Topwater--Size line?

[Edziu23]

What is everyone using for poppers and walking baits?

[basscat tyler]

I use #12-14 mono for poppers and #40 braid to a short (6-12”) #17-20 mono leader for walking baits

[Commanche20]

I use #12-14 mono for poppers and #40 braid to a short (6-12”) #17-20 mono leader for walking baits

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[born 2 fish]

I use 15lb big game for all top water. Except frogs

[WVBullet]

For largemouths, I use straight 50# braid for pretty much everything. I can cast a Sammy type or even a frog like a rocket. I can make them walk or anything and there’s plenty of strength if you need it.

[Walkabout7781]

For largemouths, I use straight 50# braid for pretty everything. I can cast a Sammy type or even a frog like a rocket. I can make them walk or anything and there’s plenty of strength if you need it.

Yeah, but you need 50 lb braid at the speed you fish! I think it makes sense to size the line for the size of the hooks, instead of the speed of the boat. I use 40 lb braid on spinnerbaits and a LOT of 8 lb Copolymer.

[Hunna]

12LB maxima.

[RANGER487]

I have went to braid for walking style topwaters but still throw some pop-r style baits on 15 lb big game.

[WVBullet]

Yeah, but you need 50 lb braid at the speed you fish! I think it makes sense to size the line for the size of the hooks, instead of the speed of the boat. I use 40 lb braid on spinnerbaits and a LOT of 8 lb Copolymer.

At 90 mph, you better have both hands on the rod!!

[mrdeath]

I use 50 lb. braid for a couple of reasons, it floats and zero stretch allows for good hook sets on long casts. I throw a spook most of the time, and haven't found any negatives to using braid.

[DaveBrabec]

20 # braid for poppers no need for a leader
20# mono for spooks dont like braid with a spook
65 # braid for frogs and buzzbaits

[krindgen]

At least 15lb copoly or mono. Bigger for bigger baits. Like a Zara spook, I'll go 20lb. Walks easier. Have no experimented with braid, but I do know walking a bait for a couple hours can get tiring and some claim braid helps.

[DrewFlu33]

I throw braid for basically all topwaters, usually around 0.30 mm diameter (lb test will vary pretty widely across brands and even within brands). For walking baits I’ll tack on a short, heavyish (usually 15-20 lb) mono leader to prevent it grabbing the braid.

For frogs I’ll step it up to 0.35 mm diameter or a little larger, usually around 50 lb rated. Used to throw bigger and though the pike took a few less then, the belly in the heavier line getting into vegetation meant I was wasting big parts of many of my long casts. I’ll also throw things like bigger ploppers on this size line.

I used to use mono, but I can’t cast baits so much better and further with braid. I use a slower action rod to compensate.

[LewStulePH.D.]

12# for Sammy™ and like baits and a short leader connected to a 27# braid for Devil's Horse™ (braid will get hooked around the front prop.)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Izorline_Platinum_300yd_Spool/descpage-ILP.html

[RazorCat]

16# Sunline Super Natural mono for topwater stick baits, poppers, all hardbaits. Except Whopper Ploppers amd buzzbaits. 20# or 25# Super Natural.
16# has the same diameter as 12# Trilene XL, 20# just over 14# XL. Great line.
Braid for frogs.

[Smalliehunter91]

40lb braid to a 17lb leader. Been using Copoly, but it does sink a little bit and can hinder the action on smaller baits like a popmax. Been using this set up line wise for a while now and it works good.

[catch5]

30 lb braid for my walking baits.
I like a spinning rod for poppers, so I’ve straight 10lb braid for those.

[DustyD26]

40# braid on walking baits no leader and 17lb mono on poppers

[ChadG]

30# braid with a mono leader

[aluminumboat22]

agree with him too

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