Quote:
Originally Posted by janines.fishtales@cox.net
Is Spectra a braided line? What pound tests should I be using? The same question applies to flouro leaders. What types and pound tests should I be using? I plan on shopping via Bass Pro
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Most Fishing line is made from thermoplastic.
Spectra is braided line made from Ultra High molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) thermoplastic fibres, Dacron is braided from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thermoplastic fibres. Though they share some similar properties Ultra High molecular weight polyethylene is superior, a incredibly tough material with the highest strength of any thermoplastic.
Because of it's strength, density, and lack of stretch you can make much thinner line out of it pound for pound test. It's about the toughest stuff you can make line out of, other then aramid synthetics like Kevlar, and because it's plastic it's a lot cheaper to make then the aramids.
Spectra is great for fishing because you can feel more with it set the hook easier and with it's thin diameter it has less drag in the water, and cuts through kelp. The only real weakness it has is heat. It's plastic so it melts. This can be an issue when you cross lines with someone that has a hard running fish on or when you backlash, but other then that it's pretty great stuff.
Another issue for fishing is that it's not transparent which is why we use top-shots of fluorocarbon.
Fluorocarbon line is made from polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) a thermoplastic fluropolymer. Traditional Monofiliment is made from nylon a polymer. PVDF is PVDF in other words all true 100% fluorocarbon is the same so the only differences between brands is the manufacturing quality. Nylon because it is a polymer or a mixture can vary. So the actual line material with mono changes slightly by who made it and what's in it.
Fluorocarbon has a higher molecular density which makes it sink, and also increases it's abrasion resistance, it also makes it stiffer then mono. It also has closer light refraction to water which makes it far less visible to fish then mono. So it's not only less visible, it's also tougher then mono, more resistant to abrasion and cutoffs from fish that have teeth.
So enough theories how about in practice. Spectra is going to be thinner, tougher, with less stretch then what your used to. With it's small diameter it's going to take more to fill the reel unless you use backing. It's also going to be harder for you to splice. I'd say start out with 65lbs Power Pro spectra as it's cheap and easy to learn with.
You can get it here:
http://www.basspro.com/PowerPro-Braided-Spectra-Fiber-Micro-Filament-Line-300-Yards/product/44283/
With that you can fish either thirty or forty pound fluorocarbon topshots.
Some just use leader material. For lighter tests I often use 100% fluorocarbon line for topshots to save money.
I've used all these and they all work.
http://www.basspro.com/Berkley-Vanis...product/20390/
http://www.basspro.com/Berkley-Vanis...product/71883/
http://www.basspro.com/PLine-Fluoroc...product/44286/
http://www.basspro.com/Seaguar-Fluor...product/30722/
http://www.basspro.com/Seaguar-INVIZ...product/89311/
Personally I only use 6 to 8 foot topshots, even shorter if I'm, fishing dropper loop or in the kelp. The big thing is your going to need to learn a good splice. One you can easily tie on the water. That 65 spectra is not going to break when you get hung or bust off a fish it's going to happen at the splice or topshot. Personally I use the Tony Pena knot. I can tie it fast on the water, and usually and then put a dab of super glue to it, which I always carry with me. It works for me.
A word of warning here: Say your out hang up and break off at your splice, but you don't have any more fuorocarbon leader with you. Your going to be tempted to tie your spectra directly to your hook or Iron. That may work but keep in mind that one you tie directly your not going to able to break the line if you snag, hang up or hook something huge like a big thresher shark. 65 spectra is great, but you always want a topshot so you can break off if something goes wrong. In other words learn a good splice and always carry extra leader material with you because you are going to need it on the water.
Some other things. When you start out try using a rod with a little lighter tip then your used to, and also I would suggest running a little lighter drag as well. The light tip will absorb some of the shock and make up for the lack of stretch and the lighter drag will allow for hard lunges of the fish till your used to spectra. Also always keep your line tight. With less stretch it's easier for the fish to slack the line if your not paying attention. Other then that it's just fishing, don't freak out you'll get used to it and the first time your fish takes you into kelp you'll be a spectra convert.
Good fishing to you, Jim