Richard Barrett

As I live in the UK and sadly don't have access to bass as a species, I'm learning through reading and this site. Am I right in thinking that bass are both a indigenous species and stocked in the States? I've seen vast open lakes with folk fishing from lavish boats, then some guys on tiny ponds, others in creeks. What is most done, fishing for stocked fish, or wild fishing. Are the wild fish within a particular range, like Northern pike? Does anyone fish for perch as a sport species? I think you cal them red-fish? Rich.

Ive gone for 30lb on the light outfit and 40lb on the other. Both Spider Wire Stealth, it looks nice stuff and seems to cast ok. Thanks all for the advice.

Raul. Like I say, the fish are modest. The perch are big, but the pike max out at around 18lb, the zander 10lb max. But still its not the answer I need really about diameter and casting? I do use 8lb to 12lb normally for these species, with a trace or wire. So are you saying I should match the braid strength to the species like I would on a spinning outfit. Or should I worry about the birds-nests? What do you do? Thanks.

I've two new baitcaster reels, both low profile. One is for light fishing an Okuma helios air, the other an Abu Garcia revo s. On the light outfit, I use a rod rated up to 15 grams, the other up to 28 grams. Both 6'2'' length. Hope it all helps with my question. I'm confused. I'm being told I should use braid of a high breaking strain because the diameter is thin. So 30lb braid that has a diameter equal to 12lb mono as it will make casting easy, without birds nests. Others are saying I should use fine braid 10lb as thin as 2lb mono line. The other reason for the heavy braid is you get your lure back more often, so I'm told. I'm not a total novice with a baitcaster, but also not a master and have a lot to learn. Can someone put me right on what I should be doing with braid? I fish for perch, zander, and pike all in modest sizes, sadly we don't have bass in the UK. Thanks in anticipation. Richard.