So I picked up a nice little Pflueger President Rod/Reel Combo on sale at Gander the other day... 6' IM-8 Graphite rod and a 6930 Reel... Got it for Smallies out of the river... but Gonna use it for some lake usage also... I've studied fishing line and it's rather overwhelming to someone who wants something good.. but has no idea what to look for.. I was kind of looking away from Mono(good or bad?) And I like the looks of a braid... but I want my line to sink like a Fluorocarbon... I know we have some extreme fishermen on here, so what do you guys recommend?
Don't ask me. I go against all the rules and the big boys that use this heavy damn line and crap. I use 6 pound Fluorocarbon pretty much for everything. I used it in Canada for walleyes, smallies and an occasional Northern. I only got cut off once by a northern. I did however get my hands cut up about 4 times by them. I don't go cheap... I buy Seaguar Fluorocarbon. Other than fish cuts the only problem I have is line cuts on my hands. I took 3 reels and 5 different spools with me to Canada the past few years. 2 spools had 8 pound. I sometimes use that if we're trolling... which isn't very often. I'm not fishing in a lot of heavy weeds... just around rocks and stumps. One of my favorite reels is the same one you got. I like longer rods... at least six and a half or 7 feet. I do have one shorty ultralite. I dislike braid.
I use Braid for almost everything but with freshwater braid with atleast a 6-12ft of 6-20lb floro leader tied with a albright knot. You dont need a 6 foot leader but i just have it so i can make any changes with out worrying about it. Depending on what pund line you use that should cover any situation.
I use braid. 6 or 8 lb diameter spyderwire. I'm nearly always fishing for smallies using tubes and I'd rather straighten a hook than snap a line and have to tie on again if I get hung up on a rock or stump. That's just me, I'm simple.
I've been on the up and down of it, and I currently am back using a 10# mono, as it's just such a good choice for all around fishing, light enough I can pitch cast with a plastic worm, and strong enough I can drag a 8 or 10# cat to the bank.... Most of my fishing in the last 2 yrs had been pond and small lake fishing though. Priced right, ties easily enough, cuts easy when I need to trim it, and strong enough for my needs. I suppose it really comes down to personal preference...
For river smallies, youi would be fine with a 6-8# flouro or mono. If you buy flouro, don't skimp on it because there is still a lot of crap out there. Suffix makes good line either way you go. I don't like fishing braid on the rivers around here because the water is clear and I think they can see it. Maybe a mental thing.
David... I have a friend of mine who swears by Seagar...(he is to fishing, like we are to bowhunting) it's all he uses... and he also told me to get a longer rod... but I just can't stand a long fishing rod...
All my reels have flourocarbon, besides 2 used for topwater. Anymore, all I use is the Bass Pro XPS brand. Good price, holds up good, and can be found on sale quite often. Flouro will be just fine for every application, but topwaters. You will not be disappointed with the President. I have fished higher priced Abu's and Shimano's, and keep purchasing the Presidents when I need a new spinning reel. I would also add that a 6'6"-7' rod would be a better buy than the 6' rod IMO, but your preference is what matters.
When I'm using spinning gear I use Nanofil on everything except my dropshot setup. It's fantastic stuff that fishes like fluoro but is thinner and has less stretch (more sensitivity). For all all around use the 12lb is good. I have 8lb on my Senko setup but it's picky with knots, where the 12lb stuff isn't so picky. Use a double layer uni knot with it. My baitcasters are mixed with 30lb and 55lb Samurai braid and 12lb Seaguar Tatsu. Seaguar Invisx is good too if you are on a budget, it's probably the most knot forgiving fluoro out there but has stretch to it so you lose some sensitivity. Hope that helps!
For river fishing your looking to come into contact with objects so i wouldnt always recommened braid. Id go clear 6# mono with a 10# mono or flouro leader, light gear is always better fun when your tackling heavy stuff and works your angling skills more, mono and flouro you can knock about a fair bit and it will still hold up.
Also, if you use Nanofil, use about 50 yards of cheap mono or fluoro backer tied to the Nanofil with an Albright knot. It's so slick that it will spin on the spool otherwise.
Maybe you're using too stiff a rod. To me... it's hard to find a rod limber enough. I like to let the rod fight the fish. If it bends double.... well hell...it's fun. I'm not trying to fish big grass beds that require you to pull a 5 pound bass and 24 pounds of seaweed in.
Matt, I almost bought Nanofil the other day... I really like the looks of it... I may have to give it a try now...
Let me know what you think of it, if you need help with the knots I mentioned YouTube them and you can find good how to's on each of them. The thing I'd advise you of is with Nanofil it's gonna be picky on what knots you use, where with mono you can tie anything and it's good enough.
