Swimbait Line?

[Slipknot6]

Hey guys, longtime lurker and this will be my first post!  Anyway what line are you guys using to throw swimbaits (money minnow/sexy shad style)?  I used 20lb P-line CX last year, and liked it but was thinking of going to braid this year.  I"m just afraid of there not being enough give when the fish inhales the bait.  Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

[Grey Wolf]

Welcome. 

What kind of rod are you using ?

[Thefishy1]

I use 20lb Big Game and have not had any problems yet.

I have used braid on and off for the past  two years, and I have relegated it to carolina rigs, frogs and flipping. That is not to say that it wont work with swimbaits, because it will, but in my opinion good 20lb mono or fluro would be better.

[Slipknot6]

I'm using a BPS pro qualifier 7MH and an energy Pt burner for the reel.

[hmongkidBee]

hey you should go with a slower reel that has a gear ratio of 5.1:1 or something in that range.  This is to allow your swimbait to be in the strike zone longer.  Just my opinion.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Depends on what you are throwing, braid should be fine for the hollow body paddle tail baits like the money minnow.  I wouldn't throw braid for hard baits or soft baits like hudds though, would hate to cast off an expensive sinking bait with no hopes of retrieval.  I use 20lb CXX for my swimbait setup.

[Hammer 4]

I use 55# Samuri braid, with a trilene 100% fluro leader 3-5' long. I have a 7'6" Calcutta rod..

I do throw 6" soft Hudd's and Mattlures 6" soft baits..So far...no problems. The leader act's kinda like a shock, in that it does give some.

I find that about half of the swimbait guys, do not like leaders, or braid. I like the Samuri, cuz it's really limp compared to other braids, and it cast's really well.

Re: a burnner reel, I find that even with my 5:1..I'm having to crank pretty slow to get the desired retrive on certain swimbaits. The Castaic floater is a good example.

BTW, I use to spool up with 12lb YoZuri Hybrid which I liked.

[Chaz Hickcox]

hey you should go with a slower reel that has a gear ratio of 5.1:1 or something in that range. This is to allow your swimbait to be in the strike zone longer. Just my opinion.

All my casting reels are 6.3:1 or more, all you have to do is slow down your retreive. My spinning rigs are all 5.1:1 but I use them with live bait or when downsizing only.  As far as swimbaits are concerned I have found that slow rolling a light castaic is the bomb.  For durability issues in the swamps around here all I use is braid, and my forte is swimbaits.  Braid is good stuff.  Just don't be jumpy with the hooksets.

[NewKidInTown]

Hey guys, longtime lurker and this will be my first post! Anyway what line are you guys using to throw swimbaits (money minnow/sexy shad style)? I used 20lb P-line CX last year, and liked it but was thinking of going to braid this year. I"m just afraid of there not being enough give when the fish inhales the bait. Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.[/quo

Braid rules.,.just adjust the drag accordingly,which will give you  the "give" you want. I use braid for EVERYTHING..best stuff to come along in a loooong time.

[-nick-]

I use 20lb big game as well but that's for swimbaits that are 1-4 ounces.

[bassman31783]

Hello.

As you have already found out, you'll get many different opinions. So here is my setup.

I use a revo winch. I like the slower retrieve, 5.1:1. As stated before it keeps the lure in the strike zone for a longer period of time & more importantly for me it provides the necessary power that you need if you hook up with a true giant.

My rod is an Okuma big bait rod 7'11" heavy action.

Last we come to the line. For now I am using 20lb-25lb Sufix mono. I have used braided line & i like that as well but i like the stretch that mono gives me.

So my best advise for you is to try out different combinations until you find what works best for you.

(edit)

Wow I didn't even see where it said (money minnow/sexy shad style). Way to pay attention huh. That's what I get for watching a movie & reading reading this forum at the same time.

For that style of swimbait I use 17lb - 20lb fluoro.

[Jake.]

For paddle tail tubes you don't need any special line. 12-14 lb. and a MH rod should be fine.