Spooling with Mono?

Alright…I’ve been thinking about this for a month…and I spose I should just do it…since we’re talking under $5.

I can’t make up my mind if I want to use 20 or 30 lbs Trilene Big Cat line.

I’m struggling that I would like to go lighter with the 20 because I’ll be using this for Channels in the spring and on the Great Red River of the North, by the Lockport dam. Don’t really need 30 pound test there.

Then again…is 20 really 20 lbs? What happens if I luck out and land a record 39 lbs channel…or run into a 50 lbs flathead that thinks he’s a channel cat? Shouldn’t I error on the side of safty?

Looking for someone to push me one way or the other…sort of.

I see the seriousness of this brian. Id lean twards the ahhh , hmmm, no i’d go with the ahhh, hmm, think two poles hooked into the same bait would work?

Do they make 25 lb test?

Catfish are line shy? I thought you guys used chalk line string

It is nice to see you guy DO have a sense of humor!

I’ve done the two line in one bait thing…actually the sneeky flat took fisher dave’s bait, then while we were yapping, snuck over and banged on mine. Now that was a mess!

No 25 pound Big Cat…I’m stuck on Big Cat line ’cause I like the Solar Green color for daytime (mostly) fishing.

Cat’s aren’t even hook shy…and 80 pound Power Pro High Vis yellow…Could be used for a chaulk line…now that you mention it! Thanks, I’m going to be re roofing next summer!

I guess I was thinking more of casting ease, abrasion qualities and staying on the bait caster spool.

Silly bait fisherman!

I would cringe at the thought of using 20lb for those big Red River channels.
In the spring the river might be high and fast. I’ve busted off on plenty of those cats using 50lb PP.

Spool the 30 up in warm water,use a little extra weight, and use a long rod.

If its abrasion resitance you want, try some Berkley Iron Silk. You could drag that through a box of razor blades and not get cut off. Just make sure you tie your knots neatly. Its unforgiving to a poorly tied knot.

I like use Berkely Sensation when I am fishing catfish

Brian,

Interesting topic. I seem to go heavier each time I get broken off. I sure had a blast on Mendota this year with 8 lb test. Would you rather be sure you got them after you set a barb? Or give them a chance? I would say either line is big enough to handle any channel cat swimming as long as their are no snags to deal with.

“Is 20pound really 20 pounds?”

Sounds like another one of your tests coming up.

Somebody call Deb and keep her outta the garage, before he kills someone

dave

I found 40lb trilene breaks a little better than 50lbs. Pretty tough stuff. 30 lb will work fine.

This year in Lockport, I used 40lb big game and was suprised how very few snags I had. Other guys in our boat using superline were geting hung up left and right.

Emover…SHE’S the reason I’m in the garage so much..(jez..I hope she didn’t hear that!!)

Think I’m going with 30…Big Cat…Catfish Connection has 150 yards on sale for $4.60. Don’t think I could find that purty green stuff out there for less.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen 40 lbs mono…isn’t that what they use for fiber optics…

It doubles up as good anchor line too. The thicker line is alot easier on the hands.

Berkley makes a 25 lb. Big Game line in the darker green color.
Thanks, Bill

If you use 20 up by the Lockport dam you need to respool at least every other day, if not every day. The little nicks from the rocks seem to add up after a couple days.

30 will last a whole week in my experiences.

Thanks RB, hope you got your boat wet this fall!