Braid, fluoro or both? Picking line for Texas bass and bay fishing
Braid: no stretch, thin for its strength
Braided line is woven from PE fibers. Makers such as Beyond Braid point to zero stretch for feeling bites and driving hooks, and a thin diameter that lets you pack more line on a reel. Braid comes in a wide range of strengths; Beyond Braid alone sells 8 lb to 150 lb.
Fluorocarbon: sinks and hides
Fluorocarbon is less visible underwater than mono and sinks. Bassmaster calls it the most widely used line type for bass and notes that because it sinks it is a poor choice for topwater. Seaguar InvizX is a popular soft fluoro mainline.
Both: braid to a fluoro leader
A common setup is braid as the mainline with a short fluorocarbon leader tied on, so you get braid's casting and sensitivity with a less visible section near the bait. Beyond Braid and Seaguar both sell fluorocarbon leader material.
Matching line to the job
| Situation | Things to weigh |
|---|---|
| Topwater for bass | Braid or mono float; fluoro sinks (Bassmaster) |
| Bottom baits in clear reservoirs | Fluoro mainline, or braid with a fluoro leader |
| Heavy grass and timber | Heavier braid for pulling fish out of cover |
| Bay reds and specks on spinning gear | PENN's Battle IV chart pairs 3000-size reels with 15 to 30 lb braid |
Brandon's take: coming soon
Brandon's own line setups for Texas lakes and the Gulf will go here.
Sources
- Beyond Braid line product page
- Bassmaster: Seaguar InvizX gear review
- Seaguar InvizX product page
- PENN Battle IV size chart
Related reviews: Beyond Braid · Seaguar InvizX · PENN Battle IV