Seeking fishing advice

[DeadheadNM]

I’m trying to get back into fishing after a hiatus of many decades and plan to try my luck in the local (tannin-rich, tea colored) rivers for small mouth bass and maybe some pan fish in local lakes. I have a 6.5’ fast action rod, a Daiwa-made Scheels spinning reel outfitted with 10 lb braided line, and a small selection of poppers and rubber worm mimics that affix to hooks (weighted and non-weighted).

Should I use a monofilament leader on the braided line and a swivel for my lures/hooks, tie a swivel to the braided line to attach lures etc, or skip a swivel altogether and tie directly to the braided line?

[mongocanfly]

Any reason why you need braided line?...all we use is mono in 6-8lb test for smallies...4lb for pans...no swivels

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Any reason why you need braided line?...all we use is mono in 6-8lb test for smallies...4lb for pans...no swivels

Not really - sales guy said it couldn't hurt and doesn't have memory.

[68C15]

I would hang out at a local bait shop and ask the guys there

[FirstOwner69]

Probably no "right" way. With a spinning reel I've always used 4, 6 or 8# mono with a swivel/snap. I've always used a mono leader with braided line on a casting reel, unless you are after a big one such as a musky. Then it's a casting rod, 20# braided line and a wire/cable leader. The idea of the mono leader is so the fish won't see the line.

[Gotenntitans]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Any reason why you need braided line?...all we use is mono in 6-8lb test for smallies...4lb for pans...no swivels

I agree. I do not like braided line, myself. I use 6 lb camo line made by Mr. Crappie and have never had issues at all casting small crank baits, beetle spins, or curl tail jigs and catching fish. Trout might see the line, but I don't trout fish. Bass, crappie, and bluegills aren't gonna hesitate.

I'm also a member at crappie.com. Check out the forum there and you might get some helpful information. I'm mostly on the Arkansas section. Good luck.

[Dirt's72]

Pete I would definitely use a 8lb fluorocarbon leader attached to your already spooled braided line for the smallmouth. I dont use braided I strictly use a fluoroclear line or mono. The brand I use is P-line. I mostly use 4lb or 8lb for crappie, walleye and white bass. My brother fishes small creeks in Illinois for smallmouth and uses poppers and he says a fake worm with two hooks he gets at walmart. For them bluegill you cant beat worms. My favorite bluegill rig is a slip bobber rig. You can set it to any depth. Get a balsa or plastic slip float that is hollow so you put your line through the top first then tie a hook #4 or #6 gamakatsu or the red eagle claw from walmart. Tie a small rubber band above the float one knot and cut the tag ends to set your depth and small removable split shots one 12-18' above the hook and another 12' above that. The size of the split shot is how you adjust how the float sets so if it sinks use smaller split shots. The fish when they bite dont feel the weight of the balsa float as compared to traditional plastic bobbers. Then all you need is a beer a comfy chair and lots of skeeter repellent.

[Grumpy old man]

Cane pole / hook / line / worm . The fish don't know what kind of rod and reel you have .

Definition of irony = Buy a $60,000.00 truck to pull a $75,000.00 boat loaded with $5,000.00 of tackle to run 90 miles an hour across the 2 mile long lake to fish 10 feet off the shore ...

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by grumpy old man

cane pole / hook / line / worm . The fish don't know what kind of rod and reel you have .

Definition of irony = buy a $60,000.00 truck to pull a $75,000.00 boat loaded with $5,000.00 of tackle to run 90 miles an hour across the 2 mile long lake to fish 10 feet off the shore ...

hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Cane pole / hook / line / worm . The fish don't know what kind of rod and reel you have .

Definition of irony = Buy a $60,000.00 truck to pull a $75,000.00 boat loaded with $5,000.00 of tackle to run 90 miles an hour across the 2 mile long lake to fish 10 feet off the shore ...

Nailed it!!!!

[Grumpy old man]

Now this is fishing , if your going to go big ,GO REAL BIG a set of 7 marine engines a 31 foot center consol and trailer will only set you back about $300,000.00

https://www.seven-marine.com/motors/seven-627sv/

[mongocanfly]

Wow..!!...never seen those engines.....

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Wow..!!...never seen those engines.....

Last time I checked they run about $85,000.00 each

[rusty76]

Keep it simple. Use what you know. What worked ten years ago still works today. Simple swivel and whatever line you like. Don’t take it seriously and you’ll catch more fish than you ever thought. And if not just tell’em they got away.

[mongocanfly]

they run about $85,000.00 each

I guess that's why I never heard of em...haha

[DeadheadNM]

Guys thanks for all the suggestions and commentary. Good stuff. I’ve affixed a monofilament leader to the braided line and swivel at the end. I’ll hit the river ASAP with one of the poppers I have and see what happens. Happy to have more input.