Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

[pecheux]

Having debate with friends regarding proper line strenght. They use 10 to 12 pounds test mono on medium rods while I use 8 pounds test mounted on a Medium/light rod for easier and longer casting.

Am I pushing my luck ... or do others us such light equipement ?

Tx

 

[rbeaudoin]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

Although the lighter rod and lighter line give you greater casting you do lose alot of backbone required for a good hookset and properly handling the fish.

A longer rod with good backbone and a soft tip will be able to cast 14lb test as well as a lighter rod with 8lb. It's all about matching your equipment to the fishing you do and the lures your are using. I use an 8ft St. Croix Legend with 65lb test braid and I can haul it further than any of my med/light spinning rods for Musky. I use my ML spinning rod for topwater, I'll use a med/heavy baitcaster with 17-20lb test for heavy cover.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

I use Trilene XL 8 lb. for my pike and bass spinning rods. Since the northerns and largemouths inhabit the same structure and eat the same baits, I put a six inch coated wire leader on the end of the line. The bass don't seem to care, and the northerns can't bite it off.

I'm happy catching either, although I prefer Northerns.

If your drag is set properly, 8 lb. mono can handle anything in the largemouth and northern line. I also use medium-light or medium rods for that fishing.

I find that I can cast the 1/4 oz baits I prefer a country mile, and up to 3/4 oz baits, if I'm careful. I've pulled bass out of thick weeds with it, too, and haven't broken anything off for a long, long time.

Others will disagree, but if your hooks are sharp and your drag is set properly, you'll be good for almost all techniques...save, perhaps Texas-rigged plastics with the hook imbedded. The mono stretch and light rod may not be adequate to pull the hook through the worm and set it in the fish every time. Most of the time, though, it'll work fine.

Just my experience. Others' opinions will vary.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

8lbs is fine for bass but if no wire leader? pikes will hurt your feeling.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

8lbs is fine for bass but if no wire leader? pikes will hurt your feeling.

Yah, and you'll lose lots of expensive baits, too. A 6" leader is fine.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

Most everyone I know has changed over to braid. #30 braid will give you #8 mono casting performance.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

Most everyone I know has changed over to braid. #30 braid will give you #8 mono casting performance.

Tried the Fireline last season ... got the # 14 that was the size of # 4 or # 6 Worked out great at first ... then got water heavy after several casts ... by end of season.

Was that normal ?

 

[MudSkunk]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

Tried the Fireline last season ... got the # 14 that was the size of # 4 or # 6 Worked out great at first ... then got water heavy after several casts ... by end of season.

Was that normal ?

yes

its a problem with braided line that is fished a lot. i got a firewire type line on one reel i try it now and then but i have yet to come to terms with it. i tend to stick to 8-12 pound test and 20 pound on my dedicated catfish rod and reel. casting a 20# test with catfish rigged bait isnt an issue as they tend to weigh a lot.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

I've used Fireline in the past. Never experienced the problem you described. Never had that problem with Power Pro either.

Got away from using Fireline because of its abrasion resistance, or lack there of.

Changed over to Sufix performance braid two years ago. Great stuff.

 

[John_S]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

I would up your rod to a medium. A ML and 3lb+ smallie in heavy current will have its way with you. A larger bass or even a decent (30") northern will do the same. Unless you are fishing only open water, you will need the backbone to direct the fish away from obstacles.

As far as mono goes, you have to compare diameter with lb strength. Some, like Trilene are under rated (lb), or their diameter is equal to the competitors higher lb rated line. ie 8lb Trilene is equal to others 10lb. It wouldn't surprise me if Stren was too. See IFGA rules for good input on actual line strength.

8/10lb mono is fine for many situations where there isn't allot of timber or heavy weeds. I have used allot of different braids over the years (and still do) but rely on mono for many applications. Mono in good shape with strong knots will take allot from a fighting fish. The line streach is in your favor, once you have a good hookset.

 

[Starcraftguy1]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

8 lb. mono will pull the boat over to a snag without breaking,casts far and is what I use.Trylene XL 8 lb. clear.Go get em.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Stren 8 pounds test mono for bass & pike

I use mostly 6 or 8 pound mono or flouro or hybrid flouro on most all my rods. Even the rods with braided have 6, 8, or 10# leaders, and my walleye snells are tied with 10# low-vis green mono or 12# clear flourocarbon.

Most of my rods are medium, although I have one heavy (with leadcore and line counter reel) and several medium heavy rods, and a few ultralights. I also have a 9'8" whippy fiberglass fly rod fitted with a big "troller" spinning handle, a spinning reel, and 20# braided.

Basically I catch and land every species of fish in Vermont with no problem on 6# or 8# line- only one fish breakoff in the last year. Getting caught on the bottom is another story !-)