What Size Braided Line?

[ABW]

Gonna be using braided line with a fluorocarbon leader for jigs and texas rigs. Jigs will be 1/4 oz + trailer, texas rigs 5/16 or 3/8 oz. What lb test braided line should I use?

[Catch and Grease]

For a more all around rig I'd go with 40lb braid with a X-lb flouroleader, I made a thread about this and that's what mosted people suggested. I tried it and love it so far, but I did end up switching to 50lb braid because I fish a little bit thicker cover

[JaxBasser]

I use 30 but it can dig into itself at times. I'd go with 40.

[ABW]

For the fluorocarbon leader 12 lb or 15 lb?

[Wayne P.]

For the fluorocarbon leader 12 lb or 15 lb?

20#

[Frenchman83]

For the leaders I like to stay within the ratings for the rod.

[JaxBasser]

I usually use 14#. If I'm in heavy cover I'll just switch to straight braid.

[ABW]

Thanks for the answers, guys. I think I'll just have to experiment to see which ones work best for me.

[dodgeguy]

spinning reel or baitcast? spinning u can go with 10 or 20. baitcast I would never go less than 50.

[ABW]

spinning reel or baitcast? spinning u can go with 10 or 20. baitcast I would never go less than 50.

Why never less than 50?

[dodgeguy]

thicker line prevents digging in on a baitcaster you should go by the line diameter not the strength. 50 is 12 diameter which is generally the minimum on a Baitcaster

[TorqueConverter]

#30 8 carrier braid with a #17 translucent, single filament, plastic leader.

[Hogsticker]

30 lb braid, 12 lb fluoro. I see so many braid thread posts about 50 lb braid and and 17-20 lb leader. I see no need to go so heavy with your applications. I've never had dig issues with twenty or thirty.

[Arv]

I'd go 30 too

[bradc36]

50# braid with a 12# fluoro leader (if a leader at all) has been working for me in moderately thick cover.

[Big Fish Rice]

For 20# CXX leader ,I use 65lb braid. I tend to match diameters but every case is different. To be honest, 50lb would probably be more than enough in my opinion.

[Hogsticker]

Just go with 100 lb and a 10/0 hook, that way when you get hung you can just drag whatever it is up to the surface for a looksie

[ABW]

Just go with 100 lb and a 10/0 hook, that way when you get hung you can just drag whatever it is up to the surface for a looksie

LOL. I'm just going to experiment with 30, 40, and 50 to see which works the best. Thanks for the laugh haha.

[A-Jay]

As you make the transition to braid / leader - and while fishing 1/4 jigs and light Texas rigged baits on the braid, be mindful of the hooks you're choosing.   The no stretch properties of your main line can sometimes contribute to an angler straightening out hooks during a fight.  Super heavy wire gauge hooks are not usually necessary, but very thin ones may not be the best either.  Each angler's fish fighting style is a little different, some believe in dropping huge hook sets and then applying Max pressure until the fish is landed; others play the fish more only using the power needed to land the bass.  Of course the cover you're fishing plays a role here as well.  By simply monitoring your own actions along with how your hooks response to what your doing, you'll soon learn what works for you and hopefully prevent the loss of The One . . . . . .

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[ABW]

Just used 50 lb Power Pro, worked wonderfully for me. Still going to try to use 30, and 40 to see which is better

[TorqueConverter]

Just used 50 lb Power Pro, worked wonderfully for me. Still going to try to use 30, and 40 to see which is better

 

Line dig in can be an issue with Power Pro at the #30 and sometimes #40 diameters.  It's an old guard 4 carrier braid that was the gold standard in it's day, but that day has come and gone.  The modern 8 carrier braids are much better.  It's like comparing a Pinto to a Porsche.     

[ABW]

Line dig in can be an issue with Power Pro at the #30 and sometimes #40 diameters.  It's an old guard 4 carrier braid that was the gold standard in it's day, but that day has come and gone.  The modern 8 carrier braids are much better.  It's like comparing a Pinto to a Porsche.     

Used 30 LB today. For the first 2 hours I got really frustrated from all the backlashing when the braid kept digging into itself. I threw on a pit boss with a 1/4 oz weight and all the backlashing went away. I have one question. Will 30 lb Power Pro have the same casting distance as 50 lb?

[Catch and Grease]

I use 20lb power pro super slick for my square bills and it doesn't dig in.

With other lures like light trick worms or something it probably would dig in.