Line for a Lews BB1

[Juggo]

I just picked up a Lew's BB1 Speed Spool 6:4:1. Does anyone have any recommendations as far as weight and the type of line to use with it? Sorry for the newbie questions, I have always fished on smaller ponds and lakes using spinning reels. I picked up my first casting reel at the beginning of last summer and am finally comfortable using them but can use some help with the rigging.

I am wondering about if I should use braid, fluorocarbon, both?

I am still building up my quiver and am up to 5 rods now. 3 spinning and 2 casting. I was hoping to use the Lews for as many applications that I can get away with. I know they are great for crank baits, but what about jigs, spinner baits, swim baits, frogs + top water etc. I know bait casters are meant for heavier lures, but what about plastics (shakey heads, senko's, creature bait, large worms etc.) ?

I can't wait to rig this thing up and get back out there now that I have a 2nd casting reel!!

Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you.

 

[Pointer 78]

Your reel will handle Braid, Fluorocarbon, or mono equally well. The rod you will use tends to dictate the type of fishing you'll do. You don't want to use a heavy rod for crankbaits. Conversely, you don't want to use a medium power rod for plastics, swimbaits, and jigs. Those lures tend to have heavier hooks and you need a rod with enough backbone to drive the hook into the fish's mouth.

Unless you're using a large jighead, leave the shakeyheads to spinning equipment. Although some use spinning gear for all applications, unless you're throwing light line and light lures, every application you mentioned is best with a baitcaster.

I use mono for topwaters only (Fluorocarbon sinks and will affect the action)). Fluorocarbon for every other application (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, swimbaits, and plastics) and braid when fishing a frog or fishing heavy cover.

 

[jason]

You will get the most use out the reel by spooling it up with 12 to 15lb fluoro...can do everything mentioned except floating topwater baits.

 

[Juggo]

Sweet, this is good info. I will keep my casting reels for the heavier baits.

So can I fish crank baits with 12-15# fluoro? I will put heavier line on one of the 2 casting reels if need be.

 

[jason]

I use 12 for open water and 15 if I'm gonna be throwing into lay downs and stumps.

 

[Blue76]

I am one of those guys who always tried to buy the best stuff on the market and most of the time I think the higher priced stuff must be the best. A couple of weeks ago I got my two daughters a new rod and reel... They were also Lews reels... I thought for sure in teaching them to use a bait caster they would backlash a thousand times and waist a lot of line. So I bought a 1000 yard spool of the Berkley big game mono in 12lb test. I am going to say I have been super impressed with that line. it is cheap but it has held up very well. I used one of those rod / reel combos pretty much all day for two days last week and threw all sorts of baits and landed a lot of fish. I hooked a 6-4 LM in heavy grass and I just knew that line was going to snap when the fish ran through the grass. I could feel the line cutting the grass... the fish went under the boat and got completely hung up for a few minutes in the mess. Then after a couple of tugs it came loose and jumped twice.... I still landed the fish with no issues. It got me rethinking just how much better if any that expensive line really is.

Just food for thought...

 

[fishermn7]

Berkeley big game is killer line at a better price

 

[tritonfisher]

I would recommend using Mono right now. Flourocarbon is more sensitive, but mono handles easier. I am a fan of BPS Excel line in 10 to 20 lb depending on what you are throwing.