Line question....

[devo024]

Im fishing in my first bass tourney this weekend on Lake Lansing. I have a nice ultra light shimano spinning reel that I want to use. I want to take off the 6 pound mono I have on it, and get something stronger on it. What should I be looking at, that will work good with a spinning reel? It is an ultra light, holds up to 6 pound mono, so I need something with a small diameter, right?
Thanks in advance for all the input.
And I know Im gonna get lots of suggestions, Ill probably just go with what the majority thinks:D

[shalegac]

I have been using P-Line Floroclear a lot this year and I have to say it is my personal favorite right now. It's smaller in diameter than what I was previously using in regards to the same test strength.

Just my 2 cents.

[icefishermanmark]

6lb. fireline. You say you want higher rated line, but 6lb. fireline is way stronger than 6lb mono. I fished an entire tournamnet on Lake St. Clair with it and never broke off. It's good stuff. It has a 2lb. diameter and would fit well on your reel. It also is super easy to manage unlike flourocarbon. Just remember to add a little mono backing to it.

[bucketmouthhauler]

I would't worry about what your reel says is the max. If the fish are big and they will be close to you throw 8,10,12. Why not? You may only be casting 20 feet. ratings like that are made for people who read directions on how to turn the key properly on their outboard.

[gmalicoat]

good call bucket. i think that the day of the tournament is a bad time to assess your decision though

[The Whale]

My opinion (of course) is why are you even thinking of using an 'ultralight' outfit. In a tourney of all things ? I understand perhaps the "stealth" portion of the equation, but I would think I'd want to utilize a bit "stronger" set up. Anyway, Fireline is an excellent choice for certain situations, of course, go with a clear leader of some form or you loose your 'stealth" approach with the Fireline. P-Line flourocarbon is great stuff, my choice for this indeed. good luck with what you decide. :fish2:

[GoneFishin]

My choice for TX spinning outfits, was nothing less than a 6' -7' med or medium heavy rod and no lower than 8 lb test premium line. Ya need back bone to set the hook good and a line that will take the abuse. Use one of the new super sharp hooks on the market or lures with 'em. Use a reel that balances with the rod usually the medium sized spinning reels fit this criteria. Load spool with fresh line prior to the TX as you will be frequently retying.

If fishing weeds, wood, or other abrasive structure check the first 3' of line often between your thumb an index finger for abrasions, use a polamar knot with mono, retie often with light line. Use a reel with a good drag system. get in the habit of closing the bail manually with your off hand this will reduce line twist.

Your odds of loosing a fish because of a poor hookset will be increased using a wimpy rod and the loss of one fish can be the difference between $$$ and no $$$

[DaveW731]

I am assuming that your ultralight is not the only rig you will be using. LL is extremely weedy and unless you are on the edge of some of the holes and unless you are pulling fish of less than 3 pounds directly away from weed edges, you are going to loose fish w/ anything less than 8# line. Also bear in mind that you will likely be hooking pike as well. At LL, I usually go with a combo of 4 poles: one MH baitcast w/14#mono (limited out on LL last weekend throwing a chatterbait with this rig), one Medium baitcast w/ 10#Flouroclear, one Medium spinning w/ 10# fireline and one ML spinning w/6#Flouroclear.
However, if you are only using that one spinning rig, I would recommend 8# test Fireline. It is actually smaller diameter than 4# mono and would also help compensate for the light action of an UL pole, when setting the hook. Major drawback to fireline is that it is too "loud" for using surface baits.

[devo024]

Thanks all,
Bucket.. good point, Im not sure where the fish are going to be this weekend, if they are done spawning (which I assume they are, I havn't been able to get out for over a week) Im guessing we are going to have to fish a little deeper.

Whale...I am going with the ultralight because it is my best quality reel, I have another bigger reel, but I just started using it, and I know it is not very high quality. I am pretty sure we are not going to be catching REALLY big fish, and I have caught a few pike and some big carp with this reel, so I figure if I can land a pike on it, I should be able to land a bass.:)

Yes, this is a tourny, but the guy Im fishing with is used to taking "rookies" with him. He is doing this more as a favor to me than wanting to win the tourny. He knows I'm not the best partner he could get, and told me to not worry about winning the thing. He know this lake like the back of his hand, and assured me we would catch fish.

Thanks for all the advice, I am learning as I go here, so feel free to keep posting pointers. :D

My rod is not the best, and I have been thinking of getting a new one for quite some time. I know people that swear by the ugly sticks, should I check the budget and try to get it before the tourny? I wonder about fishing a tourny with a rod I have never fished with. Even though my partner doesnt expect much outta me, I still would like to hold my own. :lol:

[sfw1960]

And guys like you are reasons why warranties are sooooo important!
:lol:
I used 17LB once on a rod rated for 15# and it was CREAKING really bad when that big old king went storming down the stream never to be seen again!
LOL!
:dizzy:

I'm with the Whale on this one....
Get a pool cue with some cable & ruin their day!
:yikes:

I would't worry about what your reel says is the max. If the fish are big and they will be close to you throw 8,10,12. Why not? You may only be casting 20 feet. ratings like that are made for people who read directions on how to turn the key properly on their outboard.

[BOBHUNTDEER]

If you are going to put heavier line on a small reel make sure it is a very limp line. If you put a stiff line on a small reel, every time you have any kind of slack it will come off on its own. My son tried to put 14#XT on a lite reel. As soon as he opened the bail it looked like a slinky attached to his reel.

[thedude]

6lb line is fine for bass. i use 8lb p-line cx or fluro clear on all my spinning gear and 12lb fluro-clear on my bait casters. been using it for 3 years now and i haven't busted a fish (pike excluded) off yet. i fish plenty of bass ts and with the clear water around here, i would stick to as skinny a line you can get away with. a 4lb bass is no match for 8lb line and a decent drag. neither is a 6lber for that matter.