Advice On Line Size And Leaders?

[The Brim Reaper]

I ordered a St. Croix Triumph and Pflueger President from BPS. My plan is to attach a mono leader to braid. I'll be using 4# Stren, but would like to know what size Power Pro to get. I'm targeting panfish. How much of each line should I use? The Pflueger can hold 145 yards of line. It's also "braid ready", but should I still use tape as backing?

I'd appreciate your advice!

[clayton86]

id probably just match the braid dia. to what mono your using so like 12lb braid maybe even 20lb joined with a albright knot

[LgMouthGambler]

Use cheap mono for a backing. Your only going to need approx 80 yds of braid at a time.

[Marty]

Braid shouldn't be tied directly to a spool. I don't think you need 80 yards. I use 50-60 yards and that's for bass.

You didn't ask for my opinion, but I've always used 4# mono for ultralight panfishing and never felt the need for heavier.

[pondassasin]

I'd go with 10# braid, joined with an Alberto knot and you should have a very small stream-lined knot.

[The Brim Reaper]

Braid shouldn't be tied directly to a spool. I don't think you need 80 yards. I use 50-60 yards and that's for bass.

You didn't ask for my opinion, but I've always used 4# mono for ultralight panfishing and never felt the need for heavier.

So would it be fine to put electrical tape on the reel first? My rod is a medium-light and the reason I use braid is because I sometimes have to pull the fish through heavy cover. Braid is good for that, but I don't want my line visible in the water, so that's where the mono comes in.

[The Brim Reaper]

id probably just match the braid dia. to what mono your using so like 12lb braid maybe even 20lb joined with a albright knot

That would be 15# braid then. Thanks for your advice.

[SirSnookalot]

If you have to pull your fish thru cover then 4# leader is too light, that negates any strength the braid has. For pan fish you don't need much braid, I would use no more than your furthest cast, then add 10 yds, the rest backing. My own preference when using a light rod is no knot going thru the smaller guides, I'd be using a swivel to attach my leader.

[Capt.Bob]

My preference after over 15 years using synthetic line on everything as mainline is, on this size spinning gear, 10# braid, I use 3 and 4# Fluorocarbon in clear water, In stained water I will use mono occasionally. If I am fishing in or around weed beds I will change to 6# Fluoro or mono, and still have heavy enough mainline to never loose more than my leader!! It can be difficult pulling a 10 to 12" gill out of weeds, and those are the ones I definitely don't want to loose, but it happens. But if you use to large a line its even harder to get em on!!!

For knots to join my leaders, (and I always tie directly to my mainline, unless I am Carolina rigging), only one I ever use, after trying many, is the old blood knot, it is a little more difficult to draw down than some others, but when properly tied it is tapered from both ends to the center and will flow through guides like butter. A blood knot running through smaller guides with 4# mono to 10# braid on an UL, is no more difficult than 15 or 20# test tied to 20 or 30# Braid running through a MH or H action rods guides! I like to put on a 6 to 8 foot leader, then as I retie, or have a snag, or break off, I still have leader and don't have to hassle with tying a new leader that often. If you are using good knots like a improved sinch or Palomar, you will usually break right above that knot. It has worked for me for over 15 years.

[The Brim Reaper]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. My rod and reel just arrived today and I simply can't wait to try it out!