Thread: fluorocarbon Help!!

Bass are not too line shy. When the fish are line shy, it becomes the lesser evil.

Vanish "leader line" is like all leader lines--standard and durable. If you want leader line, get Suffix--its cheaper, and you can get 100+ yards for the price of 30 in another brand and it achieves the same purpose.

As for FISHING LINE (not leader line) fluorocarbon, Vanish is, hands down, the WORST I have ever used--and yes, I have had the unfortunate displeasure in having it spooled on my reels before.

The plus side, Vanish has a nice quality--visibility. It sunlight, it turns orange out of the water, and becomes clear underwater.

Problem is, even with conditioning, Vanish becomes very brittle after a few uses and begins fraying and snapping with multiple weak points--memory is also a beast. I have never had a line snap so often--usually just when casting. I can take the 20# version and snap it with my fingers--whereas I cannot do that with 6# versions in other brands.

Here are my recommendations for lines which are locally accessible--and I have used most brands at one point or another (including the 'expensive' online crap).

Best all around for pound for pound quality and performance: I am going to say Yo-Zuri Hybrid. http://www.yo-zuri.com/# This line's incredible strength in the 4# - 6# classes tests double its actual threshold, and in my personal dealings, its breaking point is even stronger since I have a harder time breaking the line from snags than I do with 8-strand braids of equal test. No issues with fraying or memory, and if you enjoy Ultralight in the 4-8 ranges, this is the line for you. You can obtain this at BassPro and some other local dealers. They even have an Ultra Soft Fluorocarbon line available as low as 2# test designed for UL spinning reels, and has almost no memory even without conditioning. Personally, I use regular hybrid since I condition my lines, and I just like that added strength.

Best all around for value: A close second, but more desirable due to being inexpensive, is Vicious. http://www.vicious-fishing.com/index.php This line has similar properties to Yo-Zuri, but does need basic conditioning. They have since released a new "Ultimate" version which alleviates the memory and abrasion issues in prior UL versions. Vicious has great versatility and you can get virtually any color, high or low vis you want in most tests and grades. Easy to order online, they are also available at BassPro and most local vendors. Ordering off their website, though, will save you some money since they offer 1/4 # spools really cheap. I have really put this line to the test--man-handling a 65lb Southern Ray and a 100+lb bull shark with their basic 20# test line--landing both fish in under 5 minutes by putting on the pressure. Vicious won't disappoint.

Another alternative is going with Power Pro's new 8-strand Super Slick 8 lines. These have the strength of braid, but the smoothness, ease of casting, and reduced fraying properties of Fluorocarbon. I personally have used the 10# and 15# versions, and have been thoroughly impressed. After using Super Slick 8, I will never use regular braided lines again. I highly recommend having this as a backup in the event you want to fish very turbulent waters. Additionally, the lighter line will allow you to cast futher during windy days.

Hopefully this helps broaden your search. No offense to those who use Vanish, but as some stated, I wouldn't even tie up my tomato plants to a fence post with that Berkley product. Rather than take Vanish back to the store for a refund, I insisted on throwing it away in hopes Berkley couldn;t put that spool back on the shelves--saving one angler at a time!

Ok,. so maybe that was harsh, and I should apologize to Berkley reps everywhere for my evil bias ... ...

Nah ... :evil: can't do it. :moon:

Fish on brothers and sisters of the Gulf!! :fishing: :headbang:

Knots man Knots they are essential with Flouro :-X

VG, I finally got low enough in my line inventory to order some new 4lb test. On your recommendations I got the yozuri hybrid. I was curious on the conditioner you use as I never saw a brand name. It does seem strong so far, but a little stiffer than I am used to. I don't have any of the usual reel magic in the pump spray and I don't like the aerosol spray with light lines, so since I'm in the market anyway thought it would be a good time to experiment. Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken, he uses Reel Magic.

Thanks Chef.

I've been reading some rave reviews on the Kevin VanDam line conditioner, but I can't find anyone in our neck of the woods that carries it or anyone who has personal experience that I know (or kind of know). Reel magic has done me good for years...but I do prefer the pump spray bottles.

The KVD stuff works wonders but the process initially takes some time. (soaking the line then letting it dry). In UL I fish with 6mono and then a flouro leader.

There are a number of different things people use.

Kevin VanDam Line & Lure (Freshwater and Saltwater series), Blakemore's Reel Magic and Ardent's Line Butter are the common commercial products designed for it. Some people have also tried various household products with mixed success and failure, such as: basic sun-tan lotion, automotive wax/butter, pink Dawn dishwashing liquid with lotion, fresh motor oil, baby oil and even WD-40! Note: (I personally do not condone the use of ANY of these "household" products!)

I use Reel Magic primarily on power pro super slick 8 (braid), but for Fluorocarbon I will only use it as a quick fix when I need to condition "in the field" or "on the go" in the heat of the moment IF having memory problems. The problem with using Reel Magic on Fluoro or Mono is petroleum solvents used in the product will eat away at the surface layers of the fishing line, and reduce its strength significantly a few days after you use it--unless you are quick to rinse and wipe it off after the day of usage. Bottom line (no pun meant), is only use it on your Fluoro and mono as a one time deal, because a few days later, you will need to respool your reel from weakened line if you didn't clean it off. It can also crank into your reel's internal seals from overspray, if applicable.

KVD is hands down the best possible conditioning treatment for your line. Get it, use it, love it! Heck it even produces UV protection and anti- corrosion properties for your line in harsh salt-water conditions. You don't necessarily soak the product, so much as you simply spray it on the night before you go fishing to give it time to soak in--it comes in a similar spray pump to Reel Magic. You can also go deeper by casting out and spraying the internal housing line. While KVD can be used on the go similar to Reel Magic, it is quite expensive in comparison.

The primary difference is KVD L&L is environmentally safe and biodegradable as a water-based and oil-free product. It is therefore not harmful to the water and the natural residents therein like all of the other products. Additionally it is also designed with Fluorocarbon in mind, but does great with Mono and Braid also. While this product costs more than other brands, it has a cheaper counterpart made by the same company called Vicious Fishing Line Conditioner. Vicious Fishing Line Conditioner is nothing more than a repackaged KVD product line being sold under the guise of Vicious Name Brand.

My final recommendation is getting Vicious Fishing Line Conditioner at http://www.vicious-fishing.com, and use it as a long term solution--but keep the cheap and crappy Reel magic on hand for those times when you "forget" to KVD the night before. Just don't forget to rinse it with fresh water, cast out and then reel back in with the line between a towel so the petroleum bases are wiped clean.

Hope this helps.

Thanks VG! I knew you could give the straight scoop.

I'll be looking for the vicious line conditioner....I can get the KVD stuff at Bass Pro when I go by. I don't want to pay the shipping if I can help it.