Freshwater Line Choice

Time to re-spool two of my freshwater spinning reels - both see duty as 90% trout and 10% bass in local reservoirs.   

Was thinking of going 8lb braid to about 10 ft of 6lb flouro leader.  Anyone else running similar?  Other suggestions?

Both currently have 6lb mono, which is working well enough, but I feel could be better.  The rods are bendy enough that I feel I want a little more responsiveness, and I am certainly accustomed to the strength and durability of braid. 

I am not trolling with a downrigger, mostly trolling and casting smaller crankbaits, spinners, spoons, etc.  I don't really use large/heavy bass lures - I have a handful of dedicated bass rods for bigger baits if the situation calls for it.


 

I like to use thin braid to whatever leader I feel like using that day. Currently my spinning feels are spooled with 15 lb berkely x9 braid (advertised at .005 in). I would try to use braid that is thinner in diameter than whatever diameter leader you want.

Higher thread count braid (ie 8 or 9 or 12 strand) will be quieter thru the guides while fishing. Lower thread count (4 or 5 strand) will be louder, but I feel like they are easier to tie knots to the leader with.

Leader length depends on personal preference. I usually go longer in clear water and shorter in dirty water. Also a little longer is nice if you retie a lot.

For spinning trout, depends if I’m: 1) Casting small spinners/spoons under 0.5oz 2) large spoons and heavy spinners for steelhead 3) bobber doggin with roe or worms 4) jigging. The latter two I have braid for bite sensitivity reasons. Obv fluoro leader. The former two I have mono, 6 for UL spinning small trout, and 12 for steelhead. Fluoro leaders on everything, with mono I only do a couple feet. Braid, longest on the jig setup. I sometimes double use my jig setup for drop shot rigs and/or Neds.

Sweet, thanks for the advice!

I think I am on the right path - I ordered 10lb braid and 6lb flouro for leader.

Ordered a couple more lures and have some rudder lines to fix on the kayak too - should be all buttoned up in a few days and ready to hit the water again next week.  Looking forward to trying out some new stuff. 

Now, if I could just get the fish to cooperate...

I recommend not having line under 10lb test. I think every large trout I have caught in the EBRPD has had broken off hooks some with light line leaders.

I recommend not having line under 10lb test. I think every large trout I have caught in the EBRPD has had broken off hooks some with light line leaders.

Ah, interesting. I've been using a 4lb flouro leader, and have been pretty impressed with it's strength, but I haven't caught a large fish here yet either.  I also mostly fish saltwater with 30+lb line, so maybe my perception is a little skewed.  Thanks for the info - I will look at 10lb flouro.

On my powerbait rod, which is a 4' UglyStick I use 4LB mono.  My trolling setups though I use 10lb braid, and 8lb fluorocarbon top shot.  I feel like braid does better while trolling cutting through the water.  Can go up to 10lb fluoro since it's invisible in the water and some of those are big mofo's.  But 8 feels right to me most of the time

Yep, 10 lb braid is a great main line for trout fishing. Something like Power Pro Super Slick V2 is quiet and easy to work with.

If trolling plugs or spoons at a decent clip (over 2mph), try a topshot of 10 lb fluorocarbon. It's strong enough to withstand hard hits, and it'll get just as many bites as a lighter leader. When mooching bait or jigging soft plastics, bump it down to a 6 lb fluoro leader. Seaguar 6 lb fluoro is incredibly thin, it looks like 4 lb at first glance. An excellent option for finesse techniques.

When toplining trolling, keep your setback in mind. If the water's clear, put that plug back 100 ft behind the kayak. A setback of 30 ft vs 100 ft can be the difference between catching fish and skunking.

Sweet, thanks for the advice!

I think I am on the right path - I ordered 10lb braid and 6lb flouro for leader.

Ordered a couple more lures and have some rudder lines to fix on the kayak too - should be all buttoned up in a few days and ready to hit the water again next week.  Looking forward to trying out some new stuff. 

Now, if I could just get the fish to cooperate...

I use 10lb floro. Figure the lure creating drag specially with deep diving lures and the chance of hooking a 10 lber.

bass finesse 8lbs clear mono/floro. trout 6lbs mono panfish 4lbs mono.

If trolling plugs or spoons at a decent clip (over 2mph), try a topshot of 10 lb fluorocarbon. It's strong enough to withstand hard hits, and it'll get just as many bites as a lighter leader. When mooching bait or jigging soft plastics, bump it down to a 6 lb fluoro leader. Seaguar 6 lb fluoro is incredibly thin, it looks like 4 lb at first glance. An excellent option for finesse techniques.

When toplining trolling, keep your setback in mind. If the water's clear, put that plug back 100 ft behind the kayak. A setback of 30 ft vs 100 ft can be the difference between catching fish and skunking.

This is exactly what I was thinking and planning for.

How long of a top shot should I use for trolling? I was thinking about 20ft or so. I usually troll at least 100 ft behind me, but tough to be 100% with a spinning reel, haha.

If trolling plugs or spoons at a decent clip (over 2mph), try a topshot of 10 lb fluorocarbon. It's strong enough to withstand hard hits, and it'll get just as many bites as a lighter leader. When mooching bait or jigging soft plastics, bump it down to a 6 lb fluoro leader. Seaguar 6 lb fluoro is incredibly thin, it looks like 4 lb at first glance. An excellent option for finesse techniques.

When toplining trolling, keep your setback in mind. If the water's clear, put that plug back 100 ft behind the kayak. A setback of 30 ft vs 100 ft can be the difference between catching fish and skunking.

This is exactly what I was thinking and planning for.

How long of a top shot should I use for trolling? I was thinking about 20ft or so. I usually troll at least 100 ft behind me, but tough to be 100% with a spinning reel, haha.

Depends on the water clarity. I've done fine with a 10 ft topshot in up to 15 ft of visibility. If the water is Tahoe clear, you'll probably want to do 20 ft or more.