Line for Jigs

[rtwvumtneer6]

30 minutes ago, JoeDeal55 said:

100% of the time its in the very middle of my cast, mid air

The lure is decelerating faster than the spool and causing an overrun.  Braking systems are very good, but a trained thumb is the answer!

 

Not saying I don't backlash once in a while...?

 

[WRB]

I am definitely odd man out here. Consensus is 15 lb mono-copoly and FC direct line or braid. We here I fish 12lb FC is considered heavy, 8 or 10lb FC is the norm and I use 10 or 12lb (.011D Max) FC consider in the SoCal lakes as “heavy”. 

Combine the fact the LMB get big where I fish you still need line the bass will strike during day light. At night 15 lb / .014D) or heavier works, shorter casting distance and more aggressive bass at night.

Tom

 

[JoeDeal55]

8 minutes ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

The lure is decelerating faster than the spool and causing an overrun.  Braking systems are very good, but a trained thumb is the answer!

 

Not saying I don't backlash once in a while...?

 

I think my problem is when I feel the line slipping off the spool I "feather" the spool with my thumb too hard lol. Or I dont "feather" fast enough and by then its backlashed. Ive played video games my whole life, I thought my thumb would be smarter than this!

[Cody28]

I enjoy using braid to leader in most circumstances. It gives a rod of any price point a bump up in sensitivity as long as you keep a relatively tight line. Suffix 832 in 30 lb. is the best for the money and this way you wont spend so much on having respool with expensive fluro every so often. I would use something like a 15 pound Seaguar Invisx as my leader material because its mid price, has good stretch to protect the braid, and will be thin enough with the 30 lb. braid to work with your eyes. Money spent up front, but will last a very long time. If you do wanna try straight fluro you cant go wrong with FC Sniper in 16 pounds. In this case, spool up the reel with cheap 6 pound mono backing first then only use half the spool of Sniper. This way you can get two spools out of it and you get all the same benefits. The 6lb. filler will never be used and thin mono can be packed really tight to avoid issues. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

6 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

spool up the reel with cheap 6 pound mono backing first

Backing is a $$$ saver.  If you're buying line specifically for filler I would suggest a larger diameter.  I find spools of 20# at Wally for just a few dollars.  

[Cody28]

2 minutes ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

Backing is a $$$ saver.  If you're buying line specifically for filler I would suggest a larger diameter.  I find spools of 20# at Wally for just a few dollars.  

I used to go big diameter too, but someone told me to try 6 lb. and its a game changer. You can pack it so much tighter that its a lot less likely to backlash. Bigger diameter leaves more room in the reel to have deeper layers overrun more superficial layers leading to the dreaded birds nest. 

[Phil77]

I just tape my braid to the spool with electric tape. I don't backlash very often and when I do I catch it before it blows up to bad. I prefer the kiss method, no leaders or backing and it's worked well for me. The biggest thing that has helped me over the years is to ignore the marketing and what the pros do on tv and just go fishing. A jig is almost impossible to fish wrong, hop it or drag it, or swim it and eventually you will find a willing bass to eat it. 

[Rodney Smith]

I fish jigs a lot and have tried many different line approaches over the years. For me, the best I have found is 42 lb Hitena Supercast braid to 12 or 15 lb Tatsu. The Hitena braid is very thin (.01), yet the breaking strength is stronger than other braids. It also casts extremely well and doesn't dig in. I also like the gray color. One advantage to braid is versatility. I can tie on a 10, 12, 15, 20 pound leader depending on the application. With flouro or mono, you are locked into one size. Maybe I would get a few more bites with straight flouro (not sure of that), but IMO the advantages of braid to leader outweigh the cons. I understand the additional knot as a failure point, but a well tied FG knot never breaks. Braid is also much cheaper in the long run.

[Mike L]

14# Sniper or 20# Shooter depending on where I’m putting it. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Cody28]

On 12/3/2021 at 6:46 AM, Rodney Smith said:

I fish jigs a lot and have tried many different line approaches over the years. For me, the best I have found is 42 lb Hitena Supercast braid to 12 or 15 lb Tatsu. The Hitena braid is very thin (.01), yet the breaking strength is stronger than other braids. It also casts extremely well and doesn't dig in. I also like the gray color. One advantage to braid is versatility. I can tie on a 10, 12, 15, 20 pound leader depending on the application. With flouro or mono, you are locked into one size. Maybe I would get a few more bites with straight flouro (not sure of that), but IMO the advantages of braid to leader outweigh the cons. I understand the additional knot as a failure point, but a well tied FG knot never breaks. Braid is also much cheaper in the long run.

I completely agree with this. I only tie a double uni knot and if done well have had zero issues. I have to break off due to a snag or whatever, the line typically breaks before the knot slips, so I trust it. 

[The Maestro]

I use 50lb Power Pro Super Slick for my jig rod.

[MN Fisher]

If I'm tossing them into open water/sparse vegetation - 15# Tatsu

If I'm tossing them into heavier cover - 40# 832 with 15# AbrazX leader.

[WRB]

Always amazed that the average PB bass is 1/3rd the weight of the line being used to catch them. The average bass is about 2 to 2.5 lbs or 1/5 th the weight of the line used. MH rods can only apply 5 lbs maximum of lifting force. 

It’s the bubba syndrome. The BFS guys are the other extreme but close to the tackle actually needed for bass fishing.

Tom

[MN Fisher]

39 minutes ago, WRB said:

Always amazed that the average PB bass is 1/3rd the weight of the line being used to catch them. The average bass is about 2 to 2.5 lbs or 1/5 th the weight of the line used. MH rods can only apply 5 lbs maximum of lifting force. 

It’s the bubba syndrome. The BFS guys are the other extreme but close to the tackle actually needed for bass fishing.

Tom

In my case here in MN - most of my line choice is for when that 9#+ pike decides it wants my bass-bait. Or the off chance a big muskie takes it...a 54", 51lb muskie was caught in Minnetonka a few years ago...so we do have monsters here.

[Lead Head]

For jigs... 

I use braid for easy managing, sensitivity, and longevity. 40lb braid instead of lighter for a easier to manage line diameter. I use the heavy leader to hold up to sharp rocks, and gar (not worried about pike or muskie down here, but have lost several jigs to gar...).

 

Gar getting me isn't super common, but I have been in the rocks almost every outing for over a year (often times never leaving). I have caught size and numbers fishing behind other boats. They are using spinnerbaits and cranks and rarely bottom contact baits. I assume because they lose too many. The heavy leader let's me get into those rocks without losing a jig every other cast. It is also common to have a hooked fish drag my line across those rocks especially if he has any size to him.

 

I don't know if I would get more bites with 12lb line, but I do know I would have to buy at least 10x as many jigs and spend way more time re-riging. I also know the chances of me landing anything 3lbs+ go way down after smaller diameter line is compromised on the rocks.

 

@WRB it may very well be the Bubba syndrome, but my waters are dirty and full of perils, from what I can tell yours aren't, so it isn't all that amazing to me that we sometimes use drastically different gear. I do use 12lb mono and 14lb floro for most moving baits, but my line is rarely rubbed against or dragged across rocks with those. At least, not on every cast.

The post was asking about jigs.

[WRB]

Our lakes are deep rock structure with sparse wood / stumps or brush. Very abrasive terrain that requires constant inspection for line damage. I retire a lot, another reason using braid with leaders isn’t practical.

Regarding toothy fish we don’t have any locally. My PB Musky is 37 lbs caught using 8 mono 1/4 oz hair jig in Lake of the Wood fishing for Smallmouth. Not recommended tackle but sometimes we get lucky.

Tom

PS, my wife was with making this catch very special.

[Skunkmaster-k]

Depends on the hook . For a light wire hook on a football head, 12# fluorocarbon is what I use most of the time . 

[Cody28]

16 hours ago, WRB said:

Always amazed that the average PB bass is 1/3rd the weight of the line being used to catch them. The average bass is about 2 to 2.5 lbs or 1/5 th the weight of the line used. MH rods can only apply 5 lbs maximum of lifting force. 

It’s the bubba syndrome. The BFS guys are the other extreme but close to the tackle actually needed for bass fishing.

Tom

No one uses heavy line for the weight/force of the fish. That is just nonsense. Thick line is used for added abrasion resistance, ability to pull through heavy grass, and numerous other reasons due to our green buddies hiding in the worst cover on the lake. When worried about the force produced by the fish it's usually a matter of adjusting drag not line diameter. Think steelhead fishing, very strong heavy fish and very light line. 

[Lead Head]

I look at the leader a little differently. I'm lucky to go 10 casts without a retie using 25lb floro. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I will retie about 3 times before replacing a 6' leader because I don't like it to be less than 3-4'. If I was using straight floro I feel like I would waste even more line trying to keep enough on my spool. Maybe my way is wrong, but it works for me.

 

That 37lb muskie catch is impressive! I have got a few gar up to the boat that were likely near that weight, but never on tackle that light.

[the reel ess]

Straight 30# PowerPro braid for jigs and flipping/pitching T rigs. I have yet to break it. I use a 15# mono leader if I feel the water clarity calls for it.