String My Poles With ???

[Brnnoser6983]

So over the winter I am debating running new line for my poles, but I have no clue what I should do.

What I have.

Abu Garcia pro max on a vendetta rod. Currently use 50 lb braided and was going to have this my frog setup.

Abu Garcia silver max on a gander rod. Again setup with 50 lb braided, but I am thinking of using this for my flipping rod for jigs, chatters and so on.

Lastly my Abu Garcia cardinal on a vendetta. This I believe has 30lb braided and is my quick go to for hard baits.

Question is what should I keep for line and what should go? I will sometimes go to 12lb Cajon line for my jig rod. But I need opinions. What is best for each setup. Best price for abrasion resistant, memory, and durability. Braided versus mono versus floro. What would you use?

(My grandpa taught me a lot about fishing, but fishing poles and lines were never something he taught me.)

[Tywithay]

The only one I'd probably change is the 30lb. I'd probably go 8-10lb mono. Braid doesn't stretch, so you'll stick those trebles better with a little give.

[Catch and Grease]

Sounds good to me, braid is fine for crankbaits. I use 30lb braid for a lot of hard baits

[fishballer06]

My Father and Grandfather would kill me if I ever used the words "string" and "pole" both in the same sentence. 

 

Your setups seem fine. Keep some FC with you in case you need a leader and you're good. 

[Brnnoser6983]

Okay so common consensus is current setup is okay, and without treading on another person's topic post. What is best in your minds for low memory semi invis braided. I have been using spider wire , but went with this new invis camo stuff I found. With it being in between seasons right now I haven't tested it out.

[Catch and Grease]

Okay so common consensus is current setup is okay, and without treading on another person's topic post. What is best in your minds for low memory semi invis braided. I have been using spider wire , but went with this new invis camo stuff I found. With it being in between seasons right now I haven't tested it out.

There is no such thing as a "invis" braid, the closest you could get to that is just match the lines color to the cover your fishing...

[Brnnoser6983]

It's a moss color and what I am fishing is heavy algy covered lake

[BassinBobSmith]

Personal preference here only - just throwing that out there to start with

 

I use PowerPro braid primarily for topwaters (or on 20lb mono) and pitching/flipping. Almost all other applications I rely on Fluorocarbon. I fish a big mix of clear and colored water here around NW Florida. To help conceal my braid I use a colored sharpie and run it up and down the end of the line about four to five feet from the bait or leader. I keep a full set in my Nitro and use whichever color most closely matches the water I'm fishing. In clear water I usually use a black sharpie. I know the black sounds contradictory for matching conditions but I have never really had a big problem spooking fish because of the line.

 

Realistically though if I'm in clear water I will more than likely opt for Fluorocarbon wherever I can, holding back on braid unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

As far as the actual setups you are using they should be fine.

 

Each line has its own merits and drawbacks.

 

Braid is strong, floats and has no stretch. But, braid will cut easily on any sharp objects though like metal, rocks, etc.. Also, braid can let you set the hook too hard sometimes like with jerkbaits and crankbaits which can end up pulling the hooks out.

 

Fluorocarbon has very little stretch, is the most abrasion resistant of the three lines, and it sinks. Also, FC becomes virtually invisible in the water. There are few disadvantages to FC unless one of its strengths causes problems, like a sinking line on a topwater.

 

Mono has a lot of stretch and floats. Mono works well when you need some give as a fish slams your bait - like a spinnerbait, lipless crank and so on. Mono is less abrasion resistant that FC but better than braid.

 

Cost factors generally have premium FC at top with Braid next and mono least expensive. (could be wrong on the top 2 since I pay close to the same price for each of them).

 

Braid has no memory and will last a very long time. Mono and FC both tend to develop a memory pretty quickly.

 

Ultimately, the conditions and cover your fishing should mandate which choice of line is the most suited. If cost is an issue, then find the middle ground and sacrifice a little in each area to get the most usable line under most of the conditions you generally fish. Go special when conditions really mandate it.

 

OMG I got long winded, why didn't someone stop me! :)

 

Seriously, if I can help with anything more specific please don't anyone ever hesitate to drop me an email, pm, post here or whatever. Always happy to help and talk fishing.

[SirSnookalot]

I probably wouldn't change anything, although I don't use anything heavier than 15# braid for bass fishing.  I'm big proponnet of using a leader with my braid, in all honesty I don't think it's really needed for bass.  Many examples but my latest happened a few days ago, broke my leader off on snag.  Instead of going back to my car for a fresh leader I just tied my jerkbait on my braid and continued fishing.  The hook setting was no problem, the fish didn't mind.

[fishballer06]

All braids that I throw are some shade of a darker green (mostly Suffix 832). I have tried the camo colored stuff and it sticks out like a sore thumb in clearer water. If you're going to use reaction type baits in clearer water with camo braid, I'd highly recommend a FC leader.

[BassinBobSmith]

All braids that I throw are some shade of a darker green (mostly Suffix 832). I have tried the camo colored stuff and it sticks out like a sore thumb in clearer water. If you're going to use reaction type baits in clearer water with camo braid, I'd highly recommend a FC leader.

PowerPro is also green, which will work under a lot of conditions as is. And I agree 100% on the FC leader. About the only time I'll tie direct to the braid is when using topwaters. I tie the FC to Braid with a uni to uni knot (just my preference) and it's good to go. Makes your spool of FC last a lot longer too

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I give little to no consideration to  line visibility underwater. I'm transitioning to Hi-viz braid as it's more important for me to see the line. I'll use leaders if frequent snags or abrasion are a concern. I'd leave your line alone for now and think about if/where/when to run a leader.