This spring, I'm having a heck of a time deciding which of these two I want to dedicate to topwater. I know they'll both call for different lures but it's getting stressful! 

 

I have my MF spooled up with #15 PowerPro and I've been throwing my spooks and smaller walking baits on that. Would you guys also hook up a leader to it and throw different stuff?

 

My second is the MH with #30 PowerPro and I throw heavier stuff on that(Whopper Plopper, etc). That is also pure braid, but do ya'll think I should utilize this with a leader other times also? 

 

Rookie questions from someone who should know much better, I know. Just need other opinions! 

Frankly, I use leader for both and have similar setups.

At a minimum your lighter set up with FC leader will likely present and achieve better action.

I use medium rods for top waters.  Just my personal preference.  Don't know if it is right or wrong, but it works for me.

If you're going to stick with braid on both setups, I'd personally run a leader on the MF setup, otherwise you'll have a heck of a time with walking baits like Spooks, Gunfish and Pop-Rs tangling in the braid. On the MH setup, I'd go straight braid for Ploppers, buzzers, toads and other "cast and reel" type baits. No need for a leader in those instances.

2 hours ago, Team9nine said:

If you're going to stick with braid on both setups, I'd personally run a leader on the MF setup, otherwise you'll have a heck of a time with walking baits like Spooks, Gunfish and Pop-Rs tangling in the braid.

 

Agreed, Especially with 15 lb braid. 

 

I would probably spool up with 10 - 15 pound mono in the first place though, especially on casting gear. 

1 minute ago, Outdoor Zack said:

 

Agreed, Especially with 15 lb braid. 

 

I would probably spool up with 10 - 15 pound mono in the first place though, especially on casting gear. 

I'm using spinning gear with all 3 set-ups! 

5 minutes ago, Balshy Fishing said:

I'm using spinning gear with all 3 set-ups! 

 

10 - 12 pound trilene xl will handle nicely on spinning gear.  I ran it on my spinning rods for ages

 

If you 'have' to use braid, I would suggest using the M/F with some heavier braid and a leader

 

(I'm no expert. just giving you my thoughts)

 

Just now, Outdoor Zack said:

 

10 - 12 pound trilene xl will handle nicely on spinning gear.  I ran it on my spinning rods for ages

 

(I'm no expert. just giving you my thoughts)

 

I appreciate it man, always good to listen to others advice! I always ran straight mono but it's so easy to walk with pure braid, I don't know. 

I use a 7' MH/F with straight mono for all my topwater needs. If i do for some reason use a M/F i run straight braid. 

10 hours ago, Balshy Fishing said:

My second is the MH with #30 PowerPro and I throw heavier stuff on that(Whopper Plopper, etc). That is also pure braid, but do ya'll think I should utilize this with a leader other times also? 

I'm unsure what your fishery is like down there...but here in the land of pike and musky...if you don't run that Whopper Plopper with a leader you'll donate it to the fish gods, guaranteed.

 

It's not "if", it's "when".

 

...I also think it'll fish better with a leader.

Just now, Further North said:

I'm unsure what your fishery is like down there...but here in the land of pike and musky...if you don't run that Whopper Plopper with a leader you'll donate it to the fish gods, guaranteed.

 

It's not "if", it's "when".

 

...I also thnk it'll fish better with a leader.

 

There's specific places I go where I throw on the ol leader. 

 

No joke I had a tiger musky annihilate a ned rig last summer in a small creek I was wading in. I wasn't even trying for it, but--with a twist and a jerk and me not being smart to let some drag out, snapped my fluoro leader. Never been so depressed in my life....the plus side is, it was about 15 feet away so I at least got a glimpse lol 

5 minutes ago, Balshy Fishing said:

 

There's specific places I go where I throw on the ol leader. 

 

No joke I had a tiger musky annihilate a ned rig last summer in a small creek I was wading in. I wasn't even trying for it, but--with a twist and a jerk and me not being smart to let some drag out, snapped my fluoro leader. Never been so depressed in my life....the plus side is, it was about 15 feet away so I at least got a glimpse lol 

Happens here a lot...one of my favorite smallie lakes has a very healthy musky and pike population.

 

I've moved to a leader-based presentation on a lot of rigs out of necessity, even on Texas Rigs...I tie in about 18" of tieable wire (I like Tyger Wire) with an FG knot even when just running a T-Rigged soft plastic...if I don't, I'm going to get bit off at least a few times a day...and honestly...I'd rather catch the toothy critters anyway...

 

This 40" musky hit a T-Rigged Smokin' Rooster on a throw back cast after it followed a big fly all the way to the boat:

 

 

...I'd have lost that fish without that Tyger Wire leader.

 

Here's the fly it followed:

 

 

Here's how I T-Rig with Tyger Wire