Don't Make These Fishing Line Mistakes! ( How To Avoid Them )

Who makes the best fishing line?! Which one should you use?? Does it matter for different techniques? Let's start simple for beginner anglers then dive in deep for advanced anglers! From Monofilmanet to Copolymer, Fluorocarbon to Braid, we're covering all the different lines and explaining the advantages of each!

Each style of line has benefits. Monofilament is inexpensive, strong, and easy to use. Fluorocarbon has incredible abrasion resistance and is incredibly clear. Braided line provides power in an incredibly thin package. While all of these lines have amazing benefits, they also provide challenges that need to be overcome. Understanding which line to throw for different techniques will improve your overall fishing experience. The majority of break offs, foul ups, and backlashes are a direct result of mistakes in line selection.

Below you'll find links to the exact line Tim discussed in the video. We've separated them into different categories, based on price. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.

MONOFILAMENT...

Basic– Trilene Big Game: https://bit.ly/3361fGi

Quality– Sufix Advance: https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

Best– Maxima Ultra Green: https://bit.ly/2ae97J9

FLUOROCARBON...

Basic– Seaguar Basix: https://bit.ly/38c1HHr

Quality– Sunline Super FC: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Best– Sunline ShooterFC: https://bit.ly/306CJ5Q

BRAIDED LINE...

Basic– Power Pro: https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Quality– Power Pro Maxcuatro: https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Best– Sufix 131: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

SPECIALTY LINES...

•Colored Fluorocarbon: https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

•High Visibility Braid (Pink): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

•Fluorocarbon Shock Leader: https://bit.ly/2O4UElB

•Monofilament Shock Leader: https://bit.ly/3WqDIJp

•Fluorocarbon For Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3fohguC

•Fluorocarbon For Flipping: https://bit.ly/3clXxt2

ACCESSORIES...

Plano Spool Box: https://bit.ly/30VngVs

Sunline Line Bag: https://bit.ly/47aRGnu

Maxima Spool Band (With Cutter): https://bit.ly/3ltXzDD

HOW WE TIE OUR KNOTS...

Knot Video: https://youtu.be/MYzIKg4sPWU

LINE SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS BY TECHNIQUE...

Dropshot– 10 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Crankbait– 12–17 lb Fluorocarbon or 20–30 lb Braid

Topwater– 40 lb Braid or 15 lb Mono

Frog– 50–65 lb Braid

Jig– 50 lb Braid, 15–20 lb Fluorocarbon, 15–20 lb Mono Leader

Ned Rig– 8 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Senko– 30 lb Braid, 10–15 lb Mono leader, 12 lb fluorocarbon

Shakey Head– 20 lb Braid, 10–12 lb fluorocarbon, 10 lb mono leader

Spnnerbait/Chatterbait– 15–20 lb fluorocarbon, 40–50 lb Braid

Big Swimbait– 80 lb braid, 25–35 lb mono or fluorocarbon leader

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Best Fishing Knots Made Easy! 5 Knots You Need To Know!

Learn a couple of these easy knots and you'll be able to catch fish anywhere in the world! We choose our knots based on ease of tying and consistent results. You don't need special tools and you don't need to use your knees and toes to help tie them. These knots are EASY! 

Today Tim is showing the 5 knots we use for all of our fishing. The 3 "Line-To-Lure" knots are the San Diego Jam knot, Palomar Knot, and Uni Knot. The two "Line-To-Line" (leader) knots are the Double Uni Knot and the Double Blood Knot. 

Every time "knots" come up everyone seems to have an opinion. Some people insist on tying incredibly complex knots. Others prefer knots that require special tools. Some anglers just tie whatever knot their grandpa taught them because it works... most of the time. We choose our knots based on a handful of variables. The knot must be easy to tie on the water and can't take an excessive amount of time. It must work with a variety of lines and line sizes. And most important, you must be able to visibly verify that it is tied correctly.  

Now that you know the knots to tie, let's talk about line. There are different lines for different purposes. Below is a breakdown of all our favorite fishing lines for different circumstances. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each line. 

Braided Lines... We use these lines for the vast majority of our fishing. Braided line is incredibly strong, has very little stretch, and is very thin. The downside of braid is that its highly visible in the water. For power fishing techniques like frogging, topwater, flipping, etc braid is amazing! It gives you incredible power to set the hook hard and drag the fish away from cover. In these situations its okay to tie the braided line direct to your lure. If you're fishing slower or in clearer water you'll want to add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to reduce visibility. 

-Favorite Braid (Ultra Thin)- Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

-Budget Braid- Power Pro Original: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

-Finesse Braid (Spinning Rods)- Sunline SX-1: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

-Smooth Braid- Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Fluorocarbon Lines... Fluorocarbon is the best of both worlds between braid and mono. It has good sensitivity, strength, and is virtually invisible in the water. Its a great stand alone line for all fishing applications (except for topwater because it tends to sink) but it truly shines as a finesse line. It can be used as a main line or as a leader (Sniper for finesse leader, FC100 for power fishing leader). 

-Finesse Applications- Sunline Sniper FC: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

-Power Applications- Sunline Assassin FC: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

-Leader Material- Sunline FC100 System Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Monofilament... Mono is what most anglers start with. Its incredibly forgiving, has a lot of stretch, is very strong, and its relatively cheap. Traditionally monofilament shines for topwater and crankbaits where stretch is a plus. Over the years we have shifted to braided line and currently only use monofilament as a leader material. 

-Favorite Mono- Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

-Budget Mono- Berkley Big Game: http://bit.ly/2vZGjSb

Line Size Recommendations By Technique... 

Dropshot- 10 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Crankbait- 12-17 lb Fluorocarbon or 30 lb Braid

Topwater- 40 lb Braid or 15 lb Mono

Frog- 65 lb Braid

Jig- 50 lb Braid, 15-20 lb Fluorocarbon, 15-20 lb Mono Leader

Ned Rig- 8 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Senko- 30 lb Braid, 10-15 lb Mono leader, 12 lb fluorocarbon

Shakey Head- 20 lb Braid, 10-12 lb fluorocarbon, 10 lb mono leader

Spnnerbait/Chatterbait- 15-20 lb fluorocarbon, 40-50 lb Braid

Big Swimbait- 80 lb braid, 25-35 lb mono or fluorocarbon leader

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

3 Fishing Knots Everyone Should Know

Today we're tying 3 knots every fisherman needs to know. The Palomar and San Diego Jam are both great knots for attaching hooks and lures to your line. The Blood Knot is an excellent knot for attaching your main line to your leader material. We have a few tricks we do to adapt each knot to our fishing style and we're sharing those with you too!

No matter what species of fish you pursue, these are extremely helpful knots. If you're a bass fisherman, they're the only knots you'll ever need to know! Are there other knots that work well? Of course! The downside of many other knots is they're either too difficult to tie for the average angler and/or you can't tell when they're tied incorrectly.

Below is a breakdown of the different lines that we use for all of our fishing needs, as well as a link to the video explaining what each line is for.

Braid...

-Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

-Power Pro Moss Green: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

-Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Monofilament...

-Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluorocarbon...

Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Shock Leader...

FC-100 System Leader Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Video- Which Fishing Line? Braid vs Fluorocarbon vs Mono: https://youtu.be/gU1CAvfXHmU

Best Fishing Line: Braid, Mono, or fluorocarbon?

When should you use mono? What about braided line or Fluorocarbon? Matt explains what each line is for, how to use it, and when to avoid it. We also discuss leader materials and how to tie connection knots. 

This video goes in depth about all 3 fishing lines. We ignored copolymer for the sake of time as its really just an "in between" between fluorocarbon and monofilament. All of these different styles of line are important. Each one has a place and will increase your success while fishing. But use the wrong line for the wrong purpose and it will drive you insane! A perfect example that we forgot to cover in the video is that fluorocarbon sinks. Use it for topwater and it will drive you insane! But use it in ultra deep water and it will make it easier to keep bottom contact. 

Below is a break down of the different lines that we use on a regular basis. 

Braided Line...
Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Monofilament...
Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
P-Line CXX: http://bit.ly/2alLm0l

Fluorocarbon...
Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Seaguar AbrazX: http://bit.ly/2aaBBDX
Seguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

Connection Knots...

 Blood Knot- This is my core knot for all connections between braid and mono or braid and fluoro. If connecting to fluorocarbon its CRITICAL that the knot is wet when cinching up or the fluoro will be burned. 

Blood Knot Video: https://youtu.be/XKn9Pgl1sYI

Nail Knot- This is an extremely strong knot but requires an extra tool or straw to tie it effectively on the water. 

My applications...
Finesse in crystal clear water: 10 lb braid (use 15 lb if on a low end reel) to 5-8 lb fluoro
Finesse in clean water: 10 lb braid to 6-10 lb mono
Texas Rigs: 40 lb braid to 12-17 lb mono
Finesse Jigs: 30 lb braid to 10-15 lb mono or 12-15 lb fluoro
Jig Fishing: 50 lb braid to 15-20 lb mono
Crankbait option 1: 12 lb fluorocarbon (Assassin)
Crankbait option 2: 20 lb Braid (Sufix 832) to 12 lb mono
Swimbait: 80 lb braid to 30 lb mono
punching: 65 lb braid (no leader)
Frogging: 50-65 lb braid (No leader)
Jerkbait option 1: 20 lb braid to 10 lb mono leader
Jerkbait option 2: 12 lb fluorocarbon
Shaky Head: 30 lb braid to 10 lb mono
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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, Hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com