I’m heading up to La Crosse next week and I don’t fish a ton around grass or with braid so I’m needing to gear up. Looking for some decent braid that won’t break the bank. What type/pound test is best for topwater vs pitching?

Original Power Pro 50# tried and true.

Suffix 832 is all you need. You will have to determine what # test you need for your application. I use 65# for punching grass. It is 8 strand braid for a better price than many other braided lines.

Max Cuatro is 25% thinner, same strength. I throw 50# min (S. Spooks), usually 65# (frogs), and 80# for larger topwater swimbaits. Usually 25# mono leader.

Sunline X plasma

I’ve got a place two pools south of LaCrosse. Honestly #40-#50 Power Pro or 832 will work just fine. Honestly I wouldn’t worry about getting a bunch of different sizes. I personally just started using #40. Works well for frogs, toads, buzzbaits, swim jigs, spooks (with a short mono leader) and fishing grass.

I recommend 50 lb Power Pro. I wouldn't go with anything less than 50 lb on a baitcasting reel, or else you run the risk of the braid digging in the reel.

Don’t have that issue with the #40 I use. #50 would work Infineon also but is a hair thick imo for throwing swim jigs on the river. I personally prefer 40. You have to realize that anything over #3.5 on that river is considered big. It’s been off the last few years

Diawa Grand J-Braid (8 strand) in 50# for BC and 30# for spinning

This is smooth, round, doesn't dig into the reel, and so much easier to manage.

It's not the size of the fish...it's the fish swimming to and fro trough the grass that requires the extra strength