Line suggestion for Baitcaster rookie

[padlin]

I have little experience with a BC setup although I own one that was given to me a couple years ago. I'm thinking of setting it up to use for fishing weed cover using something like 12-3/4 oz baits. I'm hoping it may improve some issues I'm having with arthritis in the knuckles with heavier spinning gear, time will tell.

 

So anyway, the reel, and Abu Garcia RV03 PRM-1 (Revo Premier I believe) has very little line on it, looks like maybe 10-15 lb, Mono with braid backing, yes, that's mono or flouro over the braid. It's on a SC M/H 6'6" Premier. I fish from mostly a solo canoe and once in a while from a Bass Ranger plastic pontoon job if it matters.

 

Can someone suggest line size that would work for this situation but may be forgiving to a rookie, if such exists. On a BC reel is mono easier to learn with then braid or vice versa?

On hand I have these if any will do the trick.

10 lb 832

15 and 20 lb Power Pro

and some 12 lb Trilene, age unknown. I just use it as backing these days.

 

Thanks

[JS8588]

10 or 12lb Berkley Big Game.

[MickD]

For a new BC fisherman I would not recommend FC or braid, or old mono.  New mono is not expensive, so get some decent quality mono, about 12-16 pound test, and learn on that.  

 

FC is hard to manage, expensive, and easily damaged trying to get backlashes out.  Braid, IMO, does not cast as well as mono and you might be tempted to use a leader which further complicates the issue.  

 

Once you become competent with mono for your types of fishing, you can decide when you're ready to go to braid or FC if you desire.

 

I gave up on FC a long time ago and recently gave up on braid.  I'm all mono on BC now.  I don't know anything that they will do to my advantage that makes up for their poorer casting performance.  

[Cbump]

Try some 15lb big game mono. 

[MickD]

12 minutes ago, Cbump said:

Try some 15lb big game mono. 

There are many on this forum who recommend Big Game, which is a very reasonably priced mono.  Makes sense to give it a try before going with the pricier options that are harder to learn on.

[Jig Man]

Get some cheap mono, then you won’t cry so much when you have to cut it off.?

[padlin]

Thanks folks, I'll take a ride to Wallyworld and see what they have in 15ish lb mono.

[bulldog1935]

There are a few of us here who fished Big Game mono on baitcaster for a couple of decades. 

Bulk spools are inexpensive, and I never fished heavier than 12-lb. 

I left it behind with Seaguar fluoro - its density is a salt advantage, and fluro knot strength was terrible before Seaguar. 

The general rule with braid and baitcasters is to avoid it until backlash is a distant memory. 

[Boomstick]

I would start with Berkley Big Game either in 12# or 15#. It's decent line and cheap so if you have to cut out a backlash and respool, it's no major money out of your pocket.

Also a fatter line diameter is appropriate for cover, will be easier to cast without backlashing and easier to pull out a backlash.