Just got the new STS a couple days ago. I don't remember the last time I laughed out loud so much while reading one. Zog has some absolutely classic quotes and he does a great job critiquing braided and gel-spun lines.

I agree with his conclusions on the new-generation lines, and I'd say the same thing about using them for float fishing, except when fishing big and/or deep water.

Check out some of these nuggets Bill laid out in his latest column.

"When a hot fish is streaking skyward, seemingly going in three directions at once, and you have been reduced to a mere obserever for the first minute of the ride, this is where your so-ten-minutes-ago stretchy Brady Bunch era poo-poo monofilament saves your story (and possibly your trophy fish of a lifetime) from an encounter to one on the beach."

poo-poo monofilament


He talks about using braided/gel-spun lines using barbless hooks, and how their lack of stretch can work against you.

"If I had a dollar for every time I've watched this happen to spoon fishermen (my clients and folks just observed) insisting on using gel-spun lines, either out on the OP's special regs waters or the years spent on the Skagit during C&R season, I could buy a cabin on the Babine. With barbs, not a problem. Barbless.......crying all the way home Spectra-Boy."

Spectra-Boy

Then, after discussing in great detail the way braided lines behave while fishing spoons, and how they affect the angle-of-attack of a spoon in the water, he throws a quick zinger at the boondoggers.

"I certainly hope this isn't too much for all the boondoggers out there to take in, but not to worry, you can always have Mommy and Daddy explain it to you........"

Mommy and Daddy

Good stuff Bill. Keep up the good work. Nice pics too.