Line choice

[Chris244]

What is the best line type/lb for a bait caster for basically all applications Crankbaits, jigs, Texas rigs, whopper ploppers. 

[Dens228]

There is no best for all applications.  Unless you're asking for the best for each of the applications???

You are going to get A LOT of different answers!

 

[Hook2Jaw]

You're going to get all kinds of answers.

 

Squarebills : 14# Berkley Vanish

8-14' Crankbaits : 12# Berkley Vanish

14-22' Crankbaits : 10# Berkley Vanish

Jigs : 30# Braid, sometimes with 12-17# fluoro leader.

Worms : See jigs.  I'm hoping to have a pitch/frog setup in the future with 50# braid.

Topwater : 12# Berkley Big Game.

 

There may be a universal best, all around system that will perform well across all situations with the least amount of failure, but the only testing devices we as anglers have are a set of hands with some arms attached.  Use what works best for you. 

 

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

You're going to get all kinds of answers.

 

Squarebills : 14# Berkley Vanish

8-14' Crankbaits : 12# Berkley Vanish

14-22' Crankbaits : 10# Berkley Vanish

Jigs : 30# Braid, sometimes with 12-17# fluoro leader.

Worms : See jigs.  I'm hoping to have a pitch/frog setup in the future with 50# braid.

Topwater : 12# Berkley Big Game.

Similar here but since I have less rigs, a little more universal for me.

 

Crankbaits/Jerkbaits: 10# (Trion) or 12# (new Fuego) Yo-Zuri Hybrid - depends on which rig I'm using

Jigs/Worms: 20# Power Pro (President BC)

Topwater: 20# (Pres BC) or 50# (Fuego-XS) Power Pro - again, depends on the rig

[shootermcbob]

one could drive themselves crazy with all the different types/brands of line. Some of the decisions will come down to money for many of us...sadly including me. I have been going to braid with a leader more and more. While braid is somewhat expensive, it lasts a long time. 

I have also started using trilene big game for many other applications and feel...personally...it is a great value and a good all-around choice. It is also VERY affordable.

For spinning rods...again in my personal opinion...it is very hard to beat yo-zuri hybrid ultrasoft in 6#. Many others on this site have recommended this line previously. 

you will get many suggestions ...try what makes sense for you. the final decision will be yours. 

[FryDog62]

Yo-Zuri Hybrid fanboy here for many years... great all-round line if you want to go with one primary line.  However this last year I started using Sufix Advance mono and it would be a tough call which I prefer now.  

[dodgeguy]

I've finally settled on Sufix 832 50 lb braid on all my baitcasters. You can tie leaders on it if you like. I prefer not to use leaders. If I used spinning I would use Sufix 832 in 20lb test but I don't use spinning. I gave all my spinning rods to my daughter.She uses 832 20 lb.

[FishTank]

12lb Seaguar Invizx.  I use it for pretty much everything.

[WRB]

Berkley Big Game is a good all around line for the applications the OP listed for bait casting outfit. I used 12 lb Big Game for decades for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, top water, jigs, worms etc, etc. 600 yard spool is $9.

Tom

[crypt]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Berkley Big Game is a good all around line for the applications the OP listed for bait casting outfit. I used 12 lb Big Game for decades for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, top water, jigs, worms etc, etc. 600 yard spool is $9.

Tom

this...........and that's that......

[bassguytom]

12 lb. for everything but topwater I use Braid or mono for that. 

[Russ E]

3 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Yo-Zuri Hybrid fanboy here for many years... great all-round line if you want to go with one primary line.  However this last year I started using Sufix Advance mono and it would be a tough call which I prefer now.  

I started using the suffix advance mono this summer. it is now on my jerkbait rods, crankbit rods, and a couple spinning outfits. It has good abrasion resistance and relatively low stretch. it also has low memory, so it works well on spinning outfits.

[mc6524]

Alright, I’ll stick my neck out.  I use 12lb fluro on basically all of my baitcasters with the exception of 10lb fluro on my crankbait rods.  My resoning is based on the fact that I fish pretty clear water, but more importantly, the max drag on most my reels is 14 lb.  if my max drag is 14lb, theoretically I would not need a line with a lb. test weight greater than that.  
 

Honestly, I’ve done this for decades and have never had an issue, but you have to use a high quality line and a good knot.

 

have you ever had a snag and cussed your line because you had to work so hard to break it off?

 

its almost like you have braid on.... LOL

[Tennessee Boy]

8 minutes ago, mc6524 said:

Alright, I’ll stick my neck out.  I use 12lb fluro on basically all of my baitcasters with the exception of 10lb fluro on my crankbait rods.  My resoning is based on the fact that I fish pretty clear water, but more importantly, the max drag on most my reels is 14 lb.  if my max drag is 14lb, theoretically I would not need a line with a lb. test weight greater than that.  
 

Honestly, I’ve done this for decades and have never had an issue, but you have to use a high quality line and a good knot.

 

have you ever had a snag and cussed your line because you had to work so hard to break it off?

 

its almost like you have braid on.... LOL

You should set your drag between 1/4 to 1/3 of your line test or the maximum line test rating on the your rod,  whichever is less.  I set my drag regularly with a scale.  If I'm using 16# mono,  I set the drag between 4-5 lbs.

[PourMyOwn]

On 11/20/2019 at 7:27 PM, WRB said:

Berkley Big Game is a good all around line for the applications the OP listed for bait casting outfit. I used 12 lb Big Game for decades for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, top water, jigs, worms etc, etc. 600 yard spool is $9.

Tom

Just take Tom's advice, and if you don't like the Big Game, use it as backing for one of the expensive lines that you try next. 

 

[GTN-NY]

I love Big Game. Walmart has it $7 for 600yds. I use 12lb green for rattletraps and topwater, 15lb clear for spinnerbaits and 1/4-3/8oz jigs, 20lb clear for 1/2-3/4oz jigs. 

Best part about Big Game is it’s so cheap I respool once a week when I fished tournaments

 

•  

[NYWayfarer]

Towards the end of this season I was using 10# Berkley Big Game for topwater and 12# Berkley Vanish for everything else on my baitcasters.

[MickD]

On 11/20/2019 at 2:52 PM, Hook2Jaw said:

Squarebills : 14# Berkley Vanish

8-14' Crankbaits : 12# Berkley Vanish

14-22' Crankbaits : 10# Berkley Vanish

Vanish must now be different than the old Vanish that we used to joke about?  Why the different pound tests, diminishing with depth?  thanks,

[Hook2Jaw]

I don't know, I've only been using Berkley Vanish about a year.  Before that I had used Seaguar Red and Blue Label, as well as the BPS XPS Fluorocarbon.  It's been so long since I've used those lines I hardly remember their performance on casting gear, so my comparisons of Vanish to other lines is moot.

 

I will say that comparing Vanish to my expectations is possible.  I expect my lines to cast well, I'm sending most presentations on a long cast 30-40 yards.  I'm happy with that.  I expect them to not break at 1/4th of their rated strength after they've got a knot compromising that strength, so, for instance, I set my drag to 2.5 pounds on a scale with 10# Vanish.  I can't remember the last time I broke off via fight or cover using this method.  I don't ski fish unless my line absolutely allows.

 

So, Berkley Vanish meets my expectations in those two areas.  The only thing Vanish seems to have in excess, to me, is memory.  I treat it with KVD Line 'n Lure and it does sooo much better.  I fight redfish on 4# of drag with 17# Vanish and they jam that mess against SHARP oysters, barnacles, and saw grass.  It performs.

 

So, in my opinion, Vanish is pretty average to men.  What keeps me buying Vanish is the price per yard.  That's the one area it absolutely excels.

 

I use different pound tests for crankbaits as I'm still learning the deeper divers, I don't get many opportunities to fish those.  With that in mind, I throw them into less underwater cover.  I've found that for myself I can easily identify squarebills about to bump over a limb or log, so I'm much more apt to throw them into those things and put myself at risk of breaking off much more.  My systems are pretty flexible and I continuously try to adjust them to how I fish, money allowing. 

 

TLDR : I catch fish on Vanish.  It never let's me down, and feels good on the wallet.  I'm more apt to grind shallow divers in cover because I've got more experience with them and don't mind losing them, that's why I rock 14#.

[Hulkster]

my favorite all around line for baitcasting is 12 pound Sufix Siege

[Log Catcher]

I have to agree with @Hulkster. I love 12# Sufix Siege and use it on several baitcasters.

[bunz559]

What's more important is the type of waters you're fishing on. Around me, 12lb Sunline FC Sniper is my go to. Our lakes are featureless deep reservoirs so 12lb is a versatile line. Strong enough to bring in a 9lb bass in and crawl a jig over rock piles. When I head up north to fish the Delta or Clear Lake, I prefer to stick to something stronger in the 14-16lb range. I also spool up with P-Line Tactical but I think I like the FC Sniper a little more. Both are quite spendy though. 

[Tizi]

I use 10 to 12 lb for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits.  I will go heavier for worms/jigs - 14 lbs.  I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid for treble baits (except jerkbaits) and Seaguar Invisx for bottom contact and jerkbaits.

 

50 lb Daiwa J-Braid for frogs.  20 lb big game for swimbaits.