I am going to be throwing my gantarels soon and do not want to lose any.  I have a lot of pike in my lake as well and do not want a toothy critter taking it from me.  (My lake has no snags as weeds are the main structure)

 

Just not sure between 30-50lb braid and heavier fluorocarbon (not sure what test)

 

Give me your thoughts?

When you have toothy predators in your water's, losing a few baits is just a reality I'm afraid. I wouldn't recommend braid due to the fact that any mistake in your cast and your bait will go flying into outer space as you hear that loud cracking noise of the braid breaking. Don't ask me how I know (goodbye bullshad). I use mainly 25 lb Izorline XXX now for my big baits and love it. 

Your swimbait weighs 5.4 oz and 8" long with treble hooks requiring a Heavy to XHeavy moderate swimbait rod to effectively. So what rod and reel is this line going on?

Tom

On 9/28/2018 at 3:53 PM, WRB said:

Your swimbait weighs 5.4 oz and 8" long with treble hooks requiring a Heavy to XHeavy moderate swimbait rod to effectively. So what rod and reel is this line going on?

Tom

Sorry it's the gantarel jr. so 1.5 oz and 5". I do not have the rod with me. Its rating is something like heavy and rated for 2 oz lures- I do not know the taper but I think its fast (I know not the best but do not want to invest $$$ into something for 1 lure that I currently have).  If I like swimbait fishing and get a bite or two I can see myself investing in a rod.  As for the reel, whatever I need I should be able to use I just thought capacity was the big issue.  I have a few Revo winches or the Curado K that I would probable use.

PLine CXX 17lb would be plenty for that bait. They make thin, wire that you can tie that you might look into. I know @A-Jay uses something along those lines for some of his baits. 

On 9/28/2018 at 8:59 AM, dgkasper58 said:

I am going to be throwing my gantarels soon and do not want to lose any.  I have a lot of pike in my lake as well and do not want a toothy critter taking it from me.  (My lake has no snags as weeds are the main structure)

 

Just not sure between 30-50lb braid and heavier fluorocarbon (not sure what test)

 

Give me your thoughts?

 

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

PLine CXX 17lb would be plenty for that bait. They make thin, wire that you can tie that you might look into. I know @A-Jay uses something along those lines for some of his baits. 

This is very good stuff.

Completely tie-able, strong and thin.

Does not kink. 

 

 

I'd recommend 26lb Camo for your swimbait application. 

A-Jay

22 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

Sorry it's the gantarel jr. so 1.5 oz and 5". I do not have the rod with me. Its rating is something like heavy and rated for 2 oz lures- I do not know the taper but I think its fast (I know not the best but do not want to invest $$$ into something for 1 lure that I currently have).  If I like swimbait fishing and get a bite or two I can see myself investing in a rod.  As for the reel, whatever I need I should be able to use I just thought capacity was the big issue.  I have a few Revo winches or the Curado K that I would probable use.

What you need to be aware of is impact strength of the line and knot strength. Fluorocarbon line leader with a braid main line will increase line capacity and can fail if you backlash during a long cast do to low impact and knot strength of FC line knots.

When I first started using swimbaits about 25 years ago I thought braid was a good idea  until backlashing casting into the wind and my expensive lure sailed about 150 yards and sank before I could get to it. That was the end of my using braid for heavy swimbaits. I switched to 25 lb Big Game mono (.019D) for the next 20+ years without any problems. Today I use Sunline Defier Armillo 25 lb Nylon line, it's much smaller in diameter (.016D), cast exceptionally good with superior knot strength. 19 lb (.014D) Armillo should work with 1.5 oz lures.

Tom

I fish in pike infested waters and yet I think a long leader can deter bites.  I use a 2 1/4 inch leader Wayzata Bait makes. Most break offs happen very near the lure, so this works 90% of the time without being too visually obvious.  

 

You could always call and order some.  I buy several bags of them per year.  People I fish with always borrow them and for some reason I never get them back ?!?