mono or braid for small stream trout

[applecore]

Do you feel one has an advantage over the other?

[Fluke Jr]

id say light mono for visibility reasons. trout would see braid easily

[The Fat Panther]

Yeah I've never trout fished before, but I'm pretty sure troutfisherman use around 2-6 pound test. You really don't need braid when it gets this small, because with line that small you're already going to fit a ton of line on and braid will only lower your casting distance.

[Apexkeeper]

Trout are smarter and more skittish than most fish....

 

I use braid but with a long leader. And unlike surf fishing my leader is less than my mainline. Generally 6lb braid with 2-4lb 4-5 foot mono leader. Gives great casts but wont spook the fish.

 

Been doing this for the past few years and very happy. I have yet to change my braid either. I just replace the mono leader every couple trips. Full mono spool I had to change at least once a year.

[HugeDinghy]

I'd be concerned using braid in a rock bottomed river..the braid will eventually give out from rubbing...if your throwing bait etc...lures I wouldnt be so concerned

[the_tin_squid]

I use 6 pound fireline on my ultralight gear.

 

I treat river fishing for trout as tiny sized canal fishing.

 

A lot of the same fishing scenarios, only miniaturized. Trade the big jagged dishwasher sized rocks for smooth softball sized rocks.

 

Some 4-6 pound flouro for a topshot and every lure that gets hung up on a rock or stump or stupid overhanging tree branch comes back to you. Well worth it in my opinion.

[Matty Kling]

I fished all my life with 4lbs mono... Always have had good luck with the trout on this with my ultra light...

 

Switched to 2lbs mono and my catching didn't increase (just lost a coouple more lures) - so went back to 4lbs.

 

Little later switched to 6lbs fireline and my catching drasticaally reduced...

 

I'm back to good old trilene 4lbs mono...

[razvan]

I use only mono/florocarbon when I`m fishing for trout.I have friends who use braid for long casting on big lakes but on softer/longer rods(fiberglass),and with florocarbon leader.

[wingsandwater]

definately mono for trout. I fish in Delaware for stocked trout and tons on native streams in the blue ridge mountains of north carolina by my moms house. I persionally like the p-line floroclear 4 or 6 lb. It's a florocarbon coated monfiliment that sells for $7.99 or $8.99. Unless we are talking big trout/salmon or fishing deep in lakes, i don't see the advantage of braid. i can cast just as far w/ 4 or 6 lb mono than 10 lb braid w/ 2lb test diameter. Trout also dont have super..super strong lip and i want a little stretch in the mono especially when throwing inline spinners like rooster tails. Nothing against braid as it is on every saltwater reel i own. Others may disagree but just my 2 cents

[ffemtreed]

I use Fireline crystal for my small trout setup. Most of the days this is good to go, but if its crystal clear and the trout are easily spooked i'll tie on a fluro leader.

 

I try and stay away from straight mono because of the stretch and lost sensitivity. The very little stretch of fireline allows me to set hooks with just a little flick of my wrist instead of the dramatic two handed up over the head power hook set. The reason I like the little wrist snap hookset is so that you don't have your lure flying back at you when you miss the hookup. Anyone who fished in small streams knows what that is like.

 

Just an FYI -- 99% of the time I am using small inline spinners for trout, i very rarley float bait down the creek. If i was floating bait I would probably have a long leader of 2lb mono or fluro on the end of my running line.

[applecore]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Lots of varying opinions. Right now I use braid with a fluoro leader. Luckily I have a spare spool so I'll try the straight mono and see if there is a marked improvement. Thanks again.

[St.Croix Man]

There is no need for braid when trout fishing. My Ultra lite setups have 4lb mono and I have never had any breakoffs even when the occasional pickeral hooks up.

[rob snowhite]

i've never felt the need to use braided, be it mono or woven nylon.

[the_tin_squid]

no need for braid when trout fishing

 

There you have it

[Kaldsk]

I use 5lb braid with a 4lb mono leader...long leader...

 

i recently tried mono on my trout rod again...went back to braid

 

you can say something is unneccessary, it may be, but its a preference...im not a huge trout fisherman, i go pretty infrequently but for all my UL i prefer this.