After being on a non fishing vacation I needed an afternoon on the water. No rain here for 11 days and 7 straight days of 90+ degree air temps I knew the water would be somewhat clear and definitely warm. I decided to do a JDM Line test/comparison on some deep fish I was hoping would be in their summertime pattern. I spooled the Luvias with a 3lb Varivas Nylon and saddled it up to the Majorcraft X-Ride. Bait of choice was a BGBS on a 1/32oz light wire hook. On the 18 Corto, same reel spooled with the Mebaru sinking yellow braid, same bait and jighead. My plan was to vertical fish the nylon line and if I found some fish then pendulum cast the braid to the same deep fish. It worked well, the fish cooperated and I had a great evening.
?
Attachment 344674
Here is the nylon, and here is a nice Speck that fell prey to my offerings.
?
Attachment 344675
Thoughts on the Nylon after one trip, I do like it. Some characteristic stretch of nylon, but decent sensitivity. I was fishing about 17-20ft deep over 23-24 FOW, dropping the bait straight down and vertical jigging according to Crappy Pappy’s article found on here. The bite was a muted, soft thump you would expect from a deep nylon bite. The subsequent fight was definitely softened by the stretch of the nylon which offset the stiff Tubular tip of the 7.6 rod. The line is clear and not easy to see to re-tie, and definitely disappears soon as it goes subsurface. I would recommend this nylon for clear water applications. I did not use a shock leader and used a simple Palomar and improved Clinch for my knots. I have used SOS Trout Magnet 2lb Line and initially I would rate the Varivas a little better. Time will tell about twist and longevity. The diameter of this line is very fine and it casts well.
Next up was the braid, same location I just backed off and let the bait pendulum more through the strike zone to get a feel of the sink rate and visible bite detection. Watching the fine clear Nylon was not an option.
?
Attachment 344676
First couple drops and I saw a slight tick on the line, set the hook and a blame Cricket Cruncher intercepted my bait before it hit the sweet spot.
?
Attachment 344677
Good fight and feel with the line and rod, have been using this setup shallow so I knew what to expect on this rodeo. A few more swings and a definite arm jarring thump was felt causing me to actually set the hook hard, a no no with this equipment and a fight was on with something from the depths. The whole time I thought Walleye but it turned out to be a 14in White Bass.
?
Attachment 344678
With the no stretch line I had to rely on the drag and rod bend to capture this quarry, and of course the landing net. I went on to stick several more Crappie with the Corto/Mebaru line and noticed a definite difference in the bite feel from the deep water. A sharp short tic was felt from the braid and I began the lifting/ hook setting process immediately. I started with a shock leader but broke it off in the brush, so I just tied directly to the jig with the braid with a simple Palomar knot and had no noticeable issues with line shy fish. This line casts like a jig like a bullet and is visible as far out as I need to see it. For Bluegill, a definite keeper combination and the line has shown little sign of wear and very little discoloration. If this line lasts through the Summer season I will consider it a win as it is much cheaper than 2lb Nanofil.
In conclusion, for cost and availability the Varivas Nylon is a great line but I believe you can use the Trout Magnet Line and get almost virtually the same performance. I do like the braid, will re-order based on conclusions made so far. As I left the lake last night I scoped out a few dock lights that were on at dusk, so the 3lb Sunline Ester that glows in the UV light will be up next as I have black light plugs on the boat and have been wanting to do a Night Crappie trip for a couple summers now. Stay tuned for more line reports, I like to experiment around with different products.
Sent from my iPhone using
Crappie.com Fishing mobile app