TOPIC:

Asking you experienced guys out there. Are these flourocarbon lines really worth it for dipsies, and if so which would be recommended. Brand and lb test. Thank you.

I run Flouro on all of my leaders (assuming you are talking between lure and dipsy, not dipsy and rod). I use the I mainly use the Bass Pro Flouro or Cabelas pro for mine but I am cheap.

I know a lot of guys on here will swear by it but I didn't have any luck with it. I went back to mono leaders.

You can use a good quality mono like Berkly or Sufix or a fluorocarbon between the lure and dipsie. I use 25 or 30 pound test. My main line, between dipsey and rod is usually 40 or 50 pound braid. You want the main much stronger than the leader to save your dipsey in case of a snag or other failure. I like clear mono or floro for a stealth presentation.

You will get alot of different answers based on angler confidence. That may, or may not be justified - sometimes its just your own personal confidence in what you are running. Is fluoro a little more stealth - yep! Does it make a difference trolling? Not sure one way or the other. I personally error on the side of caution and use it for all my leaders. After trying a number of them, I use blood run 20lb test fluoro leader. Seagaur has also performed well for me. Whatever you do, dont buy a casting line, get the line made for a leader. It holds up better to abrasion (netting and around the boat). Overall all my riggers and flat lines have straight mono, everything else that gets a leader (dipsies and copper/lead) gets a fluoro leader.

I second what dirty said.

Thank you all. that is good info. I was under the impression that the line from rod to dipsy was flouro as well. I am also thinking that 9 ft rods are common for dipsies as well. Leader length 24-30 inches? Line type between dipsy and lure?

I use fluorocarbon as a leader when fishing with a plug, crankbait or spoon, whether it's on a diver, long line or downrigger. If I'm using a flasher or dodger, don't bother with the F-carbon. If the flasher doesn't scare the fish, the line certainly won't.
As far as leader material or casting F-carbon - I use the casting kind. It's about 10 times cheaper and on my planer board lines, I use 50 feet. (not because the fish are that finicky). I haven't found it to be any less abrasion resistant than mono, and it's easier to tie a good fluorocarbon knot. I'm using 20 pound right now for cohos and usually move up to 25 pound when going offshore.

I use nothing heavier than 30 pound line between rod and Dipsey. Mono - braid - wire. Divers work more efficiently with thinner line and 30# handles the strain of diving (even mag divers) and fish strikes. Never tried 25 pound, but 20 isn't up to the task. Heavier is overkill and less efficient.

This is a good debate and worthwhile, because it is based upon personal experience. Unfortunately there is very little good data out there.

What I do know is that softeners are added to casting lines. The primary purpose is to eliminate backlashes and overall casting issues. Leader material is much more stiff and hard. It definitely does resist impact damage more, and likely holds its integrity longer after being damaged from a nick. Now to what degree, I do not know.

From a personal experience, I was running either seaguar leader or blood run in the past. Last winter I decided to give the casting lines a try (P-Line) - gosh it would be cheaper and I could use it on my riggers and all leaders and maybe give me a tad of a stealth advantage versus the mono I was running on the riggers. This added simplicity in my mind - one line for everything! Sort of.... Our crew can attest, we got snapped off by 7 kings during the HCC Coho Classic over two days. What a learning and embarrassing experience that was. The captain (myself) made a jackass decision to try that "damn line". Immediately re spooled with blood run 20lb leader and did not have a single failure the rest of the season which included numerous 20lb kings and a 26 lb.

That is my personal experience and decisions from it. We all have our own, fight fish differently, different rods, better / worse drags, which is all a factor. I know alot of guys that are using casting lines, and happy with them. I gave it a whirl and was incredibly disappointed. All I know is what I use now never fails me. I wont change again. It does certainly cost more, probably an additional $40/year.

Thank you Dirty. Your experience is good enough for me. Looking forward to maybe meeting some of you guys out there as I think I will try a couple of tourneys this year. Thanks again have a great year.