You are going to get a lot of variation on this one, but I'll get things started. I use 50# PowerPro braid for my jig rod and tube rod. I use 12# Trilene XL (green) for for my spinnerbait, buzzbait, and crankbait rods. When I take my spinning reels, I use 6, 8 or 10# green Trilene XL depending on clarity and technique.

I used to use the Bass Pro Excel line instead of Trilene but now that it's made in China, it's junk.

 

I normally use 6.5 ft or 7 ft med light action rod with 6 pound test Stren Magna Thin mono line but I never got much into lures or pike/suageye. So I wanted to see what people use on this river for that. I was thinking I was going to go to 12 pound test, but I want to try to stay universal and just need one rod since I would be wading. I used to use braided, but did not liuke how it fished except for catfish. And I was thinking about the new super lines, but they are so much more expensive and I've tried them before and didnot notice much difference, but again since I am wanting something universal and good for Bass, Pike, and Saugeye or the GMR I thought maybe like a 12 or 14 pound test super line (mono/fluorocarbon line) would be better????

 

If you are a wader with spinning outfits, I'd say a good all-around choice would be 8# or 10# mono. I've never tried braided on my spinning rigs because I only use them when I'm light-lining it. You could drop down to 6# in super-clear water or when using finesse techniques but landing a decent pike might be tricky.

 

you should not use a steel leader when fishing with lures right?

 

I recently started using flourocarbon line, especially when finesse fishing or in some quarries I go where the water is crystal clear. It's light reflectance is supposed to be the same as water so said to be mostly invisible. I have about half my reels with flouro and the other half with mono, I prefer mono on any top water baits as it floats better than the flouro, but you have to be very diligent when tying knots with the flouro. As far as what pound test, I have everything from 6 to 17 again depending on lure, water, and presentation. I'm geared primarily for LM and somewhat for smallies.

I have never used braided, but with that having no stretch there are some trade offs there, I know many that really like it though and others that don't. I also just saw a new line (at least I think it was new) that was mono coated with flouro, anyone try this yet?

 

Pat, Lots of good advice already and none of it is wrong but here is my 2 cents after fishing this area hard for 3 years.
A) GMR is almost never running clear so line visibility is not that big an issue.
B) Water is not very deep in most spots and you never have more line out than casting distance, so you don't need line that sinks.
C) Regardless of how it may appear from my recent success, pike are not that common so fishing with a leader only hurts your presentation for 95% of the fish you will be catching (smallmouth and saugeye).
D) Huge majority 98% will be under 2-3 lbs.
E) Mono is cheap, easy to manage and highly attainable at Walmart & Meijer.

Based on this I would recommend:
1) Get a decent medium to medium heavy rod. Gander and Dicks both have in house brands that are good values. Get a decent spinning reel that matches - look for combo deals, you can get a pretty good set up for uner $80 if you do your homework and have coupons or find on sale.
2) Spool it with 10 lbs Trilene XL or something similar (cheap and easy to manage). I tried and tried to like flourocarbon and I just saw more downside than up. I suppose there are some braids that would work, but if you go this route be prepared to spend money... If you fish often, you will probably respool often.
3) Tie line directly to a snap swivel for easy switch out. As you wade into different situations it is nice to be able to change lures in a few seconds while standing in waist deep water.
4) Carry a small tackle bag with only the things you find your self using a lot, the rest just gets in the way while wading.
5) Get an assortment of crankbaits, spinbaits, jigs, tubes that work well on both smallmouth and saugeye.
6) Go explore new areas, keep a log, pay attention to conditions when you are having success and try to get into those conditions as often as possible.
7) Don't be afraid to try something different than what you read on this site. You may get skunked, but you may also learn something others don't know about fishing in your area. Things like catching saugeye on a buzzbait (that still puzzles me by the way).
8) Pay attention to your environment... Things like bait fish trying to escape, where Blue Herons feed, any surface activity, how current looks going over a big rock, rapid changes in water temperature where springs are pushing up (great place to find saugeye), where the small eddies are located............

Go have fun and start posting pictures of big fish!

 

Excellent advice Scott!! Back to bassin's question about flouro coated line. I recently have started using p-line cx premium 8lb an I absolutely love this stuff. It's a hybrid line that's flouro coated. I was worried about memory with the coating but it's as little memory as anything else I've tried. You can feel EVERYTHING with this line. I strongly recommend this line and as long as you're drag is set right then you'll have nothing to worry about

 

I've tried all brands of line, braid, mono, fluro, and I have settled on regular stren in 6 and 8 lb tests. Stren actually tests out stronger than what it is listed. I believe you get better lure action on crankbaits like the Rebel craw, small Bombers, Big O's etc. with lighter line, plus your baits will run a little deeper with light line. I've not had any line problems since I've switched to Stren. However tying a good knot is also important when using light line. I use a knot Jim Porter came up with from the Bass Fishing Home Page.

 

Well, I think I will just get what I have used for the last 4 years. Stren Magna Thin mono line. It has always been great and good reports, I think I am just getting alot of break offs because it is over a year old since I relaced it and I have done a lot of fishing in that time. I always got 6 pound test but since I am doing a lot more lure fishing rather than live bait and kinda larger lures for bass and saugeye and pike I think I will go up to a 10 pound test line for the extra strength. I have tried a lot of other lines like ALL the super lines and never am happy with the memory. It never stays on my spinning reel well. I do use a 6.5 ft and 7 ft bass pro Med Light rods with spinning reels. I always get the shimanos because I like the trigger for opening the bell. When Fishing the rivers I use waders and a fishing vest and everything in the world I could need is in my vest. Thanks for the help guys.

 

I have been wanting to step up to getting a nice casting reel and rod setup like the pros use, but have not been able to make the step up yet. I have been using the open spinning reels and baitcasters for big fish my whole life.

 

I think I am just getting a lot of break offs because it is over a year old since I relaced it and I have done a lot of fishing in that time.

I'd say that's your problem! I change my line every 2 or 3 weeks and I'm using a lot heavier line than you. Of course, I keep splicing new line onto cheap backing that I have on my spools. This way, I only use about 30 yards or so each time. Also, check your line for abrasion and nicks often, especially if you stay with the thin stuff.

A leader is not really necessary around here. I usually catch a pike or saugeye each float of the GMR, but can't remember ever having one cut the line.

 

Thanks for the info bg, I just picked up a new reel yesterday and I think I will try that line on it. I have had a lot of success with the flouro, so the new coated may be the best of both worlds. Are you using it on spinning or baitcasting?

 

I've only been using it on spinning reel but I'm surel it would work just as well on a baitcaster

 

Thanks for the info Bg I did end up getting The Pline Cx Premium from Disks sporting Goods. They were the only local place that had it. I wanted moss green, but they only had the clear fluorescent. I will put it on today and try it tomorrow night.

 

I used the Pline Cx Premium 10 lb test all weekend and absolutely love it!!!