I'm thinking of getting a 7'6" Medium Light Fast spinning rod, and using 10lbs test without a leader for Trout & Redfish. I'm thinking of this as my soft plastics rod.

Do you think the 10lbs test is enough for Redfish?

I use 30lb braid on my spinning rods for plastics, no need to fuss with anything else, just tie em on and get after it.

One of the biggest reds I've caught was on my wife's Pfluger rod/reel combo with 10 lb. mono. Fish was 43 inches and took over 30 minutes to land after it made 4 runs.

Remember, the drag is your friend. Use it wisely.

On the other hand, I've hooked Reds that I couldn't turn using a Shimano Calcutta, Falcon heavy action rod and 25lb mono. I've broke a rod or two on big reds.

For the majority of slot sized reds 10 lb line is enough unless that red is running you through oyster reefs or around structure.

I've used 10lb P-line and put several good sized reds in the boat, but I like the 30lb braid/6lb dia. better. I guess its a confidence thing. Putting a little more pressure on the fish and getting him in the boat is the goal for me.

I guess I should of said that I'd be wade fishing.

So would I be correct in saying that the Redfish one is likely to encounter while wading should be small enough that 10lb test would work in the majority of cases?

I'd consider 12lb test, but the rod I'm thinking of says 6-12, and I've read somewhere that you should use test within the suggested range, not at the limits.

Any truth to this?

Dude..you *CAN* catch a slot red on 6 lb test, or 50 lb test, depends on your equipment, and skill.

I'm just saying I'm DONE with mono on my spinning rods throwing plastics, braid won't break barely rubbing an oyster shell, or break when it's got a wad of grass attached to it. You will feel more bites, and spend less time retying after every fish (which you better do with mono). Braid casts better, lasts longer, and will produce more fish at the end of the day.

If you do hook a 32" over sized, you won't kill it with a half hour ordeal like you will with small mono, get him in, you got all you wanted out of him, and let him swim away.

Redfish are far from line-shy, just tie the braid on and go, no leader or other junk to mess with. 30 lb braid, 1/8" Oldham screw lock head, and a sand eel, that's 99% of what I need right there. You'll cast it easier, put a better hook set on it, and break off maybe one a year, instead of three or four a day.

Instead of Braided, would 10lb Fluorocarbon solve the problem?

I use 10 & 15lb braid on my spinning tackle and have best result compared to any mono, or carbon. Power pro is my best friend on all my reels.

Do y'all use swivels with your spinning reels? I keep reading that if you're using a spinning reel, you need a swivel.

I guess this dude ain't getting it....

I'll type slower.
Braid: power pro, spider wire, brand doesn't matter.
No leader
No nothing.
Tie it to your lure, go fishing. Be happy. That's as good as it can get. Some of us have already fooled with every combination you can come up with. Nothing works better.

Thanks Pat!!!

If you spool with 10 lb mono, you will think it's great. You can cast it forever with a 1/4 oz jig head. But then, you will a fish will grab your jig when you only have 5' line out and ping, there goes your jig. Or you snag a piece of oyster and either have to walk through you entire area to unhook it or ping, there goes another jig. There is also benifit to having stronger test when your waist deep and trying to land a fish.

The only thing I do differnt than Pat is tie on about a 24" 20 lb flouro leader with a uni to uni. The only reason I do that is I usually start out throwing a spook jr and switch to plastic at some point during the first wade. I've had no luck getting a walking bait to operate correctly with braid tied directly. So for me, it's 30 lb braid, uni-d to 20 lb flour leader, loop knoted to spook jr. Then after the sun gets up a bite of the loop knot and spook, stick it ont he top of my hat and tie on a sand eel.

Some use a mono leader to give the line some stretch so you don't rip the lips off of a fish. I am beginning to use almost all circle hooks. I'm pouring my own circle hook jigs and using circles on spinner baits and soft swim baits. Some of my hard baits have circles too. You don't strike using a circle hook so the stretch factor is mitigated. Interestingly enough, every guide I know uses mono attached to braid for their clients. BTW, Reds and trout are not line shy so you can use 18-20 lb mono - less expensive than braid. That said, most of my reels have braid with mono leaders. Braid is excellent for flounder as it transmits light hits much better - because of no stretch. There are trade offs with any line you choose. Guys who long cast in the surf use about 50-60 lb mono as a shock leader. Their rule is 10 lbs of leader strength for every ounce of weight being casted.

I have catching at ROLLOVER PASS (fishing with 1/8oz.jig on the bank)23lb.,40 inch red fish with ultra light spinning reel ABU CARDINAL 600UL,FIRELINE SMOKE 4lb+XPS fluorocarbon leader 14lb.

braid and a florucarbon leader woks for me.

Okay, so would this Rod, Reel, Line & Leader combo work well for soft plastics going after Redfish & Trout while wading?

Rod - St Croix Avid 7'6" MLF 6-12lb 1/8-1/2oz
Spinning Reel - Daiwa TD Fuego2500A
Line - 30lb Braid
Leader - 20lb Fluorocarbon

Is there a risk of the rod breaking because the line is to strong?

Personally, I don't like the casting characteristics of fluorocarbon. I stick with Trilene XL (old school, for sure) for the limp non-memory characteristics and check for frays with every fish. 12-lb is my all around weight.

If you're just using a jig head and tail, tie it directly to the braid.

But you do agree with the combo, and I needn't be unduly concerned about rod breakge?

Generally speaking that combo will do fine. I've broken several rods while horsing reds to the shore/boat. Falcon, St.Croix and another one that can't remember. So, it is possible that you could break a rod, but not likely.

Thanks Mike!!!

And thanks again Pat - I like the idea of keeping it simple!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about rod breakage. Set the drag properly, don't horse the big ones and you'll be fine.

Always use a loose drag even if you have 30 lb line. You wont have to worry about breaking the rod. With Soft plastics only, I don't worry about the leader. Unless there is a specific need for the leader, less knots is always better.

You might consider a little heavier action on your rod, when I use less than a MH, the rod tends to whip around, and causes the aggravating wind knots.

But everyone is different, most use a lighter action, I like the stiffer mostly for stabbing a flounder, they clamp down on a jig so hard it's difficult to get the hook in one. Oldham screw lock head with a gamakatsu hook will go a loooong way in improving your catch ratio.