Got my first baitcaster

[thedudeabides]

I started with an cheapo $50 Shakespeare combo while academy was having their 25% sale. Now what? I'm a crappie and cat fisherman so always use spinning rods. Would like to try the white bass at Richland chambers. What line should I spool it with? Thinking 10 or 8 lb braid.

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[SmallDogZ]

Originally Posted by thedudeabides

I started with an cheapo $50 Shakespeare combo while academy was having their 25% sale. Now what? I'm a crappie and cat fisherman so always use spinning rods. Would like to try the white bass at Richland chambers. What line should I spool it with? Thinking 10 or 8 lb braid.

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I'd go with 10lb sometimes you may hook into larger striper or hybrid when targeting Whites.... Good luck


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[Mattsfishin]

I use nothing but Big Game clear 12 lb test. I know old school but hey I am old school. I catch more whites with mono than braid for whites and catch some good size stripers and hybrids with same line.

[whsalum]

Braid is a little to sensitive for me, I go with 12-15 lb Big Game Mono

[SmallDogZ]

I used to use big game 12 also but did break off once on a large striper. This is excellent line in most cases for sure. I've recently switched to braid not sure yet which I like better.


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[fishin_envy]

I use 50 lb PowerPro braid. Braid is much smaller in diameter than mono of the same weight class. Too small of diameter braid will cause it to occasionally get buried down into the spool and become frustrating to use. 50 lb Power Pro is the same diameter as 12 lb Big Game mono. Like a smart guide once told me, I never catch any 50 lb fish, but I do catch a lot of 50 lb stumps. Be careful using it on crappie. With braid there is no line stretch like there is with mono and it is very easy to tear the lips off of a crappie while setting the hook.

[tbone2374]

QUOTE..... " I started with an cheapo $50 Shakespeare combo " IMO you are better off beginning with a quality brand and reviewed, baitcaster. The problem you have is adjustability, and smoothness, with regard to backlash and drag. In other words, it's much easier to learn on quality, than an inferior product. I've used other folks, cheap baitcasters, through the years, that were tough to smoothly and accurately, throw, let alone teach, a first timer on... JMO... I only use Shimano!

[Garzas23]

30LB Power Pro Braid on all my baitcasters, no complaints from me. 30lb braid is strong enough to fight catfish or bass plus the diameter is still small enough to cast a mile!

[Texasfisherman57]

I would not start off using a baitcaster with braid on it. I would start out with mono. Go to YouTube and checkout some of the videos on setting up your reel.

[shadslinger]

Like others have said 12# mono is a great all round line in freshwater.
I use big game clear in 12# and tie a 20# fluorocarbon whenever I’m in Stripers or hybrids.
I sometimes use a 39# leader when catfishing or big hybrids.
I tie the line to the leader with uni knots.


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