I am looking at buying a casting setup for topwaters and jerkbaits. Planning on pairing up a slx 70 and the cashion element z2 medium xf. Wondering what line would work best for poppers, smaller walking baits, and jerkbaits. Also if the rod length 7'0 vs 6'9 matters too much.

I use 10 or 12 # Seaguar flouro on my JB rod and Yozuri Hybrid for topwater (8# for spinning gear and 12# for casting).

For floating baits, I use mono.

7 hours ago, bwill6 said:

I am looking at buying a casting setup for topwaters and jerkbaits. Planning on pairing up a slx 70 and the cashion element z2 medium xf. Wondering what line would work best for poppers, smaller walking baits, and jerkbaits. Also if the rod length 7'0 vs 6'9 matters too much.

Do take note of the line and lure ratings of those two rods. Though they both say Medium, the ratings suggest it may be more like a Medium and Medium Heavy.

I use 10lb fluorocarbon, currently R18 LTD. As long as I don't let a topwater bait sit too long, fluorocarbon works fine since it is what I prefer for jerkbaits. If I think the fish need a slower presentation, I go to mono on a different set up.

For topwaters, I always use mono, as fluoro sinks and braids tend to tangle together. 10-12# for poppers and small walking lures, and 12-15# for big/long walking lures.

As for jerkbaits, it depends on whether I want to go deep or stay shallow. For 5+ feet deep I use fluoro; for less than 5 feet I use mono, or braid+leader sometimes if I want the far-away hooksets in clear water to be powerful enough.

I really like braid to fluoro for poppers. You get a good bloop out of them. However I'm fishing on a more moderate rod.

Hybrid or a quality nylon is probably a good starting point.

I use a Champ XP 704CB/SLX 70 MGL spooled with 10lb Yo Zuri hybrid. Straight fluoro might be better for a dedicated jerkbait rod but as an all around "anything with trebles" setup it's perfect.

Right now I use 10# fc sniper flouro for jerkbait because I like the depth.

When I do top water I switch to a braid on a different reel to tiny 24in leader I believe I have 30# braid to 10# mono. It just cast a bit better.

For ease of use I might just use mono for top water though on the whole spool