Who Really Uses Straight Fluoro for BFS? My Practical Takeaways

I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with BFS gear. I tried the classic braid-to-fluoro setup, but I kept fiddling with tiny knots on ultra-thin lines. So I decided to explore straight fluorocarbon. At first, I struggled with line memory, especially when I tossed lighter lures like 3.5g or smaller. The line would spring off the spool, which made me question if all-fluoro was worth it.

Some folks swear by spooling a bit of cheap mono first, taping it, then adding fluoro on top. That helps reduce cost and prevents slipping on reels without shallow spools. Others rely on line conditioners. They say a spray the night before goes a long way in battling that dreaded memory. There was also a tip about doing a slow pull test on the line before fishing. It exposes any hidden weak spots instead of discovering them on a trophy fish.

When I’m feeling lazy about tying, I’ll use snaps or clips to switch baits fast. A longer leader also helps—around 10-15 feet—so I can retie a few times without having to rebuild my leader from scratch. If I really don’t want to mess with straight fluoro, I’ll go back to braid and a short leader because it’s forgiving and casts like a dream.

But I’ll admit, fluoro can shine in clear water. It sinks quickly, so it keeps my lure deeper. I also like how it handles topwater if I choose a lighter pound test, though some anglers prefer mono for surface lures. Frankly, it comes down to preference. A lot of us keep testing lines like Sunline Sniper or Daiwa J Fluoro Samurai in 6–8lb. We just want a balance between manageable spool performance and better hooksets.

Whether you choose mono, fluoro, or braid, BFS fishing is all about finding a system that doesn’t hold back your casting or confidence. And that’s what drives me—tinkering with lines, knots, and spool setups until I land more fish with fewer hassles. Maybe a shot of line conditioner and fresh spools will keep me trying new things.

The theme is simple: we’re looking for the perfect BFS line, and the original question about straight fluoro got me thinking about all the ways to succeed with it or tweak the setup until it works.