Baitcasters
- Thread starter Don
- Start date
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
When it comes to baitcasters, I find line diameter to be the more telling number than weight. Certain diameters will birds nest or backlash on you and it does depend on your casting and control.
My best recommendation, start with whatever cheap mono you have laying around and run with it. See how much control you have and if you birds nest a lot and use it as a gauge for the route to go forward with.
Personally, I run Sunline Assassin Floro on most of my reels (cha-Ching!). 15lb on the 150 series, 10lb on the 70 series. I also run 30lb Power Pro Braid on 150 as well. After trying MANY lines, I feel these give me the right line for the right baits and features I fish with a lot of control.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
Don
Well-known member
Flip what? I have no money. Just bought the reel. That cleaned me out. They said to start with 10 mono or 12 floro. Save the braid for later. I own the mono but I bet this will be the first time I switch to floro. The reel is the cheapo Kastking. First new reel in many many many years.
Don
Well-known member
I am amazed...just had an education. There isn't the term same-old-same-old as it applies to line. Wow, very nuanced these days. One of the things I noticed is that the diameter varies from item to item and maker to maker. I found braid that is a hair smaller at 30lbs test than the same manufacturers primary mono. But the same company sells braids that were 3 times that diameter for their other 30 lb braids.
Wow, makes the head spin.
Wow, makes the head spin.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
Don
Well-known member
I was at Cabelas last night talking to Jayme in the reel dept. Hge stated that 15lb mono would be a good start but that I will naturally sort it out over the years. He said that the thicker the better for beginners . So I will put a 12 or 15lb mono on the reel. Then he mentioned to not bother with a swivel but go right to the leader with the line and using an Albright or Alberto Knot (easy peazy). Then he mentioned Seegaur Blue Floro leader or if I needed cheap then try the Kastking Co-poly/floro coated leader. He mentioned that the Alberto is the skinniest of all Braid to Floro knots and that he makes his leaders 10-15' and has no issues with the knot feeding through the guides.
So here I lay it out:
-12-15lb line on the spool (eventual goal may be 30lb braid)
-10 lb Floro leader attached with an Albright or Alberto (same knots basically)
-No swivels needed as the reels don't cause much curling as they load onto the spool as you retrieve.
He seemed quite assured and was a good communicator. But I want your opinions.
So here I lay it out:
-12-15lb line on the spool (eventual goal may be 30lb braid)
-10 lb Floro leader attached with an Albright or Alberto (same knots basically)
-No swivels needed as the reels don't cause much curling as they load onto the spool as you retrieve.
He seemed quite assured and was a good communicator. But I want your opinions.
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
Doesn’t sound like nothing wrong with it. Just not for big toothies.
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
Could always begin with that then change up when you get better with it but even then one bad cast with a baitcaster all goes wrong. It still happens at least once a trip for me.
Don
Well-known member
You may notice that I'm trying to beat this subject to death. We covered Reels. Then we covered Line. Now I want to cover rods. I've Noticed allot to you young buck stomping all over this precious state carrying busted up junk rods where half the handle is missing right out of the middle of the handle. What gives? Can't you afford the whole handle? Please explain why it is so important to look like a Hobo. I may want to join you just to look trendy. I like handles like this:
But I see allot of folks, must be from poor upbringing or something that are carrying rods like these worn out things, half gone, rod blank exposed and handle now in two or three pieces:
Please tell me what benefit there is in having these half-handle styles lest I make the mistake of buying more complete and conventionally styled rods.
But I see allot of folks, must be from poor upbringing or something that are carrying rods like these worn out things, half gone, rod blank exposed and handle now in two or three pieces:
Please tell me what benefit there is in having these half-handle styles lest I make the mistake of buying more complete and conventionally styled rods.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
All sounds good. The only thing I’ll add is depending on your tip top size, even an Alberto can grab at times. Not bad but you’ll feel the tick. Some alleviate this by using an FG knot when using a say 3’ leader but I caught a video one time of Seth Feider where he said to make your leader twice your rod length. The idea is that by time your knot gets to the tip, the line is straight and you don’t feel the knot go through. Not a bad idea I thought.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
