Proper Line Selection

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, so I may be getting an Abu Garcia Promax bait cast combo and since this is my very first bait cast pole/reel ever I have no idea what line i should spool onto the reel? Braided? Mono? Flouro? What pound test? I've heard some people say since I'm new to bait casting i should use mono because it's cheaper and I won't be out as much if I cause bird nest's and have to cut some out but then again some people say that braided is easier and more forgiving...I don't know. I'm thinking of picking up a casting plug and practice with it in my backyard. I just went deep sea fishing and they have bait cast reels there, at first i got a few birds nests but by the end of the trip i think i was doing okay with much fewer tangles so if it's anything like that i think I should pick it up reasonably well or at least well enough so that I won't feel like chucking the rod and reel into the pond .

[Choporoz]

 I'm thinking of picking up a casting plug and practice with it in my backyard.

I have no desire to get into the conversation that will develop from your question.   However, I will butt in here and tell you that YES - do it.   Stop thinking about it. 

[poisonokie]

it is a good idea to use mono because it's cheap and you will get backlashes. However, those backlashes are easier to get out of braid and without causing damage to your line. When you're practicing, don't go below 1/2 oz and cast something aerodynamic, like a bass casting weight. Keep your brakes turned up and don't take your thumb off the spool. Don't try bombing it, just make easy casts. Remember too much braking is better than too little. If you start out that way, your backlashes will be fairly shallow and you can probably just pull them out with ease.

[poisonokie]

oh and go heavy. Like 50 # test. And pack it on tight so that you can't dig a thumbnail down into it.

[Brett's_daddy]

I know this is probably opening up a can of worms but is one brand of line better than the other as far as for a beginner? I was thinking something cheap to start off with like maybe the Suffix or Stren braided?

[poisonokie]

start with regular power pro.

[scaleface]

I would go with mono . That way you can change line cheaply after the inevitable backlash. Remember with baitcasting gear to let go earlier, like you are casting straight up in the air and use the thumb heavily  . Eventually you will be able to cast with very little thumb .

[Brett's_daddy]

Is the regular Power Pro a mono or braided line?

[poisonokie]

braid. It's like $12 for 150 yds at Wally world. It is very good line. Not as good as their 8 carrier super slick, but costs about 40% less. First, button down your drag, then Arbor knot some mono backing of equivalent diameter and after spooling on one layer tie to your braid mainline with a uni-uni knot. You do this because braid will slip on the spool, robbing you of hook setting power. Then wind on the braid nearly to the lip of the spool. Remember to pack it tightly. I just pinch the line between gloved fingers behind the first guide and reel it on. I've heard that soaking it in water when you spool it helps, too, but I've never felt the need to do that. Make sure it stays packed on the reel like that throughout the day, especially before you start bombing cranks or something and you'll save a few backlashes. That's true of any line. Lastly, if you are having trouble with backlashes despite keep your line, spool tension, and brakes in order, you can put that practice plug back on, cast as far as you can or need to, and then stick some electrical tape around the remainder on the spool's line so backlashes can't go any deeper than that point.

[Kentuckysteve]

. Lastly, if you are having trouble with backlashes despite keep your line, spool tension, and brakes in order, you can put that practice plug back on, cast as far as you can or need to, and then stick some electrical tape around the remainder on the spool's line so backlashes can't go any deeper than that point.

Great tip right there.I did this when i started and it saved a lot of line.

[Brett's_daddy]

Honestly, I'll most likely buy my line at Dick's and have them wind it on my reel. Should I tell them to do anything particular?

[poisonokie]

make sure they use an arbor knot, backing, and a good uni-uni splice to your braid.

[ned_riggins]

Im with poisonokie on this get 50lb power pro its way easier to get backlashes out and wont kink and ruin the whole spool, crank the brakes down, and start out slow dont go trying to bomb it on the first cast!!!! Start out at 50% and gradually increase your distance from there. Something that helped me was starting out with side casts because if youre used to a spinning reel your first overhand cast is getting spiked straight into the ground or water and as they have already said take out the length of a casts plus a few yards and put some electrical tape on your spool.

[Brett's_daddy]

What pound test of mono would you use to anchor the braided line with?

[poisonokie]

whatever the equivalent diameter. With 50# pp its 15# mono I think. It really doesn't matter. You probably won't see that line again until you respool. If you have something lighter around that will work just fine. All you're doing is preventing the braid from slipping on the spool. just use an Alberto knot to join the two. It's also called an improved Albright and is pretty easy to tie. As with all knots, make sure the line comes out the knot the knot the same way it goes in so it doesn't get cut. You see what I mean when you cinch it down. If you tied it wrong it will break easy.