full spectra plunge

All,

So I did it.  I decided that for the next year I will (excepting my ultra-light crappie rods) fish spectra 100% of the time for evaluation.

I will, of course, use fluoro or mono topshot, but only very much topshot (two rod lengths or less).

I want to evaluate spectra in every condition and the only way to do it is to do it, so I spooled all my rods with it except my crappie rod which will stay 2# mono.

My spinning rods got 10# spectra with 6 and 8# fluoro topshot.  My pitching stick, crankbait rod and inshore rod have 30# spectra and 12, 10 and 15#  fluoro respectively.  My light tuna/jigstick has 60# spectra with 20# mono topshot.

I will report as I experience each fishing method with spectra.

MolBasser

I was converted 2 years ago (by Stuart) and never looked back

Look forward to your opinion on the matter....

Yeah, I have read too many reports of people saying that they will never go back.  I had to check it out.

I'd been moving slowly that way, and I finally just did it.  I may even do the crappie rod with 8# spectra and 2# fluoro.

I really liked drop shotting with spectra at Lexington.

I'm fishing Loch Lomond on Saturday or Sunday (depending on the college football schedule, wife's out of town and I need to maximise the football while she is gone) and will do a whole host of tests.

MolBasser

The one bad thing about spectra is fast trolling. I have broken several rods from snags, of course I was trolling from the boat. It was a learning curve as you need a heavy drag for the hook set and then lighten it up for the fight.

-Brian G

I switched t Spectra for my perch setup and wow what a difference! The only thing I have noticed is that spectra does not handle line twist very well. I had to really pay attention to it while I was finished with spinning gear.

This is one application that I really think will benifit.  Surf perch fishing.  I want to feel every bite those little baitstealers chomp on my bait.

MolBasser

what pound test mono did you replace? were you all mono until now? and you went to all spectra?

I am guessing the pendulum will swing back maybe a bit.

I'm sticking with mono from about 10-15lbs on down, but another way to look at it, anytime you are on the surface, mono has the edge. for casting or trolling on or close to the surface, mono is less hassle and more manageable, and maybe more forgiving because of the stretch.

perch is debateable but I use highly visible 8lb or 10lb mono and I'm pretty happy with being able to see my line. I can feel the fish hit if I can keep my line tight. I need to see it to do that. I caught some fatties in may Mol.

thin spectra (20lb and below) does not spool easily without some pressure, you have to pack it carefully.
if you are trolling for trout with 20lb spectra, when you reel your dodger in or something, the line won't pack sufficiently tight on the spool, you have to add tension by hand. this is not a concern with 4lb mono. I use an abu 5501 or 4601 and a long ultralight for trolling.

rockfishing with spectra is great, especially deep. I have to imagine any deep bass finesse fishing would be better with spectra. It is also cool for line capacity. an abu 6500 can hold 330 yards of 30lb spectra!

so mol, I think you will go back to mono for stuff on the surface and for light line trolling.

J

what pound test mono did you replace? were you all mono until now? and you went to all spectra?

I think I outlined what spectra I am using.  Previously I was using 6-8 # on my spinning gear.  12# on my casting gear and 15# on my inshore gear.

I had already moved to spectra on my inshore rod and my casting rod.  The others just fell in line.

I am guessing the pendulum will swing back maybe a bit.

Maybe.  I'm guessing the crankbait rod....

I'm sticking with mono from about 10-15lbs on down, but another way to look at it, anytime you are on the surface, mono has the edge. for casting or trolling on or close to the surface, mono is less hassle and more manageable, and maybe more forgiving because of the stretch.

I doubt that the actuall test of line will dictate what I do.  In particular, I have been VERY happy dropshotting with spectra.  A technique that I would normally be useing 6-8# mono.  I love the sensitivity.

perch is debateable but I use highly visible 8lb or 10lb mono and I'm pretty happy with being able to see my line. I can feel the fish hit if I can keep my line tight. I need to see it to do that. I caught some fatties in may Mol.

I'm looking for increases sensitivity here.  There is no debate that spectra is more sensitive.

thin spectra (20lb and below) does not spool easily without some pressure, you have to pack it carefully.
if you are trolling for trout with 20lb spectra, when you reel your dodger in or something, the line won't pack sufficiently tight on the spool, you have to add tension by hand. this is not a concern with 4lb mono. I use an abu 5501 or 4601 and a long ultralight for trolling.

I've not had that problem, but sure.....one must be careful with spectra.

rockfishing with spectra is great, especially deep. I have to imagine any deep bass finesse fishing would be better with spectra. It is also cool for line capacity. an abu 6500 can hold 330 yards of 30lb spectra!

so mol, I think you will go back to mono for stuff on the surface and for light line trolling.

J

We shall see.  I have a year of testing ahead.

MolBasser

For spectra you want to sligtly more flexible rod than mono so that you replace some of the spring you lose from the line, and you'll want to replace the mono with 50% or so stronger spectra. 

I prefer mono for jumping fish (threshers and sturgie) and fishing close to other people, but other than that specta is the name of the game.

Another nice thing about the "top shot" set up:

I have a spinning reel loaded with 20# power pro and a 8 ft rod to match. When I fish for perch, I top shot with 6# mono. When I fish for Stripers at Mendo or the Forebay, I switch the top shot to 8# to 12# mono.

I also have a baitcaster loaded with 20# power pro with an 8 ft rod....when I fish for salmon, I top shot with 15# mono and when I fish for rockfish, I'll sometimes bump up to 20# mono TS.

IMO: Being able to "switch" the mono around makes the set-up versatile 

mooch, good point. you can also go with a lot longer topshot at times and it's like using pure mono.

my trout trolling reel (abu 5501) has 20lb spectra on it, but there is room for  60-70 yard topshot of 4lb mono.
a spool of 4lb mono lasts pretty long this way. you don't have to change the spectra, and it is always there in reserve.

and you'll want to replace the mono with 50% or so stronger spectra. 

Why?

-Allen