finzyy

All, appreciate the comments. I got the fishing bug last summer and I've been pond hopping with my Ugly Stik GX2 cheapy combo. 90% of the time I'm throwing a wacky rig senko. As mentioned, I've never owned a baitcaster and I had the itch to buy one, so so I did. I bought some 14# Trilene XL Smooth Casting that I'm going to spool up for now. Once I get more comfortable with it I'd like to run braid with a fluoro leader. 2 questions to leave ya'll with. #1: Is using an o-ring on your wacky rig senkos a MUST when using a baitcaster? - I first spooled up some left over 8# mono I had. My first cast in the street backlashed (oops). Luckily not very bad at all. Fixed it and then threw it 20 more times no issues. I took it down the pond and all was well until I made a cast and the senko went flying off the hook and that turned into a bad backlash. #2: Power Pro - What would you suggest for good all around braid? 30# or 40#? - When I bought the Mach 2 I did buy 30# Power Pro. As far as what I would like to use this setup for, a little of everything. I'd like to throw crankbaits, jigs, clickbaits with braid tied to a fluoro leader. I'd like to be able to remove the fluoro leader to throw some of my topwater frogs. I don't know of any ponds around me with lilly pads. Most of the vegetation I see at my local ponds is only a few feet off shoreline. For any reference, I'm in the Midwest. Thanks

I just bought my first baitcasting setup. I threw some 8# mono on that I had laying around so I could get a feel for it before I backlash some expensive braid. My question is what line should I throw on it? Keeping in mind that I'm looking to be able to throw a variety of baits. Yes, I know certain tactics work better with different setups but as of now I'm not someone with 6 rods/reels. Lews Mach 2 Baitcasting Combo 7' MH Rod 7.5:1 Gear Ratio Line Rating: 10#-20# I'm thinking 12# mono backing/50# braid. Is this sufficient for all around use? Arguments for whether backing is necessary or not...