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Line Choices...and other newbie questions. #11966773 12/05/16 01:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
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Dan90210 ☮ Offline OP
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Couple of things I would like yalls insights on if you would please...

Line- Braid? Mono? Any brand you would suggest? What pound test do you prefer for going after blues?

Hook size- How do you determine what size hook is best? I got circle hooks from size 5/0 thru 8/0 and although I want giant blues. I would be happy with some eaters too. How do you determine the best sized hook for any given day?

Rigging- When do you go for a santee cooper rig vs. a 3 way vs. a reg. c-rig set up? What conditions would prompt you to use or the other? Or do you always use one?

Any info is appreciated! Thanks guys.

Wet Rooster Jigs Fishing Super Store
Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966786 12/05/16 01:44 PM
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Dan90210 ☮ Offline OP
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Oh and rods and reels-

Is there a combo you can suggest? I have been using old light saltwater gear. Big old spinning reels. But they are old and dont work well. Drags are stickey, the bails pop open on there own sometimes. Not Ideal ha ha.

I would like to pick up a new combo or two. But I need to keep it cheap. Under $100 for the set if possible. Open to spinning or baitcasting.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966863 12/05/16 02:27 PM
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tgravley aka lewisvillecatfish Offline
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I don't personally care for braid, I like yellow 25# offshore angler from bass pro. Hook size depends on bait size. I use 6/0 in the summer and 8/0 the rest of the year. When I am mostly anchoring I prefer the three way rig, Especially in the winter.


I live with Fear everyday but sometimes she lets me go fishin
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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966872 12/05/16 02:31 PM
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Txmedic033 Offline
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25-30# big game with a 50# big game leader is what I use. 8/0 from now until the big ones stop biting in the spring time. Then I use either 5/0 circle or 3/0-4/0 kahle hooks for the eaters. I pretty much use a Santee Cooper rig year round, but vary the length of my leader line.

Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966910 12/05/16 02:55 PM
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Spud--Cattin Around Adventures Offline
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rod and reel under $100, get a basspro catmaxx reel and ugly stik cat rod.

I use braid, 65lb power pro (white or yellow). 50lb mono or fluorocarbon leader. 5/0 or 8/0 depending on bite and bait.

I use Santee Cooper rig mostly but use 3 way drifting.


Central Texas Pro Catfish Guide for over a decade
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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966964 12/05/16 03:27 PM
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BigPoppa007 Offline
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$26 Quantum 60 spinning reels on a $45 ProAngler Rod
Catmaxx Reels
Cabelas Salt Striker Reels
Ugly Sticks, Cabelas Whuppin Sticks, MeatHunter Rods, Rippin Lips SuperCat Rod, American Eagle Water Eagle

I run braid on spinning reels- 65 lb usually but whatever is on Sale 50-65-80
I stick to 20 lb mono on Baitcasters reels. Suffix or Big Game
40 lb mono leaders. I use both Santee Cooper and 3 way rigs (with floats) sometimes one gets more hits

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/7318733/1
.

Last edited by BigPoppa007; 12/05/16 03:39 PM.

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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966982 12/05/16 03:37 PM
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Capt. Michael Littlejohn Offline
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I like the way a circle hook loads up mono vs. braid.

Most of today's fishing lines are quality. We prefer hi-viz line in the 30lb class for both our trophy catfish trips and bull redfish trips.

**note** if I mainly fished rocks or heavy timber I would probably fish braid. But, we don't.


Michael Littlejohn's Full-Time Lake Tawakoni Guide Service
www.tawakoniguideservice.com
Click HERE for Recent CATCH Photos!

Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11966989 12/05/16 03:42 PM
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Fishin' Nut Offline
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I prefer braid, But it finally wore out the gears on my Abu Garcia 6600c (the Swedish made model too).

Too many snags while drifting the Tennessee River below Guntersville Dam. There's a lot of junk on the bottom of that river.


Originally Posted by OTFF
He is truly a sick individual.
Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11967062 12/05/16 04:14 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,259
Dan90210 ☮ Offline OP
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Good input guys.

Very good point about how the circle hooks load up on braid vs. mono.

I ordered two Ugly stick combos off Amazon just now. $50 each, so two of them for $100. That is good on the budget. They had good reviews on Amazon and on Wal-Marts website.

Think I will spool one with 60lb braid (got some already for flipping) and one with 25lb big game (Since I have some already as well) and see which I think performs best for my fishing.


Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11967296 12/05/16 05:43 PM
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BigPoppa007 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Dan90210
Good input guys.

Very good point about how the circle hooks load up on braid vs. mono.

I ordered two Ugly stick combos off Amazon just now. $50 each, so two of them for $100. That is good on the budget. They had good reviews on Amazon and on Wal-Marts website.

Think I will spool one with 60lb braid (got some already for flipping) and one with 25lb big game (Since I have some already as well) and see which I think performs best for my fishing.



Good Rod but the Reel Sucks. It'll get you going and you can upgrade Reels later.


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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11967315 12/05/16 05:48 PM
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BigPoppa007 Offline
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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11967335 12/05/16 05:55 PM
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Last edited by BigPoppa007; 12/05/16 05:58 PM.

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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: BigPoppa007] #11967493 12/05/16 06:59 PM
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Posts: 39,259
Dan90210 ☮ Offline OP
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Ok I did that just that thanks!

So I will have the two that I got off Amazon, the Ugly Sticks with the Shakespeare reels and the combo above.

Can take my better reel and my better rod that I have been using for catfish and combine those, that will give me 4 set ups. That should be about right to get me going.

Going to spool half with braid half with the big game mono see which I like.

Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11967571 12/05/16 07:40 PM
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Last edited by BigPoppa007; 12/05/16 07:41 PM.

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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11968086 12/06/16 12:49 AM
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BigPoppa007 Offline
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Last edited by BigPoppa007; 12/06/16 01:08 AM.

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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: BigPoppa007] #11968149 12/06/16 01:27 AM
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Dan90210 ☮ Offline OP
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Some great deals! Thanks for the suggestions. My new combos are on the way!

Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11969374 12/06/16 06:32 PM
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BigPoppa007 Offline
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Affordable bank combo: I have 2 in 10'......

8' or 10' Eagle Claw Water Eagle Rod
Plus
Quantum Optix 60 Reel

Last edited by BigPoppa007; 12/06/16 06:33 PM.

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Re: Line Choices...and other newbie questions. [Re: Dan90210 ☮] #11976287 12/10/16 08:56 AM
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