I bought a Kastking bait caster off Ebay for $32 and liked it so well that I bought two more. I also used left handed reels so I don't have to switch hands. I am mostly vertical fishing in standing timber so I get hung up a lot. I use 20-40# braid and almost never break off. Using Pro Angler 10' Rods most of the time.

Caution with braid: An improved clinch knot will not hold in braid (my experience anyway). Use a Palomar knot, it will hod on braid and is far easier to tie. Double surgeons knot will probably work also.


Wayne

I fish 20-pound braid on all my vertical fishing rods...4-6 pound mono on my dock shooters...10 pound on my jig/bobber spring fishing rods. No clear leader for me...just straight braid.

Just curious Hogan, what color do you go with on that PowerPro Super Slick and do you feel it makes a difference?

I use the Aqua Green and I have no idea if it makes a difference.

That is just what I selected.

I bought it in the 1500 yard spool.

I think I paid right around $100 or a bit more on Amazon for it.

I am lov'in my Kastking 500 D summer reel...Still remains smooth.

Double the line if you want to use improved clinch, will not slip.

Ok, I went shopping. Got the chartreuse Spike It, but couldn’t find any clear Spike It at Bass Pro. For the line, I bought Sufix Elite 8# high vis and swapped out all the 4# line I had. The 4# was high vis mono Bass Pro line. As I was replacing it, a couple of times it just easily broke in my hand. Bad batch? Bought a bunch of jig heads in colors I didn’t have, and a bunch of plastic jig ‘tails’. I meant to get some good braid, but forgot. I want to try it against the 8# mono and see what I like best. And then I’ll go fishing. Maybe try Fairfield.

Got a new 7’ rod and a spinning reel too. Since I bought it for crappie, and since I had plenty of 8# high vis line, I put that on the new spinning reel. Then I wondered if high vis line would work on Bass or run them away. Walked over to the pond and quickly caught two bass. Ok!

HOGON, why do you use a leader? I use the same braid that you're using but I haven't been using a leader. Why do you use fluorocarbon as your leader and not monofilament?

Decided i wanted to try PowerPro Super 8 Slick 20 lb Braided Line. Quickly discovered it is hard to find in the 150 or 300 yd spools in HI-VIS yellow.

Hey Brad,

I use a Leader because on Tawokini which I fish very often I have proven that I can catch more fish with a leader on Tawokini than without. There are times it probably doesn't matter and the stain of the water I'm sure also plays a factor as well as lighting etc.

We were fishing down by the Dam and we had a guy in our boat fishing with us. Dad and I had a Leader and he tied directly to the Braid. Between Dad and I we had put 12 fish in the boat and he had zero bites. I put a Leader on his line and he got bit on the first drop. Just like with size, color, etc...it doesn't matter until it does.

We prefer to use the Leader.

Another reason is if we get hung up we can simply break the line.

I use Flourocarbon because it sinks.
You have to wet Flourocarbon before you cinch the knot or it will burn and break like peanut brittle.

Mono Floats and I personally just don't like mono. It has memory issues.

Like everything in fishing that is simply my personal preference and different strokes for different folks.

Use what you are comfortable with.

Pretty much any structure in 12-22’ is holding fish on Lavon. Small baits about 1”, 1/16 or 1/32 oz jig heads, ultralight gear, 4lb test

If you are using Power Pro Super Slick, get the Super 8 Slick V2. Some vendors may still have the original so look carefully at what you are buying. You want the V2.

Another great braid, but less expensive, is Yo-zuri. IMO, the 20lb braid/dia Hogon speaks to is spot on for the reason cited.

Stren 10/8 lb mono in clear blue is outstanding.

Using straight fluorocarbon can be troublesome on spinning reels because of its stiffer element, especially as line strength increases. Using it as a leader is not an issue.

I use all three line types depending on the application, except fluorocarbon, which is only for leaders when I think crappie are being line shy (not often) and when fishing tournaments some times.

I used some Mr Crappie 4 pound Saturday. I didn't catch much but the line broke on the 3 I caught as soon as I got the fish in the boat. I am going back to 8 pound

8 pound Trilene XL line and a Lews Laser
Lite reel.