Looking for advice on line suggestions for my Expride B.  I fish lots of JB's and topwater on this rod but can't figure out a line situations that allows to switch between the two. Currently have a SLX MGL spooled with Sunline Floro and wishing I could tie a topwater on something that floats.  Any suggestions other than buy a second combo?

30# braid is my choice, no leader. 
Just be mindful of your set and retrieval as you would with any treble hooked hard bait. 
 

Another choice would be mono 

(can’t believe I even typed that)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I use Flourocarbon or KK Triploymer, but for frogs I use straight braid.

A second spool is much cheaper than a second combo. Just sayin…

I fished 30lb braid to 12lb mono leader for my jerkbaits, and that line setup landed multiple bass over 8lb. However, I bent out a lot of hooks even with the drag super light. Switched to straight mono (12lb, but using 10lb currently) and the hook bending disappeared and my landing ratio skyrocketed.

 

For most of my topwaters I'm still using braid, though.

Assuming you’re talking treble hooked top waters and not frogs and buzz baits, 10-14# supernatural depending on how deep you’re working the jerkbaits. 

I use 8-10’ leader of Suffix Elite of either 8# or 10# on 20# braid main line.  Suffix Elite is on the thicker and stretchier side of mono lines. 

On 5/29/2025 at 9:52 AM, Smirak said:

A second spool is much cheaper than a second combo. Just sayin…

Where do you shop for spools? (Daiwa & Shimano) I’d love to get another spool as my Magdraft/Frog rod does double duty. Thx. 

Well, it depends on your model. But for your model, go here. You’re looking for part number:

10SY0

Spool Assembly

$55.66

3 in stock

 

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/slxmgl70?srsltid=AfmBOor_qnZoAJjfw3l2RqMtTZfszDL9KW9ZK8DT5KJG-XGGFOpWE7vJ

10 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Assuming you’re talking treble hooked top waters and not frogs and buzz baits, 10-14# supernatural depending on how deep you’re working the jerkbaits. 

Yes I fish spooks, pop r, sammys, ploppers, sexy dawgs, gunfish etc.  Not a lot of matted grass or lilly pads in the high mountain lakes around Western NC and East TN

I like braid to leader and just carry 10lb in sniper and ultragreen with me.  Super easy for me to just change leaders.

 

scott

If you like FC for jerk baits and want the line to float near the treble hook top water lures simply add fly line dressing to 3’ of the line end of your line.

Tom

47 minutes ago, Lasher said:

Yes I fish spooks, pop r, sammys, ploppers, sexy dawgs, gunfish etc.  Not a lot of matted grass or lilly pads in the high mountain lakes around Western NC and East TN

Then I’d have no problem with the setups I fish for that.  I have 14 on my topwater setup and 10 and 12 for crankbaits and jerkbaits.  But you could consolidate on 12.  With 12 lb supernatural you’ll still get a 6’ KVD jerkbait down to 4.5-5’ on a normal cast.  And as long as your rod has a little bit of oomph that’s more than enough for treble hook topwaters.  Only watch out is hooks.  I fish choppos and the 105 comes with a little heavier wire hook than I prefer for lighter line/rods.  The 90 and smaller is fine.  

Not all "topwaters" are the same. 12lb hybrid line (YoZuri is my fav) would work great for jerkbaits and treble hooked topwaters like spooks, poppers, ploppers, etc. 

Frogs and toads are a different story, requiring braid in most cases. 

What Scott said. One of the reasons I like braid to leader.