Full spool or just a leader

Just curious what others are doing. Trying to decide if I completely re-spool or if I just run a lighter line after a swivel. Setting up a few panfish rods and I want to run lighter line (2 lb). Any help would be appreciated.

I always tie a short fluoro leader line to line. Not too worried about the main line for panfish.

On my 2# fluorocarbon line set up, I only put like 30 feet of line on it. That is on top of the regular 4# line I usually have on. Line joined, just in case.

x2 for adding the 2# on-top of what ever is there. double or triple your average fishing depth and you should be good for the majority of the season. I do suggest putting a piece of tape over the joining knot once on the spool. This will reduce the chance on the line getting caught on the knot if you get into a bigger fish or get closer to the end of the fluorocarbon.

I use ice braid mainline and a flouro leader attatched by a seagaur knot

I use cheap backing then put on about 50 yards of good mono or braid. Saves $$.

Thanks for the responses!

I also use a cheap mono backing to fill the spool with about 75 feet of the line I’m using. I do want the main line to be light enough to hang straight for presentation and sensitivity purposes.

This thread has been done a lot, but for outdoor/cold days use straight copoly, fluoro or mono to help with ice build up, and for indoor/warm/deep water use ice braid to leader. Beware as backers save you money for sure, but can impose unwanted stretch on deep water applications. Hopefully you’re using tungstens and not spoons on ultralight rods, because just… don’t be that guy.

Also, panfish will avoid circling jigs like the plague on pressured lakes, so spool carefully, and save the swivels for lipless and spoon applications.