What line(s) would you use if you fished only one lake.

[Basstagger]

I could use some advice about fishing line. I grew up fishing up North for Largemouth and Smallmouth and I used 6-8# Stren Mono.

 

I now live on a lake in South Carolina and I have a friend that has grown up here, tell me I should  use 30# braided line. I have had  two very large fish break my 10# test line, so I think it's time to upgrade to a heavier line. I would like to use the lightest line possible while being realistic because I believe fish can be "Line-Shy".

 

Here's the scenario of the lake: 

 

• Spring fed lake which generally is very clear- can see 4-5 feet down to bottom
• Very little structure- A good number of tree stumps, but not much more
• Some lily pads- 3% of total lake.
• Bass up 13#s have been caught, and in a given year there are 3-10 bass caught over ten pounds

 

What line would you use on what rods? I use both Baitcasters and Spinning reels

[Finessegenics]

That's tough. If I understood your question correctly, then I would say I find it hard to stay with one type and lb test of line. 

 

First off, are you open to learning how to tie leaders? If so, then braid mainline on all your rigs would be fine. You can change leader strength and material according to your presentation or ditch the leader completely. 40# for baitcasters and 10# for spinning in that case. 

 

If not, I'd still 100% go with 10# braid on a spinning rod, so I'm not giving you much of a choice ?. Much more manageable than mono or fluoro for me. 

 

If I was restricted to one line on baitcasters, it would have to be .33 mm mono or co-poly. Fluoro sinks, so topwaters would be annoying to fish with. Braid doesn't do well against wood like the tree stumps you described because it frays easier than mono or fluoro. Mono would be fine for everything, it's what everyone used for everything up until not too long ago. Not ideal to frog or punch because of the supposed "stretch" that comes with mono with but many people still do it.

 

So mono on the baitcaster for its versatility and braid on the spinning for its manageability. Good luck ?

[rtwvumtneer6]

If I were to simplify my approach it would look something like this:

 

50# braid - frogs and flippin/pitching 

17-20# fluoro - single hook lures 

10-12# mono/fluoro/copoly for trebles

15# braid and 8# fluoro leader for spinning reels

 

 

[flyfisher]

Having a break on 10lb test line is usually a sign of wear, old line, a bad knot or user error unless in heavy cover which it doesn't sound like is the case.  

 

given your belief of fish to be line shy you will have to go with flouro, copolymer or mono.  I go with Copolymer for a lot of my rods but I also go straight braid on some, I don't think fish are that line shy though  I am not a fan of leaders with braid, one more thing to fail in the system but I know many do it without issue.  I run 6lb diameter braid on spinning rods and anything from 10-17lb copolymer or flouro on my bait casters and braid in 10 or 12lb test diameter.  

[OldManLure]

Go with largest diameter mono or co-poly that your reel calls for.  Braid would be my last choice unless you go with a flouro leader.  I suspect the lost fish on 10# mono was due to damaged line or improper drag.

[LCG]

I landed a 18-20lb pike on 10lb big game this year. The line is plenty strong. But all lines will fray or get Knicks. Check often and re-tie as needed. 

 

I use braid as well in dirty water, vegetation and algae. It can fray as well.

[Hammer 4]

I've caught and landed some fairly large fish, to include toothy saltwater fish that were 10 to 12 lbs and fight WAY harder than any freshwater bass on 10 lb mono, never had the line break due to size of the fish.

Having said that, I'm guessing your line's condition, or the knot was at fault, or the line rubbed on some form of structure that may have caused it to break.

Been using 10 and 12 lb mono for years, never had my line break due to the size/weight of a fish cause to break. 

[Phil77]

Try P-Line CXX, it's the toughest mono around or go straight 30-40# braid. Then again some quality FC in 12# would do fine.

4 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

I've caught and landed some fairly large fish, to include toothy saltwater fish that were 10 to 12 lbs and fight WAY harder than any freshwater bass on 10 lb mono, never had the line break due to size of the fish.

Having said that, I'm guessing your line's condition, or the knot was at fault, or the line rubbed on some form of structure that may have caused it to break.

Been using 10 and 12 lb mono for years, never had my line break due to the size/weight of a fish cause to break. 

Same here, lost a trophy stripper due to not retying after wrapping a steel dock line. Still kicking myself for that one.

[Captain Phil]

Here is a photo of a 100 pound plus Pacific Sailfish I caught years go on 8 pound Ande mono with an Ambassador 6500C reel.  I released this fish even though it was a potential world record. So much for catching big fish on light line...   If this sailfish was in pads, there is no way I would have had any chance of landing it.  For clear open water bass fishing, I would use 8 pound mono or fluorocarbon.  For heavy cover frog or top water fishing, I would use braid.  I'm old school, so I hate braid.   That said, there are times when it's the only way to go.

 

 

[Catt]

I need to pin this in my profile 

 

Berkley Big Game 15# mean green has accounted 35 double digit bass across 5 states with zero issues.

 

The only time I don't use Big Game is when punching or frogging.

[new2BC4bass]

Captain Phil whomped me good.  But then I've never fished saltwater.  My biggest fish was a 35# carp on 8# XL.  I have to agree your line either had a bad spot or the knot caused the loss.  BUT I don't think all lines are equal.  I tried some 10# P-Line FloroClear on a trip to Florida.  Changed out the reel as soon as we got back to the house.  It broke way too easy.  Izorline Platinum, is another very tough line.

 

Big Game is great (I use it in 8# and 12#), but there are lots of good monos and co-polymers out there....Maxima Ultragreen, McCoy Mean Green, Sufix Siege, Sufix Advance, etc.

[Deleted account]

10 hours ago, LCG said:

I landed a 18-20lb pike on 10lb big game this year.

 

I've landed small tuna, and large barracudas and jacks on 10 lb BG. If it isn't nicked, with a good knot and decent drag, it will not fail. I can fish 12 lb for bass with a locked drag, and not worry, and I almost feel bad for the bass with 15 lb.

1 hour ago, Captain Phil said:

I'm old school, so I hate braid. 

 

Same.

1 hour ago, Phil77 said:

Same here, lost a trophy stripper due to not retying after wrapping a steel dock line. Still kicking myself for that one.

 

I've lost trophy strippers to guys making twenties rain...

[Captain Phil]

In my opinion, Big Game is the best all around mono for bass fishing.  It's cheap, readily available and tough as nails.  I use 25 pound Big Game when flipping and 20 pound for Rattle Trap and Spinnerbait fishing.  I use 8 pound Maxima for worm fishing.  All my bass fishing lines are green.  I have been experimenting with Seaguar fluorocarbon lately.  So far, I haven't seen any difference in productivity.   If I use braid, it's Power Pro green.

[Captain Phil]

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Captain Phil whomped me good.  But then I've never fished saltwater. 

 

Landing large open ocean fish on ultralight tackle requires a team effort between the angler and the boat operator.  Luck also contributes greatly to success or failure.  This fish was caught in Guatemala in the nineties.  The entire fight took nearly two hours and it was a strain on the fish as well as the fisherman.  The area we were fishing was covered with large manta rays and sharks.  We no longer attempt these records as it kills too many great fish.   

[Mike L]

The Worlds Largest Tarpon Tournament was held every year in Boca Grande Pass on the SW coast of Florida not far from me for years. 
Known as the “Tarpon Capital of the World” it brought together pro’s and amateur anglers from all over the world every year until politics, attitudes, egos and conservationists brought it down. 
 

The problem is mid May to late June hammerhead sharks followed the Tarpon from the gulf into Charlotte Harbor also. 
If you were lucky and good enough to Navigate in and through the pass to catch Tarpon in the 90 lb  to 120 lb range the sharks would come swarming. 

It was just sad to see a majestic Tarpon jump 20 ft from the boat and land in mouth of a 10 footer. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[Phil77]

6 hours ago, Deleted account said:

 

I've landed small tuna, and large barracudas and jacks on 10 lb BG. If it isn't nicked, with a good knot and decent drag, it will not fail. I can fish 12 lb for bass with a locked drag, and not worry, and I almost feel bad for the bass with 15 lb.

 

Same.

 

I've lost trophy strippers to guys making twenties rain...

I hate autocorrect.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Bigger, stronger fish than bass have been caught on 6-8# mono. Not to say a change wouldn’t be beneficial, but consider what else might be at play. Cover, drag settings, line and rod guide condition, user error…

[LrgmouthShad]

7 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

In my opinion, Big Game is the best all around mono for bass fishing.  It's cheap, readily available and tough as nails.

One of my favorite things about big game is that I can respool almost as often as I’d like. The line will coil up for me over time and it also seems to lose some of its elasticity. Casts a little worse over time compared to brand new. But for a little over $1, I can put fresh line on, no problems. Big game fresh off the spool is just a pleasure to fish with. 

[cyclops2]

I used to only use Extra Limp Green Trilene30 - 40 years ago On the junk rod. 

Bought a large spool of 4 # Ande mono. Still am reloading with the Ande.  I will die before it ends.

The smaller the casting spool. The tighter it makes mono coils. Spin or bait casting. I was given 2 Ultralight sinning reels. Hopeless with mono.  Only some 4 & 6# braid can be used.

[lunkerboss923]

12# Fluoro 

[Oklahoma Mike]

Based on your info I would suggest braid to leader. I like the strength and castability of braid combined with the flexibility of tying on whatever type and size of leader you need for any given situation. 

 

I use an Alberto knot and do not have failures - if I get hung up I will straighten the hook or snap the leader but it’s never the knot. 
 

 

[new2BC4bass]

As for one line, it would depend on where I was fishing.  I did one line/one rod for many years.  Started at 5 with 8# XL on a Mitchell 300, and as a teenager went to 4# XL.  Rod(s) unknown.  I believe locally I could do just fine with 12# mono or co-polymer.  I use mostly Big Game, Siege and AN40.

 

Should I ever get to retire near my wife's family in Florida, it would be 40# braid.  I like 832, but have been trying out some different Fins offerings.  So far, so good.