How does different pound test fishing line effect the casting distace with baitcasting reels?

Question

Also how does the different types of fishing line effect casting with baitcasting reels?

Answer 1

In part is less line friction with smaller diameter lines but it also is the rod(action & length),reel(spool design) and weight of lure or weight used for casting!
Any properly set up rod n reel will be able to cast some distance but what are you looking for?
With the advent of the braids we can put heavier lb line with smaller diameters on reels which can increase casting distance.

Answer 2

When dealing with mono-filament line, or clear fishing string, the bigger the diameter of the line the stronger the test strength of that line. Also the bigger the line the less distance you will get while casting. All of my reels are baitcast reels, and lots of times I need far cast to reach fish that I see. For this reason I use Spiderwire. 20 lb Spiderwire has the diameter of 8lb test with the strength of 20lb test which I need for the big Salmon I'm throwing at. Spiderwire is a braided type line that allows you to have more line on your reel then what you could reel on with mono-filament.

Answer 3

I switched from 20-pound test to 15-pound, and I ended up getting about extra 15 yards from the surf on Long Island, NY. If I went down to 10-pound test, I'm sure I would go even further, but I don't because if a 30-pound striped bass picks up my bunker or mackerel chunk, I would have to play the fish for 30-minutes with a loose drag hoping my line doesn't snap. So, 15-pound test is as light as I will go, yet I prefer 20-pound test when fishing from the ocean suds. I use Ande fishing line, because it's tough with little stretch. If I was going to cast a lure far, I would use Berkeley or Triline fishing line. That line stretches and you could get more distance. Yet I'm not too worried about casting far. The reason striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder or weakfish will come within yards of the shoreline to feed.

Answer 4

The pound test has less to do with it than the weight of the line. If the line weighs less, you'll get longer casts. A lot of the superbraids get some pretty nice distance on a conventional, but they'll cut the heck out of you trying to guide line in with anything of size on the hook. Also, NEVER hand line a fish hooked on braid.

Just think about what you're fishing for, set the drag so your target can't snap you off on a good run, and pick the lightest line for your application. Then you can cover the most distance with your casts.

For me personally, I can get about 15% more distance ocean casting for each 5 lbs test I back off, with 17 to 20 being the best bet surf casting with a conventional in Southeastern Florida.

Answer 5

Injun knows what's good!
When I got my first baitcaster nobody I knew had one or could tell me how to use it. So I bought some Trilene XL 6 lb line and a bunch of 3/4 oz Rat-L-Traps. If I could've kept from backlashing, that thing would've gone a country mile with a hard overhead cast. Most of the time they would just snap the line and sink to the depths. I must have wasted 2 miles of line and 50 baits before I learned that baitcasters work better with at least 12 lb and preferably 17-25 lb test line. Of course it only figures that first baitcaster rod and reel setup was a Shakespeare "The Boss" and "Ugly Stick". I think that's why I still dislike them to this day. lol

Answer 6

pound test fishing line effect casting distace baitcasting reels

Answer 7

Ingun has the answer.

I would add that baitcaster's are NOT designed to "finnese" fish with lines lighter than 12 LB.

Personally, I never fish my baitcaster's with anything under 14 LB line. Most of my BC are rigged for heavier fishing, ("Flippin for Bass", Casting large Topwaters in Salt/freshwater, Heavy weed fishing for Bass, ETC.)

If you want to fish "12 LB and under" use a spinning outfit. IMHO, spinning outfits cast and "outperform" casting equipment when utilizing lighter lines. Thats why you don't see many pro's ,(B.A.S.S. Pro's), with 4 LB on their BC!

Good fishing!

Answer 8

wow.

The pound-test of your line really wont make a significant difference in the distance of your cast (unless you are comparing 2lb vs 200lb).

The big concern is making sure that your reel, rod, and terminal tackle are all compatable. For example, using 4lb test line with an 18oz sinker will not work.

Hope this helps.