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Author Topic: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?  (Read 3302 times)

Gooey

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new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« on: May 09, 2007, 07:02:51 AM »

Hey gang, I am looking to get a bar out fit this year.  I am looking at the trophy XL (20-30lb rating) and an abu 7000B (green color).  I think this is a pretty good starter combo...any thoughts?

As well, I am undecided between 50 or 80- lb braid.  I have a bulk spool of 50lb power pro at home so I could definitely use that but I have been told that if you jump up to 85lb braid, if you get a backlash etc, usually you wont loose your terminal tackle. With the cost of lead and a spin n glo, thats a real consideration.  So is this true?

If the feed back is that 80 is the way to go, anyone interested in splitting a bulk spool.  At $50 per 300yards (retail), I figure it makes sense to try and pic up a 1500 yard spool from ebay. 
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stlhd4ever

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2007, 09:07:50 AM »

Most people I know use 60. So I am sure 50 will do ya. Remember it's not like you are heaving 16 oz of lead halfway across river, chances are it will backlash after the weight hits the water. If you are good at casting a level wind than you shouldn't have a problem. Another thing is if your breaking strength is too strong and you have alot of weight on a rod designed for use with 1/3 of the weight that you are using then chances are rather than breaking your main line you will be breaking a rod
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johnny

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2007, 09:46:52 AM »

I have both 65 and 80lb but can't say I have noticed a difference between them. For that reason I now stick with the 65lb.. mind you I use mooching reels, so backlashing isn't really an issue.
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Gooey

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2007, 09:55:09 AM »

I have been told the abu 7000B would do well for sturgeon and hali too so I am leaning towards the 80lb braid...at least I have a multi use reel then. 

I am not worried about breaking a rod using over rated mainline...the only way you could break it is if you pulled too hard on a snag (with your rod up) or over tightening the drag when fighting a fish...neither of which I would let happen.

Thanks

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stlhd4ever

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2007, 10:27:24 AM »

I just said that cause i saw a couple of guys do that using 30 fireline on a 15 lb rated rod casting 4 oz bettys and backlashing
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mastercaster

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2007, 03:30:21 PM »

If your set on using 80 lb. you may as well go 100 lb.  They're both the same diameter (same as 20 lb. mono).  It might sound like overkill.....but you don't choose it because of the fish you're playing...afterall, you can get in even the biggest spring with 30 lb test .....it's because it won't snap off as easy as 80 lb. and it's great for pulling off bottom.  You're more likely to straighten out the hook than break off.  I once pulled in half a dozen 3 oz. bouncing betties and about 30 corkies, swivels, bead chains, and hooks mixed up with them at one time. They kept getting hung up on every second or third crank of the reel but I was confident that the mess wouldn't break off. 

Trust me...it was more work than pulling in a large spring but talk about a haul of gear (about $25 worth).  Just about covered a third of my gas bill that day.  LOL
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stlhd4ever

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2007, 03:40:54 PM »

might as well use downrigger cable too
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Gooey

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2007, 07:54:04 AM »

I fished 30 lb braind on my steelhead rod (a 3113) this year and it was nice to fish with...80-100lb braid sounds like alot but it has better castability that 25lb mono so why not!

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stlhd4ever

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2007, 08:09:01 AM »

The way I see it is why go so heavy? 50 lb would suffice. So you may lose a few pieces of gear, I doubt it cause you are not bottom bouncing Plus you will fit more line on your reel
« Last Edit: May 10, 2007, 08:18:33 AM by stlhd4ever »
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Gooey

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2007, 09:32:28 AM »

when you are hucking 18 onces of lead, the difference in casting 50 or 100 is probably next to nothing, that weight will pull out what ever its attched too so you might as well get line that will last and can pull out snags etc.  like i said, with 80 I could also use for other fish like sturgeon and hali's.
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stlhd4ever

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Re: new bar outfit, what lb line for a bar rod?
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2007, 10:25:57 AM »

don't think 80 is heavy enough for those other fish. I've had quite a few sturgy snap my 80lb leader like there was no tomorrow
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