Re-spooling and looking at options

[Stangman]

Hi folks,

I have 4 primary rod/reel combinations that I plan on using this year and I have just stripped all of the reels to get ready for a new season. I am looking for some opinions on re-spooling which will give me some options for different techniques or situations. I primarily have fished with soft plastics (tubes / senkos), but I have a decent collection of hard baits that rarely get used. I will primarily fish soft plastics again this year but I am committed to try a couple of more things out of the tackle box. Please let me know what you how you think I should rig these rods so that I can evaluate my options. I primarily fish in a shallow lake for both Largemouth & Smallmouth. Here is the equipment that I plan on using this season:

#1 - Baitcast - St. Croix Avid AC60MF (medium, fast) with a Shimano Citica 201D

#2 - Spinning - Shimano Crucial CRS-66MH (medium-heavy, fast) with an Abu Garcia Cardinal 503 ALB (2 spools)

#3 - Spinning - Shimano Convergence CVS-66M2A (medium, fast) with a Shimano Symetre 1500FI (2 spools)

#4 - Spinning - Shimano Convergence CVS-66M2A (medium, fast) with a Quantum Array 20 (2 spools)

I bought the baitcaster last year (my first) and have yet to catch a fish on it. I had it spooled with 50lb PowerPro and tried fishing everything off that line. I am hoping it was just bad timing when I used it, which wasn't very often.

I also have the following spools of line hanging around and would like to make use of them as possible. We are in a recession. :

- Sufix Elite - 8lb clear

- Berkley Big Game - 12lb green

- Berkley Big Game - 15lb green

- Trilene XL - 8lb green

- Trilene XT - 12lb green

- Power Pro 20lb green (enough left for one reel)

Thanks for any input you may have. There are a few local shows coming up and I will be visiting BPS next week and I am looking at building the shopping list.

Tight lines!!

...Stangman

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

After you have been around awhile, you'll find my response repetitive:

Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear: Ultra Soft or original formula Hybrid #12 (.013", 19.5 lb test)

8-)

[Sam]

Suggestions.

1.  Make sure the rod's specs balance with the line and bait's weight parameters.

2.  Go with 6 or 8 pound test on spinning rigs. Flouro is best.  Any major brand you like.

3.  Consider 12 pound flouro test for baitcaster.  Go up to 17 or 20 if throwing crankbaits.  XS unless you fish in heavy cover.  Some guys like mono for cranks so you decide.

Run all lines through KVD Lure and Line Conditioner plus spray the line while on the spool while spooling.

Try your lighter lines for the spinning rigs and a little heavier lines for your biatcasters.

The guys have favorites.  I like the Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft for spinning rigs and the Trileen XS for baitcasters, although I will use other brands, too.

Experiment until you find the lines you like, just make sure the rod's specs and the reel's specs plus the baits are balanced.  

[ChazfromVA]

my suggestions are repetitive as well... IZORLINE XXX in 8lb for the spinning rod and 15lb XXX for the baitcasters.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Welcome aboard!

After you have been around awhile, you'll find my response repetitive:

Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear: Ultra Soft or original formula Hybrid #12 (.013", 19.5 lb test)

8-)

;D

[Rangerjoe]

Now to answer your question. Use the 8 lb test on the spinning reels and the 12lb test Big Game on the baitcaster. I would have recommended the 15 lb BG, but since you are new to baitcasting the 12Lb should handle better.

[Stangman]

Now to answer your question. Use the 8 lb test on the spinning reels and the 12lb test Big Game on the baitcaster. I would have recommended the 15 lb BG, but since you are new to baitcasting the 12Lb should handle better.

Thanks RangerJoe.

Since I have 2 spools for the spinning reels should I load them up with some heavier line? or maybe some braid?

Also, on your baitcaster comment, how much different will the 15lb BG handle than the 50lb Powerpro I had on there last season? I had no issues with the PP and think I got the hang of using the baitcaster. Speaking of that, what types of baits would you suggest I throw with the BC? The spinning gear I have is more suited to the lighter plastics (I think  :).

It sure would be nice to catch a fish on the BC this year!!!  ;D

[bassinfla82]

Now to answer your question. Use the 8 lb test on the spinning reels and the 12lb test Big Game on the baitcaster. I would have recommended the 15 lb BG, but since you are new to baitcasting the 12Lb should handle better.

Thanks RangerJoe.

Since I have 2 spools for the spinning reels should I load them up with some heavier line? or maybe some braid?

Also, on your baitcaster comment, how much different will the 15lb BG handle than the 50lb Powerpro I had on there last season? I had no issues with the PP and think I got the hang of using the baitcaster. Speaking of that, what types of baits would you suggest I throw with the BC? The spinning gear I have is more suited to the lighter plastics (I think :).

It sure would be nice to catch a fish on the BC this year!!! ;D

Some people will agree and some wont but I believe Braided line casts better on bait casters. but you will do just fine with mono and it will seem to cast smoother.. but braid dont back lash much... I cant remember the last time I had a backlash while fishing braid a small over run here and there but thats it.

[Rangerjoe]

Sorry was out of town this weekend. The spare spools would be great with Braid, I don't like heavy mono on spinning reels (10lb test would be max for me). Braid on the Baitcaster would be just fine, and handle better then the BG 12 or 15 for a beginner. I like BG or XT for spinner baits, shallow cranks, jerk baits and top water. I like braid for plastics, jigs etc.