Mono for walking baits.

[styler]

Setting up a dedicated rig for walking baits. So far I've settled on a Corado 150 reel with for now a 7" Loomis rod. looking for the longest casting and bets performance. Ill be throwing Sammys mostly.
This brings me to the dumb question.
Thinking 12 lb trilene but (and i know this is splitting hairs) Xtra tough or smooth casting?
thinking the smooth casting is a little more limp and will walk well.

Just wondering you guys thoughts.
mostly Spots but those hybrids will bust in there every now and again.

[DaveBrabec]

I prefer 20 lb mono for Spook type baits. 12 lb just doesn’t work right for me.

[dragon1]

Which 7'0" GLoomis rod are you using? Big difference between a CBR/MBR in 84 inches, along with power rating. Also, what size Sammies?

[evilcatfish]

What size sammy will you typically be throwing? If you can find some, the Sunline Defier Armilo is a wonderful line for walking baits

[PatriotAW4]

17 lb P line topwater works great for that.

[dragon1]

17 lb P line topwater works great for that.

Yep, I agree about this line. I also really like Sufix Siege 14lb or PLine CXX 10-12 lb for more abrasion resistance.

[styler]

Which 7'0" GLoomis rod are you using? Big difference between a CBR/MBR in 84 inches, along with power rating. Also, what size Sammies?

I have both CBR is moderate fast and the MBR is stiffer it says fast but I think its heavy fast. looking at the 100 Sammys. Never tried them .

I have been throwing a few different walking baits using my umbrella rig which is a curodo 200 on a 7'10" umbrella rod. 20 lb mono .. I can cast a super spook a mile but I suck at walking with it. In fact I suck at walking anyway, hence looking to make a good rig for it .
I guess I was thinking the 12lb would cast farther.

[krindgen]

Try braid.

[dragon1]

I have both I'm thinking the CBR the MBR is stiffer so not sure.. currently I use the MBR for my worm rod. looking at the 100 Sammys. Never tried them .

I have been throwing a few different walking baits using my umbrella rig which is a curodo 200 on a 7'10" umbrella rod. 20 lb mono .. I can cast a super spook a mile but I suck at walking with it. In fact I suck at walking anyway, hence looking to make a good rig for it .
I guess I was thinking the 12lb would cast farther.

For a Sammy 100 on a GLoomis CBR, I would rec the 847 with a stretchy mono...if you are using the CB845, go ~ 30lb braid + leader, it's what I used for years, granted mine was an older custom Gen II mahogany blank CB845. If you want to sling that Sammy 100 all day and have an easier time walking with mono, while still having enough give and a good taper for loading and casting, the MBR 843 is the ticket. The other nuance factor is the blank level material of either CBR or MBR that you decide to use, i.e., IMX, GLX, NRX.

[styler]

Its a GCX 843C CBR I just ordered the reel and want to use whatever rod I already have for now. Think this will work ok?
Im thinking about the P line top water now. 12lb?
I want the longest casts I can possibly get . We hardly see any spots over 4-5 lbs but may hook a 6-7 lb hybrid occasionally. Thats why I thought 12lb would be fine.
Thoughts?

[PatriotAW4]

There is no reason to use light line when fishing top waters like that. The thicker line keeps the bait on top better, doesn't get tangled in the treble hooks as easily, and I can throw a jr Spook a mile on 17 lb test, I would go no lighter than 15 lb.

[dragon1]

Its a GCX 843C CBR I just ordered the reel and want to use whatever rod I already have for now. Think this will work ok?
Im thinking about the P line top water now. 12lb?
I want the longest casts I can possibly get . We hardly see any spots over 4-5 lbs but may hook a 6-7 lb hybrid occasionally. Thats why I thought 12lb would be fine.
Thoughts?

A couple of thoughts...the 843 is too soft for most wider body 3/8 crank and IMO 3/8 is the top end for this model in general. If you are set to go mono with a 1/2 oz Sammy 100 or like topwater, the CBR 845 would be a better starting power level for a GLoomis CB model, IMO.

I highly advise 20-30 lb braid + leader with a CBR 843, especially the GCX model that may be less crisp than the IMX or GLX level.

[Rangerdeepv]

Suffix 832 15 lb braid with a 4' 20' flouro leader works for me.

[styler]

There is no reason to use light line when fishing top waters like that. The thicker line keeps the bait on top better, doesn't get tangled in the treble hooks as easily, and I can throw a jr Spook a mile on 17 lb test, I would go no lighter than 15 lb.

10-4 I'll go with 15 lb p-line topwater then. Since I don't have the new reel yet or the sammys I put my curodo 200 with 12lb Xtra smooth (its what I had) on the CBR rod and I put a Tatula elite on the MBR so I'll at least have two slightly different rods to try.

[styler]

Ok I just got in. Caught 9 this morn but only one top water , The bite just wasn't good today on the surface.
I can say for sure I'm very happy with either set up I tried . The Curodo 200 with 12lb mono and the 843 will sling a 1/2oz a mile. Same with the MBR with the Taulata Elite.
I still have the Curodo 150 coming and for now I'll use one of those rods I have and Ill try the P line 15lb.
As far as walking the Spook . No issue with either.
Dragon 1, I know u like the braid but I absolutely hate having to deal with leaders so I'm going to stick with the Copolymer or mono and I know you advise on the rod is solid . I just need to use what I have for now.
Tired of buying rods.

[dragon1]

Ok I just got in. Caught 9 this morn but only one top water , The bite just wasn't good today on the surface.
I can say for sure I'm very happy with either set up I tried . The Curodo 200 with 12lb mono and the 843 will sling a 1/2oz a mile. Same with the MBR with the Taulata Elite.
I still have the Curodo 150 coming and for now I'll use one of those rods I have and Ill try the P line 15lb.
As far as walking the Spook . No issue with either.
Dragon 1, I know u like the braid but I absolutely hate having to deal with leaders so I'm going to stick with the Copolymer or mono and I know you advise on the rod is solid . I just need to use what I have for now.
Tired of buying rods.

All good my friend...it's all in the hands of the user. For me, I've been walking topwaters since the OG Zara Spook in the early 1990s, lol. Personally for me, a CBR843 with a 1/2 oz walking bait is just underpowered, and a PITA to twitch and get solid action with mono especially on a long cast, but if it works for you, all the better.

[styler]

All good my friend...it's all in the hands of the user. For me, I've been walking topwaters since the OG Zara Spook in the early 1990s, lol. Personally for me, a CBR843 with a 1/2 oz walking bait is just underpowered, and a PITA to twitch and get solid action with mono especially on a long cast, but if it works for you, all the better.

Still learning so the MBR I have that's a heavy action would be better of the two that I have? For now I mean

[dragon1]

Still learning so the MBR I have that's a heavy action would be better of the two that I have? For now I mean

I assume you have an MBR 844? Anyway, here are some details to consider, as at this point and time, neither is better than the other:

- if you decide to use mono, the MBR (I assume heavy power )844 would be better on a long cast to impart action on the 1/2 oz walking bait, HOWEVER, you will need to learn to NOT set hook, but rather just keep working/reeling in the walking bait on a hit, especially with the MBR.
- if you are casting shorter distances, the 843 would be fine and more forgiving with mono on a short line, especially if you tend to "set hook" on a strike.

Without knowing how you are working the walking bait, where you are tossing it, whether you are just combing mass flats or areas, or casting next to a grass edge, etc., it's hard to say which would be "better".
- I advise that you get into a good bite and work that 1/2 oz walking bait for a few hours, fish it hard, and see how your hand and wrist feels afterwards while using the GCX CB843 with mono. Also, if you aren't yet proficient with a walking bait, and if you haven't mastered using different cadences and speed of walking, then that should be what you need to practice as well.
- fish the same 1/2 walking bait back to back on both rods and see how you feel with how you are imparting the action, casting, hooking into the fish, and keep track of your landing percentage.

That should keep you busy enough while having fun and honing a new technique.

Good luck.

[RazorCat]

20# Sunline Super Natural mono for walking baits.

[styler]

Dragon 1 I'm mostly working points and open water. long casts. Or when fishing drop shot or free rig I have the top water rig ready if a fish breaks. There again is usually long casts.
I found right away if I set the hook too soon or too hard, I may miss, but if I give it a short pause making sure he has it. Then like you said, just sweep the rod and reel it in.
Ill keep at it because its a addicting as heck when they come up and smack that thing.