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When I switched to my Double Paddle, I found that with my rented tandem canoe and the extra power I get with the DP, I was either letting so much line out with the drag set below the line weight or else breaking line and losing a lot of lures.

I found for me, the extra line weight often pulled a snagged lure free. I still set the drag and pay attention, but IF I'm dealing with wind/waves, the ability to slow/stop canoe without breaking line seems to work for me.

That PowerPro #40 is equivalent to #8 mono, so the lures seem to get the same depth/action as mono.

Another thing is IF I tie into a decent size fish and there's control issues due to weather, I want to be able to bring the fish in as fast as possible.
I don't have to play the fish, I can just "horse" it in.

So far it's worked for me, but then I'm not a real fishing guy, more a "accidental" one.

I think there may be a similarity between this discussion on fishing line and a discussion on lures.  I think most of us will agree that fishing lures are made to appeal to fishermen.  Let's face it not too many fish buy fishing lures.  Any lure will catch fish depending where, when, who and what.  Admittedly some are better than other.  But most lures will fall within one standard deviations of the center of the bell curve.  I just can't believe a northern will ignore your lure because you have 8 pound test verses 10 pound test.  Especially, if you factor in that the super lines have a smaller diameter for the same strength.  As  far as color of line, again I just don't think the difference between clear, black, gray or whatever color really makes any difference.  I think it is great fun for a lot of people to debate the relative merits of different lines relative to color and strength.  But for anybody new to fishing, don't get too hung up on this discussion.  Just buy some good quality line.  I will agree that there is a noticeable difference between the super/braided lines and mono.  IMHO the super lines win hands down.  Finally, I recall what Al Linder said on one of his shows.  Everyone talks about natural presentation.  BUT what is naturally about a red and white Daredevil and a large number of lures which catch fish.  Nightcrawlers are not native to North America. Plus, nightcrawlers do not naturally occur in lakes, but fish will bite on nightcrawlers.

I certainly do not intend to imply that all fishermen have equal success.  Certainly, some people do much better than others.  I don't think, however, that the color or diameter of the line are major factors in catching fish.

The hardest thing to learn with Braided line when your used to using mono, is a flick of the wrist or a raise of the rod tip is usually enough to set the hook.

If your hooks are sharp like they should be.

I'm thinking KF's titanium leader with it's built in stretch might be a good thing along with that super braid?

It has just enough "give" that it might be a little more forgiving than braid alone.

If you haven't bought any, your missing out.
It is exactly as KF said and when he said it was thin, he wasn't exaggerating at all.

KF -- excellent point about clippers!  So damn frustrating to have the line look like it was gnawed off; fuzzy and uneven.  I probably have 3 or 4, including the black, stumpy looking ones, and the traditional fingernail clippers, and the only thing I've concluded is I buy a couple new ones every year.  I very sharp knife works in a pinch.

puckster

Great topic PJ!  First off, I pack in 2 spinning reels and 4 spools.  2 with fire line and 2 mono.  I probably go 70/30 fire line.

Berkley Vanish is junk.  Really horrible stuff.  I would buy it every year forgetting how terrible it was, getting sucked into the invisibility feature, which is desirable in crystal clear Canadian waters!

Berkley makes a higher-end fluorocarbon that is much better under the Trilene name.  It is now what I prefer when jigging/casting in 20 feet or less.  I put it on my 6 foot medium St. Croix.  The problem is the chomp-snap! but there is no getting around that without leaders which kind of defeats the whole "invisibility" feature of fluorocarbon.  12lb super line is really tough but it gets sawed off all the time too. IMO the best feature of mono is the quiet.  It makes zero noise whereas super line is LOUD!


Keep in mind, sometimes stretch helps the fisherman land nice fish and it is easier to unsnag from rocks using the spool-flick method.