While I know what kind of lines should weight I can choose, I don’t know what material is best for the kind of fishes I go for.
I mainly fish for largemouths and occasionally walleyes. I don’t look for pikes and muskies but I wouldn’t mind having line that can handle them.
I fish with baits that are within the recommended weight limit on the rod. I don’t need to throw it super far but I do want a bit of distance when casting.
Backlashes are annoying so I would prefer something that won’t give me trouble, but I don’t mind this too much.
Any other info is appreciated!
Posted by TouchyM3
6 Comments
10-20lb test should be fine. Personally I’d go with braid first then tie a mono liter onto it about 8 ft.
A cheap mono is supposed to be good to learn a baitcaster on.
I would just go with mono it’s cheaper and less of a pain in the ass.
I like braid to whatever leader, if any, the situation calls for. Usually 8lb leaders for finesse and 14/15lb for everything else. For the braid, I usually stay above 30lbs. The weight is overkill, but as you go down the backlashes get worse. Thinner braid also becomes more prone to digging into the reel. 40lb is my go to, only deviating if I have a specific reason to.
Another benefit of braid is that you won’t kink and damage the line as you unpick a birds nest. Some people find them more difficult to undo, but there’s a strategy. Open the bail, pull out line until it binds up. You should see one or more loops catching your main line on the spool. Pinch the tightest one and pull it up and out. Keep working it free as you spin the spool backward. It should loosen up, though sometimes it’s hard to tell because it might be winding back on top of itself as you go. When you think it’s freed, pull your mainline out again. You’ll get better as you go.
I would put 20lb braid with a 10-15lb mono leader using an Alberto knot. Tie a quick clip to end of leader for quick lure changes.
I would refer to your bait casting reel for proper pound test and yardage you’ll able to spool in specified gauge and line material per reel specs. Keep in mind mono has some give and stretch to it, where braid is far more sensitive and prone to burying itself and fraying on reel if you don’t know how to adjust your bait caster settings/drag limit properly. (Or use a bait caster to its optimal settings depending on lure/bait weight. Braid line also tends to be a little harsher on the pole eyelets (depending on the material of eyelet how it’s constructed or what its coated in) as opposed to mono. Especially on a bait caster pole on the very top 2 eyelets. I see you mentioned targeting bass and walleye and species of sorts. I would recommend 8 pound Test mono. Get the most mono out of your reel and at an easier casting distance. And for the record I’ve caught and landed several 14+ pound carp and even a hefty 3 foot who knows how many pound lake sturgeon on 8 pound test monofilament (spiderwire to be specific) 8 pound mono could handle a state record bass or walleye any day. Good luck!