Swimbait Fishing

[SirSnookalot]

20lb braid on a baitcaster throwing 1-4oz lures is a bad situation waiting to happen.

 

We know you're the anti-big gear guy and that's cool, but suggesting 20lb braid for swimbaits is going to cost someone some money.

The OP made no mention of the intended reel, 20# braid on spinning is just fine with a 1-4 oz. lure, it's what I use everyday. 

Braid on b/c could be a problem with a heavier lure, I don't much about that as it's just about all spinning here.  The conventional reels are mostly used for bait fishing, those can get pretty heavy duty.  A mh-hvy rod with max ratings of 2.5 or 3 oz. using a 13 oz spinning reel is by no means a light outfit, quite capable of handling some good sized fish.  Not being familiar I did have to look up the stats of what appears to be a popular reel, caluctta 400.

The calcutta weighs 11.7 oz, 24" IPT, max drag 17.5, my cabos are 13.2 oz, 33" IPT with a max drag of 30#.  The cabo does hold less line but 250 +yds of 20# braid is more than enough.  I would contend I'm not fishing light, this is one of my everyday combos.

I do bass and peacock fish every day too, for this I do not care to fish heavy gear.  I'n not anti big gear, for me it's big gear for bigger fish and small gear gear for smaller fish.  The fun comes from the fight, not the over powering of the fish.

[IAY]

Totally understand your philosophy, but you don't want thin lines to overpower your wallet either...

[hatrix]

I think it depends on the line you choose really. They are not all made equally. Even in the same # test the diamater can vary and so does the actual breaking strength. Not to mention how much stretch a line has depending on brand and it's # rating. If you go with CXX 17# is pretty good for the weights you have listed.

[Kevin22]

20# braid on anything over 1/2oz just isnt smart economics. Unless you have tons of money to spend of course. One little loop or line crossover with a baitcaster and a 2oz bait means a lost $20 swimbait. There is not enough shock absorbment in that thin line. Ive seen guys sail spinnerbaits and jigs because of 10-20# braid. Itd turn my gut to watch a $70 mattlures go flying into open water.

[Kevin22]

The OP made no mention of the intended reel, 20# braid on spinning is just fine with a 1-4 oz. lure, it's what I use everyday.

Braid on b/c could be a problem with a heavier lure, I don't much about that as it's just about all spinning here. The conventional reels are mostly used for bait fishing, those can get pretty heavy duty. A mh-hvy rod with max ratings of 2.5 or 3 oz. using a 13 oz spinning reel is by no means a light outfit, quite capable of handling some good sized fish. Not being familiar I did have to look up the stats of what appears to be a popular reel, caluctta 400.

The calcutta weighs 11.7 oz, 24" IPT, max drag 17.5, my cabos are 13.2 oz, 33" IPT with a max drag of 30#. The cabo does hold less line but 250 +yds of 20# braid is more than enough. I would contend I'm not fishing light, this is one of my everyday combos.

I do bass and peacock fish every day too, for this I do not care to fish heavy gear. I'n not anti big gear, for me it's big gear for bigger fish and small gear gear for smaller fish. The fun comes from the fight, not the over powering of the fish.

You are in an extreme minority using spinning rods for 4oz swimbaits. Maybe not in the saltwater, but this is a bass site with members across the country. You have to take that into consideration when posting. It could cost somebody a lot of money who read your previous suggestion and not this post explaining that it was for a saltwater spinning rod.

[SirSnookalot]

20# braid on anything over 1/2oz just isnt smart economics. Unless you have tons of money to spend of course. One little loop or line crossover with a baitcaster and a 2oz bait means a lost $20 swimbait. There is not enough shock absorbment in that thin line. Ive seen guys sail spinnerbaits and jigs because of 10-20# braid. Itd turn my gut to watch a $70 mattlures go flying into open water.

If you can't afford to lose a lure you shouldn't be using it in the first place, smart economics is not to buy it.  Certainly not a condemnation of expensive lures (I use some myself) provided it's in one's budget.  I wish Matt all the success in the world selling his lures.  This is not an issue of fish species or venue, lures can be cut off or hung up where ever one is fishing.  Whether I fish freshwater or saltwater I have toothy critters, rocks, trees, vegetation, barnacles, etc that can separate me from my lure, can happen at any time and it does.  As long as my line and knots are in good order my lures don't go flying, not having to worry about backlashes makes spinning my ticket.

I do believe in shock, that's why I always use a leader regardless of fish species or where I'm fishing.  Fish Chris has probably caught more DD bass on spinning gear than most have caught with b/c gear.  Personally I look at a rod and reel as the delivery system to to get my lure into the target zone.

 

As I may have a little trouble in understanding the perception of how others fish, the perception on how I fish seems to be problematic.  Rest assured I have no problems with what I'm doing.