Line Situation

[RipDatLip]

I own an Abu Garcia 5000 and 6000 models. I am also in the process of looking for a new baitcasting reel. My thougts were to put tuff line on the 6000 for larger fish like salmon and sturgeon. Then I was wondering if I wanted to put tuff line or mono on the 5000. If I get the new reel it would be more for steelhead. I would probably put 8-12# mono on. This leaves the 5000. Should I go with tuff line for larger salmon or 20# mono for steelhead and salmon. I know there are a lot of mixed ideas just about mono preferences. What do you think about braided lines? If I did go with mono it would probably be maxima. Could I go wrong? The rigging will also be more for drift fishing than anything else. And, what do you suggest for braided leader type and length?

Matt

[Hookset]

Rigging the 5000 I'd opt for tuff line only if I wanted to fish salmon, either bobber and egg or back bouncing quick fish or bait. For fishing both salmon and steelhead with mono on the 5000, I don't think you'll spool enough line with 20 pound, depends on if your boating or banking it. With a boat you can get by with less line, 15 pound would work better. Banking I'd rather use the 6000 with more line. I'm sure you could adjust to fit your needs. Your going to have to figure what you want to do most.

Now here's what I've done. I use 5000 with tuff line for salmon bobber fishing and back bouncing. I use 30 pound mono on the 6000 for salmon and sturgeon. I like mono for sturgeon, less vibration from boat to bait equals more hookups, my opinion. And since I've always used mono for trolling, I just stuck with it.

For leader, assuming your talking sturgeon leader. I use braided dacron in 80 pound test. Length is adjusted to fit the bait. Smelt 18 to 24 inches, more wraps the longer the leader, 10 to 12 inches from bait to weight when I'm done. Sand shrimp, 30 inches works for me, allows the sturgeon to pick up the bait and swallow a little more before I set the hook.

Good luck on your choice,

Gregg

[Snapset]

I have been using the braided lines on my levelwinds for years, and the conclusion I have come to is this:Braided lines are better when you will be fishing with more than 50 feet of line out, but in almost all other cases I prefer a good quality monofilament, Ultragreen when the fish have a tendency to leader shyness, Chameleon otherwise. Keep in mind though, that Chameleon is hard to cast with light weight, when compared with Ultragreen. (More Memory). The braided line is no good at all if you are fishing around sharp rocks or barnacles.