Crankbaits
Use fluorocarbon line when fishing with diving and/or sinking crankbaits. Fluorocarbon line is about 1.7 times denser than the average nylon line, which will cause it to sink faster. Rather than depend on the actual weight of the lure to get your presentation down to the desired depth, use fluorocarbon and avoid this problem. Braided lines, which are stronger than fluorocarbons, are also lighter due to their construction and they will float. By using fluorocarbon for your crankbaits, you will eliminate the possibility of any bows in the line preventing you from quickly feeling a bite and from hooking the fish.
Knots
Use a Palomar Knot when you attach a lure or a hook to fluorocarbon fishing line. Fluorocarbon line, states the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Library website, is a difficult line in which to tie strong any lasting fishing knots. The site suggests using the Trilene Knot, and to be certain to make five distinct wraps around the line when making this knot. Fishing expert Mike Bucca says to use a Palomar Knot when joining fluorocarbon to a lure or hook. A neatly tied knot will hold up much better than a sloppy one, so take great care when tying them in fluorocarbon. Lubricating the knot thoroughly with spit as you tie it and before you cinch it is vital to prevent kinks in the line and any weakening of the knot from possible abrasion.
Adding to Monofilament
Join fluorocarbon line to your monofilament line on your spinning reel to take advantage of fluorocarbon's properties. Take your spinning reel rigged with monofilament to an open area, attach a heavy lure and cast it as far as you can. This will determine the maximum casting length for the pole and you can then remove as much as 40 yards of the monofilament. Add as much fluorocarbon to the line as you take off, joining the two lines with a uni-knot. Reel the line back in, and you now can cast well and still have a line to attach your terminal tackle to that fish will not detect. This also allows you to save on how much fluorocarbon line you use, which comes in handy since fluorocarbon is more costly than monofilament.
