Thread: Looking at Varivas mono

I fish Lake Barkley and regularly encounter redear that exceed 1.5-2lbs. Last Memorial Day, we caught between 40-50 redear that were 1.5+ pounds. A fish like that can pop line really fast, particularly on their incredible runs and bursts.

I have Twitch Master in the 3lb variety and it doesn't hold these big fish nearly as well as SOS 2LB mono line. We caught 4 redear last year over 2lbs with the biggest 2.5lbs. The 2lb SOS will absolutely land these fish. I also recently bought 2lb Ande line and so far am impressed!

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

I fish Lake Barkley and regularly encounter redear that exceed 1.5-2lbs. Last Memorial Day, we caught between 40-50 redear that were 1.5+ pounds. A fish like that can pop line really fast, particularly on their incredible runs and bursts.

I have Twitch Master in the 3lb variety and it doesn't hold these big fish nearly as well as SOS 2LB mono line. We caught 4 redear last year over 2lbs with the biggest 2.5lbs. The 2lb SOS will absolutely land these fish. I also recently bought 2lb Ande line and so far am impressed!

Very simple answer to that. SOS breaks at 4 pounds and has the most stretch of any nylon line I’ve ever used. Twitch Master in 4# breaks at 4 pounds yet has smaller diameter than SOS 2#. I will be fishing for bedding shell cracker come April out here at both Lake Poinsett and Bald Knob. I’m not sure just how big the shell cracker are in Lake Poinsett but I know that Bald Knob has produced some 2 pounders plus. For that reason I will have a rod spooled up with 4# test Twitch Master in case I run into a bed with the big boys on it.





Regards


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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Very simple answer to that. SOS breaks at 4 pounds and has the most stretch of any nylon line I’ve ever used. Twitch Master in 4# breaks at 4 pounds yet has smaller diameter than SOS 2#. I will be fishing for bedding shell cracker come April out here at both Lake Poinsett and Bald Knob. I’m not sure just how big the shell cracker are in Lake Poinsett but I know that Bald Knob has produced some 2 pounders plus. For that reason I will have a rod spooled up with 4# test Twitch Master in case I run into a bed with the big boys on it.





Regards


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I figured that was the case. The 2LB SOS is really good stuff and I've landed big carp with it!! I do keep a pretty loose drag in most cases and simply play these fish out.

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

I figured that was the case. The 2LB SOS is really good stuff and I've landed big carp with it!! I do keep a pretty loose drag in most cases and simply play these fish out.

I’m with you on playing them out. I’ve had to hold the spool to keep some of the largemouth and tilapia from getting back into weeds and brush. Sometimes it works and sometimes it pulls free, but sometimes I get the picture. I use some original blue Stren in 4lb for my leader and it does good for me. Flouro I’ve tried hasn’t done as well and it’s rated 5 lb.

The 6# Diawa J braid I’m using diameter is .003” , .10mm PE #0.6
Not sure what goh rating that would be , or how to compare it to the Varivas braids .
This is the one I’ve tried .
PE Line, Super Trout Area, Master Limited, Super Premium PE In 4.5# .

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

The 6# Diawa J braid I’m using diameter is .003� , .10mm PE #0.6
Not sure what goh rating that would be , or how to compare it to the Varivas braids .
This is the one I’ve tried .
PE Line, Super Trout Area, Master Limited, Super Premium PE In 4.5# .

Here’s a great line rating chart.


Regards




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Chaser, that’s my light line of choice. I also use the .175 and .2 for other rods and different tasks. It casts my little stuff just fine and holds surprise fish just fine.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Chaser, that’s my light line of choice. I also use the .175 and .2 for other rods and different tasks. It casts my little stuff just fine and holds surprise fish just fine.

Tim , I’ve been going back and forth between braid and mono .
I’m beginning to realize the pros of braid outweigh the cons .
I am switching from 4# to 3# Floroclear for my leaders , mainly because it’ll be easier to break off my jig when it gets hung up .
With 4# I had to wrap my hand with a towel to keep the braid from cutting into my fingers .

Thanks Randy ,
looks like the 6# Daiwa X8 J- braid would fit in between 0.3 and 0.4 gou gauge going by its diameter.