Need help with what lb line

[bitsandbass]

So at the recommendation of this forum, I went with 8lb mono!  I already lost a lure on my first trip after getting snagged

 

Guys whats an all round good lb test for mono to:

 

1) hurl a 0.75oz egg sinker bait rig out there as far as I can and hopefully not snap off mid cast!, and

2) cast out a lure and if I get snagged, stand a decent chance at recovery

 

Put it this way.  While tying knots and cinching down, I snap every other knot.  Im so used to working with 40lb mono that it's hard to adjust!  I think I need to up my lb test a little.

 

What would be a good lb test mono to step up to for the above mentioned but at the same time not sacrifice too much casting distance.  12lb, 15lb?  Oh an by the way, I have other braid rigs, but this one needs to be mono. 

 

Thanks. 

[CroakHunter]

Casting or spinning? 

[Junger]

25 minutes ago, bitsandbass said:

So at the recommendation of this forum, I went with 8lb mono!  I already lost a lure on my first trip after getting snagged

 

Guys whats an all round good lb test for mono to:

 

1) hurl a 0.75oz egg sinker bait rig out there as far as I can and hopefully not snap off mid cast!, and

2) cast out a lure and if I get snagged, stand a decent chance at recovery

 

Put it this way.  While tying knots and cinching down, I snap every other knot.  Im so used to working with 40lb mono that it's hard to adjust!  I think I need to up my lb test a little.

 

What would be a good lb test mono to step up to for the above mentioned but at the same time not sacrifice too much casting distance.  12lb, 15lb?  Oh an by the way, I have other braid rigs, but this one needs to be mono. 

 

Thanks. 

What rig do you have set up for the egg sinker?  Where are your knots, and what knots are you using? 8lb mono seems kind of light to me for a 3/4oz egg sinker, plus the weight of the rig and the bait.

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, bitsandbass said:

 

Put it this way.  While tying knots and cinching down, I snap every other knot. 

Switch to 8lb braid, you will get some immediate feedback if you are cinching too tightly. ?

 

If you are using a "bass sized" spinning reel maybe try 8lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid?  Their 8lb is like .011", so closer to most 12lb lines.  If you are using a casting reel, bump up to their 12lb, it is like .014" or something like that.  It is kinda stiff and wiry, but if you are used to 40lb mono it should be no issue. 

 

 

 

 

[WRB]

55 minutes ago, CroakHunter said:

Casting or spinning? 

^^^^ answer this ^^^^

[Crestliner2008]

Are you fishing for bass or big catfish? Baitcasting or spinning? what kind of rigging are you using - i.e.: Texas rig, Carolina rig?

 

 

[All about da bass]

1 hour ago, bitsandbass said:

So at the recommendation of this forum, I went with 8lb mono!  I already lost a lure on my first trip after getting snagged

 

Guys whats an all round good lb test for mono to:

 

1) hurl a 0.75oz egg sinker bait rig out there as far as I can and hopefully not snap off mid cast!, and

2) cast out a lure and if I get snagged, stand a decent chance at recovery

 

Put it this way.  While tying knots and cinching down, I snap every other knot.  Im so used to working with 40lb mono that it's hard to adjust!  I think I need to up my lb test a little.

 

What would be a good lb test mono to step up to for the above mentioned but at the same time not sacrifice too much casting distance.  12lb, 15lb?  Oh an by the way, I have other braid rigs, but this one needs to be mono. 

 

Thanks. 

I don't use mono most of the time for those reasons. I like 15 to 17 fluorocarbon  and it's stronger and less stretch for when you try to get un snagged there is more leverage. IMO

[bitsandbass]

3 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

Casting or spinning? 

 

Spinning.

 

I have 6 trout rods.  I fish with a 3/4oz egg sinker, hook and powerbait eggs.  The egg sinker runs along the main line so therefore I cant use braid because of abrasion (I have to use mono).

 

I switch these rods to lures/bass rods from time to time depending on who's with me (kids, friends etc).  I was hoping to find the right lb mono that can work for both.  If I cant really cast decently with thicker mono, then I will dedicate them to be used as trout bait rods. 

 

But I have to up the lb on these rods (which sucks, because I bought a roll of 8lb already at the recommendation of the forum!).  If I do dedicate these to trout bait rods, what lb mono would you use for hurling 0.75oz sinkers (I've snapped one already, 8lb mono is too little).

 

As for my two bass rods, I have 10lb Power Pro.  I already lost a lure using the 8lb mono as a leader.....  I've now switched over to a 40lb mono leader (just because I have a huge roll of 40lb at home).  I will test it out to see how it casts and how it works (and lets hope I dont get too snagged, breaking line with a UL setup using this lb test will be interesting haha!).  But I think it will work.

 

So yeah, to summarize:

 

1) What # test mono would you get if hurling out 3/4oz sinkers and

2) Whats the ideal # test mono for leaders when using braid

 

Thanks guys!

 

[CroakHunter]

A 3/4 ounce weight on a light spinning rod is a problem in itself. Definitely overloading the rod. 10lb mono is as high as I'll go on a 3000 size spinning feel. 10On braid to a 12lb leader would maybe work a bit better

[soflabasser]

That's a bigger weight than what many would use for rainbow trout fishing but if it works for you go for it. I would use 12-15 pound Big Game Mono for a 3/4 ounce weight when targeting other species and never had the line snap on me, even on far cast.

[WRB]

Your rods are too Lght power and moderate action for trout to set them up with the line and weight you are trying to use. Lead egg sinker shouldn't cause line abrasion, you more then like have cracked guides. Check the guide ring with a cotton Q-Tip, crack will snag the cotton. Next check the reel bail roller, it should spin easily and look for any grooves cut into the metal.

1/2 oz egg sinker would be max for your tackle. If the braid is frayed it should be replaced. Can't imagine why anyone would use 40 lb mono?? Save it cat fishing. What knots are you using?

Your rods are only suited for light line finesse bass fishing.

Tom

[bitsandbass]

On 5/4/2018 at 5:49 PM, CroakHunter said:

A 3/4 ounce weight on a light spinning rod is a problem in itself. Definitely overloading the rod. 10lb mono is as high as I'll go on a 3000 size spinning feel. 10On braid to a 12lb leader would maybe work a bit better

 

The rods are 6'6" and rated 0.25oz - 0.75oz.  They seem to load well with the sinkers.  It just the line thats a problem.

 

I'll step up my lb test to 12lb as stated above.  I think that would be a good compromise.  Thanks. 

[islandbass]

On 5/4/2018 at 2:45 PM, bitsandbass said:

 

Spinning.

 

I have 6 trout rods.  I fish with a 3/4oz egg sinker, hook and powerbait eggs.  The egg sinker runs along the main line so therefore I cant use braid because of abrasion (I have to use mono).

 

I switch these rods to lures/bass rods from time to time depending on who's with me (kids, friends etc).  I was hoping to find the right lb mono that can work for both.  If I cant really cast decently with thicker mono, then I will dedicate them to be used as trout bait rods. 

 

But I have to up the lb on these rods (which sucks, because I bought a roll of 8lb already at the recommendation of the forum!).  If I do dedicate these to trout bait rods, what lb mono would you use for hurling 0.75oz sinkers (I've snapped one already, 8lb mono is too little).

 

As for my two bass rods, I have 10lb Power Pro.  I already lost a lure using the 8lb mono as a leader.....  I've now switched over to a 40lb mono leader (just because I have a huge roll of 40lb at home).  I will test it out to see how it casts and how it works (and lets hope I dont get too snagged, breaking line with a UL setup using this lb test will be interesting haha!).  But I think it will work.

 

So yeah, to summarize:

 

1) What # test mono would you get if hurling out 3/4oz sinkers and

2) Whats the ideal # test mono for leaders when using braid

 

Thanks guys!

 

I know the technique you’re using and matter of fact, my first fishing outing of the year was last Thursday using that standard rig you described. When I saw a to. If algae in the spots I wanted to bass fish, I said, “Forget it,” and sadly switched to trout mode. 

 

My first question to you is what kind of cover does your body of water have? Grassy? Muddy? Rocky? These should influence the strength of line you choose. Under normal conditions,  8# mono is more than adequate.

 

Also, losing a lure to a snag is “part of the game” and you have to readily accept that. It can happen on your first or last cast. Sorry, but this risk is a given and even more so if you are shore bound like me. 

 

You also readily admit you might not have tied your knots well. Many knots work well well whether you use 6# or 20# test like the improved clinch and palomar knots for mono. These are the two I use for that trout rig and many bass fishing applications. 

 

Another place I’d explore is your casting mechanics. Learn to allow the weight of your rig to maximize casting distance. If you hear your rod whip by your ear before the weight had a chance to load the rod, that usually a sign of mid-timed mechanics that can lead to line snapping. 

 

You could have also had a bad batch of line. The game is afoot for you to find the true culprit. Keep us posted. 

[Tywithay]

The line might work. It's likely not the line snapping, but the sinker hitting the knot and snapping it. If you put some kind of a sinker bumper above the knot to keep the sinker from hitting it, it will probably hold up. I prefer baitcasting equipment with a little heavier line for egg sinkers rigged in that manner, but your rig might work, as long as you're not trying to cast it to the moon.

[onenutinthewater]

3/4 oz  for bait fishing trout? Why so much?  Are you fishing swift rivers? If you need that much weight to get to where your going an upgrade in equipment will do the same and make it a much more enjoyable experience.

[NYWayfarer]

Wet your line before cinching your knots. If they are still snapping then you are to rough.

 

What brand line are you using? I find it very hard to snap any of my favorites (Stren, Trilene XT or Kastking Flourokote) in 8lb test.

 

Trout are line shy fish. I try to go with the absolute smallest line diameter I can get away with. Right now I am using 4lb P-Line Florokote on a size 1000 reel with a light action rod. Using a split shot, hook and powerbait trout dough I can cast a good distance. Same goes with lures as low as 1/8 oz I could not imagine using 10lb mono for trout.  

[WRB]

1 hour ago, bitsandbass said:

 

The rods are 6'6" and rated 0.25oz - 0.75oz.  They seem to load well with the sinkers.  It just the line thats a problem.

 

I'll step up my lb test to 12lb as stated above.  I think that would be a good compromise.  Thanks. 

You think you know so try it. What you will end up with is line with too much memory for the spinning reels you have.

Using a 3/4 oz egg sinker on the lake rig isn't that uncommon for bank anglers to cast further out into the lake. The lake rig is the same as a Carloina rig in bass fishing and consists of main line, weight, swivel and leader. With trout the leader is usually 2 lb to 4 lb test mono and size 14 to 16 gold treble hook with dough baits.

Tom

PS, a bead between the sinker and swivel helps to protect the knot.

[bitsandbass]

40 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Wet your line before cinching your knots. If they are still snapping then you are to rough.

 

What brand line are you using? I find it very hard to snap any of my favorites (Stren, Trilene XT or Kastking Flourokote) in 8lb test.

 

Trout are line shy fish. I try to go with the absolute smallest line diameter I can get away with. Right now I am using 4lb P-Line Florokote on a size 1000 reel with a light action rod. Using a split shot, hook and powerbait trout dough I can cast a good distance. Same goes with lures as low as 1/8 oz I could not imagine using 10lb mono for trout.  

 

Berkley Big Game Trilene 8lb.  I've had GREAT success with that line for pretty much everything. 

 

BTW - I fished yesterday.  No snap offs and 3 trout landed :)  The line was casting pretty far out there.  I was happy.  Perhaps I'll give it a couple of more goes and if no snap offs again, then perhaps I should stick to it.  Time will tell.

 

As for bass fishing.  I ended up hooking another guys rig.  He left his rod in the water and disappeared.  I pulled in the whole rig through the weeds.  The 10lb braid + 40lb mono leader worked great haha.  No lure loss there.  I like this setup. 

 

Only issue Im having with that rig now are wind knots.  Im familiar with braid and know how to fish it (manually close bail etc).  Never have issues with my Stradic.  The Shimano Nexaves I had dont seem to be too great with braid.  I had to cut off twice.  A reel upgrade in may be in my future.

 

 

 

 

[islandbass]

7 hours ago, onenutinthewater said:

3/4 oz  for bait fishing trout? Why so much?  Are you fishing swift rivers? If you need that much weight to get to where your going an upgrade in equipment will do the same and make it a much more enjoyable experience.

I subscribe to using the least amount of weight I can get away with.  Unfortunately, sometimes that is the reality of the situation. On my home lake, you need a 3/4 oz weight just to reach the "money" spot most efficiently from the shore, so it is not uncommon. I'm also talking about a 9'6" rod too. I can get there with a 1/2 oz sometimes if the wind isn't against me or cross blowing but I also know I  am also throwing it harder, which I don't like to do.