Topwater

[MOBass]

Wow....big spread on line from 10# mono to 30# braid. I was leaning towards trying braid. Thanks for the input.

[Champ188]

P-Line mono in 17-pound test.

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

I like braid for topwater, due to the lack of strecth, and it floats. I feel like i get a better hookset on a long cast with braid

[Champ188]

Only thing with braid is you absolutely must use a soft rod or you will rip the hooks loose either on the hookset or during the fight.

Cabela's Prodigy ($100) in 7-0 medium/fast (smaller topwaters) or 7-0 medium heavy/fast (bigger baits like Fins and Super Spooks) gets the job done very well. Duckett MicroMagic in those same specifications also work well.

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

Only thing with braid is you absolutely must use a soft rod or you will rip the hooks loose either on the hookset or during the fight.

Cabela's Prodigy ($100) in 7-0 medium/fast (smaller topwaters) or 7-0 medium heavy/fast (bigger baits like Fins and Super Spooks) gets the job done very well. Duckett MicroMagic in those same specifications also work well

with topwater stuff yes i agree, i use braid on my jig rod and its heavy, haven't ripped a hook out yet, crossed a few eyes on the hookset!

[GNSfishing]

You also have to set your drag to slip slightly on a hook set so as to not rip the hooks out with braid. Braid line does not stretch, I use 100% braid 30lb test with a 6 or 7 ft fluorocarbon 15lb leader. Now if I get a wild hair and switch back to fluorocarbon or mono line I can really tell the difference in the stretch in lines. Mono and fluorocarbon feels like I am setting the hook with a spring for line, I always go back to braid..

[rps]

I guess I do things wrong. I don't "hook set" with top water. I use the sharpest hooks I can lay my hands on. Daiichi Deathtraps are my preference (thank you Bill Babler). Lucky Craft trebles are good. So are Owner stingers.

When I get a bite, I reel down as quick as I can while pointing the rod at the fish and then simply lift to rod to fighting position. The combination of sharp hooks, tight line, and rod lift seems to be all that I need. Fish rarely throw the hook with me. My most common reason to lose a fish is a break off, usually with some object (brush, limb, stump) involved.

Just a thought.

[abkeenan]

I guess I do things wrong. I don't "hook set" with top water. I use the sharpest hooks I can lay my hands on. Daiichi Deathtraps are my preference (thank you Bill Babler). Lucky Craft trebles are good. So are Owner stingers.

When I get a bite, I reel down as quick as I can while pointing the rod at the fish and then simply lift to rod to fighting position. The combination of sharp hooks, tight line, and rod lift seems to be all that I need. Fish rarely throw the hook with me. My most common reason to lose a fish is a break off, usually with some object (brush, limb, stump) involved.

Just a thought.

X 2 on this. I use 17-20lb Trilene XL mono for topwater and I never set the hook so to speak. Those hooks are so dang sharp any amount of pressure will prop the hook point into the fishes mouth. I just reel down to them and kinda lean into them using the rod. Maybe a SLIGHT hookset but nothing like a jig hook set or anything. Almost the same way when swimming a grub on a jig head. A sweeping hook set if you will.

[buckcreekmike]

I don't set it either one main reason is because a lot of times you can't be 100% sure if they actually have it in their mouth or I they missed it. If they've missed it and you set the hell out of it you will likely launch it back towards you 10-15' and out of the strike zone so they might come back for it. I try to get enough tension on the line to feel if they are on it and then just lean to the side with the rod enough to bury the hooks. If they have missed it and the bait remained in the zone they may hit it again.

[snakem]

When they strike on that red fin, just keep reeling if there on they set the hook their self.