Hey guys so right now I am using a 6'6 med bps Carbonlite rod for my squarebills. I know that is not ideal but it's the rod I have available at the moment. I made a post yesterday about losing fish when burning the sb and it seems like it's because of the medium fast rod is not allowing them to really inhale the bait. So now I have two questions.

Until I can get another rod for my sb if I went to mono instead of the copoly I usually throw would that help? I usually fish 10lb p line fluoroclear.

Secondly I may in the next few months be opening up a 7ft medium shimano compre cranking rod. Would that be OK for sb since I usually don't throw them into the thick cover but deflect around the edges of laydowns and what not.

Thanka guys!

Mono will help you very much since you are fishing them on the faster side. It will reduce that initial force when the fish grabs the bait and you set the hook. I would suggest a stretchier mono since you are not throwing into thick cover. Something like sufix elite, that stuff is like rubber bands! 

 

As for the hookset, as long as you have good hooks you really do not have to set the hook. Especially when burning the bait. The fish will grab the bait and close his mouth while you are reeling, that will penetrate the hooks, just sweep the rod forward to set them all the way. Setting the hook with the fast action rod and fluoroclear will just tear the hooks loose if the fish does not have it deep. 

Mono will help you very much since you are fishing them on the faster side. It will reduce that initial force when the fish grabs the bait and you set the hook. I would suggest a stretchier mono since you are not throwing into thick cover. Something like sufix elite, that stuff is like rubber bands!

As for the hookset, as long as you have good hooks you really do not have to set the hook. Especially when burning the bait. The fish will grab the bait and close his mouth while you are reeling, that will penetrate the hooks, just sweep the rod forward to set them all the way. Setting the hook with the fast action rod and fluoroclear will just tear the hooks loose if the fish does not have it deep.

Cool thanks I'll pick some of that up. What lb test would you reccomend? That is actually how I usually react when i feel a fish, thank you for the advice!

14# 

Im using a Dobyns 705cb glass, Ci4+, and 12# yo zuri hybrid. Hybrid is a first for me this season and im pleased so far. If I'm using fluoro im usually using 14-17#.

My personal favorite rod type for those baits are a medium/ heavy power w/ a moderate action though I like a moderate/ fast too...I have thrown shallow squares on 20 mono.. To keep them at the top.. Depends on cover, depends on size of squarebill and hooks, I will use Yozuri in 8 a lot.. I think it's a good all a round choice.. A lot of guys are using braid too.. I won't

Yo-zuri does not have much stretch, I would reserve that for when you get the crankbait rod. 

You should use a heavier line for you square bills. They go through a lot of rough stuff and you really shouldn't be worried about getting that extra foot with a shallow bait. 

Thank for the help guys! I was planning on upgrading one of my crank rods soon so I will use the old one to throw squarebills, but until then I will try out mono. Thanks again!

I actually like a medium power, fast action rod for square bills, well at least the ones that are 1/4oz to 3/8oz. The reason is I like fishing them in stump flats and rip rap, the rip rap is ok for a cranking rod but the stump flats I fish all have grass and pulling a square bill through sparse grass is a chore with a cranking style rod. For line, 12# mono is what I like, it is strong enough to pull a big fish out but still supple enough for good casting distance.

Im using a Dobyns 705cb glass, Ci4+, and 12# yo zuri hybrid. Hybrid is a first for me this season and im pleased so far. If I'm using fluoro im usually using 14-17#.

Why did you drop down in line strength and shy away from fluorocarbon?

Why did you drop down in line strength and shy away from fluorocarbon?

just trying the line out. No particular reason really. I've come to the conclusion that I like 14#+ fluoro more as its better managabilty and less memory for me. I'll strip the Y-Z off when its needed. I will say that the 12# YZ is pretty darn strong and a nice diameter.