Hey guys,

 

This should be a somewhat straightforward question. I fish a lot of paddletails and my favorite setup I've found so far is a Dobyns 704 and I'm using 12lb YoZuri Hybrid line. It's just about perfect for close and moderate distance casts... but I've missed a few bites lately on longer casts because there's just so much stretch in the line. I can feel it stretch like a rubberband over longer distance hooksets and I'm just not connecting. 

 

Here's my question. Will going to 15lb line make enough of a difference to solve this problem? Is there significantly less stretch in 15lb hybrid line vs 12lb? 

 

I'm hesitant to go back to braided line for moving baits like this because I feel like I miss bites at all distances due to absolutely no stretch in the line. I've tried braid to leader... but I don't think the leader gives me enough stretch. I guess I could try a more moderate action rod with braid? Would that put enough "give" in the system at all distances to let the fist get the bait properly, while allowing me to still get solid hooksets at longer distances? 

 

Thoughts? Thanks. 

Are you using the same amount of force during hooksets with braid that you do with your hybrid line?

2 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Are you using the same amount of force during hooksets with braid that you do with your hybrid line?

Yeah, probably. I like a good solid hookset even with braid. The only moving baits I like to fish with braid are frogs/toads, and with those I'm very conscious about letting the fish take the bait longer before setting the hook. Maybe I could try doing that with paddletails too I guess.

Because braid doesn’t stretch, once you get the slack out of the line, it doesn’t take much force to set the hook. If you are having hook setting issues with braid, you’re probably setting the hook too hard. I’ve been using nothing but braid for decades and love it for how easy it is to get a good hook set with little effort. You may need some time to get a feel for lighter hooksets.

Try going to 15 lb and see how it goes.

IME - you'll still get all the bites with a small bump up in line test.

After all, my A-Rig has 5 paddletails, looks fairly ridiculous,

and when the smallies here hit it, they just about rip the rod out of my hands.

Either way, when using FC or mono, my best success comes when I remember to

REEL THROUGH THE HOOKSET.

When I stop reeling and go for the Hollywood Hookset, I don't do so good.

Best of Luck

A-Jay

As a long-time user of YZH, 15 lb might be slightly less stretch, but I’ve found manageability of that line degrades pretty rapidly heavier than 12 lb. I think I’ve heard others comment on this as well. 

43 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

Hey guys,

 

This should be a somewhat straightforward question. I fish a lot of paddletails and my favorite setup I've found so far is a Dobyns 704 and I'm using 12lb YoZuri Hybrid line. It's just about perfect for close and moderate distance casts... but I've missed a few bites lately on longer casts because there's just so much stretch in the line. I can feel it stretch like a rubberband over longer distance hooksets and I'm just not connecting. 

 

Here's my question. Will going to 15lb line make enough of a difference to solve this problem? Is there significantly less stretch in 15lb hybrid line vs 12lb? 

 

I'm hesitant to go back to braided line for moving baits like this because I feel like I miss bites at all distances due to absolutely no stretch in the line. I've tried braid to leader... but I don't think the leader gives me enough stretch. I guess I could try a more moderate action rod with braid? Would that put enough "give" in the system at all distances to let the fist get the bait properly, while allowing me to still get solid hooksets at longer distances? 

 

Thoughts? Thanks. 

What’s a long cast in your case? What action is that rod? 

You use good sharp swimbait Jighead hook??

These are great for paddletails

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Trokar_Boxing_Glove_Jig_3pk/descpage-TBGJ.html

1 hour ago, F14A-B said:

What’s a long cast in your case? What action is that rod? 

Long is probably... over 100 feet let's say? And the Dobyns is a fast action "heavy", which fishes more like a medium heavy in reality. 

 

11 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

You use good sharp swimbait Jighead hook??

Good and sharp? Yes.

Jighead? No.

 

I use mostly the Owner flashy swimmer, never a jig head. All of our lakes are heavily weeded in shallow areas and I don't really fish any open hook presentations after May 1st basically. 

18 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Try going to 15 lb and see how it goes.

IME - you'll still get all the bites with a small bump up in line test.

After all, my A-Rig has 5 paddletails, looks fairly ridiculous,

and when the smallies here hit it, they just about rip the rod out of my hands.

Either way, when using FC or mono, my best success comes when I remember to

REEL THROUGH THE HOOKSET.

When I stop reeling and go for the Hollywood Hookset, I don't do so good.

Best of Luck

A-Jay

I agree with this 100%. I think many reel in to take up slack line, stop, and swing for the fences. Keep reeling to ensure the line is tight and there is no slack. I think most of the “my line stretches” is not stretching, but slack line. 

On 5/17/2025 at 2:01 PM, A-Jay said:

Try going to 15 lb and see how it goes.

IME - you'll still get all the bites with a small bump up in line test.

Well, I tried 15lb test and got bites... and at least one good solid hook set on the far side of a cast. So far it seems like this might be the "easy button" answer. Thanks! 

If you feel like trying something new, Sufix Advance is really good on the low-stretch front. It's got some fibers in it from braid (HDPE). It's hard when they hit it from behind no matter what you are using though.