Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

[JSGOLD]

We ran into a peculiar problem last weekend when we went to a small lake that has a mix of bass, catfish, bluegills, crappie, and MUSKIES.....This lake was stocked with Muskies when it was restarted after an accidental draining in 2005 and we ran into a couple last week. Here is the problem...we use live bait most of the time, and are after anything we can find, but mostly bass. The thing we ran into was that our lines have been bitten in two by big fish that we can't even see, so pretty sure this is what we have run into. We use lighter tackle with 6-8lb lines and 10 lb but have had no issues except it can take longer to bring in. Would like to try a steel leader, but would that not interfere with the bass and other fish hitting the line??? We could try heavier line but doubt if that would stop these toothy critters. Or, maybe we rig up one pole and keep it handy???

 

[R Socey]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Try a live Blugill ( if legal ) under a float with a steel leader.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Bass are not a fish that spooks easily. I would recommend using synthetic line like power pro or fireline. If casting distance is a premium go with 8#, if not you could use 12-15#. I find anything over 12# line to be overkill but that's just my opinion.

Also, sometimes when I set the hook my line snaps like it was 1# test. I have a feeling I have the occasional snapping turtle taking my bait. In that case I'd rather loose the line than have a leader.

A leader should work fine with live bait as well.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Yes, we have seen some giant turtles this year...Avoid them whenever possible! We need to update our tackle some so will look at the better fishing line, some heavier stuff, and some leaders. I understand some of these muskies are already in the 40" range so nice to have something else to chase. This lake is unusual as it is long and narrow but deep and has TONS of standing timber above and below.

 

[JB]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Forget steel leaders. Use titanium, but be prepared for high prices.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

If you're using FC line it could just be your knots breaking. If not then try one of the new braids, they are really tough but unfortunately, also highly visible.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

I usually use 15 - 20# test when fishing on the Menomonee River using live bait. there is everything from Perch to Crappie to Bass to Walleye to Muskie. the heavier line makes it easier to attempt to land the muskie.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Go with a good quality braid (Sufix 832 or performance braid) in the #10-14 range then use a 18-24” lg. fluorocarbon leader. We regularly land fish to #30 using this configuration.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

While I have lost some fish due to knots this year most of the ones we have lost lately are due to larger amounts of underwater timber we are fishing near, trying to horse a fish in (wife lost a nice 30"+ channel cat doing that Saturday morning ), but at least two am pretty sure was something toothy last week. Regardless, now that we are in much more wooded waters and now have larger fish to chase we have to change our lines out for something much better. Probably time to take a couple more rods with us too. We know large Muskies are there, and small lines just aren't going to cut it anymore I guess except on my crappie rod. Appreciate the comments folks!

 

[BonairII]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

I find anything over 12# line to be overkill but that's just my opinion.

I used to feel the same way, but today's stronger lines have a very thin diameter. I'm now using 15-20lb test fluorocarbon and loving it. We have pickerel(lots of them!) and Northern pike in my local lake, so the stronger line has def performed well for me. I def check the line after every fish, though.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

I used to feel the same way, but today's stronger lines have a very thin diameter. I'm now using 15-20lb test fluorocarbon and loving it. We have pickerel(lots of them!) and Northern pike in my local lake, so the stronger line has def performed well for me. I def check the line after every fish, though.

I guess I should clarify one thing. When I shore fish, having the ability to cast further than everyone else gives me the ability to get at the fish that nobody else can. I don't like anything beyond 12# because I give up casting distance for what I consider to be no real gain. I suppose if you are drop shotting live bait or something of that nature you could use as heavy a line as you want.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

I don't like anything beyond 12# because I give up casting distance for what I consider to be no real gain.

The point I was making is that you can have your cake and eat it too. 15# fluoro has the diameter of 10# mono. I use seaguar 15# flouro and can cast it a mile with a baitcaster.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

I don't know about resistance to timber and big, toothy, legless, waterbreathing Alligators, but my father is very impressed w the new Berkley Nanofill line. He says he can cast alot further and feel alot more w this new line. I hav'nt tried it yet

 

[BonairII]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

The more supple the line the farther it will cast. That's why larger/stronger lines typically don't cast as far as lighter lines. New technology has closed the gap a bit now, though.

 

[Wecanoe]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

I would suggest going with your favorite line and using at least an 8" to 12", 20# fluorocarbon leader to prevent the bite offs. That should cast OK. I use a 50# fluoro leader when muskie fishing, but then I'm looking for the 48"+ fish.

 

[R Socey]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Forget steel leaders. Use titanium, but be prepared for high prices.

I did a google: steel leader vs. titanium; there are pros, and cons to both - not just cost analysis! If you want to more effectively catch Bass then you can't regard the possibility of a toothy critter escaping. If you wan't to catch the toothy takers then you have to diminish the chances of taking Bass.
Often while pursuing Stripers, a Bluefish will cut you off. If you use a leader ( steel or titanium ) the Stripers will shy away. A 60lb. florocarbon will alow you to land many Bluefish, and still not deter the Stripers! I use Power Pro on all my reels with a florocarbon leader.
I would try some of the newer braids, but the Power Pro has been going strong for many years - the attrition is limited to the leader"

 

[druidjohn777]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Since you are after multiple species I would go with the flourocarbon leader of at least 20 LB test and would go 2 foot length in case your muskie imitates the alligator death roll, the fish will have a few wraps before getting to the thinner casting line of your choise it will also put some space between a swivel and the lure/bair which might not appeal to a bass or other type fish. And the flourocarbon leader will is more apt to blend with the water and not show uo like a metal wire leader. I've used this technique for pike in Northern AZ as well as Pompano at Orange Beach, AL.

Happy Fishing

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Often while pursuing Stripers, a Bluefish will cut you off. If you use a leader ( steel or titanium ) the Stripers will shy away. A 60lb. florocarbon will alow you to land many Bluefish, and still not deter the Stripers! I use Power Pro on all my reels with a florocarbon leader.
I would try some of the newer braids, but the Power Pro has been going strong for many years - the attrition is limited to the leader"

Florocarbon is a waste of money in the Bay. We've fished my favorite leader, Sufix Superior, side by side with Seaguar Florocarbon and found no increase in the hook up rates. We use #60 and #80 leaders so that alone should tell you how leader shy these fish are.

Try Sufix 832 or Sufix Performance braid and you'll never go back to "mystery break" Power Pro every again.

 

[R Socey]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Florocarbon is a waste of money in the Bay. We've fished my favorite leader, Sufix Superior, side by side with Seaguar Florocarbon and found no increase in the hook up rates. We use #60 and #80 leaders so that alone should tell you how leader shy these fish are.

Try Sufix 832 or Sufix Performance braid and you'll never go back to "mystery break" Power Pro every again.

I never had an issue with Power Pro - I have it on 10+ reels, my brother has it on at least 30, reels. I am definately not going to throw away hundreds of dollars worth of good line to try something else, but I will try it if need be. We were fishing out of Oregon Inlet NC on the Poacher 2, days, and on my Starcraft. I asked the captain why he didn't use steel leaders since all the chomper Blues were around. He said the Stripers would shy away. We landed a dozen big Blues on the florocarbon but lost a couple. We caught 50+ Stripers on one day in 4, hours with it 12lb - 37.5lbs casting bucktails! All the guys in my brothers fishig club love Power Pro - about 15 of them. You are the first I've heard mention " mystery breaks "

 

[scipper77]

Re: Fishng line options for bass /muskies......

Ive had mystery breaks. Always happens on the hook-set. Fireline was way worse than power pro for this. I've never had a mystery break on a freshly tied line so I think it has to do with the line abrading itself at or near the knot and then letting go when shock loaded.

Of course I finesse fish bass, sounds like you two are trolling for stripers so we are not talking apples to apples here.