Fishing School
Lines
Recommended Equipment
Below are some links to the most popular combos across the Insider Club platforms for all-purpose inshore setups. But if you’re just getting started and plan to focus on using live shrimp, then a low price combo from a local tackle shop will be all you need.
Note: You can use monofilament line for a mainline too as explained in the video. If you want to try that, then here’s a link to the 10 lb Monofilament Mainline that has proven to work great.
Can regular mono line, like what you would use as mainline, be used as leader line or do you need to purchase mono leader specifically? Asking for a cheap friend 😉
I just purchased braid to replace the line my spinning reel came with but I’ve never spooled a reel. I would like to see a how-to on spooling.
Guess I should have read the comments before posting. I see you have already made a video on this. For anyone else looking for a good how-to on spooling your reel here’s the link: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/spool-line-spinning-combo/
I always wondered and I said to a friend mono is so much cheaper than fluorocarbon. I told him I’m not buying it anymore simple I never catch anything with it besides Pinfish. Question I always thought to land a keeper I always use 35lb Brade 50 Lb leader. I’m thinking the fish isn’t going to break me off with this material. I realize it’s an over kill but is there and advantage in using lighter tackle like 15-20 Lb Brade with 30 Lb leader when fishing for Red Fish, Speckle Trout, Snook and Sheepshead? Fishing inshore Wading in areas like Fort De Soto and Weedon Preserve, Apollo Beach Preserve and other places near those areas?
Wish i would have seen this before i got Fluorocarbon Line. lol oh well. now its time to save money in the future! Great job . i like that you test every “Pros” on items.
I have some questions. First, are there specific reels for braid and specific ones for mono or is it completely interchangeable? I’ve always just spooled spinning reels with braid but I’ve wondered about that. Second, do you think the little bit of extra stretch from a mono leader, as opposed to fluorocarbon, is an advantage when setting a hook, as in not pulling it completely out? I do but I have no real way to confirm it. I always use mono leader too. Third, how do you maintain enough tension on braid to spool it when doing it at home? I’ve tried a couple of things but none of them work well or are really worth mentioning here.
Although some reels are branded to be for braid, pretty much all can use either line.
As for the stretch of a mono leader vs a fluorocarbon leader, the fact that we’re only dealing with a short segment of line (under 3 ft) makes any difference in stretch between the two not even noticable.
I use a wet paper towel to apply tension when spooling up reels. Here’s a link to see it in action: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/spool-line-spinning-combo/
For most of my spinning reel combos I use a braid main line but I just bought a reel for surf fishing that was spooled with 20# mono because it was the best deal at the time and I’m absolutely going to use the mono that came on it. Braid has definite advantages, but either one will work.
Luke you only mention braid advantage is casting distance which it true but it also lets you spool much more line so when the big one hits and your using 10lb line you can let it run if drag set correctly. , also it gives you much more feel so even the smallest nibble can be felt. by the way i learned all this from you and salt strong. thank you and joe for forming the best fishing group on the web.
Thanks for making time to post the nice comment Roy!
I am strongly advocate using and purchased the Braid Mainline 10 lb and Leader Line 20 lb. on most of my reels. However, I do possess a single spin cast reel that I maintain a 15 lb monofilament line for as a backup rigging option.
Thank you for these videos! As a beginner, I now see how much money I have wasted. Joining this club has shown me more in a couple of hours than I had learned in 6 months of trying to find answers on my own. And answered questions I did not even know to ask! I am trying to teach my son and grandson Florida fishing. I can’t wait to help them like you are helping me.
Thanks so much for making time to post the nice comment Tommy! So glad to see that you are enjoying these videos. And thanks so much for passing the knowledge on to future generations… the only way our fisheries are going to be taken care of is by having an army of citizens who love and respect our waterways.
In reference to the leader debate, I watched your abrasion video, which I was VERY surprised by (due to the marketing of floro) and it has made me skeptical of the rest of the claims made about floro. I have also been told floro has less stretch than mono making it more sensitive to feeling strikes and making for better hook sets. Have you heard this also, and if so, do you believe there is any truth to it?