Elite Series Pro Angler Brandon Lester is a known outdoorsmen and multispecies fisherman and surprisingly enough, he relies only on a few different fishing lines to get the job done.
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When Elite Series pro Brandon Lester isn’t on the road chasing bass, you’ll often find him trodding the banks of farm ponds or perched on the base of a white oak tree chasing wild turkeys. His overall outdoor prowess is both relatable and common sensical to most bass anglers. In a recent conversation with him, we delved into his experience and expertise with not only bass fishing but his affinity for panfishing.
Whether the bass or panfish are biting, he keeps his approach simple and congruent with the simple man he is, keeps his fishing line selection straight forward.
For the hardcore bass anglers, Lester is steadfast in his belief of 15-pound original Vicious Fluorocarbon. Sure, with the advent of wild new techniques and technology these days, this diameter and line type can be often overlooked. But leave it to Lester to keep things simple and stick with what he knows.
“The 15-pound ‘green box’ Original Fluorocarbon is what I use more than anything,” Lester said. “It’s a dang-near perfect size and it’s so strong. No matter what you like to throw, this would be my top recommendation. It’s so versatile. Whether you’re throwing moving baits, jigs, big worms or a stick worm, it just gets bites and you can’t break it. It’s a unique blend of limpness, sensitivity and strength so whatever you need it for, it absolutely works wonders.”
When faced with heavy vegetation, the Elite Series veteran opts for the very popular Vicious No-Fade Braid. Not only does the more abrasive nature of the line cut through vegetation easier than most; it also lasts much longer making it a very cost-effective option.
“One of the coolest things about Vicious No-Fade Braid is its stealth, in my opinion,” Lester said. “You can flip and pitch it around thick vegetation and it’s like the bass don’t even know you’re there because it’s so quiet. The braid doesn’t squeal and squeak as much as some others and it gives me a lot of confidence. Not to mention, you can leave it on your reel for months, if not years, and not have any fading. You don’t have to mess with it at all. If you buy green, it will stay green and that type of cost savings is what I’m all for in regards to the recreational fisherman.”
Now, if you’re a bank angler who likes to walk around and simply catch whatever bites, Lester totally gets it. Like many of us, he is rooted in that tradition and is an avid bluegill and crappie angler. But what line should you choose? The answer is easy according to Lester.
“Hands down, Vicious Panfish Monofilament is the option I choose pretty much all of the time,” Lester said. “I’m able to detect light bites with it and it’s super inexpensive. I play around with crappie fishing all of the time, which means I’m casting lightweight baits a lot and my gosh, the casting distance and bite detection of this line is absolutely insane. Whether they’re biting like sharks or barely mouthing the bait, this stuff is just awesome.”
Yes, he’s a simple guy and a simple fisherman but it’s not just an act. Whether money is on the line or he’s chasing bank-side bass in his spare time, Lester is all in on Vicious Fishing line.
