Baitcasters for light braid?

[WRB]

I don't believe there is a after market shallow spool for Abu 4500 reels and if you find it will cost more than the reel is worth. You buy 20 lb Dacron braid line same diameter as 20 lb mono and use it for a filler or backing for the Power Pro braid. If the 4500 is a legacy model the level wind gear isn't fast enough to wind on 10 lb Power Pro braid without the line cutting down through the spooled line, they are designed for .010 diameter line minimum, may handle 20 lb PP braid at .009 dia?

Nearly all the newer size 100 baitcasting reels should handle 20 lb PP braid and use Dacron backing line to fill the spool 1/2 full, then add 75-100 yards of 20 lb PP braid.

The 20 lb PP braid is equal to 6 lb mono and bass are not line shy fish around aquatic vegetation that you like to fish and you will better knot strength using standard size wire hooks and lures.

Tom

[Andy007]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Do you have a price range you are looking at?

Most of the smaller precision bait casting reels 50 size or smaller are pricey.

Tom

I was hoping to stay in the 100-150 buck area, I'm leaning towards a lews toury mg because I can find some deals on them. They sound like they cast light lures decent and can be found for around $80? Yes some of the reels a few people have mentioned have a good reputation, but I can put together 2 pretty good rod and reel combos for the price of 1 reel

 

[rubba bubba]

I've used 10lbs braid on a baitcaster and it worked well enough; not great but not bad.  Now I just use 30lbs braid and run a fluoro leader 6 feet or so of whatever diameter the situation warrants (my range is normally 6-12lbs).  Learn the Alberto knot and your line options increase substantially.

[J Francho]

Tom @WRB, I thought Dacron would eventually rot if left wet.  Hence those old line drying spools you see in antique fishing collections.  Wouldn't a fused, flat Spectra/Dyneema backing line for fly reels be better?  They're light and designed just for this task.

[WRB]

31 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Tom @WRB, I thought Dacron would eventually rot if left wet.  Hence those old line drying spools you see in antique fishing collections.  Wouldn't a fused, flat Spectra/Dyneema backing line for fly reels be better?  They're light and designed just for this task.

You could be thinking of silk or horse hair lines, Darcon is a modern fiber, it wouldn't rot but it's not a super strong micro fiber like spectra. The super braids are small diameter, 80 lb is only .017 dia, would work good just expensive. Dacron is still used by salt water anglers for deep rock cod fishing and is inexpensive line compared to the super braids.

Looks like the OP has opted for a new 100 Lew's size reel, should work for him. Maybe there is a shallow spool for the Lew's reel?

Tom

[J Francho]

17 minutes ago, WRB said:

Maybe there is a shallow spool for the Lew's reel?

No clue on that one - don't do too much customizing to Lew's, other than handle swaps.

I only though of the fly line backer because it's flat, which if spooled properly inhibits digging.  Just an idea - never personally tested it out, though it works well on my centrepin reels.

[NHBull]

On 10/18/2016 at 10:51 AM, Andy007 said:

I have not tried a custom brace but have used braces, wrapped and taped. Taping works good but what a PITA!  Ibuprofen works great also, just trying to stay away from drugs for as long as possible.
And I can turn those nice spinning rods into casters if they get to dusty!!

 

Any particular brand of reels in your neck of the woods that rule the roost more than others?

 

Shimano