Thread: The best braid for pan fish?

So I am by no means an expert. My first thought was why braid until I read your post. Quite simply if it works for you then run with it. I too have problems seeing mono and may go to a braided line in the future. I use hi-vis line now which has helped. Just my 2 cents....

Originally Posted by trypman1

Good morning- I have a question for you Guru's- I am having to go to braid line for my bluegill, panfish JDM rods and reels. I just can't see the mono & other nylon lines. I bought a spool of Sea Knight classic braid in blue. Spooled it on my lightest rod and reel, it did fine and I could see the line to tie and watch for bites. What are your thought's on this change.

The one JDM line I have never purchased is a PE line...or braid. But I will soon as I have several new JDM reels on the way and I can now dedicate one reel just for the PE. Stan....and others.... have some good reviews on JDM PE line in the JDM line thread.


Regards

Crestliner has posted a lot about Fireline Crystal. You might search his posts or send him a PM.

You'll be hard pressed to find a better quality fishing line for your purpose than 2# test Fireline Crystal. It's all I use now on 5 rigs for a multitude of species.

I also use a 4# test fluorocarbon leader of about 3' - 4', but not for it's purported "invisibility". Rather the qualities I seek in a leader material is abrasion resistance (No. 1) and stretch. Yes, fluorocarbon lines do stretch, contrary to some media hype. And that's a good thing.

Regardless of what kind of braid you try, you'll definitely need some form of shock resisting leader. Otherwise, you'll be tearing hooks out of the fish's mouths on a frequent basis. Fluorocarbon accomplishes that and is much more abrasion resistant than mono or co-polymer type lines.

You'll soon realize the benefits of using braid as you main line. Sensitivity and casting distance is superior to anything else. As a side bonus, you will never have to worry about line twist again. Yes, it still does happen with braid. But there is no consequent to it happening as with other single strand lines. I've had this line on several of my rigs for several seasons with no ill effects.

Finally, don't be intimidated by the small line test rating on this Crystal. I've landed some pretty big fish of various species without ever worrying about it breaking on me. That will be re-enforced the first time you hook bottom and try to break it off.

I almost forgot.....learn to tie the Alberto knot to join both your line and leader. A little practice and it's no where near as intimidating as some folks would have you believe. As a leader joint, I rely on it exclusively. Small knot profile slides through the guides easily.

I use 6# yellow braid with a 6# fluorocarbon leader. I use a double Uniknot to join the two. I find it the easiest to tie and it also has a low knot profile.
I went to 6# because the pond I mostly fish for panfish has some 4-8 Lb. Bass in it and I got tired of losing Beetle Spins and small Rapalas!

One thing to keep in mind. I’m not sure which JDM rods you have but I would not exceed the line rating. Most...if not all......US market braids will far exceed their stated line strength. You don’t want to break a rod thinking you have 2# test when it is really 6# test. Of course if you know exactly what your drag setting is that would not be a problem. I keep my drag set at 20 percent of the actual break strength of super lines.......those that don’t stretch.

Regards


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I like the 2# Fireline Crystal that Crestliner recommends, it's white, and easy to see, just add a 18ln 6#mono leader and your good to go.

The Unitaka Braid in 3lb test is the main braid I have settled on. Have fished Nanofil 2-4lb, and the Fireline Crystal in 2lb. When fishing shallow to medium depths, I had no problems as both of these lines float. Two years ago when I started fishing deeper water and structure for Panfish with lighter equipment and baits, I began looking for a line that had good bite detection but would sink a little faster. Tried fluorocarbon, yikes what a mess for me. Plus very difficult to see. The JDM road and research led me to the Yellow PE (braid).

Having landed almost every fish in our local lakes with this line, I would definitely recommend this line for fishing all depths as it is a little heavier than mono, but has the limp characteristics of a good braid. No special knot (Palomar is what I use) is needed. Determine what style of fishing you do most then start out with a couple different braids on similar rods and reels. You will hopefully find what works best.