It just dawned on me that my line is causing some poor casting issues with my baitcasters.

I'm just beginning to transition from frogs, buzzbaits, t-rigged plastics to rattletraps and crankbaits. Some of them are light and they cast fine with 65lb braid, but not my 17lb flouro. Do I need to wrap a spool up with 8lb flouro for these lighter baits?

As you can imagine my experince with all this hardware is quite limited since I've only been fishing for 5 or 6 months.

Edited January 7, 201610 yr by Bass newb
15lb was really 17lb

Depends on the diameter of the fluoro.  I don't like the way a regular(non finesse) baitcasters handle 8# test.  I do what you're wanting to do with 10# Seaguar fluoro with no issues.  I like 15# for 1/2oz squarebills.

i would opt for 10# fluoro as well

I use 10# Flouro as well for what you are doing.

Maybe use a fluoro with some stretch and keep your drag semi loose.  I try to go as light as I can get away with line.  I have found (for me) that 8# is too light, but I can get away with 10#.  Just don't try to throw 1/2oz Terminators T-1's on it like my dumb---.  

1 hour ago, cottny27 said:

Depends on the diameter of the fluoro.  I don't like the way a regular(non finesse) baitcasters handle 8# test.  I do what you're wanting to do with 10# Seaguar fluoro with no issues.  I like 15# for 1/2oz squarebills.

Tell me what a finesse baitcaster is. Does my daiwa zillion qualify?

I generally toss all but smallest and largest cranks on 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

Those reels modified with the shallow spool to throw the lighter baits.  No, yours wouldn't.  

Sounds like you need to use the correct rod for the bait or work on your casting. I throw squarebills and lipless baits on 15-20# fluoro all year. 

It also depends on what you consider what a "light" crankbait is. Most reels will throw down to a 1/4oz crankbait /w no issues at all if you are using the correct rod. 

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I generally toss all but smallest and largest cranks on 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

Ditto 

 

 

Mike 

10# will dive deeper and handle better but will be less resistant to abrasions. Depending on conditions either lighter line or a more supple line and conditioner may be the answer. 

6 hours ago, Bass newb said:

Tell me what a finesse baitcaster is. Does my daiwa zillion qualify?

Your reel is top quality should be able to cast lures is your weight range with ease.

FC line is made by several mfr's and each has different types of FC line to offer.

What brand and type are you having a problem with?

Tom

55 minutes ago, WRB said:

Your reel is top quality should be able to cast lures is your weight range with ease.

FC line is made by several mfr's and each has different types of FC line to offer.

What brand and type are you having a problem with?

Tom

 

It appears as though I was using 17lb Berkley Vanish. Not 15lb like I'd said before. 

12 minutes ago, Bass newb said:

It appears as though I was using 17lb Berkley Vanish. Not 15lb like I'd said before. 

IMHO worst line on the planet. 

8lb Wally World Stren mono....  Have fished the same line for 25yrs, and the same spool for 10yrs...  Don't overthink these things.

1 hour ago, Bass newb said:

It appears as though I was using 17lb Berkley Vanish. Not 15lb like I'd said before. 

FC line is problematic with both memory and knot strength, Vanish has had multiple issues with quality control.

You maybe better off using 12 Trilene Big Game for use with the lures you mentioned. Big game is inexpensive, cast good and has good knot strength.

Try using a line conditioner like KVD or Tangle Free to help manage the mono or FC line.

If you feel you need a FC try a hybrid like P-Line Fluoro Clear in 12 lb.

Tom

Vanish I had issues with myself in 12# test. It almost ruined me on fluoro.  Try Seaguar Red Label to start for $10.  It's way way more manageable than Vanish.  If you're set on fluoro.  Been very happy with RL & AbrazX.  You get what you pay for with fluoro I've learned.  

I used bps kvd 100% fc the whole season last year,  and had 0 problems. At 21.99 you have choices cheaper and more expensive but this line from 10lb to 20lb got it done all season for me. I also liked sunline Assassin but had problems with it fluffing. 

On 1/6/2016 at 7:25 AM, Bass newb said:

It just dawned on me that my line is causing some poor casting issues with my baitcasters.

I'm just beginning to transition from frogs, buzzbaits, t-rigged plastics to rattletraps and crankbaits. Some of them are light and they cast fine with 65lb braid, but not my 17lb flouro. Do I need to wrap a spool up with 8lb flouro for these lighter baits?

As you can imagine my experince with all this hardware is quite limited since I've only been fishing for 5 or 6 months.

When I'm throwing squarebill crankbaits around things like docks, grass and heavy wood, basically things that I can break off around...  I use 15lb Maxima Ultragreen (mono or copoly) OR Sunline Sniper 16lb fluorocarbon.  I use baits down to 3/8 oz regularly (KVD 1.5).  This line casts without worry and is very strong/abrasion resistant.  

If I'm throwing a deep diver or mid depth bait in basically open water, I will use 12lb or 10lb fluorocarbon Sunline Sniper...  

I would say it depends what kind of crankbait and how you'd like it to run, as well as what type of cover you're fishing around.  

I hope this makes sense, please let me know if you need any clarification.  

For 1/4 crankbaits I'm using 6 lb on a light to medium-light spinning rod. 

 

3/8 crankbaits I'm using 10 to 14 lb on medium to medium-heavy baitcast rod.

#12 for me personally.

I used to be in your same spot with 15lb Floro for the medium to large cranks

I run 10lb CX now and it's so much nicer.