Fluoro or Mono? My thoughts have changed

[Robofish]

Raiders

I would be interested to get your thoughts. I have been a die hard fluorocarbon user for years now but lately my thinking has changed- I like fluorocarbon for its invisibility and its abrasion resistance but it can be a pain to knot in higher strengths, it's a lot stiffer and more expensive. I have switched back to mono for some things now -

Daytime lure fishing - I am sticking with fluorocarbon and with a loop knot so it doesn't affect the action of the lure, apart from metals, sluggos or waxwings which I tie with a uni

Daytime down rigging - I am still using fluorocarbon right now as the fish have time to investigate but was talking to a bloke the other day who uses 130lb mono all the time and gets results (and dusted on occasions)

Jigging - I have always used fluorocarbon as my leader but have recently switched to mono and have not noticed any difference in results

Bottom bashing - mono all the way

Night time beach fishing - I have always used fluorocarbon but am going to switch to mono as I don't reckon the invisibility is going to make a difference. The only time I find that it comes in useful is if there are some toothy fellas around, in which case I use a circle and fluoro and can generally land them due to the hook hold and the abrasion resistance of the fluoro

What do you guys do?

Dave

[Yowie]

Have used mono for a lifetime of fishing (well past 50 years) as I still use handlines as well as a few rods, depends what I am fishing for. Only trouble with handlines is the occasional tangle.

Usually do not use a trace, just attach the hook to the line, add bait and start fishing. Fishing the deeper water in Port Hacking, I use 2 longshank hooks linked together, a strip of fish or squid bait, no sinker and throw out from the boat, and catch plenty of fish. The 2 linked hooks do not appear to affect the bites.

When fishing with nippers or worms, just a 00 ball sinker straight above the hook, keep the bait moving and plenty of bites and fish hooked.

Have never used braid, though it seems the rage these days.

Tried a fluoro line a few years back for whiting fishing, but the strength was not what was advertised on the spool, was fairly easy to break, so ditched it and back to mono. I use a reasonable quality mono that is thinner than normal for better casting with a rod and reel.

[GreyNurse]

I've always used mono as either a leader and / or trace. Lately I just use mono as a trace tied via swivel to braid. (Yes, I'm an oldy still paranoid about line twist.) I've come around to braid as I found that a graphite spin stick loaded with braid reacts a lot faster than an older 'glass rod loaded with mono. And with my reflexes, that's a bonus!

Fish as light as practicable. Terminal gear for estuaries need only be a small ball sinker (00 is indeed preferred) running straight to the hook. If you think the fish are toothy, use a long shank, rather than a circle or suicide hook. Linked or snelled hooks are good as well. And I never leave home without a mono loaded hand line.

I've nothing against Fleuro, but considering the cost against the added success rate, mono is a much better value option. If I ever find myself fishing competitively (unlikely), I'd rethink the whole thing, of course

Edited April 7, 2013 by GreyNurse