Bought a spool of Fins 40G for chits and giggles. Figured I would spool it on my Salamandura 70XHL. Originally thought I'd use it on a crankbait rod with a leader...Sniper Grinder 6' 10" MF, Aetos 7' MM or OG Tatula 7' MLR. A previous poster said he didn't like the Aetos because it felt like a noodle. Haven't used it yet but felt the braid would help this rod.

However, I have a few other rods rated anywhere from 1/8 to 5/8 oz. that I could choose from. For the most part these rods would be used for something like trick worms, small tubes, etc.

Recon2 7' 1" MLF

Black Envy 6' 10" ML-EF

Villain 6' 10" ML-EF

Cara 7' MF

Smallmouth 6' 10" MF

I don't think there'd be a problem on the Smallmouth or Cara casting 3/8 oz. crankbaits.

I suppose I could use half of the spool on a spinning rod. My choices there are a

Smallmouth 6' 9" M-EF

Villain 6' 9" ML

Fuego 6' 10" M-EF

Doing the tip to floor test, the Villain is definitely a more powerful rod than the Fuego. Obviously all these rods are older models. The Smallmouth casting rod is the only one that's seen a fair amount of use. I like it!

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Doing the tip to floor test, the Villain is definitely a more powerful rod than the Fuego.

Old Abu rods are like that. My Villain 2.0 is rated M, 1/4-5/8, but I use it to cast 3/4 oz lures with no problem. I feel like 5/8 is not its upper limit but the sweet spot.

20-30lb braids are my bread and butter. I use it for everything from 1/4oz jerkbaits to 1/2oz jigs, with different leaders though.

I have straight 30# PowerPro on my flipping/pitching combo. I also use it on my topwaters and trap combo. I just set the drag loose.

30# Smackdown for everything on top except frogs

Mike

6 minutes ago, Mike L said:

30# Smackdown for everything on top except frogs

Mike

This is my only spool of 25# braid. I did buy several spools of 30# X9 since moving to Florida. My first 30# braid was 832 Ghost on an Alphas Type F purchased used. Took several casts to get rid of the tight spots. No problem with it since then. I'm just afraid 25# might dig in more. Plan to use it in open water to avoid most snags.

48 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

Old Abu rods are like that. My Villain 2.0 is rated M, 1/4-5/8, but I use it to cast 3/4 oz lures with no problem. I feel like 5/8 is not its upper limit but the sweet spot.

20-30lb braids are my bread and butter. I use it for everything from 1/4oz jerkbaits to 1/2oz jigs, with different leaders though.

Rod's rated 1/8-1/2 oz. Seriously doubt it will handle a true 1/8 oz. Maybe 1/8 oz. plus a decent size trailer. Would be willing to bet a couple paychecks that it can handle over a true 1/2 oz. bait.

newapti5: Do you use 20# on a non BFS rod?

@new2BC4bass

Even tho there’s not that much of a difference, Anything less than 30# on a 8 strand would scare me also.

I’ve never had a problem with it since changing from a 4.

Mike

8 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Do you use 20# on a non BFS rod?

Yes all the time. I used 20# braid on ML, M, MH rods, sometimes even H, with a baitcasting reel. The casting distance is good, and as long as there's a proper leader, I didn't encounter any abrasion problem, even with the rocky bottom here. But on BFS rods with BFS reels, or spinning setup, I used 10# braid.

It's the all around range, so it can handle everything outside of fishing in heavy veggies, chunking heavy glidebaits and BFS'ing. I personally stick to 20# because it's enough.

(PE#1, #1.2, #1.5) - pretty much covers everything except frogging and surf,

where I'll go to #2 to #2.5 - 45-lb breaking strength.

People want to pidgeonhole BFS to UL, but it's simply how you fish threadline braid on baitcaster.

Whats the diameter? Pound test is unfortunately meaningless.

I'm using 30# 832 for topwater right now, which is surprisingly close in diameter to the 50# FX2 it replaced. No digging, but I've also got the drag set for trebles.

In a past life, I've used 15 and 20# Powerpro on casting reels without issue. If you feel the line getting loose on the spool, walk it out and respool it toight, like a toiger. 🐅

4 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

it's simply how you fish

🙂

@new2BC4bass , baby that Aetos. I bought 3 when they were closing them out years ago. 1 spinningand 2 BC. Loved them. But eventually broke all of them on fish.

BTW, I really like 25# braid for inline spinners and blade baits.

The only thing I use 30lb braid for is spoon jigging deeper than 20' with a leader. 60lb for frogs and flipping, 12lb for worming with leader on spinning rods.

Topwater and in certain situations, swim jigs.