Changing My Rod Setups & Line Too

[bigbill]

For some reason my fish caught numbers have been lower instead of increasing like they have been in the past. I was up to 7 to 9 good size bass per trip. But I increased my line size due to losing bigger fish. I increased my rod lengths too. I found I could cast just as far with the heavier line.

Now my plan is to get a stiffer top water rod setup with stronger line. I figure the bass don't see the topwater line anyhow.

My C Rig rod setup is ok, my crank bait needs lighter line probably 10lb test. My smaller crankbait rod will get 8lb test. My heavier spinner bait rod will get 10lb test and my smaller spinner bait rod will get 8lb test.

My PB of 10lbs was caught on 8lb Excalibur silver thread copolymer line.

If you fish from shore what line test do you use?

[GADawgs]

I use 12lb mono or flouro on my baitcaster, 15 lb braid with a flouro leader on a spinning rig and 5 lb brais with a flouro leader on a medium light spinner.

[Hogsticker]

When I'm fishing from shore I use 13 lb. Sunline Shooter Defier for moving baits, and 20 lb. Sufix Performance braid for bottom contact stuff. With both these lines I can really wing it and lay into a cast with minimal worries. 

[Arv]

20-50# braid. 8-16# fc/mono/copoly leader if needed.

[new2BC4bass]

Are you keeping your fish?  Are there others fishing the same spots that you do?  My brother tells me a lake we use to fish as youngsters no longer produces like it use to.  It use to produce big time.  Lakes I now fish are heavily pressured with many keeping anything legal.  Could be why your numbers aren't going up....not because of an equipment change.  However, highly pressured spots probably would produce best with light lines and/or smaller baits.

 

If I remember correctly, you are mostly a spinning guy.  I have 10# 832 on my panfish rod, 30# Fireline on my MH jig and worm rod, and 8# mono on my 2 other (Medium) spinning outfits.  A used reel purchase came with braid (weight unknown).  I will be leaving it alone (I'm frugal) for the time being, but 1st need another spinning rod to put it on.

 

My primary weights for baitcast reels is 12# mono for MH rods, and 8# mono for Medium rods.  I have 40# Sufix Performance on an STX for fishing jigs and plastics in slop, 55# Samurai on my frog rod, and just put 20# Supercast on a Zillion PE Line Special, but no set rod yet.  I've got 10# fluoro an my Senko Fat Ika rod, 15# fluoro on another MH rod.

[alexandboi]

I use 10# yo zuri for casting and 6# invizx for spinnning. I never really found the need to go any heavier, although I mostly fish reservoirs that do not have much weeds.

[dodgeguy]

some years you just don't do as well.my buddy fishes tournaments and did well for years.this year he sucks.sometimes that's just the way it goes.