The Braid to Fluoro Dilemma- Blaukat Blog

The WON Bass U.S. Open is my favorite tournament of the year.

Two years ago, I finished 10th in that event, and would have won the tournament had it not been for a knot failure on a braid to flouro setup.

 In the Open, it is a “shared weight” event. This means any fish caught by the pro or co-angler goes towards the pro’s weight.

The first day of the tournament, my co-angler lost two big bass that broke his braid to flouro knot. Had he landed either one of those bass, I would have won the event. This event solidified my current stance on braid to flouro.

Unless you have been hiding away on a deserted island over the past 5 years, you know most bass anglers have gravitated to using a braided main line with a flouro leader on most spinning rod applications.

In fact, finding anglers who use strictly flouro anymore is rare.

 As someone who has used a spinning outfit for over 50 years, and still uses it in nearly 50% of my fishing applications, I can attest to the fact I’m one of the few that still use nothing but flouro for my spinning reel techniques.

This decision came as the result of a lot of experiments with both braid to flouro and straight flouro. After extensive testing and use of both, it has been my opinion that straight flouro is the better choice.

This decision has nothing to do with being “old school”. It was made by my measure of efficiency and effectiveness on the water.

Personally, I feel the huge migration towards the braid/flouro trend has come about with a herd mentality to a large degree. Many weekend anglers and pros have seen top pros adopting the method, and assume they show as well.

Here are why most anglers say they use braid to flouro…

1.     Less line problems.

2.     Longer casts.

3.     Less stretch.

Here is what I have found regarding braid to fluoro…

1.     Potential knot failures increase.

2.     The tendency to not retie as much due to added time retying two knots.

3.     The tendency not to retie leaders and they become shorter. Increases braid visibility to wary fish.

4.     Lack of stretch leads to more break-offs.

5.     Too much time consumed retying two knots in high winds in a boat.

As well, here are why most anglers do not use straight fluoro…

1.     Line fluffs and issues surrounding it.

This is the main issue I hear from braid to fluoro advocates. To me, this is not a valid argument because here is what I see as the advantages of using straight fluoro…

1.     One knot to tie.

2.     Easy to retie which encourages retying more often.

3.      A clear line throughout the water column which decreases visibility to the fish.

4.     Better bait manipulation and consistency.

5.     One knot gives the angler a better feel for the line’s limitations.

6.     More strikes.

This last item, no. 6 is important. Anglers need to realize that a braid to fluoro setup will NOT get you anymore bites.

 If anything, a line of bright green line trailing down into the water, it will cost you strikes.

To me, getting the strike is paramount, and efficiency is also a huge key.

After experimentation, I have determined it is well worth the time I spend messing with a couple of reel fluffs each day with straight fluoro, versus having to retie two knots over and over after break-offs, worrying if knot integrity was compromised pulling too hard, or wondering if the bass can see that bright braided line.

The point is do not let peer pressure influence your decision on this. I am here to tell you that it is completely ok to not get on the braid/fluoro bandwagon.

Ultimately, it is all about confidence and efficiency. We all need to use what works for us.

For me, that is straight Seaguar Invizx fluoro.

Best of luck!