Bait caster line weights

[Creek Chub 1]

What’s the lowest weight line you’d put on a bait casting reel? I fish for river smallmouth exclusively and am thinking of ditching braid for fluorocarbon for jerks and cranks. I have a shimano dc slx if that matters

[bulldog1935]

When you get below PE#0.8 (0.15 mm diameter), standard LW pitch is too low to limit line dig. 

Reels like Zillion Silver Wolf have faster pitch in the LW, that lays the line wider on the spool, and can fish down to PE#0.4 (0.10 mm). 

 

This is spooling-up a shallow Roro-X spool with PE#0.8 on my Steez. 

 

In comparison, 6-lb fluoro is about 0.19 mm diameter. 

[Jig Man]

I go down to 6# Yozuri hybrid on my Ned bc.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Excluding the enthusiast pursuit of BFS, 10# line is a light as I use on bait casting tackle. 

[FishTank]

For me, it depends on the reel and the rod. I know the rod ratings are just guide lines but all things considered..... light line + small reel = light rod. 

 

So for the average baitcaster (like a Curado), I would go with 10lb. Light reel (not BFS, Diawa CT reels) maybe 6 or 8lb. BFS reel, 2 or 4lb. 

[Woody B]

I've got one with 10 pound mono on my SLX DC.  I've got 12 and 14 mono on my others.  I've had no problems with 10, don't know about going lower.  Let us know what you try and how it works.  

[Deleted account]

40 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Excluding the enthusiast pursuit of BFS...

 

LMAO, I'm making a size run of Tees!  

[QED]

16 minutes ago, FishTank said:

[stuff deleted]

So for the average baitcaster (like a Curado), I would go with 10lb. Light reel (not BFS, Diawa CT reels) maybe 6 or 8lb. BFS reel, 2 or 4lb. 

 

Interesting.  I don't think any of my UL/BFS (casting) rods would handle 2 lb test especially well.  Are you using specialty JDM casting rods for this application?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

26 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

 

LMAO, I'm making a size run of Tees!  

Forward royalties to……

[new2BC4bass]

I use an 8# mono or co-polymer on most of my Medium power casting rods.  I don't have any problems with that size, and feel 6# would also work well.  Actually have some 6# to try.  Now that I am thinking about it I know I put Silver Thread 6# Excalibur on a Pixy, but haven't had it out yet.

[FishTank]

3 hours ago, QED said:

 

Interesting.  I don't think any of my UL/BFS (casting) rods would handle 2 lb test especially well.  Are you using specialty JDM casting rods for this application?

The .08 Verivas PE Super Trout Advance I have been using on my Daiwa Silver Wolf is equivalent to 3lb mono or 2lb FC.  It takes some getting use to though . I have 6lb FC on the Aldebaran BFS. It is much easier to deal with.  I have been using a Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse and it's ok but I am looking to get a trout rod or a Megabass Destroyer P5 Cliffhanger, PopX or even the Siglett.  I am still thinking and waiting (wife's birthday is this week).