What line to use?

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

I have a new Daiwa Regal LT 2000D on the way that i will be putting on my 6' MF Daiwa AIRD-X spinning rod. I want to put some braid on it but i'm unsure on what test to use. I'm new to fishing so i haven't a clue on how to tell what test line i'm supposed to be using. The rod says "line weight 4-10", and the reel says 

"braid 8/280, 10/215, max drag 11lbs". I will be doing freshwater fishing at some lakes and rivers here in VA and i'm sure all i'll be catching is some small stuff but like i said i've never fished before so i'm unsure what i will actually get. I will probably be using some small plastic worms and some float fishing with worms. From what i can gather from looking at Youtube 8 or 10lb braid might be want i want but i'm still very unsure? Please let me know and also i would really appreciate any recommendations on brands of line, i don't mind spending a few extra bucks if something is nicer but of course if the cheap stuff is just as good i'll get that. Let me know what brand of line is your favorite! Thank you!

[Tywithay]

I personally prefer Smackdown for spinning reels, though I rarely use braid anymore. I think anywhere from 8lb to 15lb would be fine for what you're doing, so long as the drag is set accordingly. It's more about the diameter, rather than the breaking strength. 

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

4 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

I personally prefer Smackdown for spinning reels, though I rarely use braid anymore. I think anywhere from 8lb to 15lb would be fine for what you're doing, so long as the drag is set accordingly. It's more about the diameter, rather than the breaking strength. 

Great thanks for the recommendation, i just book marked a page for that brand. If you don't mind me asking why that brand? Is it smoother, or does it have a thinner diameter than cheaper ones? Having never fished i don't know what people look for in fishing line qualities.

[Hammer 4]

On 9/11/2020 at 2:11 PM, AJ.AJ.AJ. said:

Great thanks for the recommendation, i just book marked a page for that brand. If you don't mind me asking why that brand? Is it smoother, or does it have a thinner diameter than cheaper ones? Having never fished i don't know what people look for in fishing line qualities.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Seaguar_Smackdown_Braided_Line_Stealth_Gray/descpage-SMD.html

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

On 9/11/2020 at 2:14 PM, Hammer 4 said:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Seaguar_Smackdown_Braided_Line_Stealth_Gray/descpage-SMD.html

wow the buy reviews on that page are really bad!

[Hammer 4]

Yup, but there are good reviews also. I've been using 50 lb smackdown for about 6 months, works just dandy for me.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

1 minute ago, Hammer 4 said:

Yup, but there are good reviews also. I've been using 50 lb smackdown for about 6 months, works just dandy for me.

Excellent thank you. So far that's two people who have said that brand and it's the only one mentioned so far.

[BigAngus752]

You will find a lot of different opinions on braid...and on everything fishing-related for that matter!  LOL!  For example, I have had nothing but terrible luck with Power Pro but there are tons of fisherman that love it.  I use braid on several of my spinning and baitcasting reels.  The only braid I now use (after trying several brands) is Sufix 832.  It is the most versatile (again, only my experience) and it's buoyantly neutral.  My spinning set-ups all have 10lb and I use two different colors on spinning gear, Ghost (white), neon yellow.  Both help me see the line moving as my spinning techniques are always the slower techniques.  I will use a leader in some situations to make it easier to break off or if I feel like the fish are finicky that day.  Most of the time the leader doesn't seem to make a difference in the fish catching but I break off frequently in the manmade lakes that I fish.  

 

You have lots of respected name-brand braids to choose from.  Pick something from 8lb to 20lb and just start trying them to see what you like best.  

 

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

I use Yellow Power pro #10 on my one and only spinning set up.

 

Seeing your going out for your first trip,

 

 

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

2 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

You will find a lot of different opinions on braid...and on everything fishing-related for that matter!  LOL!  For example, I have had nothing but terrible luck with Power Pro but there are tons of fisherman that love it.  I use braid on several of my spinning and baitcasting reels.  The only braid I now use (after trying several brands) is Sufix 832.  It is the most versatile (again, only my experience) and it's buoyantly neutral.  My spinning set-ups all have 10lb and I use two different colors on spinning gear, Ghost (white), neon yellow.  Both help me see the line moving as my spinning techniques are always the slower techniques.  I will use a leader in some situations to make it easier to break off or if I feel like the fish are finicky that day.  Most of the time the leader doesn't seem to make a difference in the fish catching but I break off frequently in the manmade lakes that I fish.  

 

You have lots of respected name-brand braids to choose from.  Pick something from 8lb to 20lb and just start trying them to see what you like best.  

 

Thank you for the recommendation, i'll add Sufix 832 to my list. Funny i was watching a youtube video as you sent that message of a guy doing abrasion testing on braided lines and Sufix 832 excelled. 

2 minutes ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

I use Yellow Power pro #10 on my one and only spinning set up.

 

Seeing your going out for your first trip,

 

 

Thank you i'll check out power pro. And thanks for that link, that's great since i haven't even considered yet what lures i'll be using. That makes it very easy.

[Tywithay]

30 minutes ago, AJ.AJ.AJ. said:

Great thanks for the recommendation, i just book marked a page for that brand. If you don't mind me asking why that brand? Is it smoother, or does it have a thinner diameter than cheaper ones? Having never fished i don't know what people look for in fishing line qualities.

For the most part, all braid is mostly similar in overall strength and diameter. The stiffness, or lack thereof, and different coatings seem to be the main difference. I like Smackdown because it's very limp and seems to be quieter through the guides than a lot of other lines. It knots very well for me. 

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

Just now, Tywithay said:

For the most part, all braid is mostly similar in overall strength and diameter. The stiffness, or lack thereof, and different coatings seem to be the main difference. I like Smackdown because it's very limp and seems to be quieter through the guides than a lot of other lines. It knots very well for me. 

I saw a video on youtube of a guy who's been testing a lot of different braids trying to find out the one that is best for what he needs. He said he finally found the perfect line for him in Smackdown after using many other brands. I guess different people like different qualities in their lines. I'm probably going to just go out and try the brands that you guys all recommend over the next few months or so and see what i like best.

[MickD]

If you are a newbie, you most likely are like I was at one time, using mono/FC and not being able to feel a damned thing.  The biggest improvement in sensitivity you can find is to use braid. Quibble about which one, but the difference between braid and the others is truly dramatic.  With mono/FC you can hardly tell if your cranks are

 weed free or not, hardly tell if a fish does a soft take on your tube, hardly can set the hook on a fish that hits on a long cast.  A few feet of mono/FC as a leader gives a little cushion but does not keep you from feeling what's going on.  An expenditure of hundreds of dollars in high tech rods will not do as much for sensitivity as simply using braid.  It has a learning curve, but get started.

 

[roadwarrior]

20lb Smackdown is the best braid I have ever fished.

 

[Derek1]

1 minute ago, AJ.AJ.AJ. said:

I saw a video on youtube of a guy who's been testing a lot of different braids trying to find out the one that is best for what he needs. He said he finally found the perfect line for him in Smackdown after using many other brands. I guess different people like different qualities in their lines. I'm probably going to just go out and try the brands that you guys all recommend over the next few months or so and see what i like best.

Just put one one, in the size range and have some fun. When  you need to re spool try a different one. More then likely the first one you try will be fine. Go 15 it’s easier to hold. If you have big hands go 20. I use 20 it seems easier for me to tie. Less nots to start off with on the higher test and you want to have fun not get frustrated. You can always drop down next time. We’ll see you next month when your trying to pick out your next rod and reel. Lol. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but do yourself a favor and get the brightest color line you can find.  I use the PowerPro yellow in 15#.  It will help you detect bites you may not feel.  Fluoro leader will help to hide it from the fish. 

 

 

 

 

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I was back in my basement yesterday to do something and found an unopened 150yd spool of some "15lb translucent Spider Wire Stealth Braid" that i had picked up over a year ago when i was going to start fishing but never did end up doing it, i totally forgot i owned it. I wasn't going to use it with this rod and reel because i assumed 15lb was too much and i didn't want to damage the gear. I guess i'll try that first since i already own it and then i'll try some of that Smackdown and Powerpro and Suffix after.

[roadwarrior]

Fill half the spool with some cheap mono backing. You want the spool "full" when you

are finished.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

Just now, roadwarrior said:

Fill half the spool with some cheap mono backing. You want the spool "full" when you

are finished.

Ah ok, is that because the more full the spool is the better the line will cast and retrieve?

[roadwarrior]

Yes.

Leave a margin of 1/8" or so.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

Great thanks. That's the kind of info that's probably second nature to you guys but i never would have known if someone hadn't told me.

 

[MickD]

On 9/11/2020 at 5:58 PM, roadwarrior said:

20lb Smackdown is the best braid I have ever fished.

I'm not saying anything about Smackdown since I have not tried it, but have you tried Hitena 21 pound test, .006 diameter?  It's pretty darned good.

[roadwarrior]

No, I have fished a number of braids, but not Hitena.