my equipment

[GWS3]

here's what i'm working with.....

i just got a shimano sidestab 2500 reel and a 6ft. 6in. sojourn rod.
my next step would be line. what do you guys recommend for a good all around line for a guy on a budget. mostly ponds and lakes to fish in around here if that helps.

[MIbasser]

12lb stren mono.

[Bender]

I suggest Stren original or Trilene XL 12lb. as an all around line. It will work for pretty much any technique, it's cheap, and you can get it anywhere.

[woody]

I would also go with the Trilene XL 12#.

[GWS3]

thanks guys!

[Fishnngolfn]

If you are on a budget, you should consider braid and a leader material. Sure braid is initally expensive but last much much longer than mono or fluoro. You also have little to no memory with braid. You can put a leader on if you like or you can fish without on. If you choose to not use a leader then I suggest the moss green Power Pro. If you are fishing anytime of finese application then I suggest a leader.

[Jim80]

For mono #12 berkely big game , braid # 30 power pro and I have been stuck on Seaguar invizx #20 for fluorocarbon line .

Jim

[Lancer6]

Guys,

We need to remember that our friend's 2500-size reel has a relatively small diameter spool. Ergo, especially as mono stiffens somewhat in cooler temps, going over #10 test may not be wise. Also, he needs a line that is "softer", at the expense of greater stretch and reduced abrasion resistance, until warm weather returns. I'd offer P-line CX (NOT CXX) in #10 if the "terrain" in which he anticipates angling is not too rough.
Braid: OK by me since it's not affected by cold weather and remains limp/flexible. On that reel, however. I'd go with no higher than #20 braid, perhaps even #15 (especially if he eschews the use of a leader, and depending on water clarity.) and I'd avoid some of the "wirier" braids.
When considering lines for spinning reels so well as the pushbutton reels we need to take spool diameter and line behavior very much into account.
The thicker or stiffer the line, the less the casting efficiency AND, worse yet, the greater likelihood of "mass line deployment" (See: Bird's nest in the second guide up.)

Lancer6

[GWS3]

thanks guys !
these are all great suggestions. i'm trying to stay in the lakes and ponds that are in say a 10 mile radius. i haven't had the chance yet to go scouting but look to do that soon.
as i am checking these places i will kepp in mind water clarity and obstacles to cast over or around.

thanks again!! i love this learning process!!

[bassboogieman]

I wouldn't put 12# mono on a 2500 size reel, I'd use 8# Yo-Zuir Hybrid UltraSoft. Added strength of the Yo-Zure gives you about 10# breaking strength, low stretch, good knots - best all purpose line I've found. Braid is certainly an option, but he stated he's budget minded so he doesn't have to spend the extra money on braid AND flurocarbon line.

[Lancer6]

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

I wouldn't put 12# mono on a 2500 size reel, I'd use 8# Yo-Zuir Hybrid UltraSoft. Added strength of the Yo-Zure gives you about 10# breaking strength, low stretch, good knots - best all purpose line I've found. Braid is certainly an option, but he stated he's budget minded so he doesn't have to spend the extra money on braid AND flurocarbon line.

Welllllll, consider this, Mon Frere, With any kind of care at all, he'll spend LESS money on braid over a season of fishing since he'll not have to replace line but very seldom if at all. Monos and fluoros are far more prone to need replacing due to just normal wear and/or tear (especially fluoro when kinks arise due to trying to clear an MLD [Mass Line Deployment, so sadly common in fixed spool reels.] ) and even moreso when snags and abrasions likely in the area fished.
Monos are subject to degrading via high temps as well as exposure to UV whereas braid are immune thereto.
For my part, I spend far more on mono than I do on braid over time and some of my most-used reels have the same fill of braid they've borne for over three years...and there ain't no "Off Season" in Texiz.
The benefits of braid over other lines in the fixed-spool milieu; Limp and castable year-round; easier to untangle should MLD take place; less likelihood of MLD; far greater resistance to abrasion; kink-proof; far greater sensitivity and hooksetting power; and so on, MAY make braid a better choice for our buddy, especially since most techniques will not require the use of a leader at all. A #15 braid, NON-Hi-Vis, will be virtually undetectable to the fish, especially on a steady retrieve.
Too, since most decent quality spinning reels come with a spare spool, our new friend can spool mono on for when it's called for and still have a spool of braid in the #1 spot...on the reel...most of the time. That quick switchability is one advantage not often provided by baitcasters.
This I believe. This I profess. This I practice.

Lancer6

[islandbass]

I wouldn't go past 10# mono on a spool that size. Listen to Lancer. He beat me to the punch. 12# mono of standard diameter is probably asking for trouble on a spool that size.