Baitcaster Line help

[P4B]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am completely new to baitcasters and recently I got 2 baitcasters from a guy my dad works with. Both these baitcasters are the same type of brand. I will say the brand later in this post. Both the reels were lined by the guy who gave them to me but I don’t know how long they had been from being reclined. I have a simple question. This may be a dumb question by I’m still learning trying my best.

The line that is on it currently is overlapping over each other. I was wondering if this means it is pretty much tangled. I have simply no idea if I should reline it because of this or it is ok. The baitcaster I’m currently using is a Pro Qualifier 2 Baitcaster by bass pro. I hope someone can help me out. I need it drastically.

[P4B]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am completely new to baitcasters and recently I got 2 baitcasters from a guy my dad works with. Both these baitcasters are the same type of brand. I will say the brand later in this post. Both the reels were lined by the guy who gave them to me but I don’t know how long they had been from being reclined. I have a simple question. This may be a dumb question by I’m still learning trying my best.

The line that is on it currently is overlapping over each other. I was wondering if this means it is pretty much tangled. I have simply no idea if I should reline it because of this or it is ok. The baitcaster I’m currently using is a Pro Qualifier 2 Baitcaster by bass pro. I hope someone can help me out. I need it drastically.

[Hammer 4]

I would re spool each reel with whatever lb test your conditions require, and the type of line. Generally on a baitcaster you want at least 10lb ( mono or Fluro) Braid 30 lb minimum..You can go up from there. 12 to 14 lb is a good all around choice. I say this because, you don't know how old the line is, nor the condition of the line. So, better to be safe than sorry.

[FishingGeekTX]

To start with, maybe get some Trilene Big Game, it's usually found it large capacity spools for really cheap at a Wal Mart or Academy, etc.

 

As above mentions, 12-14lbs is fine.  IMO its better to learn with a really standard, cheap line because you may backlash more in the first months than at any other time.

 

If you're intermediate level, and have plenty of basic experience fishing, getting hung up, fishing condition aware, etc., I'd get some power pro braid 30-40# for general use, I find it casts better, is obviously much stronger, and has no memory (always straight, never coily).

 

Watch videos on how to tune your drag, and then your tension + brakes.  It varies per reel, so you can look up the reel too.  Baitcasting takes some getting use to.  You really have to watch what the lure weight is you tie on, and adjust your brakes to accommodate it.  Even if the weight is identical, but one has more wind resistance, you may be forced to re-tune again.  Experience anglers either do this without thinking, can compensate even if they don't, and/or have dedicate rod/reel combos that really don't change much.  Its easier than it sounds, but it takes some getting use to, and discipline to remember to fix it before casting a new lure out there.

 

Hope that helps.

[flywall99]

I would re-line it. Since you are brand new to baitcasters i would go to your local tackle shop/walmart and buy the cheapest mono line you can find until you learn how to cast it. 

[Mobasser]

If your new to baitcasting reels, I would pick up a spool of Trilene Big Game. You can start with 15lb test. This is a good line to learn on

[Tennessee Boy]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you say it is "overlapping over each other".   You can't tell the age of the line by how its spooled.  I will say this,  if you are completely new to baitcasters,  you might want to remove the braid and spool the reels with mono.  Mono is much better for learning to cast a baitcaster.  A backlash with braid can be a nightmare to get out.  If you're a beginner you will have a few backlashes. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Re spooling is relatively cheap insurance but in the meantime pull off several yards of line and reel it back in keeping tension on it and make of the line lay. You’ll get an idea of what it should look like. While the line is out, you can put a wrap of electrical tape on the spool. This is a trick to keep the inevitable birds nest from going too deep while you’re learning. 

[txchaser]

 

[FryDog62]

I dunno, I still think the most forgiving line is braid.  If it does rats nest you can get it out easier IMO.  Once mono or fluorocarbon blows up - either the twists/knots stretch so tight against itself your screwed, or in getting it out via cranking it with the brakes tight, the line kinks or fractures leading to break offs later on.  

I don’t think I’ve ever not been able to get a braid backlash out, and it’s never broke-off later, but I’ve had to cut out many mono/fluoro disasters and re-spool (twice last weekend!)

 

Personally, I’d go with 30-40 lb braid and learn to tie a mono/fluoro leader if needed.  

[JediAmoeba]

I am on the braid train here too.  When mono backlashes it can and will break later.  

 

30 lb braid is pretty easy to pick out.

[Koz]

Count me in for braid on baitcasters.

[islandbass]

They’re clearly nested, so to speak. Spend 10 minutes to see if you can undo it if you want to save the line. 
 

Personally, I’d replace the line of both because I have no way of knowing the condition of the line. 
 

I have to respectfully disagree with my bass angling brethren on the difficulty of clearing a nest being harder because of the line. That is more the result of how bad the birds nest is, i.e., user error than the line type. 
 

All lines can get kinked too so take good care to not add more by yanking on the line when the frustration builds when you’re undoing a doozy, lol. 

[ike8120]

Remove the line and start fresh. Some birds nest are easier to clear then others. Decide what lures you will using and spool up accordingly. I use braid and co-polymer lines. 

[dodgeguy]

7 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I dunno, I still think the most forgiving line is braid.  If it does rats nest you can get it out easier IMO.  Once mono or fluorocarbon blows up - either the twists/knots stretch so tight against itself your screwed, or in getting it out via cranking it with the brakes tight, the line kinks or fractures leading to break offs later on.  

I don’t think I’ve ever not been able to get a braid backlash out, and it’s never broke-off later, but I’ve had to cut out many mono/fluoro disasters and re-spool (twice last weekend!)

 

Personally, I’d go with 30-40 lb braid and learn to tie a mono/fluoro leader if needed.  

100. %  agree.

[livin2fish]

Where in his post did the op say braid was on the baitcasters?  Not knowing the age of the line or how it may have been mistreated, I would put new line on them, just to be safe.    

[Joe_w1234]

I would reline it just to be safe. Get some monofilament or fluorocarbon in the size/test your conditions need, and spool it up with  some fresh line.