Looking For Opinions...

[jkoz88]

Hey yall,

 

Just looking for some feedback on what you would do in my shoes. I don't have money for multiple (3+) rods so as of now I have a UglyStick Elite 6'6 MH using 12lb flouro combo baitcaster but I feel like im missing a lot of hook sets and I just recently ordered St. Croix Mojo 7' M and I plan of putting a Shimano Curado reel on it just cant decide what line I want to use, ive been thinking about using all braid for that. I wanted something a little "better" than what I had which is why I purchased the St. Croix. Do you think those set ups are fine for what I do which is bank fishing 80% of the time using jigs, buzzbaits, spoons, cranks, etc. What would you recommend? Line, reel etc Thanks in advanced for the feedback

[Shanes7614]

You may want to think about a MH mojo. And I would definitely try braid if your missing a lot of hookups. There's almost ZERO stretch with braid where flouro averages about 15-20% stretch and mono put to almost 40%.

[Shanes7614]

Using braid you always have the option to use a leader in clear water or different lure applications. Using a braid leader trying to get the added sensitivity would do absolutely zero for you.

[jkoz88]

Using braid you always have the option to use a leader in clear water or different lure applications. Using a braid leader trying to get the added sensitivity would do absolutely zero

What type of braid would you consider? If my the St. Croix rod holds 10-17# you don't but it the same as floro right? thanks for your help sofar

[Shanes7614]

I myself use two brands and both have been good to me so far. Power pro and suffix 832. Don't have much experience with too many others as I haven't found much reason to go beyond those two. I would start with either 30 or 40# and those two will cover a majority of applications you may come across. Anything lighter tends to start to bury itself in the spool because of its small diameter.

[jkoz88]

Thanks for all your advice Shanes7614, appreciate it

[Shanes7614]

No problem. Hope you enjoy!!! Go get em!!!!

[jkoz88]

I myself use two brands and both have been good to me so far. Power pro and suffix 832. Don't have much experience with too many others as I haven't found much reason to go beyond those two. I would start with either 30 or 40# and those two will cover a majority of applications you may come across. Anything lighter tends to start to bury itself in the spool because of its small diameter.

Shane, I know you said #30 or #40 pound but my local didn't have any so I picked up suffix 832 #50, you think that cause any issues?

[Shanes7614]

Shane, I know you said #30 or #40 pound but my local didn't have any so I picked up suffix 832 #50, you think that cause any issues?

Not at all. 65lb is common for frog use and for flipping and pitching in the thickest stuff you can find. I know a few guys that even use 80lb. My most common are 30-50lb depending on what baits I'm gonna throw.

[new2BC4bass]

St. Croix lists that rods as a "Plastic" rod so it should be good for single hook lures within its lure weight range.  To be honest I bought my first dedicated crankbait rod last year.  I've always used a MF rod before that, but I mostly fish with mono.  I don't think you would want to throw crankbaits an a MH Mojo.  Be sure to lower drag pressure when fishing treble hook lures and braid on that rod.  My brother-in-law uses 40# PP Original on all his reels.  He fishes strictly spinning, and doesn't seem to have any trouble landing bass on a F11 Rapala....one of his all time favorite lures.

[smalljaw67]

I'm going to give you completely different advice and I hope it don't confuse you but I'll explain why. The rod you have is a medium power rod, perfect for you because you need to do everything from the bank and you use treble hook lures too, the medium isn't the best all-purpose but it will let you fish a treble hook bait a little better, just stay within the lure weight range. Being that you are bank fishing, braid is the absolute last line you should be using, it has zero stretch and you are already going to fish a treble hook bait with a fast action rod, you need a little bit of give. The other problem is if you get hung on a long cast, a lot of guys will argue that you will be able to straighten the hooks out and get your lure back, I'll tell you right now, it isn't going to happen with a jig especially on a decent cast distance. If you get hung with that bait with 30lb braid you will be looking of a stick that will be strong enough that you can wrap the braided line around in order to pull, pulling with the rod will break you rod and pulling with your hands will cut them, and cut them deep. I tell most guys fishing from the bank that anything over 15lb braid is going to cause you a lot of heartache should you get snagged. Get a spool of 12lb Berkley Big Game, it will be plenty strong to bring in any fish you catch, it has stretch, not a lot but enough that will help you out with fish hooked on a crankbait and if you should get snagged up real good, you'll be able to exert enough pressure to break the line instead of spending 2 hours trying to free up a bait snagged with 30lb braid. The reason you don't use 15lb braid on a casting reel is the diameter is very small and it makes it tough to cast with a normal size casting reel, it is more suited to spinning or finesse casting reels which cost a lot. So, you can go with what you think will do better for you but if there is the possibility of a snag, think about using mono, boats can get over to the snag and free it up with the rod or lure retriever, you will have to swim or end up cutting 30' of line from your set up.

[NEBasser101]

I agree with shanes. That's what I would say.

[Shanes7614]

I'm going to give you completely different advice and I hope it don't confuse you but I'll explain why. The rod you have is a medium power rod, perfect for you because you need to do everything from the bank and you use treble hook lures too, the medium isn't the best all-purpose but it will let you fish a treble hook bait a little better, just stay within the lure weight range. Being that you are bank fishing, braid is the absolute last line you should be using, it has zero stretch and you are already going to fish a treble hook bait with a fast action rod, you need a little bit of give. The other problem is if you get hung on a long cast, a lot of guys will argue that you will be able to straighten the hooks out and get your lure back, I'll tell you right now, it isn't going to happen with a jig especially on a decent cast distance. If you get hung with that bait with 30lb braid you will be looking of a stick that will be strong enough that you can wrap the braided line around in order to pull, pulling with the rod will break you rod and pulling with your hands will cut them, and cut them deep. I tell most guys fishing from the bank that anything over 15lb braid is going to cause you a lot of heartache should you get snagged. Get a spool of 12lb Berkley Big Game, it will be plenty strong to bring in any fish you catch, it has stretch, not a lot but enough that will help you out with fish hooked on a crankbait and if you should get snagged up real good, you'll be able to exert enough pressure to break the line instead of spending 2 hours trying to free up a bait snagged with 30lb braid. The reason you don't use 15lb braid on a casting reel is the diameter is very small and it makes it tough to cast with a normal size casting reel, it is more suited to spinning or finesse casting reels which cost a lot. So, you can go with what you think will do better for you but if there is the possibility of a snag, think about using mono, boats can get over to the snag and free it up with the rod or lure retriever, you will have to swim or end up cutting 30' of line from your set up.

Couldn't his snag problem concerns be fixed by JUST using a mono or flouro leader?

[Shanes7614]

Guys out there with the mentality you can't or shouldn't use braid with MH rods just need to think outside the box. Maybe forget the home run swing hook set and the "ripping of baits" out of fishes mouths will be a story of the past. Adjust accordingly to the equipment you use. I use lipless baits quite often and with a quick snap of the wrist I'm hooked up. I hardly lose any fish and most times I either don't get hooked up at all because I don't get bit or I get bit and land a VERY high percentage of my fish. I use them with all types of reaction baits with zero issues. Keep the egos off the water and stop trying to hit those home runs and all will be ok.... I promise.

[smalljaw67]

Guys out there with the mentality you can't or shouldn't use braid with MH rods just need to think outside the box. Maybe forget the home run swing hook set and the "ripping of baits" out of fishes mouths will be a story of the past. Adjust accordingly to the equipment you use. I use lipless baits quite often and with a quick snap of the wrist I'm hooked up. I hardly lose any fish and most times I either don't get hooked up at all because I don't get bit or I get bit and land a VERY high percentage of my fish. I use them with all types of reaction baits with zero issues. Keep the egos off the water and stop trying to hit those home runs and all will be ok.... I promise.

 

You are forgetting that a lot of the people asking for help are fairly new to this. The OP is getting a medium power rod because he doesn't have enough for multiple outfits and he uses both single and treble hook baits, I would never suggest someone wanting to use a crankbait use a medium heavy, fast action rod with mono let alone braid. As for tying leaders and adjusting drag, again, you are talking to someone with less experience than you and most likely he is fishing with other novices so I tend to try and make things less complicated. Sure, for you spooling up braid and then tying a 12# fluoro or Mono leader is something you can do in your sleep, I doubt the OP can and would have to not only figure out how much the drag needs to be adjusted but also how to connect the leader to the main line with another knot, it is too much info in a short time. The easiest deal for him with the best chance at catching fish efficiently  with both single and treble hook baits with a good landing percentage would be to use the medium power rod with either mono or fluoro and given that the person is on a budget I would think mono is the better choice. I was in a club where we would do these "get into fishing" days and father & son outings at small private lakes and there were guys that were intermediates asking the same questions and being able to get them to tie a good knot onto a lure or snap was good progress that took time and it is why I frequent these forums, to not only learn myself but to help the people who want to get into this sport a little more seriously. I bet you too are here to help and it is obvious you know your stuff but you seem to forget that some members are just learning basics and while you are right, I just think your idea of line and rod choice is wrong for the OP because it involves too much, at least that is how I see it but the OP has a lot to digest and I'm sure he'll use the information that will suit him best.

[jkoz88]

Thanks to both of you, you both have given me two great perspectives to look at and I think that's exactly why I joined this forum!