Looking for views and what you prefer to use for fishing line in the BWCA.

Tons of opinions on this. Personally, I use 6lb Trilene XL on my rod for jigging and 20lb braid on another rod that I use for trolling crankbaits and casting for smallmouth and northerns. The mono is put on fresh before each trip.

I used to be a mono purist but that was back in the day when braid was terrible. 4 years ago I switched to braid with flourocarbon leaders and I'm not looking back. I think braid makes the most sense for jigging. Braid transfers more vibrations faster. Why use an expensive high modulus jigging rod and then use mono which stretches and doesn't transfer vibrations as well? For other applications you might think mono makes more sense but I have an argument for braid in most cases. The stretchiness of mono can help for violent takes on fast retrieves or trolling fast too. The stretch is like a shock absorber. In these cases I just use a longer stretchy mono leader instead of the Flourocarbon. I like braid better for long casts because it is thinner and it dives better when trolled. I use mono for slip bobber fishing because the braid doesn't slide well through some of my stealth balsa wood floats and the leader connection gets in the way.

Braid with a floro/mono leader for me.

#8 XL Trilene for Walleye and Bass, #17 XL Trilene for Pike. I’ve taken braided line up there before but no need for that. I’ve caught hundreds of Walleye, Bass and Pike this way up there.

Ew... monofilament FISHING line? Did ya lose a bet ;)

Mono is easiest and more forgiving and there are lots of applications where I believe mono is superior due to the physics and characteristics of the line. It is easier IMO to cast and jig with less hang ups with mono as its diameter helps with creating a more level trajectory where braid is trickier wanting to let lead dive right to the bottom.

Braid is clearly superior deep jigging vertically.........as well as in current.

Braid is not some silver bullet and often I have soundly out fished braid users off shore snapper fishing.

If you would prefer to keep it simple, and not have to be concerned with fluorocarbon to braid leaders, then just go with mono. Lb test will depend on what you decide to do.

I learned how to fish using mono. I think it is best for most everyday applications. Trolling cranks and jigging real deep are when I use braid.

10 pound Trilene XL for the most part. Will also fish with 20 or 30 pound Fireline when pike fishing.

mastertangler: "Mono is easiest and more forgiving and there are lots of applications where I believe mono is superior due to the physics and characteristics of the line. It is easier IMO to cast and jig with less hang ups with mono as its diameter helps with creating a more level trajectory where braid is trickier wanting to let lead dive right to the bottom.


Braid is clearly superior deep jigging vertically.........as well as in current.


Braid is not some silver bullet and often I have soundly out fished braid users off shore snapper fishing.


If you would prefer to keep it simple, and not have to be concerned with fluorocarbon to braid leaders, then just go with mono. Lb test will depend on what you decide to do. "

Can I quote myself ;-)

Having said all that my upcoming trip will be braid with fluorocarbon leaders. I have florocarbon leader spools in 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 and 30. Yes I am rather fussy when it comes to applications.

10' leaders via the FG knot which slides right through my guides onto my spool with no issues.

In fisherman this month has an interesting article on nano lines of microscopic diameters being used in super stealth mode........extremely long casts in skinny clear water resulting in some very impressive bronze backs. I like it and sounds exactly like something I would do, long rod included.

mvillasusoO: "Ew... monofilament FISHING line? Did ya lose a bet ;)"

No, I won the biggest fish of the week in June up in Ontario. A 26” Walleye, and a 34” Pike all caught with 8# XL Trilene. Five more dollar bills that fit into my Tilley hat.

To expand on the braided vs mono debate, what brand/test of fluorocarbon is recommended and what are the advantages? Easier tie-offs to terminal tackle or baits or the addition of some 'give' in the line upon an eventual strike?

Doesn't the reel have a big influence on which line will be best?

HighnDry: "To expand on the braided vs mono debate, what brand/test of fluorocarbon is recommended and what are the advantages? Easier tie-offs to terminal tackle or baits or the addition of some 'give' in the line upon an eventual strike?"

The advantages of adding a mono or flouro leader are many: 1) If you snag, it's easier to break the line, 2) It's less visible to the fish than "straight braid," all the while 3) retaining the properties of braid (greater castability, less stretch/greater sensitivity).

There is certainly a "fiddle factor," but with a bit of practice, tying the right knot to connect the two doesn't take long at all.

Thanks. I don't want to take this thread away from the original topic, I was just curious on how to improve upon my own use of braid. Thanks again.

They are tools, same as lures. Match the right tool to the job. Deep jigging and longline trolling are the two areas for Dyneema. Casting cranks, jigs, topwaters, those are areas that the “cushion” of a stretchy line will mean a fish in the boat....or not.