Heavy cover equipment?

[Dynasty]

I have a 7'6" heavy action rod that says 12-30lb line. Would 30lb. test be strong enough to haul bass from thick lilypads/weeds? also what would be a good reel to spool with heavy line? I would prefer a reel around $50.

[RossT]

When fishing very heavy cover I recommend SpiderWire Stealth, 50lb. is preffered but 30lb. should be sufficient. Stealth will not dig into your spool and maintains its color slightly better than other braids.

For a reel, look into an Abu Garcia C3 4600. This reel is a workhorse that will give you the power that you need to horse those big ones out of the thick junk. They are built to last and have been around for decades.

Ross

[Guest]

I constantly fish heavy lilypads and have a 7'6" baitcaster that i use. 30# power pro is what I use and i think it works fine. The only problem is that when you hook a fish, it likes to get tangled in the weeds and it can be a real pain to get them untangled. I have lost lots of fish because I was fighting the pads rather than the fish. However, i've never broken one off. My best advice, is that when you hook them, get them in as soon as possible. Don't try to play with them, just get them in or you'll lose them.
Hope that helps.

[Guest]

Like Ross and tennesseean was saying, go with a braided line if you are planning on fishing pads and/or milfoil and other heavy cover. The diameter is small on these lines compared to the strength and with no stretch, you can easily horse a big bass out of thick cover.

For fishing pads I would go no lighter than 30 lb (I use 65 lb). When you get a fish on, try to keep his head above the "slop" and slide him over it instead of trying to fight him through it. If he does get tangled, just keep tension on the line and go to him and reach in and dig him out. One plus side to the braided line is that the thin diameter line cuts through the vegetation quite easily making tangling less of a problem.

I LOVE fishing big bass in the thick stuff! I don't think anything is in bass fishing is more exciting than having a big bass blast through the jungle after my rat and then winching him out!

Good luck and tight lines!

------------------
Adam Johnson
www.adamjohnsonfishing.com

[catchin'whopper]

RossT,
Regarding your Spiderwire Stealth commment, i have used different types of braid with most seemingly to dig into the reel on hard hook sets or pull deeply dug snags out. Does the stealth seem to avoid that more like you mention? Also, are you aware if it is a copolymer or braid with teflon or something? Do you use it for other applications too? Just wondering, thanks.

-Catchin'

[RossT]

SpiderWire Stealth is a pressure treated, not coated, but a teflon treated line. I use it for Caroina Rigging, Slop Fishing, and some jig fishing. I have used the 30lb. but have been most satisfied with the 50lb. It does not dig into the line after either pulling hard on weeds or catching a fish. I have used many, many braids and have settled on the Stealth, try a spool and you'll be impressed.

In regards to your dock question, I use a 6'6" M Fenwick Techna AV rod with 14lb. Fireline, but have been experimenting with the new formula for the SpiderWire Fusion. So far I'm impressed with the Fusion and its only $5.99 a spool.

Ross

[catchin'whopper]

Thanks for the feedback on both questions.

I might try out that spiderwire stealth in the 50lb version for the slop and jigging. i have used tufline and have been happy with it along with the price and durability, but it does dig in the reel after a while.

Dock rod: 6'6" medium action fenwick tecna? i will have to check that out, must have some extra backbone to it possibly?

[Dynasty]

Thanks for the help so far guys. I was wondering you guys seem to say 50lb, would my heavy action (12-30lb) still work fine if I used 50lb on it?