Hey guys looking for line for my new quantum baitcasting combo that I am going to use for my topwater plugs like poppers, skitter walks, jitterbugs and spooks.

I had the rod/reel combo given to me by my dad and plan on learning how to use baitcasters in the next month or so.  I know learning walk the dog over again on a baitcaster is probably going to be a challenge but I may be participating in a club come next month and want to have three rod and reel combos for specific uses.  My other two are already set (don't have the money to have 5-6 combos).

I was just curious what type of line you guys would recommend for a beginner as far as baitcasting, trying to relearn the walk the dog (used to do it on spinning) technique.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'm assuming some type of mono will be best?  I'm a Suffix guy at heart but have tried stren original, spiderwire mono, and berkley trilene.  Not a huge fan of any of them, but the spiderwire seemed to be easiest to handle on a spinning combo and had pretty good casting distance.

Let me know what you guys think.  Keep in mind key words: beginner and economical.

First off -- yes, mono is the ticket.

I'd recommend something like 12-15lb Trilene XT.  It's a good line that won't break the bank, even if you need to respool a little more often in the beginning.

15lb Trilene Big Game.   900 yard spool for less tha  ten dollars.   Good tough line.

I switched from 12# XT to 12# XL because the XL casts a bit better. Not much brush in my lakes and I check often for damage from rocks.

I switched from 12# XT to 12# XL because the XL casts a bit better. Not much brush in my lakes and I check often for damage from rocks.

I made the same switch at the 6lb mark before I found Yo Zuri Hybrid Ultrasoft. I don't know what you should look for J, I'm just learning baitcasting as well and haven't fished any topwaters. For spinning topwaters I use Yo Zuri but I also liked the Trilene XL, it casts much better than XT and I don't feel like the extra thickness really helps all that much.

First off -- yes, mono is the ticket.

I'd recommend something like 12-15lb Trilene XT. It's a good line that won't break the bank, even if you need to respool a little more often in the beginning.

Good Line!

Go with mono for sure, I like spiderwire.

Trilene is excellent mono, may consider the Trilene max....Hopefully you are using at least a 7' rod for the spook...

With the full sized spooks I would go with 12 pound original stren.

Thanks for all the replies to this guys.

Well I'm not a big stren original fan and wasn't impressed with that particular line. So that's probably out for me.

The XT Trilene seemed a little rough for me and I just didn't like the way it respooled and the castability of it. I may try XL if I can find it at the stores I'm checking out but if not maybe it's time to jump back to the good ole Spiderwire Mono or Trilene Maxx. I've fished spiderwire and I have to say that mono may be the second best next to the Suffix line I currently use. So maybe I would like it for the spooks. I'll probably compare the two.

How many of you have used Trilene Maxx and how do you feel about it?  As oppossed to Spiderwire Mono for topwaters on baitcasting tackle?

cajun red cast.

I used only Stren for a long time I switched to CABELA"S PRO LINE, and have tried a few other "Brand Names" I can not tell anydifference between the Stren product and the Cabelas Product, except for price, I Have spools from 6#, for spinning to 12# for baitcating and it's all good in the hood 8-)

No love for BPS Excel huh?