I ordered a St. Croix Triumph and Pflueger President from BPS. My plan is to attach a mono leader to braid. I'll be using 4# Stren, but would like to know what size Power Pro to get. I'm targeting panfish. How much of each line should I use? The Pflueger can hold 145 yards of line. It's also "braid ready", but should I still use tape as backing?

I'd appreciate your advice!

id probably just match the braid dia. to what mono your using so like 12lb braid maybe even 20lb joined with a albright knot

Use cheap mono for a backing. Your only going to need approx 80 yds of braid at a time.

Braid shouldn't be tied directly to a spool. I don't think you need 80 yards. I use 50-60 yards and that's for bass.

You didn't ask for my opinion, but I've always used 4# mono for ultralight panfishing and never felt the need for heavier.

I'd go with 10# braid, joined with an Alberto knot and you should have a very small stream-lined knot.

Braid shouldn't be tied directly to a spool. I don't think you need 80 yards. I use 50-60 yards and that's for bass.

You didn't ask for my opinion, but I've always used 4# mono for ultralight panfishing and never felt the need for heavier.

So would it be fine to put electrical tape on the reel first? My rod is a medium-light and the reason I use braid is because I sometimes have to pull the fish through heavy cover. Braid is good for that, but I don't want my line visible in the water, so that's where the mono comes in.

id probably just match the braid dia. to what mono your using so like 12lb braid maybe even 20lb joined with a albright knot

That would be 15# braid then. Thanks for your advice.

If you have to pull your fish thru cover then 4# leader is too light, that negates any strength the braid has. For pan fish you don't need much braid, I would use no more than your furthest cast, then add 10 yds, the rest backing. My own preference when using a light rod is no knot going thru the smaller guides, I'd be using a swivel to attach my leader.

My preference after over 15 years using synthetic line on everything as mainline is, on this size spinning gear, 10# braid, I use 3 and 4# Fluorocarbon in clear water, In stained water I will use mono occasionally. If I am fishing in or around weed beds I will change to 6# Fluoro or mono, and still have heavy enough mainline to never loose more than my leader!! It can be difficult pulling a 10 to 12" gill out of weeds, and those are the ones I definitely don't want to loose, but it happens. But if you use to large a line its even harder to get em on!!!

For knots to join my leaders, (and I always tie directly to my mainline, unless I am Carolina rigging), only one I ever use, after trying many, is the old blood knot, it is a little more difficult to draw down than some others, but when properly tied it is tapered from both ends to the center and will flow through guides like butter. A blood knot running through smaller guides with 4# mono to 10# braid on an UL, is no more difficult than 15 or 20# test tied to 20 or 30# Braid running through a MH or H action rods guides! I like to put on a 6 to 8 foot leader, then as I retie, or have a snag, or break off, I still have leader and don't have to hassle with tying a new leader that often. If you are using good knots like a improved sinch or Palomar, you will usually break right above that knot. It has worked for me for over 15 years.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. My rod and reel just arrived today and I simply can't wait to try it out!