Braid and FnF

My first fnf rod should be here today and I've got a couple of questions about what line I should use for my setup.

Everybody seems to agree on the 4 to 6 lb fluoro leader, but on the main line does everybody use braid? Last Sunday I was using braid (not on the fnf) and it seemed to ice up way more than the other lines. It was kind of like little balls of ice every few inches. I like braid's sensitivity and low stretch, but would mono or fluoro work as well?

Also, if braid is a lot better, why do I need the small braid and not some of the 30lb (8lb mono eq) that I already have laying around, with the 12 foot flouro leader visibility shouldn't be an issue, right?

I tried it without one time at Dale, at about 10:00am I was at the One Stop getting some 10# Power Pro (2# dia.). Could not cast well with any other line.

I'm a little different than some in that I just use the 6lb floro straight from spool through to fly.

I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that is strong enough to land any smallmouth that I would ever have on.

That being said, the one area where I do have some doubt is whether the braid affects the action of the fly as you twitch it on the surface.

I don't think casting is an issue for me. I can already throw it far enough where the bobber is hard enough to see anyway.

I use braid all the way to the fly(I know I know it's not right) it helps me when the cast to the water stops in the trees.:) I don't lose many fly's on stumps either. I have only fished Stoner with the FNF which is a creek and full of trees and stumps.

10 lb braid to the swivel with a fluoro 4-6-8lb leader is what most guys use. Elwood's article on the front page details it pretty well.
With that said, I have also used Pline 8lb to the swivel with good results. My casts are within a few feet of the guys throwing braid.

I started with mono all the way thru then tried Flouro all the way thru and NEVER had the success that I do with the braid-3-way-flouro setup. First when you wrap your bobber around the mono or flouro you create a weak spot in already small diameter line. I lost fish due to this for after they broke me off, my bobber was left floating in the water by itself so I knew exactly where the line broke. Both mono and flouro sinks, flouro more than mono, so especially when fishing gets slow and you are working your jig slow the line will sink causing that much more slack in your line, plus you are trying to work the bobber against the friction of the line in the water. The braid floats and you can get MAX pressure on the bobber with as little slack as possible. I constantly "slow reel" when I am working the bobber/jig to make sure I have no slack when the bite comes. The less slack means the better hookup ratio. All of these are just my opinions but you could not pay me to not use the 3 way setup that is listed in the article on the front page, plus when Steve Headrick, Bob Coan, Ralph Sandfer, Bobby Gentry and other well know guides on Dale are all using the same 3 way setup then there has to be something to it. Until someone comes up with a better mousetrap this is the only way I throw my fly and it has served me well.

Elnutsmalljaws
"Certifyable Floatnflyable"

Thanks fellas... Elnut I printed off your article. Lots of good stuff for a beginner 'FnF'er like me. My rod came in so I plan on getting the rest of the stuff this week and try it out maybe next weekend.

i really like using powerpro for my leader.... i dont like spiderwire becasue it likes to knot up and the fireline seems to fray....