Line Suggestion For A Dobyn Extreme 703SF/Ballistic 2500

[Wagster]

I have a Dobyn Extreme 703SF and a Ballistic 2500 on the way and need line suggestions. This will be my senko/tube setup and I'm fishing clearer water. I'm leaning towards braid to mono/fluro but wanted to get some opinions. If I go with braid what test and brand do you recommend? 

 

Thanks,

Billy 

[fishnkamp]

My wife and I have tried all kinds of mono, fluoro and braid on our spinning combos.  We fish off color tidal rivers and big deep lakes like Dale Hollow Lake and Center Hill Lake, both in TN. The tidal water is here where we live, they include rivers like the Potomac and the Upper bay Susquehanna  Flats.

 

Our favorite line is Berkley Original Fused FireLine in 14 pound test.  That line is equal to most 6 pound test mono.  The line feels course when you first touch it, but once it gets wet it becomes very smooth, has no memory, and casts really well.

 I spool all of our reels up half way with Stren mono in 12 or 14 pound test. This lowers the cost of spooling a reel, as well as making sure the braid can not slip on the reel. It also provides a smooth surface to lay the braid on if the mono is put on nice and tight.

My eyes are not so good, so I use the flame green and I add a 5 foot leader, usually made of 8 pound moss green P Line CXX. That line breaks at close to 18 pounds.  This combo I assemble using very carefully tied uni to uni knots. In a decade I have have never had one of these knots break, even under tough conditions. We have caught numerous bass up to 7 pounds on DH, as well as stripers up to 30 inches, blue cats to 18 pounds and other good fish. This works for me and I am confident it would work for you.

BY the way, my wife and I both fish with some Dobyns rods. Gary makes a great product.  That combo is going to be nice.  If you would like cast one of my rigs and see if you like the line before you go to the expense and trouble of purchasing it, I would be happy to meet you at a pond, lake, or over here at say Wilson Point.  Loch Raven or Pretty Boy could work too. Just let me know.

[CTGalloway21]

I use 20lb braid with a 10lb fluoro leader majority of the time on my Dobyns spinning combos.  

[Wagster]

2 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

My wife and I have tried all kinds of mono, fluoro and braid on our spinning combos.  We fish off color tidal rivers and big deep lakes like Dale Hollow Lake and Center Hill Lake, both in TN. The tidal water is here where we live, they include rivers like the Potomac and the Upper bay Susquehanna  Flats.

 

Our favorite line is Berkley Original Fused FireLine in 14 pound test.  That line is equal to most 6 pound test mono.  The line feels course when you first touch it, but once it gets wet it becomes very smooth, has no memory, and casts really well.

 I spool all of our reels up half way with Stren mono in 12 or 14 pound test. This lowers the cost of spooling a reel, as well as making sure the braid can not slip on the reel. It also provides a smooth surface to lay the braid on if the mono is put on nice and tight.

My eyes are not so good, so I use the flame green and I add a 5 foot leader, usually made of 8 pound moss green P Line CXX. That line breaks at close to 18 pounds.  This combo I assemble using very carefully tied uni to uni knots. In a decade I have have never had one of these knots break, even under tough conditions. We have caught numerous bass up to 7 pounds on DH, as well as stripers up to 30 inches, blue cats to 18 pounds and other good fish. This works for me and I am confident it would work for you.

BY the way, my wife and I both fish with some Dobyns rods. Gary makes a great product.  That combo is going to be nice.  If you would like cast one of my rigs and see if you like the line before you go to the expense and trouble of purchasing it, I would be happy to meet you at a pond, lake, or over here at say Wilson Point.  Loch Raven or Pretty Boy could work too. Just let me know.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I may just take you up on that offer in the near future. I recently purchased a Chronarch MGL HG and a Kistler KLX 7'0" MH for a Carolina rig/T-rig. The Dobyns will be here Wednesday so hopefully I can get it out on the water that night. I'll give the 14lb braid a go.

[PatrickKnight]

10-20 lb braid would be my choice. I use regular Power Pro.

[fishnkamp]

You are welcome to meet up and strap a couple of my reels on your new rod to test it out.

The first would have the Fire Line on it. The other would have 8 pound P Line Halo fluoro on it.

[fishnkamp]

I just wanted to post a follow up. For those that read a lot of the postings here,  take advantage of meeting up with other BR members close by.  I had a great day recently. We did meet up at our local tackle shop, Anglers Express. We discussed a lot of baits, rigging, and fishing techniques between ourselves and with some really good anglers that work in the store.

Billy had the opportunity to play with a bunch of different brand rods too. Not ones you see in BP, Dicks or Cabelas.

 

We went back to my home and for me I got to cast my first Dobyns Champion Extreme rod, as well as cast two different reels I had never played with. This Diawa felt really solid and cast sweet on the 703 Extreme.

 

Then he pulled out his Kistler/ MGL  combo. I had an older white E7 Chronarch but never played with the newer MGL. I helped him get it properly adjusted and modified his casting a touch and he nearly hit my neighbors house across the little stream behind my house. He then got the chance to throw some of my rod/reel combos, including my Dobyns Champion XP 705C with a Daiwa Tatula CT. This is my frog rod.

This was his first experience with a reel that had Mag force Z breaks. He immediately felt the difference in how it must be setup..

 

All in all it was nice to meet you Billy.  When I am cleared by my docs to go fish I will certainly invite you out on my boat. Then we can really experiment with some new baits with you and hopefully catch some nice bass too.

   

[Wagster]

16 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

I just wanted to post a follow up. For those that read a lot of the postings here,  take advantage of meeting up with other BR members close by.  I had a great day recently. We did meet up at our local tackle shop, Anglers Express. We discussed a lot of baits, rigging, and fishing techniques between ourselves and with some really good anglers that work in the store.

Billy had the opportunity to play with a bunch of different brand rods too. Not ones you see in BP, Dicks or Cabelas.

 

We went back to my home and for me I got to cast my first Dobyns Champion Extreme rod, as well as cast two different reels I had never played with. This Diawa felt really solid and cast sweet on the 703 Extreme.

 

Then he pulled out his Kistler/ MGL  combo. I had an older white E7 Chronarch but never played with the newer MGL. I helped him get it properly adjusted and modified his casting a touch and he nearly hit my neighbors house across the little stream behind my house. He then got the chance to throw some of my rod/reel combos, including my Dobyns Champion XP 705C with a Daiwa Tatula CT. This is my frog rod.

This was his first experience with a reel that had Mag force Z breaks. He immediately felt the difference in how it must be setup..

 

All in all it was nice to meet you Billy.  When I am cleared by my docs to go fish I will certainly invite you out on my boat. Then we can really experiment with some new baits with you and hopefully catch some nice bass too.

   

Bob,

 It was nice to meet you and I appreciate all of your help and hospitality. I enjoyed checking out your gear, I was like a kid in a candy shop. I wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to talking all things bassin. 

 

Billy 

[Weedless]

I have 15-20 lb Power Pro with 10-12lb fluro leader connected by an FG knot (33 wraps) on both of my dobyns. Cast well and I set the hook with authority with no issues. (obviously drag setting is key, but 10 lb line is tougher then some think)

[Puggz]

On ‎7‎/‎3‎/‎2017 at 9:21 AM, Wagster said:

I have a Dobyn Extreme 703SF and a Ballistic 2500 on the way and need line suggestions. This will be my senko/tube setup and I'm fishing clearer water. I'm leaning towards braid to mono/fluro but wanted to get some opinions. If I go with braid what test and brand do you recommend? 

 

Thanks,

Billy 

 

Hey Billy, nice combo

My personal preference for this application would be 8lb floro... but that's not what you're asking is it!  lol

 

There's a ton of good braid out there and they all perform in a similar manner.  Strictly for value, I'd spool up with the standard Power Pro in 15lb test.  Put 100 yards or so of cheap mono on as backing as you want to fill the spool so you have maximum cast-ability.  If you want to spend more, look to Seaguar Kanzen or Suffix 832.  The only braid I'm not a fan of is Super Slick.