Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Posted June 20, 2022 I just ordered a Lews classic pro 7.5-1 bait caster with a MHF rod. I almost always fish small ponds and creeks, I usually fish jerkbaits, spinner baits, some top water, and jigs. What line should I get? Should I use a leader? Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 14 lb Sufix Elite, no leader 3 Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 50lb 832braid or 14lb Sufix advantage mono. Leaders suck. 2 Quote
Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 How about fluorocarbon? Will mono be too stretchy? Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 I like fluoro, but not with a top water 2 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 Most topwaters get tossed on 12#YZH 1 Quote
Super User casts_by_fly Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 Based on those lures and where you are, 14 lb-16lb mono will be about right. For a new angler like you say you are, inexpensive mono like big game in a manageable size (not too heavy, not too light) will be effective. Jersey doesn’t have a ton of wood. It’s mostly grass and pads with some rock and docks thrown in. A tougher mono like big game in 14 lb should do well for you and is cheap. 2 Quote
Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 Ok, I might put on 15lb flouro because I have really clear water, I can tie on a short mono leader if I’m fishing top water, it will be a pain but I don’t fish top water too much. Eventually I would like to get another rod/reel so I can have one with mono and one with braid or flouro, just can’t afford that yet. 1 Quote
Super User casts_by_fly Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 Fluoro sinks which is fine for some/most things. Putting a mono leader on it won’t help with any topwater technique that has more than the leader length on the water. For instance, if you’re fishing a walking bait and have a 5’ leader, you’re going to have more than 5’ of line on the water. That line is going to sink down and pull the mono with it. Also, most techniques it doesn’t matter how visible the line is. Braid is the most visible and I use a lot of braid direct to the lure. Fluoro also has other issues. I wouldn’t advise it for what you’re saying. 3 Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 6 hours ago, Jack Hanson said: How about fluorocarbon? Will mono be too stretchy? Mono has less stretch than flouro. Especially Sufix Advance mono. 1 Quote
Super User MickD Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 One who asks this question is probably new to BC, so they should not start with braid or FC. Too many problems. Mono as recommended by others is the way to go. I like Suffix Elite in 14 pound test, and it doesn't feel stretchy at all as I used to feel Uzuri copoly was when I used it. Mono without a leader is the least problematic way to go, and it will work for all lures. You don't want FC for surface lures like poppers because it will sink and pull the lure under on the pop. Mono has about the same density as water, so it just stays where it lands and doesn't adversely affect the action of the popper type lures. 2 Quote
Captain Phil Posted June 20, 2022 Posted June 20, 2022 35 minutes ago, Reel said: Power Pro 30 lb - no leader I am a big fan of Power Pro. It's my go to braid. With all due respect, it has some negatives. One of them is cast ability compared to mono, especially for someone new to casting reels. Braid casts different, especially if your cast is long and your lure is light. When you get a backlash with braid, it's the Gordian Knot of backlashes. I have lost football fields of braid trying the pick them out. One reason for this may be that I have been using mono for 60 years. Perhaps if I started with braid my experience would be different? I don't want to get into one of those braid vs. mono discussions, but there is a significant difference in how those two lines cast. If I was going to teach someone to use a casting reel for the first time, I would load the reel with 20 pound Big Game. When they felt comfortable, they can switch and experiment with other lines. 2 Quote
Super User bulldog1935 Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 I fished nothing but 12- or 14-lb BigGame mono until knot strength sold me on Seguar fluoro (vs. all other early fluoro offerings). The stiffness of monofilament over completely limp braid will have its greatest advantage working out your first backlashes. Braid backlash will make 180-degree folds that you may not be able to find or pick-out without a plastic toothpick. Jack, a 300- or 600-yd bulk spool of mono is the way to begin (more than a reel-charge pack). 12-lb YoZuri hybrid - that's a great choice. Also, don't begin by attempting long brave casts, but short accurate casts, training your thumb to modulate cast distance and stop the spool. Slowly work your way out. When your thumb is working better, try overhead casts for distance. 2 Quote
Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 10 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said: I fished nothing but 12- or 14-lb BigGame mono until knot strength sold me on Seguar fluoro. The stiffness of monofilament over completely limp braid will have its greatest advantage working out your first backlashes. Braid backlash will make 180-degree folds that you may not be able to find or pick-out without a plastic toothpick. Jack, a 300- or 600-yd bulk spool of mono is the way to begin (more than a reel-charge pack). 12-lb YoZuri hybrid - that's a great choice. Also, don't begin by attempting long brave casts, but short accurate casts, training your thumb to modulate cast distance and stop the spool. Thanks again @bulldog1935! You’ve been great help. I’ve tried a bait caster years ago with braid and the backlashes pretty much made me quit, I’m not sure what happened to that reel but I have the rod. Sounds like monos probably the best way to go right now 3 Quote
Hulkster Posted June 20, 2022 Posted June 20, 2022 I use 12 pound Suffix Siege on my baitcasting rig. its awesome 2 Quote
Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 I think I’ll go with the 12-14lb suffix elite. Looks I can get a 350yd spool for only $9 so that sounds like a good deal to me. 3 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Jack Hanson said: I think I’ll go with the 12-14lb suffix elite. Looks I can get a 350yd spool for only $9 so that sounds like a good deal to me. Where I use mono, Elite is my go-to. Tried Advance - didn't like it Big Game is relegated to backing on my casting reels. 1 Quote
Super User casts_by_fly Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Jack Hanson said: I think I’ll go with the 12-14lb suffix elite. Looks I can get a 350yd spool for only $9 so that sounds like a good deal to me. I think you'll find that's a very good choice. I'd suggest 14 over 12 ( I have both here, also 17 on a bulk spool). The larger diameter of the 14 will be an asset when it comes to picking any backlashes. 1 Quote
Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 21 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said: I think you'll find that's a very good choice. I'd suggest 14 over 12 ( I have both here, also 17 on a bulk spool). The larger diameter of the 14 will be an asset when it comes to picking any backlashes. Luckily I ordered 14. Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted June 20, 2022 Super User Posted June 20, 2022 NJ creeks, get some 10# mono. Berkley Big Game Sufix Siege Stren High Impact All good, all cheap, all reliable. 1 Quote
Jack Hanson Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said: NJ creeks, get some 10# mono. Berkley Big Game Sufix Siege Stren High Impact All good, all cheap, all reliable. I fish some creeks, not too much. I have a light spinning rod with lighter mono line for throwing small lures in creeks. 1 Quote
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