Line for Topwater

[TCook]

Last year I had some problems with finding the right line for topwater. I throw poppers 75% of the time when throwing topwater baits and always had a problem with my line sinking and dragging the bait after the first 10ft of retrieval. So I would only get the right action on the bait for 10ft of most casts. I obviously only tried mono lines, I tried stren, gamma, and berkley in 12, 14, and 17lb test. So my question is what line have you guys found to work best when throwing topwater baits and what lb test. Is there a mono out there that floats better than others? I would think all mono lines have the same buoyancy but have to ask I need to find a better option for my topwater this year because I waste too much time per cast just to work my bait for 10ft.

Tim

[1javelin]

Definitely lead-core line.  That stuff is amazing with topwater!!!

[Hooksetter]

I use 12 lb. P-Line CX Premium and 12 lb. P-Line Evolution for all my topwaters except frogs and toads. I use 65 lb. P-Line braid for those.

I don't know if P-Line floats any better than any other line but I have not had any problems with it.

Willie

[Durand Dan]

My favorite is 6lb Fireline spooled on a Shiamano Stradic reel and a 6'6" Bass Pro Extreme rod. I use a Popper 100% of the time and with this setup I have great control. You just have to wait for the fish to drag it down.

[bigjc]

I usually use 12 to 17 Stren Original or 12 to 17 pound Silver Thread with larger topwaters on baitcast equipt., and 8 pound stren original and 8 pound Silver Thread on spinning gear for the smaller topwaters.  The heavier the momo the better it floats, but you start to lose castability if you get to heavy. 

JC

[BryanP]

All I've used for topwaters (mainly G-Splash poppers and Sammys) is 10 lb P-Line CXX Green copolymer.  I've been using it for over 10 years and never had a problem with the line dragging the bait down.

[yukonjack2]

Ditto on the GReen P-line, but I use 12 lb test for both Topwater and CB's.  I will go down to 10 lb for Cb's looking for a little more depth.

[dhuff]

14lb Trilene XT.  Works perfect for topwaters especially the poppers.

[fiker]

Mono floats better than anything in the larger diameters. 14# is a good all around choice. Nice floatation, good abraision resitance, casts well.
Then the braids. 14# Fireline I believe has about 6# mono diameter.  6# Fireline is about a 1 or 2# equivalent.  The material in braids tends to make them float a little more.
Then the fluoros.  They don't absorb much water and sink fairly quickly.

Mono stretches the most. 

Many beginning anglers see the splash from top waters, and set the hook on sight.  Doing this can result in lost fish because the hooks will be pulled out of the fish's mouth before they actually "have" it.  Until they learn to let the fish have it a little bit, mono might be the line to use.  It will tend to give the fish a little more time.  I still use mono on topwaters, buzz baits, and shallow cranks.

Rod tip height matters also.  Keeping it up higher will keep the bait up in the water a little higher as well.  At the beginning of your retrieve the rod is held high, and as the bait gets closer to the boat
the tip can be gradually lowered.   The higher rod tip will also help with setting the hook too quickly as it will have to be lowered first before rearing back.

[dhuff]

The high rod tip works for some baits like frogs and such to work them over thick cover.  However, for topwater lures such as poppers and the spook lures you want your rod tip close to the water so that you can twitch it with a semi slack line.  Doing this will give you the maximum action from the bait.  Having the rod tip to high on baits such as the poppers makes the bait want to jump up and out of the water instead of grabbing a hold of it and creating its sound.

[TCook]

Yes I do believe I am working the poppers and spook baits correctly, I use a 5'10" medium fast action G loomis casting rod. I always work my baits with a light twitch down towards the water on slack line. I dont miss many fish at all unless they are just slapping at it, I pause for 2 to 3 seconds before setting the hook, that has not been my problem. Most of the year I used 14lb stren mono and still had issues with the line dragging in the water after the first 10ft of retrieval. Maybe I have the right line and equipment but the line dragging is just something everyone has to deal with? I was just hoping for a line that was more buoyant so I could have the desired action longer than 10ft or so. I am hesitant to try braid for throwing poppers I like to have stretch in my line with these baits. But if braid floats better Ill try it if there are no other options. Thanks for the advice guys and anyone else out there with some insight, i would love to hear it.

Tim

[dhuff]

Try the XT it floats very well and will work wonders for you.

[bosshawg]

 being a faithful trilene guy, i switched to 10lb big game line 2yrs ago and have had no problems at all with it. and i do throw alot of topwater. my favorite. just went an bought another rod for topwater usage as my trusty 5'6 rod finally broke this past season. trying a little longer rod 6' MH fast action this year. can't wait.

[TCook]

I think I will try the 14lb berkley XT, I have not tried that yet, hopefully it does the trick for me.

Thanks Tim

[Waterfoul]

Power Pro 20 lb on my top water rod.  Never had any trouble with the action of my baits.  This year I'm going to try coloring the last couple feet black with a felt tip.

[Chewy]

A trick I like to use sometimes is put dry fly dressing on the first 10 feet or so of the line.  The dressing is inexpensive and helps the line to stay up on the top.  For the line I use #15 Big game.  It seems to have a high bouyancy factor.

[Cy]

Tim,

Try braid on your top water rig.  Nothing floats like braid.  If you still are not getting the flotation you want try some fly line wax.  I saw this tip on Hank Parker.  You can get a waxy stuff that fly fisherman use to float their dry fly on the water.  From what I understand it will work on any line and really helps it float.  Also keep in mind, the bigger the line the easier it will float.

If all else fails go with lead core!

Cy

[Berkley]

I usually stick to the green Trilene XT 12-14lb. This year I am going to try the new Lucky Craft Iron Athlete topwater line.

[Skulley]

I use 12 to 14 lb. test for my top water fishing.  I work the lure kind of fast so I don't worry what floats better and what doesn't float better.  Fly fishing wax is always good to have on hand for the times when you have to let that bait sit on top.   Although I have seen where even though the line sinks, it doesn't seem to hamper bait performance when the bait is tail weighted. 

This year I am going to try the new Lucky Craft Iron Athlete topwater line.

I read that this line is pretty good.  I may try it if I can find it.  The new stuff is always tough to find.  I always like to try new things and stuff.

BD