Finding Your Favorite Line
When it comes to line, the quality comes first priority. Quality, consistency, and a trusted source of manufacturing are important.
Castability and current are the main factors to consider when selecting a line for Trout bfs.
Strength wonder can be eliminated by investing in a high-quality quality specifically made product.
There are advanced PE (braided line) available by Varivas Japan, and now they have a US HQ and are available online.
First thing to understand is “Gou” indication.
“Gou” means “number” in a Japanese unit, based on the true diameter of the line.
“lb” (pound) is the standard for tensile strength of the line.
As castability is one of the main factor for trout bfs’ technical casting.
Line diameters have huge effect for spool rotation and friction through the rod guide that affect cast performance dramatically.
Selecting ideal dimeter is the starting point when choosing line.
PE = Braid
Nylon = Monofilament
Simplified Chart:
*Listed strength is an average or maximum value varies from manufacturer to manufacturer
The type of line is based on the angler’s priority.
PE offers superior control of the lure and cuts through water, but near-zero stretch loses fish more often.
Nylon offers excellent absorbance but must sacrifice controllability.
We enjoy the PE + Nylon leader for most cases for its castability and direct feel of the fight.
A strand of PE can be personal preference.
Just to share a general idea, the 4-strand PE can take more surface contact because each strand’s diameter is larger than the 8-strand without coating and production method in consideration, but this is just a basic general idea.
Keep in mind that today’s surface coating technology is taking abrasion resistance to the next level.
Slight stiffness of 4 4-strand makes line management easier and a bit more friendly when untangling backlash.
Our choice: Varivas HighGradePE X4
If the full-Nylon is the choice, there are specifically made models available for trout bfs with minimal stretch, with excellent abrasion resistance.
Varivas Big Trout Katch-Iro is our #1 choice, followed by Super Trout Advance Big Trout.
For the field condition below 15°F, Katch-Iro is the only choice.
A long-distance cast approach is extremely important when targeting large wild fish.
They can sense human footsteps way further and earlier than anglers can locate the fish.
Putting full-spool line can reduce spool rotation, contribute to cast distance, but require precision thumbing control.
A good visible color line allows an angler to know where the line is on the moving water, busy nature colored background also hides the line during the cast.
Fish do not seem to care about bright colored lines, even in Gin-clear water, especially with a fast-paced twitch approach.
Must stay within the rod spec for the diameter and strength of the line.
Most trout bfs rods are delicate; the use of over-spec line with a tight drag setting causes rod blank breakage in the worst scenario.
We believe the most rational and the fun factor of selecting a line is to go smallest diameter possible for castability, controllability, and the thrill of fighting large wild trout.
Varivas was our favorite line brand back in the 90’s for bass fishing, so fortunate that they are available in the US now 😀
