Walk-The-Dog Line + Leader ?

[ChrisD46]

Looking to run braid mainline (#30 lb. Power Pro) with a Mono Leader (either #15 Big Game .038" or #17lb. C-XX 0.41") with a 2ft. leader length for Spooks and Sexy Dawgs ... After research , I'm more concerned with the leader's ability to provide the stiffness to properly "push back" on the walking bait to improve the side to side walk as well as keep those treble hooks away from the braid . *For those that run braid for walk-the-dog top water baits , what is your braid + leader set up (if using a leader) ? 

[JustJames]

I have 30lb braid and use #10 CXX about 1' for leader to walk bubble walker. About an hour or so I didnt have any problem at all with treble hook snag on braid and still got side to side action (tighter than spook). I can still do "pop" action with the lure if I want to even when the lure about 30-40 yds away.

[Team9nine]

That will work fine. I usually go 12# BG myself in those situations.

[Deleted account]

I've done braid with 20 lb Big Game leader for larger topwater lures, it works, but I like straight mono much better. I find with braid it requires a softer rod and greatly reduced wrist action, not to mention jumping fish with trebles and braid is something I try to avoid.

[Bluebasser86]

Just use straight braid. That's what I do and I've never had any issue with the hooks tangling. 

[moguy1973]

Straight braid for all my top water baits all the time when I'm in the boat.

[J Francho]

I recommend something entirely different.  Tuf-Line Supercast in 30 lb. size.  It's a bonded micro fiber superline with a mono core, and a coated exterior.  So, zero stretch, floats, casts smoothly acts like mono, and holds knots well.  It's about twice the strength of mono per diameter, so 30 lb. is like 15 lb. mono.  It's almost like it's made for topwater.  No leader necessary.  I use it for all my topwater plugs now.

[moguy1973]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I recommend something entirely different.  Tuf-Line Supercast in 30 lb. size.  It's a bonded micro fiber superline with a mono core, and a coated exterior.  So, zero stretch, floats, casts smoothly acts like mono, and holds knots well.  It's about twice the strength of mono per diameter, so 30 lb. is like 15 lb. mono.  It's almost like it's made for topwater.  No leader necessary.  I use it for all my topwater plugs now.

That's the same line I use on my topwater rod.  I got that line through a promo they ran a couple years ago where they sent a free spool if I paid for shipping costs.  It's a great line although the coating tends to come off sometimes.  I just cut that out and retie.

[J Francho]

I agree, I feel like I retie about as much as when I did using mono.  I'm kind of a freak about retying.  It's bit me in butt too many times being lazy about it.

[ChrisD46]

On 5/17/2018 at 5:07 AM, Team9nine said:

That will work fine. I usually go 12# BG myself in those situations.

Thanks Team9nine - good to know I'm in the ball bark as I also have a spool of #12 BG to compare with as well ... I'm sure I'll have a need for #15 lb. BG for something even  if I like #12 lb. BG better .

 

On 5/17/2018 at 6:24 AM, J Francho said:

I recommend something entirely different.  Tuf-Line Supercast in 30 lb. size.  It's a bonded micro fiber superline with a mono core, and a coated exterior.  So, zero stretch, floats, casts smoothly acts like mono, and holds knots well.  It's about twice the strength of mono per diameter, so 30 lb. is like 15 lb. mono.  It's almost like it's made for topwater.  No leader necessary.  I use it for all my topwater plugs now.

J Francho : Thanks - never heard of the line by Tuf-Line but I am happy to look into it - always up for trying something new ! Probably will need to check someplace that carries Tuf-Line (Like TW , etc.)... In the meantime I'll experiment with straight braid and same + short leader.

[shovelmouth83]

i use a medium heavy 6'9 rod. 30lb p line yellow braid with a 2 ft mono leader. i use this for my frogs,walking baits,and poppers. sometimes i will get silicone geland run about 100 yds through my finger and thumb. get a little extra coating for floating. 

[islandbass]

16 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Just use straight braid. That's what I do and I've never had any issue with the hooks tangling. 

I concur. I’ve walked the dog with all kinds of line. Straight braid or mono is no problem. The only one I’d be reluctant to use is a heavier fc line. 

 

One little trick that that really works is to employ a small snap like a duo lock snap if you’re having trouble walking it. Someone shared this tip with me when I “couldn’t get the coordination down. I was blown away  at how much easier it was to walk it like I talk it. I don’t need the snap any more  but I tell you, one plus is that it also will enable you to switch lures without cutting and retrying. Use the smallest snap you can. Also, I mean a snap and not a swivel snap. 

[The Bassman]

20 hours ago, J Francho said:

I agree, I feel like I retie about as much as when I did using mono.  I'm kind of a freak about retying.  It's bit me in butt too many times being lazy about it.

I can definitely relate to this. It's one reason I tend to use straight braid.  That said, the current topic reinforces the need to use different lines in certain instances.  I don't know how some guys keep from getting tangled using straight braid with topwater.  I haven't been as lucky.  Really a pain when the line gets in a split ring.

[moguy1973]

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

I can definitely relate to this. It's one reason I tend to use straight braid.  That said, the current topic reinforces the need to use different lines in certain instances.  I don't know how some guys keep from getting tangled using straight braid with topwater.  I haven't been as lucky.  Really a pain when the line gets in a split ring.

That's why I use a snap for most of my presentations.  Easy to change baits and the line doesn't get in the split ring.  Plus gives really good action to topwater WTD type baits.

[The Bassman]

6 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

That's why I use a snap for most of my presentations.  Easy to change baits and the line doesn't get in the split ring.  Plus gives really good action to topwater WTD type baits.

I was talking about the split rings on the hook hangers.  I actually swap out my line tie split rings for snaps.  I have trouble staying away from the exposed ends when knotting to split rings. Will cause your knot to fail real fast.

[Mike L]

Straight braid. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Mumbly]

15 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Thanks.

It's an old Quantim Tour Edition PT PTS704F. Medium.  Rated for 1/8 - 1/2. But fishes much heavier.  

Has a short handle and plenty of back bone as you can see in that video.

Considered up grading just haven't found a stick I like better.

A-Jay

It looks like it performs very well indeed. Thank you

[bigfruits]

straight defier armilo. my "walking topwater" rod has a fast action.

[moguy1973]

On 5/18/2018 at 12:31 PM, The Bassman said:

I was talking about the split rings on the hook hangers.  I actually swap out my line tie split rings for snaps.  I have trouble staying away from the exposed ends when knotting to split rings. Will cause your knot to fail real fast.

Ahh, never had that happen.  I actually rarely have the braided line get tangled in the hooks for whatever reason.