Braid and Leader Line

[Luc42]

What’s the best pound test line for braid and or mono for the bays. Also, suggested leader line for using braid?

Thanks !

[Gotfish?]

Lots of brands will work fine. I use 8 lb Gliss for spinning and 6 lb Ande mono for baitcasting (but have one reel with 10 lb for heavier lures). For leader, I just use 6 or 10 lb Vanish fluorocarbon, typically only 1-2' long. J-braid is nice for spinning too. I rarely get broken off even though spotties have small teeth. Check your line often for abrasion and you won't have a problem.

I usually use a swivel to connect leader to line, that also works as a grass catcher.

I don't think spotties are very line shy but lighter line casts further and maybe gives better lure action. I most commonly use 1/4 ounce jig heads with soft plastic grubs or swimbaits.

[Carpkiller]

m

[Carpkiller]

Float tube:
Medium action baitcast rods, 80 size reels, 6 lb. Izorline XXX mono. When I tie a separate leader (with a swivel), 8 lb. flouro. This is for throwing 1/4 ounce lures.
Medium spinning rods, 2000 size reels, 4 lb Izorline XXX Mono. For hardbaits.

Shore fishing:
Same setups, but...
might go up to 8 lb. line if I know I'm going to be dragging spotties out of / over the grass beds.

[Luc42]

Wow, I’m really over killing it. I’ve been using 15lb braid with 15lb leader. I’m trying to go light as possible without worrying if I’ll be broken off during a fight.

[Gotfish?]

It's unusual to be broken off during a fight unless the drag is set too tight. You will snag on weeds and bottom debris from time to time but with 6 pound line, it almost always comes free once you get your float tube over or past the snag. Sometimes a spotty will bury itself in the grass but again, get vertical over the grass and it will come free. Giving slack sometimes works too; the fish will swim out of the grass and you can resume the fight.

[inthedeep2]

6lb to 10lb straight mono.