Help with choosing line and what to throw...

[iDad3]

Hello everyone.

I am returning to freshwater fishing after a decade hiatus. I now have 3 children ( oldest 8 ) who I want to introduce to fishing this summer. I have always mainly fished with live bait on basic spinning gear, having a second setup to throw some basic lures. I want to delve deeper. I have been spending a lot of time researching on YouTube and Forums. Learning about Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, Ned Rigs, Wacky Rigs, etc.

I am looking for some help on choosing line for the following gear and what I should be throwing on it.

Baitcasting Gear I currently have (3 Combo Rod & Reels):

2 - Abu Garcia "Hank Parker" Rod & Reel Combos (7' Medium Heavy Fast, Gear Ratio 6.2:1)

1 - Abu Garcia Pro Max Combo (6'6" Medium Fast, Gear Ratio 7.1:1)

Spinning Gear I currently have (2 Reels, 2 Rods)

2 - Daiwa Reveros LT 2500 (Gear Ratio 5.3:1)

1 - Daiwa Aird X (7' Medium Heavy Fast)

1 - Daiwa Aird X (7' Medium Fast)

I will mainly be fishing from the bank at my local pond here in Massachusetts. Here is a little about the pond if it helps choosing what to throw. (color, size etc.)

A large 1,283 acre warmwater pond with an average depth of 15 feet and a maximum depth of 22 feet. Transparency is low at three feet and aquatic vegetation is scant. Algae blooms in the summer often color the water green while the rest of the year the water is tea colored. The bottom is composed of rubble, rock and muck, and there are numerous rubble-strewn shoals.

Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and chain pickerel comprise the game species; panfish species include white perch, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, bluegill, and black crappie; golden shiner and white sucker are forage species. Tiger muskies are also present today.

Thank you for your advice and time!

Sincerely,

iDad3

[Princeton_Man]

Welcome aboard!

It's been some time since I fished any ponds, but most of the time it was Rebels and Rapala balsa minnows, in-line Mepps minnows, T-rig worms. and floating worms (we used to have to inject air into the worms with a syringe to make them float). Pike love those in-line Mepps Minnow spinners. As for colors, match the forage.

I'm sure the younger ones will be using worms and be catching bluegill, but your 8 year old could probably master T-rigs and Rebel minnows. Catching a nice Bass or a toothy critter at that age will have him hooked on fishing.

I favor fluorocarbon and braid, but from your description, there's not enough vegetation and cover to need braid. With the toothy critters in there, you might consider a short wire leader.

[FlatsNBay]

Welcome Idad. Line choices are pretty much personal preference. You will see a variety of responses and each is right for each person. I'll go first. If it was me, I'd go:

For the 2 Abu Hank Parkers, I'd go with 14 to 17 lb. test fluorocarbon for a good all around setup for a variety of techniques.

For the Abu Pro Max, that would make a good topwater, jerkbait, or crankbait rod because of the medium action. Think treble hooks baits. I'd go with a 14 lb. Mono for topwater s or even a 20-30 lb braid with a 14 lb. mono leader. For crankbaits or jerkbait, 10 to 12 lb fluorocarbon.

For your spinning reels, I'd go with 10 lb braid for the lighter one and 15-20 lb on the heavier one. Add a mono or fluorocarbon leader in 10 to 15 lb. test.

I hope that helps. Line choices are so personal and individual. When I go fishing with Capt. Lou, he uses braided line for a lot of techniques that I use fluorocarbon for and both work for us.

[coldfront]

something to consider:  learning anglers and baitcasters.  lots of backlashes.

mono is a great all around line  and relatively inexpensive.  if you pay close attention to it (nicks, abrasion) and retie as needed, it is perfect ...

sure it's a little stretchy.

what you didn't discuss much was different techniques.  if you are fishing frogs, braid is a must. 

but I've routinely pitched, flipped into the middle of brushpiles with 10lb mono in my life and had little trouble getting fish out.

[iDad3]

Wow I appreciate the support and suggestions!

I utilized your suggestions and have taken advantage of some fathers day sales and stocked up on some line.

-1200yds of 15lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

-150yds each of 10lb and 20lb Strike King Contra Braid Fishing Line.

-330yds each of 8lb, 10lb, 12lb, & 14lb of Sufix Elite Fishing Line

Hoping to get out this weekend with the family and make some memories.

Thanks!

[D.W. Verts]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7qFh95rc_Y&list=PLcCa45NyuFsdNHG-4Qdg3x38mJ8nLUK9y&index=1

Dale

[Hobious]

that is a lot of line variations!!

I use:  list is more frequent to less frequent.
12lb Sniper Flouro.  (this is slowly transitioning to 14lb). this does it all. 
20lb Braid.  Suffix if I like it to float, Albright, if I want it to sink.
65lb braid.  Powerpro...for punching and frogs.

that's it.

once a year, 40lb power pro in Oklahoma for topwater stripers action.