Hi,

I have a lews rod and lews baitcaster. I'm not sure the exact model, but I can look if that's necessary. I have some braid on it currently (I belive 12-14 test). I have been having problems with the line digging into itself mid cast causing the cast to suddenly stop mid air. I think its time for some new line. I'm not a beginner, but still learning for sure. So I don't want something too complicated, but I should be able to handle more than the basics. What line should I get? Should I switch to mono or FC? What test? Do I want a different line for the backing? 

 

Note: This is my main rod that I want to be pretty versatile. 

Spinning or baitcasting? Baitcasting you need line at least .010 diameter.

Tom

Edit

Sometimes it helps to read the title "baitcasting reel".

Everyone has the misconception that mono stretchs so much it's like a rubber band and poor choice for bottom contact lures. Nothing could be more false. Claims by FC line makers that FC line stretchs less then mono is also false.

If the claims were true anglers like me and Catt couldn't catch bass on jigs and worms. We have both caught thousands of bass using mono line, the proof is our success.

Learning to cast a bait casting reel and catching bass requires a line that is easy to cast, has excellent knot strength using common knots that are easy to tie while fishing. Line should be high quality at a reasonable price so you change it often when damaged.

Mono fits all those requirements. Berkley Big Game is a choice, 12 lbs  is a good all around lb test.

Tom

 

I like 12-15 fluorocarbon on my bait casters.

16 minutes ago, dinskyt said:

I'm not a beginner, but still learning for sure. So I don't want something too complicated,

 

 

  

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Baitcasting you need line at least .010 diameter.

 

   Because you're "still learning" ( who of us isn't?  ?? ) I would increase that diameter to 12 mil (.012"). Once you gain confidence with braid characteristic, you can go down in diameter as you wish, and still remember your reference point.

   If push comes to shove, go to nylon monofilament. It casts easily, is consistent and repeatable, doesn't dig in and is cheap. It's the king when it comes to versatility.

   Fluorocarbon has a few more problems. Knot strength, plastic threshold and memory are three I can think of right  now. That doesn't mean that it's the line from hell, it just means that it has a learning curve. Do you want that?

   Whichever way you decide to go, there are people here who will be willing to help you.

   Good luck!      jj

  

You said a baitcaster and 12-14 pound braid. Thats too light a line for baitcasters IMO.

 

Try some good ole mono line. 12# Berkley Big Game is great stuff. 

Thanks for the responses. I might just go with some basic mono for now at least. What lb test should I get? 12? 14?

1 hour ago, dinskyt said:

Thanks for the responses. I might just go with some basic mono for now at least. What lb test should I get? 12? 14?

Either.  Personally I use a lot of 12#, but that is me.  Others like a bit heavier.  No bad choice there.

12 is a good start.

thanks much

Most braids aren’t sold as 12# is it 12# equivalent? If so you should be fine. 30-40# braid should handle well enough if you don’t have that. If braid diameter isn’t the problem, you might just need to strip off a long cast worth and reel it back under tension to get it to lay right. Working jerk baits or popping jigs can throw loops and loose coils into the line that need to be cleared periodically. 

I’ll throw another nod to 12# Big Game. At that price point, just spool the entire reel with it, then if needed in the future, just use the Big Game as the backing.

4 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I like 12-15 fluorocarbon on my bait casters.

Seaguar 15# Red Label.

 

14.99 a spool and worth every penny and will serve your needs well.

I’m using 12 lb Yo Zuri Hybrid. Great line and zero issues on my baitcasters. But 12 lb Big Game is not a bad choice. 

If you're a beginner, I would recommend starting with mono. But I typically use 10-17lb mono/fluorocarbon on baitcasters and I personally would not use any less than 30lb braid - I only braid for throwing frogs, jigs and punching and that's at least 50lb.

 

15lb mono is a pretty good all around choice for a medium heavy rod and 12lb for a medium. 

You could get some heavier braid maybe 30lb or just put mono on there. There is nothing wrong with mono. I used it my whole life then when I got more serious learning to bass fish YouTube acted like mono was cursed. So I was confused I thought I had to have braid or FC. After some expensive backlashes and some experiments I have learned that braid and FC has their place both are good lines with strengths and weaknesses, but nothing is wrong with plane ol mono. Thats the long way of saying Berkeley big game #12 would work good for you. Or if you really want braid get a heavier bigger diameter. Good luck good fishing.          Jeff

Been almost a 5 full years since the OP posted.  Sure hope he has his lines sorted out by now.  It also looks like he hasn't posted since then either.

 

To the above poster...................welcome to the forum.  I (and many others) have caught thousands of fish on mono.  I don't understand why it has become a no-no to many. 

Fourscore and a pandemic ago someone wondered what line to put on their reel. 

52 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Fourscore and a pandemic ago

Are we having a trip-lacking time, John? You're drifting into winter response mode there.

 

Big Game was, and remains... solid economy line.

11 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Are we having a trip-lacking time, John? You're drifting into winter response mode there.

 

Standard response to zombie threads. These are more common in spring and usually arise from a google search result by new members. 
 

And yes, I need to get on the water. Time is the issue, as always. 

I could not agree more with @WRB-2.0and @Bazoo I’ve played around a ton with line this year. I fish a lot of bottom contact worms and jigs. And swim jigs. And mono fits that bill every time. I have no issue feeling strikes or bottom contact. Hooksets are good. It’s affordable. And it’s tough. I use big game or suffix elite. Which both I can get for around 10-12 dollars a spool at a local fleet farm.