I'm trying to decide on the best line for both buzzbaits and frogs. I'll be throwing these on my G. Loomis GLX 844C MBR and a Shimano Curado MGL 150 XG. I live in Michigan and will be fishing sparse cover/lily pads. I'm ruling out monafilament since I need to throw both buzzbaits and frogs w/ this reel. What do you guys think about 40# braid versus 50# braid? Will I be fine throwing braid like this w/ the buzzbait considering the 844 bends deeper? Also, I'll be throwing the Megabass Jamaica Boa and the Megabass Big Gabot. Thoughts?

For modest pads and grass you won't see a difference between 40 and 50.  I fish 50 on my frog rod because we get some pretty heavy pad fields and I have a tendency to just chuck it back in there.  Neither will have any stretch so they will fish the same.  The only differences will be a little better castability with the 40 and a little more abuse resistance on the 50.  I've never loved braid for a buzzbait, but if you're going to do it either one will be fine just the same as with a frog.

I'm not familiar with that particular rod, but I never go below 50lb on a frog. 50 is standard and 65 if I'm frogging around cypress. So for your application, I'd go 50 lb braid. 

Difference between 40 and 50 is minimal.  I would use an 8 weave braid. Much smoother and casts better. No flouro leader!

I throw my big gabot’s on 50# suffix 832 (pretty much my standard for everything). 

I use two different rods, but could use my "frog" rod for both if I wanted to. It's a 7' H H2O Ethos. For frogs, I run 60lb Sunline XPlasma Asegai, but for buzzbaits it's 30# 832. If I'm throwing bladed jigs, jigs or spinnerbaits, it'll get a 15-20# fluoro leader. The rod is an Abu Vendetta 6'9" MH.

I’m in Michigan as well. 50# Seaguar Smackdown all day long.

I’m in Florida and recently switched from 50# original Power Pro to Smackdown. 

One of my better decisions 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Sunline FX2 is the best braid I have ever used for sloppy conditions and topwater presentations. It's also by far the best braid I have ever used for Muskie fishing... It will not dig in the spool, very durable, retains color well, etc... 

 

I wouldn't want braid for a buzzbait though...

 

I do better in Michigan with more compact Buzzbaits than the Jamaica Boa... Too many Pike to toss $16 Frogs... Pretty sure you can buy one, get one half off at the Hook Up right now, speaking of Frogs... I just fish SPRO Frogs... Prefer the Jr size... 

 

 

40lb is fine around sparse grass. I'm a big fan of Smackdown as well. 

I throw buzzbaits on 15lb Seaguar R18 Limited and frogs on PE #3 YGK Upgrade.  Two different setups for me. 

I appreciate all the responses! This has been helpful reading through your insights and thoughts. It seems like there are a lot of fans of Smackdown. The 2 options I’ve been exploring are Power Pro Super8Slick V2 in Onyx or Seaguar Smackdown in Stealth Gray. Does anyone have experience w/ both of these? What specifically do you guys like about Smackdown?

Consider no-fade braid. Tight weave, thin for the test, etc. It is expensive but it lasts a really long time. I use vicious 50lb for what you describe. I might try something else but I haven't run out of it yet because it has held up so well.

On 5/20/2025 at 6:04 AM, Mike L said:

I’m in Florida and recently switched from 50# original Power Pro to Smackdown. 

One of my better decisions 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Couple people recommending smackdown here. Any comparisons between it and 832? Sorry for the hijack!

19 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Couple people recommending smackdown here. Any comparisons between it and 832? Sorry for the hijack!

It's smoother and seems to cast further because of that....otherwise they're both good lines. I mainly go with 832 as it's more affordable.

12 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Couple people recommending smackdown here. Any comparisons between it and 832? Sorry for the hijack!

I haven’t used the 832 and really have no reason to at this point. 
I’ve always used original Power Pro (still do for frogs and punching)

until I had an opportunity to use the Smackdown and really like it. 
 

I don’t “comparison shop” for anything. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I have one rod setup for froggin with 65# Hammer braid, due the heavy lily pads I fish.

23 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

It's smoother and seems to cast further because of that....otherwise they're both good lines. I mainly go with 832 as it's more affordable.

Thanks! Just to clarify, your saying smackdown is smoother and seems to cast further than 832, correct?

Correct

I have 65 on my frog rod and 50 lb on my buzzbait rod. I use suffix 832 for all my braid needs.

50 Smackdown.  It doesn’t fade, lasts for along time and casts really well.  

17 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

50 Smackdown.  It doesn’t fade, lasts for along time and casts really well.  

I was going to ask about fading on the smackdown as well.

On 5/31/2025 at 7:34 AM, Mike L said:

I haven’t used the 832 and really have no reason to at this point. 
I’ve always used original Power Pro (still do for frogs and punching)

until I had an opportunity to use the Smackdown and really like it. 
 

I don’t “comparison shop” for anything. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Do you use the original power pro for frogs and punching because it’s more abrasive due to being a 4 carrier line? 

I like 50 pound Power Pro

20 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

I was going to ask about fading on the smackdown as well.

Do you use the original power pro for frogs and punching because it’s more abrasive due to being a 4 carrier line? 

Yes Sir

The 4 carrier is perfect for those presentations 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike