Beginner fisherman here,

After reading countless posts about line strength I'm wondering if anyone could give some advice or wisdom if I would see benefit of switching my current set up. (10lb braid with a 5lb fluoro leader) To what seems to be the general consensus of 6lb mono?

From my newbie knowledge the main reason everyone is using a 6-8lb mono is how limp it is and the thin diameter allowing the line to cut through water.

But wouldn't 10lb braid be just as thin (if not thinner) in diameter of mono and the fluoro leader providing more strength?

Trying to figure things out before I switch lines once again got marginal benefit.

I mainly fish for Lakers and the occasional smally.

Just one opinion/set of observations here....but I think you're ok where you're at if you feel like it's working for you.

A lot of the "use 6 or 8lb mono" recommendations are for people that want one reel/line to do all in the BWCA. Braid does not do well around rocks which of course the BW is made of rock. Walleye fishing generally means near the bottom and therefore mono can be better abrasion resistant. If I'm just pike fishing, braid all the way and probably 15+

If I'm just smallie fishing I'm probably using something similar to your setup. Maybe a slightly heavier leader.

If I'm just laker fishing....I seem to have more drag in the water with braid so when trolling or drifting deep it takes more line out to get to the same depth as mono. It's like the braid "grabs" the water a bit more so therefore...but again just my observations. I'd probably do 8 or 10lb mono

Vertical jigging anything...nothing beats braid's sensitivity. But again I'm not a huge fan of it for trolling the same lures and spots.

So when you add all that up, there is no real good one line. So the basic 6-8lb mono kinda wins as the decent at everything option. But if you like what you have, don't switch.

As a beginner fisherman, go to the 6 or 8 lb mono and stay there while you explore, try, and improve all the other variables of fishing. Line is just one small factor, so set it and forget it.

bobbernumber3: "As a beginner fisherman, go to the 6 or 8 lb mono and stay there while you explore, try, and improve all the other variables of fishing. Line is just one small factor, so set it and forget it."

I like 6 and 8 pound mono. For the BW I use 8 to give me a little extra muscle to get off rocks. There's always an unseen rock that will reach up from three bottom to grab you.

People like braided line because it has no stretch and it gives them better hookups or it lets them harvest weeds without dear off breaking. I have never had problem getting hookups or even getting out of weeds.

The stretch in mono is pretty forgiving and the knows see easy to tie. Tangles are easier to deal with and the line is cheaper

The feel w/ braid though is unmatched. Any sort of braid or nanofil type stuff that has no stretch lets you distinguish between rock, sand, weeds, etc. Usually w/ mono you just feel something.

Each has their own strengths but I wouldn't overthink it in this case.

Other than a little heavier fluoro, I think you are fine. Fluoro is basically invisible in water so it doesn't hurt much to go up a bit in size. Also helps a lot with pike bite-offs.

I'd just use the braid and forget about the leader.

AmarilloJim: "I'd just use the braid and forget about the leader."

I agree with using braid but I go heavier than 10 pound. 20 pound braid is about as thick as 6 pound mono but if you hook up on a rock you have more line strength to pull the lure loose. Do not wrap the line around your hand to do so, it will cut to the bone. Instead take 3-4 wraps around the handle of your paddle and use that for extra friction.

Every so often you should check your braid for abrasion from the rocks and cut off the abraded part. For me, this is usually every 3 to 5 days but your fishing might require it sooner.

sugoiboy: "Beginner fisherman here,

After reading countless posts about line strength I'm wondering if anyone could give some advice or wisdom if I would see benefit of switching my current set up. (10lb braid with a 5lb fluoro leader) To what seems to be the general consensus of 6lb mono?

From my newbie knowledge the main reason everyone is using a 6-8lb mono is how limp it is and the thin diameter allowing the line to cut through water.

But wouldn't 10lb braid be just as thin (if not thinner) in diameter of mono and the fluoro leader providing more strength?

Trying to figure things out before I switch lines once again got marginal benefit.

I mainly fish for Lakers and the occasional smally.

"

10 lb braid + 10 lb fluoro leader with the alberto knot is about as good of an all-around set-up as you can get for walleye, bass and lakers. ...if you want pike, either go with a 20 lb fluoro lead or a 20 lb steel/nylon leader.

Best thing about braid is the lack of line-memory. Fluoro and mono, especially in a spinning reel, can become an unfurled rats nest real quick.

Agree with 10 and 10.

cyclones30: "If I'm just laker fishing....I seem to have more drag in the water with braid so when trolling or drifting deep it takes more line out to get to the same depth as mono. It's like the braid "grabs" the water a bit more so therefore...but again just my observations. I'd probably do 8 or 10lb mono


Vertical jigging anything...nothing beats braid's sensitivity. But again I'm not a huge fan of it for trolling the same lures and spots. "

I would love to know what is contributing to this perception, but I don’t think it’s reality. Braid’s drastically smaller diameter means it cuts through the water with less resistance and actually gets deeper faster than a comparable test mono. If you look at the old Precision Trolling Bible (or the newer app) it shows side by side depth curves for mono/braid that indicate this.

Braid’s sensitivity is absolutely crucial to productive trolling because it increases the ability to read the rod tip or even feel that the lure is running properly. You can see/feel a fouled lure immediately. When I first started trolling with mono I wasted a lot of time trolling with fouled lures.

I use 10 lb braid on both rods if I am going after walleye I have 8lb fluoro leader if I am trolling cranks I will switch that out with a 15 lb fluoro leader. Seems to really help limit pike breakoffs. I have messed around with braid-Floro on slip bobber rods and hated it so I used 8 lb advanced suffix mono and will use that rod as well If I want to pull rigs for walleye.