impact of line stretch on catching fish: Does anyone feel like they might miss some fish using braid because braid does not stretch? I am using St Croix medium lite fast action rod.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Does anyone feel like they might miss some fish using braid because braid does not stretch? I am using St Croix medium lite fast action rod. Seems like I did better using 12# Mason mono. In particular referring to top water and crank baits. Sometimes with both of those baits I land a fish and it is barely hooked. Just wondering if when I set the hook, I'm jerking the hooks away from the fish.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

runandgun wrote:

Does anyone feel like they might miss some fish using braid because braid does not stretch? I am using St Croix medium lite fast action rod. Seems like I did better using 12# Mason mono. In particular referring to top water and crank baits. Sometimes with both of those baits I land a fish and it is barely hooked. Just wondering if when I set the hook, I'm jerking the hooks away from the fish.

From my experience I have found that I need to do a harder hook set with my medium light rod than I do with my medium action rod.
If the hook is tearing the fishes mouth, the hook set is too hard. If the mouth is not torn and you get no penetration, you are not setting the hook hard enough.
Before you go out next time, make sure your hooks are sharp. A hook that is not sharp often creates a barely hooked fish. I carry one of those foam nail files with three different grits. Some are shape, smooth, and polish or buff. They work great for bringing a hook back to “sticky” sharp.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

runandgun wrote:

Does anyone feel like they might miss some fish using braid because braid does not stretch? I am using St Croix medium lite fast action rod. Seems like I did better using 12# Mason mono. In particular referring to top water and crank baits. Sometimes with both of those baits I land a fish and it is barely hooked. Just wondering if when I set the hook, I'm jerking the hooks away from the fish.

Never used it Runandgun. Always and still use mono.

wmitch2 Loc: Fresno

You want some stretch in throwing a Crank Bait so that when you get hit, the fish can pull when it hits. If there’s no stretch the hooks can more easily pull out !! It’s also best to use a medium action rod with a medium to fast tip for the same reason.
And for top water baits you want to use Mono because it floats. Braid and Fluorocarbon sinks taking away the action of the bait. And mono tends not to allow the bait to get tangled in the front hooks when worked. The rod needed depends on what bait you’re throwing from a med/fast for a popper to a Heavy/medium for a Frog.

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

Sorry guys. I believe rod flex nullifies line stretch effects.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

charlykilo wrote:

Sorry guys. I believe rod flex nullifies line stretch effects.

That makes sense.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

My braid floats! 😳

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

OJdidit wrote:

My braid floats! 😳

All braid floats, except lead core. Fluorocarbon sinks.

Jeremy Loc: America

runandgun wrote:

Does anyone feel like they might miss some fish using braid because braid does not stretch? I am using St Croix medium lite fast action rod. Seems like I did better using 12# Mason mono. In particular referring to top water and crank baits. Sometimes with both of those baits I land a fish and it is barely hooked. Just wondering if when I set the hook, I'm jerking the hooks away from the fish.

You can use a bumper if you want. It’s a 20’ or whatever length you like between the Braid and leader or swivel etc at the leader. Sharp hooks are important no matter what line or fish you EVER target. All hook tips should stick into the top of your thumbnail and not move in any direction after trying to get it to slide in the entire 360 degrees. A salmon guide taught me the hook in your nail trick about 35 years ago. If using trebles then all three or six or nine tips on lures need to be tested for sharpness. A hook sharpening hone is best. If using a file I would suggest metal file. I think if at all possible braid is usually the best choice because it can be very fine and colors are an option.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

I agree, braid floats.
Maybe I should start usin mono for Stripers, then I might be able to catch one.
We use 30# braid on all our Striper rods and we don't have too much trouble hookin fish, usually.
Both trollin and castin. AND, we always tie directly to the lure. NEVER use a leader.
That's just us and how we fish for them.

Jeremy Loc: America

saw1 wrote:

I agree, braid floats.
Maybe I should start usin mono for Stripers, then I might be able to catch one.
We use 30# braid on all our Striper rods and we don't have too much trouble hookin fish, usually.
Both trollin and castin. AND, we always tie directly to the lure. NEVER use a leader.
That's just us and how we fish for them.

You try whatever you think you want but yesterday’s results is proof you got it figured out.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Jeremy wrote:

You try whatever you think you want but yesterday’s results is proof you got it figured out.

Well, as "THEY" say. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Just Sayin.

Jeremy Loc: America

saw1 wrote:

Well, as "THEY" say. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Just Sayin.

Right. Is the late summer and fall usually the best time of year for Striper?

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Jeremy wrote:

Right. Is the late summer and fall usually the best time of year for Striper?

I'd probly say so. It's usually very good then anyway.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

saw1 wrote:

I'd probly say so. It's usually very good then anyway.

I should also say that we troll with a medium heavy trollin rod but with the drag loose enough for a fish to take line out when they hit.
That might be the biggest key. A light drag.
If it's too tight and you get a big enough fish, something is gonna break.
Either the fish pulls off, the line breaks or the rod breaks. 🙁👎