Fine tuning my gear

[Flatrock]

I've read thru many subject threads and I'm still somewhat unsettled on my best options.

 

(1) I have a Lews Speed Spool LFS 6.8:1 loaded with BPS 12# mono on a 7' Med / Modified for my top water and plugs

(2) I have a Alba Garcia Revo SX 7.1:1 loaded with Trilene XL 12#  On a 6'6" Med / Hvy  Quantum Bill Dance Special.. I'm thinking Rattle traps and larger rigs.

(3) I just purchased a Lews Tournament MB  7.5:1  which will go on a 7' M/H  extra fast action graphite

 

Now here is the question to answer,  What kind of line would you suggest I use and what application would be best suited for setup #3 ?

I'm trying to balance things into 3 categories..   Should I stick with floro or mono... What about braid ?  I do like the no memory of braid but it being extra fast action and braid not having any give to it...  Then again it could be setup for bottom fishing, worms, jigs, ect...

What do you think ?

[IneedAnewScreenNae-5165165]

I'm sorry I'm a little confused have you decided what you will be using this set-up for? It's important to decide what the set up will be for before you decide what line you should use

[LionHeart]

Definitely Texas Rigs and such.  It is your most powerful rod and fastest reel so the choice for me would be clear.  

 

You will get answers all over the place on line selection so I will just tell you what I like and why.

 

50 lb braid and a 15 lb mono leader.  I use braid because it doesn't stretch like mono or flouro, it's easy to handle, and will last a very long time.  Did I mention it is strong?  Not that you need 50 lb strength, but the larger line is easier to see.   I'm not a fan of extra fast rods for anything, but many are.

 

I use a mono leader because it holds lure and leader knots better than flouro in my experience.

 

Why use a leader at all?  On a bottom contact rod, your line will also be contracting the bottom.   Braid is not the greatest at abrasion resistance.   Now for the truth,  I've convinced myself bass get line shy and using a leader gives me confidence. 

 

That's what id do sir. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Jigs, T-Rigs, Frogs, etc. 40-50 lb braid with or without leader.

[Flatrock]

1 hour ago, bassinwithburg said:

I'm sorry I'm a little confused have you decided what you will be using this set-up for? It's important to decide what the set up will be for before you decide what line you should use

With a faster reel and a stiffer rod, what application would work best..?    I was thinking worms, weighted soft plastic Texas rigs ?

[dodgeguy]

Braid if you want no stretch or sufix advance mono if you want low stretch and low vis.

[IneedAnewScreenNae-5165165]

Just now, Flatrock said:

With a faster reel and a stiffer rod, what application would work best..?    I was thinking worms, weighted soft plastic Texas rigs ?

As a general rule of thumb any bait you move with your rod as opposed to your reel faster the faster the better (to a degree, you don't need 9:1 or 10:1 reels for a dang senko). 

 

I have a tournament MB which I really really like. It is on my frogging and punching set up because it is the 8.3:1 model and it's crucial for me to get the fish out of the cover as fish as possible, and reel my bait back in when im done my presentation to make more casts.

 

Absolutely 100% this your soft plastics set up. Worms, t rigs, jigs, etc. 

 

 A lot of people have already said to throw it on braid and this is somewhat a matter of preference, but I really stand by a quality fluoro over braid. I've read some articles where professional anglers have mentioned the noise that braid makes as it rubs against different structure is foreign to fish and they've noticed less bites.

 

I have two bottom bait set ups one with 15lb seaguar invisx and one with 17lb. I found some braids can sometimes affect your baits action in the water on the fall as it is more buoyant than a fluoro. 

 

Regardless, if you do decide to use braid. 99% of the time tie a leader. The only time you don't need to is fishing straight into pads or mats in water that's about as clear as chocolate milk.

 

Ideally, you'd have both so when you do need a braid to get a fish out of the slop you can tie on a t-rig or a jig and horse em outta there like I do with my tourney mb (which really only ever happens in one of the ponds I fish and only in the summer) and for all other plastic applications you will have the fluoro ready to go.

[Flatrock]

That makes sense .. Thanks.  

 

I don't want to have a dozen rods laying around.  I suppose if someone wants to sponsor me with their equipment, that would be different.  But I believe 3 baitcasters is enough as a semi weekend warrior.  So I'm trying to have enough differences between them yet still be general application.   I still have 2 heavy catfish rigs and med and light spinning outfit.  So I think I have my bases covered between 7 rods/reels 

[Flatrock]

Well My Lews Tourn MB came in today and strung it up with K9 and took it out in the yard for a few casts, well actually a dozen and not one backlash or birds nest right out of the box... It does have a different feel to the LFS model but no a bad one.  I can't wait to give it a workout

[roadwarrior]

See if you like braided line, but for me it would be fluorocarbon. Braid tends to develop

slack when you are fishing a slow bottom presentation.

 

[Flatrock]

I wanted to give an update on my new purchase of the Lews Tournament MB reel...  I didn't get to fish with it too much yesterday but I really really like it.  Today I did a little practicing in the yard using a 3/8 practice plug and I'm getting distance that even amazed me...  40-45 yds with no backlash with a breeze no less.   I find the reel to be quiet and the reel to cast very smooth. I've discovered that my early problems was using too small or light lures.  Even on the water I found 3/8 and heavier has helped me control my casting over all. 

 

I'm still finding the Alba Garcia a little more challenging but found I can control it as long as I have some weight at the end of the line and I don't try to push it.    

 

So far I'm still catching my fish on my old trusty spinning outfit...  But in all fairness its been with 1/8 oz and smaller lures.