I have a cheap rod I got from #^&#^&#^&#^&'s it's Calypso 9ft and a Daiwa 5000 reel on a 20lb test line with a 60lb steel leader. I lost 2 plugs already on a striper which cost me almost $20. I really don't know if I should use a heavier line can anyone please help me on this.

the line is probably crap. put some berkley trilen big game or yo-zuri hybrid in 20# on it. skip the steel leader and use some 40# - 60# fluorocarbon. you should be all set.

You sure you lost them to bass and not blues?:confused: Could it have been terminal tackle failure? Bad knots? 20# is more than strong enough and as far as the leader....why steel? Expecting blues? I use 15# mono with a 50# floro leader......no problems at all!;)

I agree with T-Lap....Berkley Big Game in green is my choice!:D

Yo-zuri :yak:
Berkely :D
Old (not this year) AN-40 in 30lb :happy: :happy:

Striper were on top of the blues this morning and I have to use a 2oz Yo-Zuri Plug that's why I'm using a steel leader they might bite the line. What I'm using is a Stren 20lb test line, how is long is the 50# floro leader? Is it also Berkley?

What happened was when I got the hit I let him drag it for a while but when I pulled it up it broke my line I saw it jumping and it was a big one. It happened twice and lost my two favorite Yo-Zuri.

not to hijack thread but what knots do u guys typically use to tie on the fluro leader to the mono?

Originally posted by Surfcastinglife
not to hijack thread but what knots do u guys typically use to tie on the fluro leader to the mono? here is my setup:

plug - breakaway speed clip - 5' of Ande 50# or 60# fluoro - #4 spro swivel - main line.

Well you use crappy main line :D but I like the rest of your set up T-LAP....
You really like the Yo_Zuri huh? Maybe I just had a bad spool, but I hated it....

Along this topic do you guys use mono when fishing breachways and rocky areas like PJ? I love my fireline but around the rocks I get a little nervous. If you use mono how much lb test?

Should I still use snap on swivel on the fluro leader for the plug and also a swivel to connect the leader and the main line. I usually use uni knot all the time.

If you're fishing with mono, you should change your line regularly, at least twice a season.

Spend $25 on a Berkley manual line winder.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0003204113107a&navCount=0&cmCat=srchdx&cm_ven=srchdx&cm_ite=srchdx

Also, spend a little more on the premium monofilament lines.

Berkley Big Game is good, as well as Ande and Sufix Tritanium. For the spinning rod, *stay away* from the Yo-zuri hybrid.

For the kind of fishing you're doing, I would go with 25 lb. test monofilament but no heavier.

As far as connecting main line to leader (you should be using a leader, whether it is a wire leader or a monofilament or flurocarbon leader), the easiest thing to do is use a 100 lb. test barrel swivel. Both ends can be tied with a Uni-Knot.

i use braid (50# and 65# spiderwire stealth) on some of my reels. i will use this on an open beach w/out too many rocks or when i need the casting distance or if i am jiggin deep water. if i am fishing in heavily rocky areas, i'll use 30# hybrid on conventionals and 25# on the spinners.

i LOVE yo-zuri hybrid.

Originally posted by fishweewee
For the spinning rod, *stay away* from the Yo-zuri hybrid. it works fine for me. :huh:

thanks guys you been a big help to this newbie!!!

:happy: :happy: :happy:

Toby, you must be special. :hihi:

Seriously, I had problems with the earlier batches of Yo-Zuri hybrid, the line had way too much memory/stiffness (especially in cold weather) and I was getting a lot of tangles. I love it on conventionals, though.

When folks say uni to uni you wrap OVER the other line and NOT butt it up to the next one! If you butt the two uni's together they cut each other w/ line tension. :(

I had wicked line memory problems w/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid in the 6, 8 & 12 lb on spinning reels. I use the 50 YZ as a shock leader and stretch it to loosen the curls....lol. Berkley knot to lures/hooks.

I used Trilene XL for over 25 yrs and just started to use the Ande & Big Game. Most of my fishing in the past was freshwater. Sufix makes an excellant line, but no one carries it locally - rather support the local shops than have to mail order everything. Just spooled up some Silver Thread as well - folks raved about it so I'm gonna give it a whirl. ;) I'm using some Momoi for offshore - seemed like nice stuff.

I have used line that is over a couple of seasons old at times, but now a days I just strip it off at end of the season (or sooner if I use it a lot) and put on new line. Line seems to take set of the diameter of the spool especially if you wind it on too tight. Fishing around rocks you get tons of nicks & scraps.

Those Breakaway clips (30 lb) are good - not all shops carry them. First time I used one last summer my brand new 2 oz Gibbs Pencil popper came off (un hooked itself)- I managed to get it back - after about an half an hour of casting to it (current brought it close and I snagged it w/ my rod tip). After that I was ready never to use them again, but went back to them - never had a problem again. :)

Ben,
I found the same thing with 30lb Hybrid... very stiff and brittle in the cold...
But to each his own.. every line has pro's and cons...

RE: Yozuri Hyprid- I can also concur on the stiffness. Also It has so much memory of the original spool that it nearly jumped off my 6500ss unless under tension. Major PIA.

So back to big game for my mono. Fireline has been working well for my braid.

RE: Berkley Manual Winder- I like this very much. I also like the electric stripper. Pretty Fun.

RE: Knots- I used to use Palomar and Improved Clinch, but I have switche from Improved Clinch to Uni. Still use Palomar for hooks and sometimes clips.

RE: Leader- I think that if you are throwing into schools of blues in feeding frenzy mode, you should use steel. If not I also choose flouro.

-Zac

Originally posted by fishweewee
Toby, you must be special. :hihi: that is exactly what my mom used to tell me. :D

:D

Originally posted by fishweewee
For the spinning rod, *stay away* from the Yo-zuri hybrid.


Really?I just put it on my Spheros and I love it.I was able to step up to 20# from 17#Biggame.Getting great distance.
Casts real smooth.My reel functions with it very well.

I am glad someone else mentioned silver thread.

Currently my spinning outfits are spooled with PowerPro. Other than wind-knots I love the stuff.

My 1st conventional outfit - I spooled with silver thread and I love it.

My 2nd conventional outfit I spooled with Yo-Zuri, but haven't fished it yet. I got a great deal on a couple of Squidder reels (thanks Big-Bo). And spooled one with Yo-Zuri because I got it for Free from the MSBA meeting :smash: have to see how it goes.

-IWK

I LOVE my 20lb big game, can't beat it especially for the price. I fish that with a 100lb berkley barrel swivel,3 1/2ft 50lb or 80lb ,depending on the structure, big game and I just switched to a 80lb breakaway(sp?) clip. I tried power pro and straight up hated it, it sucks.