Hey everyone, I'm debating switching my line choices on my two baitcasters.  Can I get some thoughts?

 

First one, MH/F - use for jigs, texas rigs, 5/8oz and heavier squarebills and lipless, and frogs.  Currently I have 30lb braid to a 12lb fluoro leader (would take off leader for topwater).  I started with 30lb braid when it was the only baitcaster I had trying to be versatile.  Now I'm thinking of moving up to 40lb braid.  Do you think the above applications would be better on 30 or 40lb.  I was thinking 40 to get closer to a frog setup (I think jigs and texas rigs would be ok on 40lb?)

 

Second one, Medium/Fast (kind of a soft fast though) - use for jerkbaits and under 5/8 oz squarebills and lipless, plus some weightless texas rigs.  I currently have straight 12lb fluoro on it.  I would possibly like to incorporate smaller topwater poppers into this rod too, so I was thinking of switching to mono (maybe 14lb) or 20 or 30lb braid to mono leader.  The jerkbait and cranks are my priority on this rod though.  Thoughts?

 

Should I leave them as is (30lb braid on the MH and 12lb fluoro on the M) and just throw the popper on the MH or switch?

 

Jay

I have braid on all of my rods. I'm getting more into largemouth fishing this season but I've been fishing smallmouth, pike, and walleye for years on Lake Erie and its bays. 

 

For your MH rod, I think it depends on what cover you're fishing. If you're going to be hauling bass out of thick vegitation and such, go with 50lb at least.  

 

For your medium, 20-30lb braid and leader would be fine. I run really long fluorocarbon leaders for smallmouth in the clear open water of Erie.  For jerkbaits, I use fluorocarbon because of the clear water but if your water is stained, you can use mono. The benefit to mono is the stretch, and that helps when fishing trebel hook baits.  Fluoro will stretch a bit, which is why I run the long leader on those baits so I have enough leader line to provide the stretch. 

Thanks, ErieCan.

 

I appreciate the input.  You're confirming most of the same thoughts I have had.

 

Cover isn't too bad for where I'd be fishing, so as long as 40lb braid is ok with heavier cranks and texas rigs, I think I may do that on the MH.

 

Still torn between the 20 or 30 on the M.  Do you think 30 is too heavy for a jerkbait, or won't it matter too much with a decent length fluoro leader?

 

Jay

I see no benefit or need to switch from the 30 pound braid on your MH/Fast.  I use 30 lb braid for jigs.

 

I also see no need to switch your 12 lb flouro unless you go down a bit to 10 or 8.

Go the lightest line you can get away with. In your case, it sounds like 20 on the jerkbait rod and 30 on the MH rod would do just fine. 

Dens228, the only reasons I was considering the change is I'd like to use the topwater popper on the medium instead of the MH (and the straight fluoro won't work).  Also, since I now have the medium, I won't be using too many treble hook lures on the MH, so I though 40lb might be better for the jigs and texas rigs.

 

If it wasn't for the poppers, the 12lb fluoro would be perfect.

Thanks, Erie.

50 lb Sufix 832 on mh. 12 lb Sufix advance mono on the other rod.

Thanks, dodgeguy.  I've been thinking about the 12lb mono on the medium.  I appreciate your input.

 

Jay

13 hours ago, jmd13818 said:

Thanks, dodgeguy.  I've been thinking about the 12lb mono on the medium.  I appreciate your input.

 

Jay

Try the Advance .Super low stretch.

18 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I see no benefit or need to switch from the 30 pound braid on your MH/Fast.  I use 30 lb braid for jigs

Same

17 hours ago, jmd13818 said:

Dens228, the only reasons I was considering the change is I'd like to use the topwater popper on the medium instead of the MH (and the straight fluoro won't work).  Also, since I now have the medium, I won't be using too many treble hook lures on the MH, so I though 40lb might be better for the jigs and texas rigs.

 

If it wasn't for the poppers, the 12lb fluoro would be perfect.

Thanks, Erie.

What are you looking to gain by upping the lb test on the braid?  I fish jigs in a lot of slop as well as rip swim jigs through some nasty stuff and never had an issue with 30.  I'm with the above post regarding using the lightest you can get away with. 

 

Just keep using the braid you have. In the future when its worn out, go up to 40 if you still want to try it. 

 

For me personally, there isn't enough difference between 30 and 40 to justify switching without need. I honestly can't think of any situation that would make me feel like I needed to go up from 30 to 40. 

 

Thats all just my opinion, if using the larger line will give you more confidence or make you feel better about your setup in some way, go for it. 

11# Sunline Armillo for the M mod fast, MH fast 17# Armillo.

Tom

Unless your having issues with the #30 braid digging into the spool, I dont see why you would change it as long as your happy with its performance.  Your going to lose some depth on your JBs and CBs if you to mono.    

Good advice everyone.  I appreciate all the feedback.

 

Jay