Rod is a Daiwa DX Swimbait Casting Rod. Reel I’m pairing with it is a Shimano Curado 300HG. I was thinking about using 65lb braid with a 25lb fluoro leader. Going to be throwing swim baits, glides, a-rigs, bucktails and mini/micro medussa for bass/ pike. Most lures in the 1-4 oz range. Leader will change depending on what I’m fishing for that day but was wondering if I could get away with using 65lb braid even though rod is only rated for 40lb line.
Posted by bassfishingguy1
8 Comments
You can probably get away with it, but 40lb to a 25lb leader would be more than plenty for your purpose. Any reason why you are needing 65?
yeah it will be fine
Sure can! I use 65lb briad on my swimbait rods with a 25lb mono leader
You could, it would lower your set ups performance in every way possible though. For Pike a braided mainline of 35-40 is plenty for the mass majority of fish.
You won’t break your rod fishing with 65# braid. I use 65 on my 1-5 oz rated swimbait rod and I’ve thrown huge lures and caught decent size stripers with it to no I’ll effect on the rod.
Like another commenter pointed out, think real hard about why you want to use 65# braid. I’m probably respooling this reel with 50# next time because 65 eats your line capacity pretty fast on a 300 size reel
Just like with frog fishing, heavy braid is better, since it doesn’t dig into itself nearly as much. Make sure to have a long enougj leader for shock absorption.
Hopefully you are wise enough not to try and break off a snag with the rod bending as the rod could snap before the line does. Otherwise you’ll be fine,
65lb braid is fine. The drag on your reel protects the rod from being overloaded and being damaged.
That said, I don’t think you need 65lb braid for what you are using it for. 30-40lb is fine.