Conference wahoo::fishing

    
    The only mono line I have had any luck with, I've used on my 
    freswater baitcasters. Braided Mono-- I have never had a problem
    with it. I'm not sure how high the test is...
    
    I also have diawa sealine series baitcaster's for salt use. 
    Dacron is what I use...
    
    Bassmaster,
    
    Dave Sullivan
    

    	I can only think of a couple reasons to use mono over dacron:
    
    	1. For lower pound test (i.e. 6 lb.) when using light tackle.
    This allows you to put a couple hundred yards of line on a relatively
    small spool. This also allows casting lighter lures.
    
    	2. Daytime topwater/clear water use, especially for smallmouth
    bass. They appear to spook fairly easily and I don't think that
    the dacron line helps matters.
    
    	As far as salt water is concerned, it sounds as if your better
    off with the dacron/mono leader combo unless you want to go for maximum
    size fish with minimum size tackle.
    
    	RAYJ
    
    	

    It's just a matter of practice. I have a Penn magnetic braking casting
    reel (I don't remember the model number) that I have filled with
    12 lb. mono. With just a little practice I can cast as hard as I
    want (assuming no headwind) without a tangled mess. I think it is
    more a matter of timing than of educating your thumb.
    
    Dacron is more sensitive for hookups and such but I'm not a good
    enough fisherman to have the difference show up with more fish on
    the stringer. I've also heard that graphite rods will make up for
    the difference between dacron and mono. Of course, this leaves the
    question of using graphite and dacron for ultimate sensitivity.
    
    And on a completely tangential direction, ever notice that on fishing
    shows when they are going after big gamefish and fighting chairs
    and all of that that the person fighting the fish never thumbs the
    line back onto the reel, they just pull back and then reel in? How
    do they do that without having a big mess on their hands? I've never
    seen a 6/0 reel with a levelwind...
    
    	Marty Sasaki

    Marty.
    As far as hauling in the "Big One's" If I thumb the line on the
    reel I must do it without knowing it, I'll have to ask someone to
    watch next time. I never thought about it as I get caught up in
    the excitment of the fight.
    
    It really does make a differance in felling the fish and setting
    the hook . Lot's more fish on the stringer!
    
    I have a Abu-Garcia Ambassador with 2 lb Tri-line in it right now,
    I've tried 10lb Stren, 8 lb Prime an am ready to go to a dacron.
    
    It is a level wind but is just troublee. I have no problem with
    any of my penn's. Sea Boy, Senator's, or Squidder's. Non of which
    are leval wind. As far as backlash goes. One exception is with
    a small senator with Maxama . It is so slippery it goes between
    the spool and case. I just stripped it this week and put on ( Guess
    what) Gudbrod Dacron
    
                                                Walt
    

    Dacron's advantage of more limited stretch is somewhat tempered by
    its tendency to break in the hands of a less experienced fisherman.
    Mono stretches alot more, thus giving a built in shock absorber
    that helps prevent breakoffs.
    
    Dacron is clearly better for bottom fishing; it has the hook setting
    abilities that 200 ft of mono simply cannot match. With some big
    game fishing, Dacron may help with hook setting, however, it also
    may contribute to a lost fish unless the fisherman is used to using
    it. Many experienced fishermen recommend mono for beginners at big
    game fishing such as large sharks, marlin, and giant tuna.
    
    The best way to avoid the potential breakoff problems is to set
    your drag carefully, and avoid trying to horse the fish in by palming
    the spool too tightly.
    
    Tight lines (Dacron or mono)
    
    The Doctah