Minnesota Kayak Bassn'

At the very least...we get to learn something new every day

Good stuff...no worries...the only thing I've ever referred to them as were "closed faced reels"...

No, no, no...that's not MY reel of choice...I haven't used a Zebco 33 for probably 30 yrs...I use a spin cast reel as in an open face reel for this.

My crankn' rod is a bait cast rod and reel set up...I have a 7' medium light action rod and will pair it with a 6.4:1 ratio reel...just not sure if I wanted to stay with mono or go floro or hybrid lines...

I will be using a floro leader on the rods I have braid on. Tying off to the bird feeder is an interesting idea and something that hasn't crossed my mind...I will have to try that. Most of the time I will have a weighted wacky hook involved so hopefully it gives me enough tension to reduce line twist. Thanks for the info.

One more quick question and then I will leave you alone...what's your best all around crank bait line and what is your reasoning? I will have one rod only dedicated to cranking so I would like the overall best for it.

Hmmmm.....gotcha

Thanks for the help guys. Here's my dilemma...where I live 95% of my fishing is shoreling wood and docks because this is exactly where they are all season long in my area...I need a lot more than a 6lb test to get the bass out of the wood and dock obstacles. The Sufix mono I use is 20lb test and has the diameter of a 10-12 lb regular mono and the stretch is a lot less than regular mono...and I want to have "some" stretch in my line so I'm not snapped off when I have to horse them out...and I've been fishing this line for the past 6 yrs and I've never had my line snapped when they wrap up around docks or wood so I'm sold on it and I have no desire to change that aspect. I will have to check out the higher test lines you've mentioned and see if they work...but with the wacky worm style I'm going to be using with this rod I really want the most sensitivity along with the pound strength to get them out of docks and wood at the same time. I understand it's trial and error but I want to eliminate most of that with your suggestions I'm seeing. I thank you for the help guys.

Thanks Preytorien...I will check those out for sure...I just can't stand twisted line or wraps around the rod tip etc...but I need something strong enough to put up with the rigors of dock fishing and wood fishing etc...

I agree...and I'm thinking 10 pound probably best...I want to check out the copolymer lines because I've never used them and I'm curious to see what they have to offer...good suggestion.

Thanks DVT...I use Sufix mono for all my mono use...I use 20lb on my spin casts for my dock fishing and shoreline fishing...it's got a lot less stretch than regular mono and it's super tough...I've had to horse many bass from around dock poles or wood and I've always gotten them out and I've never had my line snapped on me...it will come back frayed from the wrap up but the strength remains so I'm hooked on it. I just want to do more wacky rigs with weighted hooks and probably shaky heads so I want as much sensitivity as I can get. I will probably go with floro on it.

I am going to be fishing wacky worms with weighted hooks a lot more this year on a spin cast rod and reel. I would like some input on best braid and size for minimal tangle or no tangle messes OR best florocarbon line size for minimal hassle or tangles. Any input would be greatly appreciated guys.

Sufix Lo-Vis Green is the most versatile I've ever used. The stretch in the line is between typical mono and fluoro. It's abrasion resistant and retains it's strength even if it gets nicked up. I use it exclusively when I'm dock fishing because it gives just enough stretch so it doesn't snap when it get's wrapped around the dock obstacles. Many, many times I've been wrapped up under a dock and I was able to pull the fish out and not one time have I had my line snapped on me. I use 20lb test which has the diameter of 12lb on typical mono. I dropped down to 14 pound test fishing cranks, spinnerbaits and top water and it works very well with no hassles whatsoever. This Sufix line has been the best all around line product I've come across and the price can't be beat...330 yards for about 8 bucks. Good luck in your fishing.

Thanks guys. I've read up on just about all of them. Seaguar was talked about positievly for the most part...but it's stupid expensive. And everything I've read on reviews about Sufix 832 braid has been really positive for quality and price. I think I'll be going with the Sufix 832. I haven't made up my mind yet about Fluorocarbon tho....that's gonna be a tough one. I have used Sufix mono for quite a few years now and I absolutely love it. I fish a lot of docks and I've had numerous bass wrapped up but I have never had my line snapped. It will come back frayed once they wrap up but it retains it's strength. And I use 20lb test and it's got the diameter of 12-14 so I get great action on my jigs. Thanks again guys.

Thanks Chris. I've been researching everything I can about the 832 and it's been well spoken of. I will look into the Power Pro 8 slick etc...as well. Thanks again.

One more question...what is your top braid for strength, no frays, diameter, shock etc and PRICE...thanks for the answers guys

What's the best flouro that won't break, get kinks, remain strong and not break despite rubbing against structure with a fish on???

I moved back to Minnesota a year ago this past July and I live in Mankato. This is the best large mouth bass fishing I've experienced by far...not even a close 2nd. That goes for numbers and size. This past fishing season I was able to land from my kayak, with the help of my Jack Russel, Tator, sittn' right behind me, 409 large mouth bass and many, many, many were in the 4-6 pound range. I could post pic after pic but the one you see in my profile pic is representative of the many big ones I've gotten.

Mankato, Mn is where I reside. Best bass fishing I've ever had in my life. 409 large mouth caught last year from a kayak with my Jack Russel sittn' right behind me. Many, many, many 4-6 pounders.

Hey guys...I'm with the Minnesota Kayak Fishing Association as well. Without question I've found some of the best guys and gals and families I've ever fished with. Check us out if you're not part of the association yet. As for Minnesota Bass fishing...I live in Mankato and it's by far the best bass fishing I've ever had in my life...not even a close 2nd. This past year, with help from my Jack Russel "Tator" who sits right behind me, I was able to land 409 large mouth bass. And you wouldn't believe how many 4-6 pounder's I caught...roughly 50% or more were that size. I'm hosting a kayak bass tourney next June...about the 3rd week of June open to all members of the Minnesota Kayak Fishing Association. A group of kayak fishermen will come down before the tourney and pre fish it with me...(I'm not fishing the tourney...just hosting it)...and I expect it's going to take 60" of bass to win the tourney (longest 3 bass caught). If you're interested in joining or just interested in fishing give me a hollar and we can plan on hooking up next year for some incredible bass fishing.

Grubs/Twister tails, my preference 4in...simply put, it's the most versital (spelling?) plastic there is. You can straight line retrieve or pop it back like a baitfish...or you can drop it down to the bottom and mimich a craw---you can do both in the same retrieve. Many other plastics work well but this has the widest use and if your travelin light...jig heads and twisters dont take up that much room. Good luck. John.