If you had to choose one line weight.

[jsn]

In the process of setting up four new Ugly Stick 7/0 M/h striper rods outfitted with Abu Garcia Striper specials.  I plan on those being used for planer boards.  Based on previous recommendations I've decided to use Suffix Superior in Smoke Blue. I've order a 1 pound spool of 20 lb test.  Before I load up the reels I wanted to confirm that 20lb is a good call.  I could still send it back and re-order 25 lb.  Also, do you back fill with el cheapo line first or do fill the entire spool with the good stuff? I read several posts discussing the merits of flourocarbon leaders.  It seems that many of people feel it isn't necessary so I'm wondering what to do in that regard as well.  If I do stick with 20 lb main line that what weight for leader 17lb or 15lb I would assume.

Thanks

[jmr04]

I use 20 mono and 15 floro.

[Deleted]

I have settled on 25lb for main line. I have found that between the trees and planer board clips, 25lb can save a few disappointing losses. And.. From watching the fish on my camera, I'm convinced that the fish could care the less.

And this comes from a guy who once loved to catch fish on line that was way below the recommended test. I once thought it was more sporty to play the fish. Now I feel I'm just being more cruel and would rather get them in and back out faster with bigger line.

[striperjohn]

The old answer was, depends when you're fishing. Pre spawn from now to the end of April to Mid May you're probably good with 20-25 main up to 30, and a smaller leader say 15-20lbs. But post spawn these fish get really skinny. I've caught, what VDFG calls a citation, a 38 inch fish that weighed 15 lbs. That happens a lot. If you want to catch more fish then you probably want to change over to a 15-17lb main line and maybe 12-15 leader. That was my previous (prior to Yam's videos) thought process. After the videos I think you could probably use 550 cord or even a 1/4inch rope main and 40lb test leader. He's dragging that damned camera around, disturbing the water making noise and they HAVE to see it and they still hit--so go figure.
Probably the way to go is with a good high lb test braid in a small diameter, then use a leader of your choice.

[Brian]

I have a question for theguys running very heavy line. How many lbs of drag can your reels produce? I understand heavy line for dealing with hangups, but most of our reels are only capable of 12-15 lbs of drag when locked down. ..

[Gator]

Jan 18, 2016 12:59:15 GMT -5 Brian said:

I have a question for theguys running very heavy line. How many lbs of drag can your reels produce? I understand heavy line for dealing with hangups, but most of our reels are only capable of 12-15 lbs of drag when locked down. ..

Mine are factory rated at 18lbs. With the carbontex upgrades I'm not sure what the rating is. 

[mwardncsu]

I've been running 15 lb line on my downline reels - used to use 20 but have been running 25 on my planer board reels (I think 2 have 30 lb on them at the moment from when I spooled them for the Bay a couple of years ago - time to change that out for various reasons).

15 lbs on the Abu 6500LCs for my downlines and 18 lbs here as well with the Tekotas - I've always looked at the stronger line more for abrasion resistance perhaps than the size of the fish.

[striperjohn]

The recommended drag sets are 1/3 breaking strength of the line. I just install the line and tighten drag by the pull and feel method on the rod. I've caught up to 60lb king salmon running down a glacier fed river running at 7 knots in Alaska. I was using 40lb test power pro on an ambassadour 6500 C3. It is rated at 12.5lbs of drag and worked perfectly. Those shimano calcuttas are rated at 16lbs drag and are the main reel for most king salmon river guides up there.

[Gator]

I use the Calcutta 400's, John. They are rated at 18 lbs from the factory. Also, I have a 400S that has the Penn HT washers in it and well greased and it has extended the drag to about 20lbs. I use the same "pull and feel" method for setting the drag and my thumb to brake it when needed. In FL I used 15 lb mono with a 80lb mono leader for snook at the Sebastian Inlet 11-13 knots on the outgoing tide and never had a problem. Caught tarpon to 125 lbs and tons of BIG redfish and 20-25lbs snook.

[BentRod]

Why only use one line weight? There's no perfect line weight for every condition you'll face STRIPER fishing. 12-30lbs are the standards. I don't necessarily buy into the lighter main lines on down rods either - I've lost more fish to trees on down lines than anything. I do buy into longer leaders on down rods to offer more natural presentation, unless it's cold, then go the other way - shorten the leash and slow your bait down. There's no right or one way to do it.

[jsn]

Ok 

Well the 20 lb line came in today.  Man I love Amazon Prime and their two day delivery.  Since I got it I'm just gonna load up the reels with it.  If I find that I am breaking off then I will move up. Do you fill the entire spool with the good line or do you backfill with less expensive and top the spool off with the good stuff. I find that on my other reels only the top 25% of my line sees any use the rest of it is there pretty much just to fill the spool.  Not sure about stripers though.

Bentrod- I'm sure what you say is true but just starting to get my feet wet with the stripers.  As I progress I'm sure I will expand into finer details.

Once again thanks everyone.

[mwardncsu]

Spool it up. The Suffix Superior isn't that expensive - not like it's braid - with a 1 lb spool you can do around 8-10 reels with 20-25 lb line at around $40 - $4-$5 a reel.

[striperjohn]

I use about 1/3 mono backing because it saves line and in the event you use braid it won't slip.

[smlmike]

Just finished watching Trev Gowdy fishing Monatague.
Their tackle for 50+lb. striper was 20lb. mono w/ 60lb. Flourocarbon leader. He had his share of break offs but it was the leader.

[drag4striper]

I didn't get to watch much of it, but 20 inch Flounder for bait ...wild. Wonder if that bait has been used at the bay?

The stripers probably fold um over and eat um like a taco.