One of the most crucial aspects of any fishing trip is the performance of the chosen fishing line.
Modern technology has produced so many different types of lines that it can be very difficult to choose the right one for the job. Regardless of the situation, there are a few things that you can do to insure maximum performance from the line you choose to go with.
For example, monofilament lines are one of the most popular choices for anglers and offer the most flexibility overall; however, they are not without drawbacks. Line memory (circular coiling of line caused by being on a spool for long periods of time) can greatly hamper your ability to cast and fish effectively. One highly effective cure for this problem is to troll this spool of line behind your boat. Simply pan out line without any hook or lure attached behind a slow moving boat until you are close to the end of the spool. Gently sweep your rod up and back with the tip close to the water as if you were trolling. The many twists your line has accumulated will be undone as the tag end of your line freely spins in the water.
Boat speed should be such that a slight bow of the rod occurs as the line pulls back from behind the boat. Ten minutes or so is all it takes to remedy a major problem that will happen to everyone who chooses to fish mono. Reel back in all the line you have panned out with some pressure from your fingers and you will breathe life back into a dead soldier.
Another proven technique is to use a spray-on liquid that eliminates memory.
Blakemore Reel Magic is the best one I have found and when used regularly will definitely help in preventing excessive coiling on the spool. Spraying the line on the spool and letting it saturate before use can and will help reduce line memory. While this technique is an option - it is not nearly as productive as trolling your line behind the boat.
Finally, respooling might be the most effective way of insuring you won't be dealing with line memory. Monofilament breaks down with time and is greatly affected by the weather. No matter what make or pound test you use, line memory will occur and - if overlooked long enough - cannot be repaired.
If you will use a backing line (often line you have plenty of and don't care to fish with) on your spool - say filled about 1/2 way - you can have your main line in the water and save money and kill memory at the same time. Chances are that you will never use your backing line for anything but a filler and have fresh line ready to cast at all times. Those three methods can greatly help a fisherman solve a major headache all of us face in the hunt for fish.
By Arkansas Outdoors Online contributing writer/fishing guide:
Shane Goodner, Hot Springs, AR
http://www.catchemall.com/
