Posted by Rob J in WNY on 2002 PM:

Line for topwater setup...

Hello all.

I have a Shimano Curado that I plan to use with a 6-foot, med. action Shimano Convergence rod. This rod and reel have never seen line, and it's time to finally fill it up.

This rig will be used to walk a Spook, Spit'n Image, Pop-R and a Torpedo. Essentially those types of baits is what I'd like to primarily use it for.

I'm guessing that a softer line might do the trick, giving me a bit of compensation for the hard bait/treble hook challenge, but I would love to hear your specific favorite lines for use with these types of lures, please.

Thanks in advance.

Tight Lines...

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Posted by wnybassman on 2002 PM:

Rob, contrary to any other method of fishing where you want to use the thinnest line diameter possible, topwater fishing requires a larger diameter line. This will help keep the line "floating" and near the surface at all times. I generally use a mininum of 14-17 pound test for my topwater, escpecially walking baits.

A softer line will give the fish an extra micro second to get the bait better. Once you learn the "self control" of not setting the hook right away, you will not need this. As far as fighting bass after hooked, the medium action rod will absorb what you need absorbed.

I used a Convergence rod for years for topwater, and it did very well.

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Posted by JPBass on 2002 PM:

Good ole Trilene XL (10 to 12 lb. for the lighter baits 14lb. for the Spook) has served me well for many a year on my top water set up. I plan on experimenting with some of the hi-tech lines this year but something tells me I'm gonna end up right where I started. I believe a little stretch can be a good thing sometimes.

If you want your line to float try some line wax (used by fly fishermen). Chapstick will do in a pinch.

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Posted by Charlie on 2002 PM:

14 to 17 is perfect for Pop-R type baits and "open water" lures. However, if you fish over weeds, lilly pads or trash, you should beef up your line between 18 to 25 lb test.

As most of the readers here know, I trust ALL my line to Gamakatsu's G-Line which has the sensativity and hook setting power of braid with the look of monofilament.

Tight Lines!

Charlie

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Posted by DR on 2002 PM:

I know I'm odd...BUT!

I use an E-Glass rod, loaded with 6/20 Power Pro Braid. Braids FLOAT! and have NO stretch, allowing better hookups, and combined with the slow action of e-glass rod, it's "the ticket" for me not to mention being THIN
I wouldn't EVER concider going back to a mono for this application, no way no how. Like Noel said, once you "train" yourself to delay, your right in ther bud.
I just ordered 2 more E-Glass rods the other day....Sweeeeeet!

DR

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Posted by Meg on 2002 PM:

Hey Rob,

I used Supercast (some outrageous test, maybe 30#) before switching to 17# P line in moss green for topwater last year. The only negative about the P line was spool memory ( yes, soaked the newly spooled line in warm water), which was negligible when using a heavier lure like a spook.

Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 PM:

Floating line....Power Pro

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Posted by JOHN G on 2002 AM:

anyone that can use 17 pound test mono on a baitcaster and then successfully throw something as light as a popR must be some helluva baitcaster!! PopRs are really very light baits and have terrible wind resistance, and I have always used spinning gear when using those......for walking the dog, baitcasters with 10 lb XT seems to be the ticket...dog walkers aerodynamically and shape wise cast through the wind just fine with baitcasters and lend themselves better to the walking the dog motion done from the side....PopRs I feel are just so much easier to cast and manipulate with spinning tackle....I have seen TRavis throwing those little Yammie Top Waters on Baitcasting gear with Fluoro line, but he was using the 7 foot Avid St Croixs and the wiffle spool shimano baitcasters...between his strength size and the length and flexibility of the rod ( the glass versions), he certainly could throw those little poppers a mile....... JOHN G

Posted by joe pido on 2002 AM:

it can be done...John

Ive used that same rod when I just started baitcasting and a popper will fly easy if..and only if you employ a side or underhand cast. Doing that , it cuts down the annoying backlashes you will get doing a overhand cast. With the 6/0 length, I believe Rob will be doing short and intermediate casts, maybe pitching to cover. The shorter length will be a lot accurate and precise.

14 XL is a good choice. And if Rob has the curado SF, the better....is it, Rob?

joe

Posted by Blue Fleck\NJ on 2002 AM:

Powerpro + an "edge"

Line dressing (for flyfishing) applied to the last 3 feet of powerpro

Posted by bink on 2002 AM:

I must be crazy or very skilled but i use 17lb Trilene or the same size excaliber Silver thread for my topwater. This is what i pair with my 6ft Browning Vectra II and my Quantum energy reel for throwing The Sugoi Splash . For Buzzbaits A 7 ft Med heavy Spinnerbait rod From Ricky Clunn line matched with a Ricky Clunn/BPS 6:3:1 reel on the same 17lb test. I know at my size(6"2) a 6 ft rod seems short to some but I just love that Browing rod and it feels right,I have caught a ton of fish with that set up and always on either the Sugoi Splash or the Gold ChugBug.

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Posted by Frank J on 2002 AM:

Same set up or close very close. Stren 12lb magnathin works very well. It's like butter!

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Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

"It's like butter"-Frank you've been hanging out in the projects haven't you????? I got to get some cheddar, my girl needs the bling bling!!!!! Translation- I have to go make some money, my girlfriend needs some new jewelry.

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Posted by Rob J in WNY on 2002 AM:

Thanks for all your responses, everyone.

Joe P, it is just the standard 200B Curado. Funny thing though, even though it's not a "Super Free" model, there's a small sticker on the spool (not the wiffle spool, either) that says "Super Free" on it. LOL. The Super Free it is not, but it is nothing less than genuine Curado 200B mightiness, with a 6.2:1 retrieve ratio.

Interestingly, last night I happened to catch an episode of In-Fisherman where Smallmouth Bass were being highlighted from their Video Series. They devoted an entire segment to prop baits. Their recommendation in line was, as mentioned here, heavier mono because it has a slower sink rate, and they also recommended the use of a floatant on the business end as well - again, as recommended here.

I really had no idea on what the most recommended type of line to use to gain the most effective results from topwater hardbaits. I see the advantages of every response here. I think I'll try a floating line such as Power Pro. I may just have to take the Bassin Dude's offer for me to try out some of the extraordinary supply of Power Pro that he has offered me to sample.

Thanks again, and if there are any more opinions, please keep 'em comin'!

Tight Lines...

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Posted by joe pido on 2002 PM:

zell says....

...12 lb. for smaller tw's and 17 lb for the bigger ones....

joe

Posted by Bulletweight on 2002 PM:

I'm with Bink, Trilene Tournament Strength 17lb test. I experimented a lot and this stuff worked the best for me in this set-up. I can't remember if I ever tried a floating braid.
I use an even shorter rod, a Shimano Speedmaster 5'6 ml action pistol grip, Diawa Procaster-Z. No problems casting, but I find this technique is very hard on reels-wears them out in a few years. I work the rod down to get those little Pop-R style baits to walk-the-dog. Keeping the rod down also lessens the effects of wind, which spoils the action when you pause. Of course keeping the rod high keeps the line from sinking, so it's a trade off. Re-spool often because after a few weeks the line develops a memory and acts like a spring pulling the lure back to you. Absolutely ruins that deadly pause after the bait lands in the water that drives them nuts.
I don't know about you guys, but toothy critters cost me a fortune in topwaters. I've had days where I've lost 3 in a half-hour to Tigermuskypikerels (them funny looking skinny bass with teeth). I've started fishing them with light wire leaders, but it kills the action of the lure.
Bullet

Posted by Frank J on 2002 PM:

quote:

Originally posted by earthworm77
"It's like butter"-Frank you've been hanging out in the projects haven't you????? I got to get some cheddar, my girl needs the bling bling!!!!! Translation- I have to go make some money, my girlfriend needs some new jewelry.

LOL....Love Stren. Trilene you can keep it.

Posted by wnybassman on 2002 PM:

Rob, If your using prop baits with a front mounted prop, you will want heavy mono here to. The heavy line will remain rigid and will not tend to wrap around the prop of the bait. Once that line wraps around once, you might as well retie right then and there, cause it will keep doing it. Some people run the line through small rigid tubing (such as off a WD-40 can) to stop the line from wrapping, but I never have.

Posted by dodgeguy on 2002 AM:

once again!!!

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Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

Sensation is a great line Dodge, I'll be using it more this season.

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Posted by JOHN G on 2002 PM:

OKAY OKAY....I'll try it! lol........ JOHNG

Posted by patx on 2002 AM:

Normally I use flouro on everything (6lb to 20lb), but for topwaters, it really hampers the action of the bait - draggin it under the surface. The reason is that it sinks like a rock - you literally have to hold your rod tip high in the air to get the line out of the water as your working the bait accross the surface. Not a good thing. For me, its 12lb Stren Easy Cast for Zara Spooks, Spittin Images and Pop R's. The 12 lb Stren seems to cast much further than the Berkley lines, and it has almost NO memory to it.

Just my two cents - "Flouro - its EXCELLENT for everything but topwaters!"

Pat Xiques

Posted by Paul at home on 2002 PM:

I like the 17lb copolymers such as Silver Thread or Tectan for spooks and sammys. Your rod will be perfect for that. You can even throw 24lb tectan if you were fishing heavy cover or really big fish areas. You'll have to use a heavier pop-r if you go with 17lb line, though. I find the smaller pop-r with a ml 7' spin rod 8lb is more productive than the same bait or larger on 12-14lb baitcasting tackle.

Posted by HALFbassed on 2002 PM:

Hey Rob I think you should go with the spiderwire braid. It takes a little practice to get the patience needed to wait to set the hook but the performance will be worth it. You wont lose any 25 inch northerns either. I suggest the 30 lb test the diameter is the same as 8 lb mono. I garantee you will not lose any lures to fish. This line is practically indestructible, even when it gets frayed. So try the braid its one hell of a line.

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Posted by Travis on 2002 AM:

good memory Johnny G....

Two methods of thinking here or maybe three....topwaters(excluding buzzbaits)....I like my imported types namely Sugois , some from Lucky Craft etc...but where they are thrown varies greatly depending on where I am....could be over matted weed flats, in heavy timber, or as diverse as off into never never land on a lake in baseball land or Maho over open water....(did I mention heavy summer slop ?)...a topwater rod is a hard one to nail down because of the many places that they can be thrown...I see NO need for what I consider outsized line sizes for ME unless I am jerking(quivering) a #18 over very heavy weeds....

John G, my many moon shot casts on Maho with ya bud was with 8Lb. line and they were thrown on a VERY light glass rod...no need for the heavy lumber doing that. Over open water and I always opt for glass with anything with trebels lighter line allows longer casts, better lure action(with an oval ring)...keep the rods lengthy, a reel with high 20's or more in the inches per crank dept. and leave the rope at home.

best all, will stop in next month

Trav

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