Braid Size For Muskie/bass Jig Set Up

[mikeh22]

         Hello everyone! I have been researching a line size suitable for both muskies and jigging for bass. I have found that 50 pound is good for bass but not so for muskies. Although this may be an unusual question, any feedback or thoughts would be appreciated.

       Tight Lines  

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 

It's kind of tough to pick one line that's going to be suitable as reasonable for Bass Tackle and capable for Musky tackle.

 

Especially when a good bass is about 40 lbs smaller than a good Musky.

 

50 lb braid might be a happy medium. 

 

True Musky Trophy hunters almost always spool up with something a little bigger but 50 lb works fine for bass in all but the heaviest of cover.

 

A-Jay

[mikeh22]

      Those were my thoughts as well. I just wasn't sure whether I needed to increase the braid size. Judging from what you said though, I think I am going to try 50 because I am worried to try higher than that due to bass being able to see the line. Thanks for feedback A-Jay!

[Cgolf]

Personally I go with 50 lb braid for bass jigs and my Muskie rods. It seems to handle tossing big Muskie baits without any issues. Saying that all my Muskie strikes have come on bass tackle including my personal best 45" fish. Thankfully it was on a swim jig with the 50 lb braid and it held up well. Personally I think WI Muskie are so pressured that they actually hit smaller baits more often, even the big girls.

Welcome to Bass Resource. Have to say one of my regrets in life is not fishing your favorite lake more often growing up, still remember my first Crankbait bass off trinkies pier, it is an awesome lake.

[papajoe222]

Welcome.

I use 50lb braid for both my flipping and muskie bucktail fishing . Grant you, I use different rods and reels for those applications.  The heaviest test I use for muskie is 80b. and I have never had line breakage on any of those set-ups.

[Big Bait Fishing]

alot of guys use 80 or 100 lb. braid for musky , 50 lb. braid for bass . i would think 65 lb. braid would be a good recomendation !

[RyneB]

For bass, i use 50 lb braid, except my punching rod has 65 lb braid. I can't imagine 50 wouldn't be good enough. I have landed some good size teethy critters in the past few years, and several came on 10 lb mono. So I can't imagine 50 lb braid wouldn't do the trick

[Big Bait Fishing]

For bass, i use 50 lb braid, except my punching rod has 65 lb braid. I can't imagine 50 wouldn't be good enough. I have landed some good size teethy critters in the past few years, and several came on 10 lb mono. So I can't imagine 50 lb braid wouldn't do the trick

it depends a lot on the lures he is thinking of using ..

[Brnnoser6983]

Hello everyone! I have been researching a line size suitable for both muskies and jigging for bass. I have found that 50 pound is good for bass but not so for muskies. Although this may be an unusual question, any feedback or thoughts would be appreciated.

Tight Lines

When I musky fish I use a minimal line test of 80lb. And my bass set up is 30lb. Now there are a lot of guys that frog with 50lb braid to pull em out of the slop. You could use 50 on musky but a heavy wire leader is a must.

But I think if you're trying to use one rig for two purposes you need to rethink that. While the braid might hold up think the reel. Your gears will get fried, and rods are different. A good heavy action and long rod is idea for musky.

In short have the right tools for the job. If the job needs a shovel and you have a spoon it can be done, but doesn't make it right.

[WIGuide]

I'd go with 50 or 65lb braid, however if you're trying to both with the same gear I'm not sure how that will work. I've definitely caught muskies while bass fishing, but if you're targeting them with musky baits there aren't many rods out there that can handle both. You'll also want to add a wire or very heavy fluoro leader when musky fishing as braid and bass fishing sized fluoro will be no match for their teeth.  

[WRB]

Just depends on the hook size you are trying to set and the rod power used.

My PB musky is 37 lbs caught on a 1/4 oz jig with 8 lb test mono using my smallmouth bass outfit.

Casting big heavy musky lures requires rod, reel and line that is appropriate to both cast the lure and move the big lure in a muskies toothy grip on the lure.

So, what type of lures and rod are you using?

Tom

[Jaderose]

Just depends on the hook size you are trying to set and the rod power used.

My PB musky is 37 lbs caught on a 1/4 oz jig with 8 lb test mono using my smallmouth bass outfit.

Casting big heavy musky lures requires rod, reel and line that is appropriate to both cast the lure and move the big lure in a muskies toothy grip on the lure.

So, what type of lures and rod are you using?

Tom

 

 

Bet that was a hoot!!!

[Robert Riley]

As some have said, 50-65lb is where you want to be. I use 100lb braid for muskie and 14lb FC for bass. But you could definitely find a happy medium.

[Cmiller]

Having heavier braid on a musky rod is nice in the off chance you backlash. I lost a magnum X rap to a backlash with 50lb power pro. My musky rod is now spooled with 80lb.

[mikeh22]

        Generally, I usually will not be throwing anything larger than 2 ounce buck tails.

       

  Thank you everyone for your suggestions and tips!

[WRB]

Generally, I usually will not be throwing anything larger than 2 ounce buck tails.

       

  Thank you everyone for your suggestions and tips!

What rod & reel are you using?? 2 oz bucktail with blades?

Good luck and stick that 40 lb + Musky!

Tom

[IneedAnewScreenName-33442]

Use the 50 braid and then add a 80lb or 100lb floro leader for your musky application.

[WRB]

Use the 50 braid and then add a 80lb or 100lb floro leader for your musky application.

FG knot to join heavy mono leader to braid like 80-100 lb or hollow braid with wind on leader? What knot goes on the lure? Crimp sleeve with snap?

Tom