Skip to content

What Line for topwater?

Featured Replies

I've finally got a setup that I can dedicate to topwater and can't decide what line braid or mono?  Majority of the time I'll be throwing a pop r or a buzz bait with the occasional spinnerbait.  The reel is a fuego, if I did go with braid does this reel handle it well?  Thanks

  • Replies 53
  • Views 3.6k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Super User

Fluorocarbon in my opinion.

Seaguar AbrazX in your size of choice  8-)

  • Super User

The line choice is not particularly important for "moving" lures.

Surprisingly, I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12.

::)

  • Author
Fluorocarbon in my opinion.

Seaguar AbrazX in your size of choice 8-)

I've been thinking about sticking with flouro but since it sinks I feel like I would be able to work baits better with something else.

  • Super User

Fluoro does sink.  So does mono.  But its not lead.  It's not going to drag you lures under.  I've fished frogs and other topwaters on fluoro and NEVER has it pulled a lure down.  I think the "sink effect" of fluoro with topwaters is overstated, unless you are using it with with very small topwaters, or using very heavy fluoro. 

My preferred line for light topwaters is Yo Zuri Hybrid 8# and for heavier topwaters 10#. I'll use 12# for small soft frogs and spinnerbaits, and 15# for large soft frogs and hollow body frogs.

While fluorocarbon line will never drag a bait completely down, the line itself will sink into the water. So, by the time you start walking that dog or popping that Pop-r, a lot of the line will be underwater.

I personally find this to be a huge pain in the behind. My buzzbaits in particular have simply never worked well with fluorocarbon line. As soon as I started fishing mono again, I noticed a huge decrease in the speed at which I needed to work the bait to get it to stay above the water.

I would personally go with braid though. If you have a soft enough rod/tip you likely won't throw any hooks. Plus, I find it way easier to work topwaters with braid. You don't have to move the rod as much to get the lure to jump from side to side because of braid's near zero stretch.

The only drawback to braid is that it is so limp, that it will sometimes get caught up on the hooks. This has never really been a big problem for me though.

20# Sufix performance Braid with 6ft 12# FlouroCarbon leader.  Its easier to move the bait especially on a long cast.

Mono has downside - stretches and absorb some of the rod action.

  • Super User

I use 8#test mono and don't have any trouble fishing Rebel poppers.

Mono. :) I'm surprised by how many fluro responses there are. All the shows and pro's Ive heard discuss this also say mono (braid on some situations).

  • Super User

I use 8, 10, and 12 lb. P-Line CXX for just about all of my treble hook baits.  Fluoro bogs down as it sinks, braid just isn't right for this, and fouls easily - which is weird to me, since it doesn't with mouse/frog baits - and nylon mono is...well...that works too, but it isn't strong enough compared to CXX.

  • Super User

I use braid for toads, and mono for buzzbaits.

Spool your rod with #10 or 12 yozuri hybrid and never look back.

12-14# BPS Excel mono for topwater treble hooks.

17# Vicious (for now-still searching for that perfect 17# line company) mono for buzzbaits and spinnerbaits.

65# Suffix (probably will try Suffix 832 this Spring) braid for frogs.

  • Super User

Braid is the worst choice for topwater treble.It does foul easily.

I use P-line CXX in 6# test and trilene XL in 12# test.Usually done with a SPINNING reel since i can switch out spools.I do occasionally use 6# yo zuri ultra soft as well.

  • Super User
Fluorocarbon in my opinion.

Seaguar AbrazX in your size of choice 8-)

Are you serious?  Fluoro for topwater?   ::)

MAYBE a buzzbait, but nothing that will sit still for more than a split second. It sinks and it will pull the bait under.

  • Super User
12-14# BPS Excel mono for topwater treble hooks.

17# Vicious (for now-still searching for that perfect 17# line company) mono for buzzbaits and spinnerbaits.

65# Suffix (probably will try Suffix 832 this Spring) braid for frogs.

Sufix Seige has the best 17# mono on the market IMO  8-)

  • Super User
Fluorocarbon in my opinion.

Seaguar AbrazX in your size of choice 8-)

Are you serious? Fluoro for topwater? ::)

MAYBE a buzzbait, but nothing that will sit still for more than a split second. It sinks and it will pull the bait under.

Im pretty sure all line sinks. Yes it goes down faster, but It doesn't make a difference in almost every top-water lure I do/have used.

  • Super User
Fluorocarbon in my opinion.

Seaguar AbrazX in your size of choice 8-)

Are you serious? Fluoro for topwater? ::)

MAYBE a buzzbait, but nothing that will sit still for more than a split second. It sinks and it will pull the bait under.

Im pretty sure all line sinks. Yes it goes down faster, but It doesn't make a difference in almost every top-water lure I do/have used.

You have never deadsticked (is that a word, deadstuck maybe?) a swimbait then.  You're also then fishing your poppers and what not too fast.

Fluro is the wrong tool for the job, unless you are the innovator of the sub-surface topwater. Kinda defeats the purpose.

  • Super User

To each his own. I've used mono, fluoro, co-poly and braid but I prefer fluoro the best. Its never affected my topwater fishing by bogging my bait down.

  • Super User

I can get a good look at a steak by sticking my head up a bull's arse, but I would rather take the butcher's word for it.

You are the only person recommending fluoro. That doesn't make you "different," it means your not doing it right.

:-X

  • Super User
I can get a good look at a steak by sticking my head up a bull's arse, but I would rather take the butcher's word for it.

You are the only person recommending fluoro. That doesn't make you "different," it means your not doing it right.

:-X

Because I recommended fluoro, that means im not doing it right? :) ;D

Funniest thing i've read all day.

  • Super User
I can get a good look at a steak by sticking my head up a bull's arse, but I would rather take the butcher's word for it.

You are the only person recommending fluoro. That doesn't make you "different," it means your not doing it right.

:-X

Because I recommended fluoro, that means im not doing it right? :) ;D

Funniest thing i've read all day.

Yeah.  What is funny about you being wrong? 

When I see Zell Rowland on TV saying that "BR's favorite son" recommended fluoro and it has improved his topwater fishing, then you won't be wrong. Until then, you're wrong.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.