[tempepops]

What line and line weight do you use for top water. Last time out I was fishing top water, a Sammy 85 and it kept diving. I could see the line (P-line floroclear 12 lb) sinking near the lure. This cause the lure to dive when I jerked.

 

[Delw]

Ive been using trilene xl in 10-12 lbs test. or Mc coy if the water is dirty.



Delw

 

[Rippinlips]

I usually use Stren 12# for topwaters like a Sammy, sometimes 10#. An old trick is to put Chap Stick on the last foot or 2 of your line to keep it more bouyant. I've tried it before. It seems to work better but it's not perfect. Maybe I need to try cherry or strawberry?? :roll:

 

[nudepygmy]

Berkley Fireline works well for top water also, floats really well. Big Game in the 12 lb. isn't bad either.

 

[Boat Cop]

Try not to use floro lines or braid lines. they sink and cause erratic action on top water lures. i have tried them all and my favorite is Suffix DNA. it is a real limp line. I only use 12# line.

 

[Lone Ranger]

I was using 15 lb. P-Line Floroclear on large topwater with no problem. Also use 12 lb. (same kind) for Ricos, no problem. I noticed this line is floating on the surface, not sinking. Maybe it's the fact it is new clean line? I don't know. I'll continue using this P-Line Floroclear for topwater.

 

[Bayou]

I'd not throw a Spook (or any other big topwater) with less than 17# line. I use 20#. You can walk the dog a lot easier, not get your line tangled in the hooks, and not have your lure nose dive. Also, when you get the pigs on you needn't worry much about the line busting so go ahead and horse 'em in! :wink:

 

[Guest]

I use berkely xt for topwater 12lb test.I tried the McCoy
Co-polymer and I discovered that the line sinks when you pause your bait no matter what it is. So I went back to berkely.
Just my 2 cents
Joe C

 

[Skunked]

I've known about using heavier lines (17 – 20 lb test) to avoid baits like spooks, taking nose dives, but I never had this trouble until last week (Friday on Sag). What's interesting is I have McCoy Mean Green 10 - 12 lb test and Trilene 10-12 lb test (their gold, photo chromatic line (for night fishing)) on all of my bait casters and now I'm wondering if one line works fine for top water baits and the other doesn't...

Good question/topic thanks!

 

[tempepops]

Thanks alot guys. Now I need to get out and test some of these ideas for myself.

 

[Westy]

Bayou's got it right in my book.

I never throw less then 17# line with a topwater. I use 20# in between my spook and my front runner.

Westy

 

[Guest]

Use the heaviest you can get away with-............I use 20 for small and medium size baits and 25-30 for large spooks, A.C. Plugs or Z-Plugs........Franklin