If you can use only one line...

[Capriceragtop]

On a medium spinning rod rated for 6-12lb line, if you could use only one line, what would it be?

 

Open to any options. I'll be tossing everything from 1/4oz jigs, spinners, some soft plastics, up to 1/2oz spinners, spoons, some top water. Here's the kicker: targeting everything from trout and perch to pike. Already have some steel leader.

 

I'm used to having dedicated rods/reels, but in this instance, I'm limited to one. I'm considering taking two spools if I can find a spare.

 

Tight lines and happy weekend!

[Mobasser]

All this is a compromise. Your too heavy for many trout, and too light for large pike. I'll say a good mono, no heavier than ten lb.                            

[Jar11591]

8lb Berkley Trilene XL

[MN Fisher]

Mix of moving baits and topwaters with some bottom contact thrown in?

 

6# Yo-Zuri Hybrid - don't be fooled by the number - IFGA tested it at 11.9# average breaking strength....

[blackrain]

My vote is for McCoy Mean Green, in 8 or 10 lb test

[Woody B]

I only use bait casters but I use 12 pound Stren for everything.  It doesn't cost much......or last a long time.   Every now and then I'll try something else but I keep going back to it.   

[FrnkNsteen]

10lb mono for me too. Either Trilene XL or Suffix

[dodgeguy]

10 lb. Sufix 832 braid.

[Capriceragtop]

21 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

All this is a compromise.              

You're telling me! If I could, I'd schlep all my gear with me.

 

But, as I've gotta be able to carry this on a plane, my options are to try a "one size fits all" approach.

 

Species available are trout, perch, salmon, pike, wrasse, greyling. Who knows what I'll catch.

[Capriceragtop]

20 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

10 lb. Sufix 832 braid.

Straight to lure, or with a leader?

[bulldog1935]

YGK X-braid PE#1, 22-lb test. 

It's smaller diameter than 832 in 10-lb test. 

Small enough and strong enough to cover a wide lure weight range and the wide range in fish power. 

Definitely one size fits all. 

Take a few spools of different leader test and learn improved Allbright for tying them on the night before. 

 

 

In spite of belief systems, you will have the ability to match break-off to the situation, quick change terminal tackle, and have some measure of shock resistance, which straight braid lacks. 

With spinning tackle, it's always a good idea to use swivels in some form, micro swivels are great and tiny, and you can add pike leaders (bite traces) for toothy fish. 

[dodgeguy]

15 minutes ago, Capriceragtop said:

Straight to lure, or with a leader?

Never use leaders. Don't believe in them. Straight braid always.

[Capriceragtop]

@bulldog1935 don't suppose you've got a good, speedy source for the YGK, do you? 

 

For toohy fish, do you use a wire leader, or hope the snap/swivel/other item protects the line?

 

Used to using leaders, but never gone after toothy fish.

[bulldog1935]

You can buy prepared pike leaders online - I order 20 at a time from Poland - titanium wire - and they get used in the salt, especially for our winter Arroyo trips catching big speckled trout and snook on UL tackle.  Unlike stainless wire, titanium also stretches before it breaks.  Snook gill plates make short work of anything except wire. 

 

I checked Bait Finesse Empire, they don't carry larger than PE#0.8 (18 lb), which will work if you stack the spool with larger cheaper braid first. 

They also have Varivas, which is just as good. 

Link just below is capacity calculator for stacking two lines.  You can go really big to get your arbor before you add your working braid. 

https://www.pattayafishing.net/advanced-fishing-reel-line-capacity-estimator/

 

YGK G-soul is a similar line that includes fluoro fibers to help it sink.  I checked Tackle Warehouse - they're out of stock.  Amazon prices are crazy..  Tackle Trap has stock. 

Florida Fishing Products Distance Braid is probably Varivas, and they have 15-lb.  I have a spool of this that's been fishing hard 3 years now 

[VolFan]

I’m with them on the 10 or 15 lb braid. It’s just more versatile and easier handling on a spinning reel than mono.

[FishTank]

I have been using 16lb Sunline Xplasma for two years without changing on my primary spinning setup. It has exceeded all my expectations but I would not use it without leader. Considering the OP's situation, I would go up to the 18lb and use either 15lb or 20lb FC leader. I like Seaguar Gold Label the best so far. 

 

Another option mentioned above is Varivas. I have only tried two of their lines and so far I have liked Dead or Alive X8.  It seems to be better suited to bass fishing. Another I have heard good things about is regular Varivas 8.  

 

The main thing for me with both of these lines is that they resist water well unlike Power Pro and 832, which seem to become a sponge the longer you use them. Being more resistant to water gives them better line lay and casting distance on a spinning reel. It won't entirely eliminate line loops but it helps minimize it.  This will also depend on what reel you are using as well. 

[Bankbeater]

I would use either 10 lb Stren or Trilene XL. 

[Drew03cmc]

In that situation, I wouldn't target pike, but use 15lb braid to a 10lb leader of fluoro or mono, depending what I am doing. 

[JS8588]

10lb Sunline Super Natural Mono 

[Capriceragtop]

56 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

In that situation, I wouldn't target pike, but use 15lb braid to a 10lb leader of fluoro or mono, depending what I am doing. 

Yea, I may end up scrubbing the idea of targeting pike. But you never know what's gonna bite the hook.

 

I've spoken with some pike fishermen, and it seems their go-to lures are basically what I was gonna take anyway.

 

I hear pike are a great fight, but from the sound of it, seems like I'll need a second spool or reel to properly go after em.

[Jar11591]

2 minutes ago, Capriceragtop said:

Yea, I may end up scrubbing the idea of targeting pike. But you never know what's gonna bite the hook.

 

Pike are an extremely common by-catch when bass fishing. You should be able to catch plenty without targeting them. 

[MickD]

Hitena Pureline 19 pound test.

 

[Capriceragtop]

21 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

Pike are an extremely common by-catch when bass fishing. You should be able to catch plenty without targeting them. 

Yea, I suppose I'm overthinking it. I assumed I was gonna need 30-50lb braid, stainless leader, all kinds of unique tools, etc.

 

I caught a trout when targeting smallies with a crawfish crank once, and a whole variety on inline spinners.

[waymont]

15 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Never use leaders. Don't believe in them.

I can guarantee they exist in the real world, I've seen them!

[dodgeguy]

54 minutes ago, waymont said:

I can guarantee they exist in the real world, I've seen them!

LOL. Not on my rods.