Should I Use #50 Or #30 Pp?

[Fireguyfrank58]

  Hey guys, want to see what you guys think of what line I should use.  Right now I am using #50 PP Slick 8 which has a line diameter of 12 lb.  The water I fish has only 5-6 ft.  of visibility most of the time and 30 ft at its max.  I notice the green PP really blends nice with the water and I can only barley see the line under the water. I fish lots of rocks and reeds with light grass. I really have almost no abrasion problems and have caught 6-7 fish without having to retie.  I Texas rig 90% of the time with 1/4 oz tungsten weight and a baby brush hog or worm.  The other rig I would use would be a 1/2 oz jig.  I was thinking of dropping to the #30 to get the smaller diameter for less visible line and also get max casting distance since I only bank fish.  My Lews TP with these rigs and one break on throws them really far but I figure the smaller line will still cast better.  So would you guys use the #50 or drop to the #30 like I am thinking? Thanks in advance.

[ww2farmer]

If the 50 is working for you why switch? I use both sizes, as well as 10, 15, and 20, but I have a boat and can carry a dozen and a half or more combos for different tactics. When I bank fish at local ponds/creeks, I take two rods, a 7' MH casting set up with 50lb Power Pro, and a 7' M spinning combo with 10 lb Power Pro. One of the reasons I like 50lb for bank fishing..............if I make a bone head cast into the brush or trees, my stuff is coming back.............often with what ever it was snagged on.

[thehooligan]

I think 30lb pp would be more then enough.

[Kevin22]

30

[dodgeguy]

i would never fish under 50 on a baitcaster.if you want thin fish 10 lb on spinning.color the last 5 feet black and it will be harder to see in murky water.

[bass1980]

I'd keep the 50 on it, that's what I use. I have had jigs stuck on rocks and twigs but has the strength to get them back. Cast far enough for me that gaining that few feet with the 30lb doesn't add enough value for me to switch.

[Kevin22]

Black should be easier to see in murky water (vs green). Green blends in, nothing in the water is naturally black. 

 

There is a reason a black jig is the preferred bait for fishing murky to muddy water. 

 

 

When I use a sharpie on braid it is to turn hi-viz yellow braid green. Sometimes black but usually green. 

[vikingbear8]

^^^ Agree with the 50. I put 50 on even my lightest baitcasting set ups, I also use leaders though, and only drop down for spinning rigs. I find that if i go below 50 dig ins become way more frequent then I am willing to deal with when I can use 50 and never have one

[CPBassFishing]

50. Why? Security. Jigs will come back with straightened hooks before it breaks. I have only broken off 1 jig, and it was an unbendable hack attack.

[loodkop]

50. Why? Security. Jigs will come back with straightened hooks before it breaks. I have only broken off 1 jig, and it was an unbendable hack attack.

I don't understand this argument. What is the use of a jig or any lure with a straightend hook? I won't use it again and run the risk of losing a decent fish. The only positive for me in recovering a striaghtend hook is in not contibuting to pollution. I also use braid but bending out my jigs is not the reason.

[CPBassFishing]

I don't understand this argument. What is the use of a jig or any lure with a straightend hook? I won't use it again and run the risk of losing a decent fish. The only positive for me in recovering a striaghtend hook is in not contibuting to pollution. I also use braid but bending out my jigs is not the reason.

well I would rather get the skirt back and the jighead. I can use the skirt for other things and the jighead won't be underwater trash.

[loodkop]

Like I said I also use braid and getting the jig back help with pollution. I just don't want a new angler to bend his jig hook straight and then use pliers to bend it back to shape and start losing fish.

[Fireguyfrank58]

Thanks for all the info guys. I pretty sure my Veritas would explode before I was ever able to straighten a jig hook with my MH. 

[MrSwimJig]

If it ain't broken then don't try and fix it. I would stick with the 50lbs braid if that is working.

[Crestliner2008]

I'd stay with the 50# test and just put a fluoro leader ahead of it, for abrasion resistance.

[Hogsticker]

30 lb. has a diameter of .28, 50 is .36. That's substantial enough for me if concerned about line visibility. If you get your jig snagged under a rock with 30 lb. test braid and yard on it, your rod is going to break before the line does. 50 is over kill in any open water to moderate cover conditions. I could understand if fishing serious to severe cover, but when your not forced to button down your drag and can actually use it to your advantage, I see no need for such heavy line. I use 10 and 20 lb. for most all applications without problem. Just my 2 cents

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

I'm in the middle with 40#pp. if it were me I would go to 50 before 30 for one reason. When I had 20#pp the line would dig itself into the spool easier because of the smaller line diameter. I have a lot less of that problem with the 40 and the 50 would benefit you the same or better.

[dodgeguy]

Black should be easier to see in murky water (vs green). Green blends in, nothing in the water is naturally black. 

 

There is a reason a black jig is the preferred bait for fishing murky to muddy water. 

 

 

When I use a sharpie on braid it is to turn hi-viz yellow braid green. Sometimes black but usually green. 

the less light the harder black is to see.gray and black blend against darker backrounds.

[deep]

If I were you, I'd go with 50#. Less chance of digging in the spool, and better shock strength. If concerned about visibility, I'd tie on a leader.

[new2BC4bass]

30 lb. has a diameter of .28, 50 is .36.

 

Metric for you disadvantage Americans. 

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks for all the info guys. I pretty sure my Veritas would explode before I was ever able to straighten a jig hook with my MH. 

Oops.  Never use the rod to break the line or straighten out a hook.  No exploding rods that way. 

[CPBassFishing]

Like I said I also use braid and getting the jig back help with pollution. I just don't want a new angler to bend his jig hook straight and then use pliers to bend it back to shape and start losing fish.

gotcha. I hadn't even considered the idea that someone might actually try to bend back a straightened hook.

[SirSnookalot]

I agree with Hogsticker, imo 50# or even 30# braid is overkill.  As often as I've read the digging in issue I've read about people using lighter braids without that problem.  Heaviest I use is 15# braid, if I need to break off it's much easier.  If you do need to break off, put your reel in free spool or open the bail and pull the line not the rod, you can't break your rod that way.  Speaking only for myself and as a recreational fisherman I do not care to drag a fish in at warp speed with heavier lines and rods, I play fish and if I loose one, so what.  A different story if in a large money tournament but that's a brand of fishing I find very unappealing.

[jtesch]

x2

[Hogsticker]

I agree with Hogsticker, imo 50# or even 30# braid is overkill.  As often as I've read the digging in issue I've read about people using lighter braids without that problem.  Heaviest I use is 15# braid, if I need to break off it's much easier.  If you do need to break off, put your reel in free spool or open the bail and pull the line not the rod, you can't break your rod that way.  Speaking only for myself and as a recreational fisherman I do not care to drag a fish in at warp speed with heavier lines and rods, I play fish and if I loose one, so what.  A different story if in a large money tournament but that's a brand of fishing I find very unappealing.

I agree. Much more fun to play a fish, and a better chance of not pulling hooks clean out of his/her mouth. I've actaully found heavier pound original Power Pro digs more than the lighter stuff. Meh, what do I know.