benefits. Monofilament is inexpensive, strong, and easy to use. Fluorocarbon has incredible abrasion resistance and is nearly clear in the water. Braided line provides power in an incredibly thin package. While all of these lines have amazing benefits, each also provide challenges that need to be overcome. Understanding which line to throw for different techniques will improve your overall fishing experience!

Below you'll find links to the exact line Tim discussed in the video. We've separated them into different categories, based on price. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.

CONNECTION KNOT VIDEO...

5 Knots You Need To Know!: https://youtu.be/MYzIKg4sPWU

LEADER MATERIAL BY TYPE...

Fluorocarbon– Seaguar Gold Label: https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

Mono– Sunline Nylon Leader: https://bit.ly/4fltAu5

Swimbait Fluoro Leader– Sunline Saltimate Tunageat: https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

Heavy Application Leader– Seaguar Blue Label: https://bit.ly/48EP2Hz

BRAIDED LINE...

Basic– Power Pro: https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Quality– Sufix 832: https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Best– Sufix 131: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

FLUOROCARBON LINE...

Basic– Seaguar Basix: https://bit.ly/38c1HHr

Quality– Sunline Super FC: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Best– Sunline ShooterFC: https://bit.ly/306CJ5Q

MONOFILAMENT LINE...

Basic– Trilene Big Game: https://bit.ly/3361fGi

Quality– Sufix Advance: https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

Best– Maxima Ultra Green: https://bit.ly/2ae97J9

SPECIALTY LINES...

Abrasive Braid– Seaguar Tact X: https://bit.ly/4eV8UJz

Thin Braid– Seaguar JDM PEX8: https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

High Vis Braid– Sunline SX1: https://bit.ly/2FngUkQ

Stretchy Fluorocarbon– Sunline Crank FC: https://bit.ly/3fohguC

LINE STORAGE AND ACCESSORIES...

•Seaguar Line and Leader Bags: https://bit.ly/3yb17XZ

•Seaguar Bulk Storage Bag: https://bit.ly/4c6mlny

•Sunline Camo Line Storage Bag: https://bit.ly/47aRGnu

•Plano Spool Box: https://bit.ly/30VngVs

•Maxima Spool Band (With Cutter): https://bit.ly/3ltXzDD

LINE SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS BY TECHNIQUE...

Dropshot– 10 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Crankbait– 12–17 lb Fluorocarbon or 20–30 lb Braid

Topwater– 40 lb Braid or 15 lb Mono

Frog– 50–65 lb Braid

Jig– 50 lb Braid, 15–20 lb Fluorocarbon, 15–20 lb Mono Leader

Ned Rig– 8 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Senko– 30 lb Braid, 10–15 lb Mono leader, 12 lb fluorocarbon

Shakey Head– 20 lb Braid, 10–12 lb fluorocarbon, 10 lb mono leader

Spnnerbait/Chatterbait– 15–20 lb fluorocarbon, 40–50 lb Braid

Big Swimbait– 80 lb braid, 25–35 lb mono or fluorocarbon leader

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Best Fishing Line: Braid, Mono, or fluorocarbon?

When should you use mono? What about braided line or Fluorocarbon? Matt explains what each line is for, how to use it, and when to avoid it. We also discuss leader materials and how to tie connection knots. 

This video goes in depth about all 3 fishing lines. We ignored copolymer for the sake of time as its really just an "in between" between fluorocarbon and monofilament. All of these different styles of line are important. Each one has a place and will increase your success while fishing. But use the wrong line for the wrong purpose and it will drive you insane! A perfect example that we forgot to cover in the video is that fluorocarbon sinks. Use it for topwater and it will drive you insane! But use it in ultra deep water and it will make it easier to keep bottom contact. 

Below is a break down of the different lines that we use on a regular basis. 

Braided Line...
Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Monofilament...
Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
P-Line CXX: http://bit.ly/2alLm0l

Fluorocarbon...
Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Seaguar AbrazX: http://bit.ly/2aaBBDX
Seguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

Connection Knots...

 Blood Knot- This is my core knot for all connections between braid and mono or braid and fluoro. If connecting to fluorocarbon its CRITICAL that the knot is wet when cinching up or the fluoro will be burned. 

Blood Knot Video: https://youtu.be/XKn9Pgl1sYI

Nail Knot- This is an extremely strong knot but requires an extra tool or straw to tie it effectively on the water. 

My applications...
Finesse in crystal clear water: 10 lb braid (use 15 lb if on a low end reel) to 5-8 lb fluoro
Finesse in clean water: 10 lb braid to 6-10 lb mono
Texas Rigs: 40 lb braid to 12-17 lb mono
Finesse Jigs: 30 lb braid to 10-15 lb mono or 12-15 lb fluoro
Jig Fishing: 50 lb braid to 15-20 lb mono
Crankbait option 1: 12 lb fluorocarbon (Assassin)
Crankbait option 2: 20 lb Braid (Sufix 832) to 12 lb mono
Swimbait: 80 lb braid to 30 lb mono
punching: 65 lb braid (no leader)
Frogging: 50-65 lb braid (No leader)
Jerkbait option 1: 20 lb braid to 10 lb mono leader
Jerkbait option 2: 12 lb fluorocarbon
Shaky Head: 30 lb braid to 10 lb mono
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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, Hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com

Braided Line and Leader Length

Many anglers have made the switch to braided line for their bass fishing but many still struggle with the specifics. The main struggles are when to tie a leader, how long should a leader be, what knots to use for braided line, When to use a leader and when to tie direct to braided line. 

In this video Matt focuses on when to tie a leader and how long that leader needs to be for different techniques like flipping, pitching, crankbaits, jigs, finesse fishing, topwater, etc. Leader length for flipping is vastly different than leader length for reaction or finesse techniques. The only aspect of the leaders that remains the same is the knot. 

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Matt's connection knot of choice to connect braid to mono or fluoro leader material is a blood knot. Here is the video on how to tie the blood knot if you're not familiar with it: https://youtu.be/XKn9Pgl1sYI

Matt's preferred Lines...

Sufix 832 Braided Line
Power Pro Maxcuatro Braided Line
Seaguar AbrazX Fluorocarbon
Maxima Ultragreen Monofilament

**We do not advocate Maxima Ultragreen as a main line because it is stiff and has excessive stretch. However, as a leader material it is phenomenal! It has strength, shock absorption, and abrasion resistence.