Fishing Lure Sizes...etc...

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 01:19 AM

Newbie question....How do i know what size oz lures to get? Hardbaits, platic baits, spinner baits, etc...I love the line guide thanks kevin! How about an oz buying guide. Is lure size determined by the rod your using, or by the type of fish ur trying to catch?

AUFred · 04-19-12, 01:28 AM

All rods have suggested lure weights on them. Too light or too heavy and you realize pretty quickly in lost casting accuracy and feel. The rods also list suggested line weights they are there for a reason. I always follow those. If I am fishing where big fish are available I like using bigger lures to increase the possibility of bigger fish plus the hooks are bigger & stronger usually. Then pond fishing I use mostly 3/8 to 1/2 oz lures. I like 5/8 on topwater baits.

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 02:11 AM

Thanks I have a field and stream 7ft medim action rod i believe the lure weight is 3/8 to 1/2 oz lure and 2lb-14 lb line, the reel is spinning reel field and stream 8lb-12lb test.....right now i am using Berkley mono XL smooth casting 10lb line, so i should be using more then an 1/2 oz lure and no more then a 12lb test? Open for suggestions...

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 02:13 AM

The reel is 7 bearing reel

kennethdaysale · 04-19-12, 06:39 AM

Mac Until matching rod/reel/line/lure with conditions/goals/target fish becomes second nature to you I'd suggest matching everything up to the rod and reel's stated specs. If a reel says it's designed for 6-8-10 line use 8. If a rod says 10-17 use 12-14 etc.

As time goes by...while you're fishing or even in the backyard try experimenting with different set-ups so you'll know why these guidelines make sense. Put 20lb mono on a 500 class spinning reel and 4'6" UL rod then tie on 3/4 oz jig and then notice what happens. After that spool 4lb Trilene on a Revo Wench and 7' XH flipping stick and throw a #5 original floating Rapala and take notes.

Obviously those are extremes but you get the idea....have fun while you're at it and it will all start to fall in place soon enough

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 08:34 AM

Thanks for the input! With all that being said should I use straight 10lb fluorocarbon line or use braid 40lb line with fluro leader, this is my only rod/reel so I want something that i can use the most variations of lures possible. If i went with the braid and fluro leader what lb test fluro would you recommend getting for leaders? Thanks again for input guys!

kennethdaysale · 04-19-12, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Lovin

Thanks for the input! With all that being said should I use straight 10lb fluorocarbon line or use braid 40lb line with fluro leader, this is my only rod/reel so I want something that i can use the most variations of lures possible. If i went with the braid and fluro leader what lb test fluro would you recommend getting for leaders? Thanks again for input guys!

Mac if I only had one combo and it was spooled with braid.......I might just stay home and watch Frazier reruns. But hey that's just me....12 mono would get my vote.

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 09:36 PM

Well i havent bought anything yet I was just going by the line guide because i like spinner baits but going with braid pretty much limits me to only buzz baits, hard bodied topwaters, and frogs. I am considering flourocarb 10lb being that me reel only calls for 8-12lb i have heard its best to select the middle number of 10lb

Bassboss · 04-19-12, 10:03 PM

Jigs (when casting them) - as Light as you can get away with, usally 1/4 - 3/8 oz is what's used most. The shallower or colder water the lighter, the deeper and warmer, the heavier. Heavier weights can be used in windier conditions to maintain feel however.

Worms (texas rig) - 1/8 - 3/16 is what I use most often. Same guidelines apply as with jigs.

Spinnerbaits - 1/4 - 1/2 is what I use the most. Windier and murkier = heavier. Clearer and calmer = lighter. I also like to use a smaller spinnerbait earlier in the year because the forage is usually smaller, in the fall when the bait is bigger, the heavier is the one I'll opt toward.

cranks and top water - Buy these based upon length rather than weight, same for crankbaits (IMO)

Finesse (Shaky head, drop shot, etc.) - Lightest you can get away with, 1/16 - 1/8 is what I use most, with 1/8 probably being use the most.

Carolina rig - I personally fish these in shallower water than most, but 1/4 is the norm for me. As long as I'm keeping contract with the bottom I'm happy! I don't need to have a big ol 1oz weight because I rarely fish in water over 10 feet. But when it's windy, I'll tie on a 3/8 oz weight if I can't feel the bottom well.

Swim jigs - 1/4oz is what I use! Listen to the other guys about these though, they're far more experienced with these than I!

One thing to keep in mind is the equipment you're using like Ken pointed out, but as a general rule, use baitcaster when ever possible, and use a spinning reel when you need to use lighter baits!

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 10:35 PM

Awesome! Thanks for that guide! @bassboss What line would you recommend? Flouro, mono, or braid. Pretty much all the water here in NC is colored where i fish is very rocky/wooden bottom. I was using Berkeley 10lb XL casting and was getting like breaks from the bottom over and over but im thinking could be caused by the Drop shot sinker I am using they dont carry Tunksten Tear Drop sinkers down here anywhere local.

Bassboss · 04-19-12, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Lovin

Awesome! Thanks for that guide! @bassboss What line would you recommend? Flouro, mono, or braid. Pretty much all the water here in NC is colored where i fish is very rocky/wooden bottom. I was using Berkeley 10lb XL casting and was getting like breaks from the bottom over and over but im thinking could be caused by the Drop shot sinker I am using they dont carry Tunksten Tear Drop sinkers down here anywhere local.

I'd recommend a good quality mono/copolymer such as 12lb P-line CXX, or Sun Line Super Natural for you baitcaster (are you using one?). It won't be great for everything, but it will be good for most things. And for spinning, I've really grown fond of braid, although I haven't used fluorocarbon much on one, that would be my 2nd option. 6 - 8lb test is optimal for anything requiring a spinning rod and reel. 20lb for the braid!

Mac Lovin · 04-19-12, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassboss

I'd recommend a good quality mono/copolymer such as 12lb P-line CXX, or Sun Line Super Natural for you baitcaster (are you using one?). It won't be great for everything, but it will be good for most things. And for spinning, I've really grown fond of braid, although I haven't used fluorocarbon much on one, that would be my 2nd option. 6 - 8lb test is optimal for anything requiring a spinning rod and reel. 20lb for the braid!

I only use spinning reels, ive only used a bait caster a couple times and got frustrated with it wouldnt cast right, tangles easy and most of time line hits water and reel keeps spinning off probably just didnt know what i was doing lol... So with an 8lb-12lb reel you would still go with 20lb braid? And also from the guide you gave me are u using straight braid or tying leaders to those?

keithdog · 04-20-12, 07:00 AM

Mac, I have only one spinning outfit, and I choose to use braid. Personally, with Flouro being a stiffer line, I don't care for how it casts on spinning gear. Mono twists a lot for me on spinning gear. However, with braid, those issues are history. But I am using only 20 pound braid which has a VERY thin diameter. It's sufficiantly strong yet thin enough to use with even lightweight lures easily. And I don't use any leader with 20 pound braid as it's so thin, I don't believe visability under water to the fish is an issue. Especially if your fishing off colored water.

04-19-12, 01:19 AM	#1
Mac Lovin BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	Fishing Lure Sizes...etc... Newbie question....How do i know what size oz lures to get? Hardbaits, platic baits, spinner baits, etc...I love the line guide thanks kevin! How about an oz buying guide. Is lure size determined by the rod your using, or by the type of fish ur trying to catch?

04-19-12, 10:03 PM	#9
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Jigs (when casting them) - as Light as you can get away with, usally 1/4 - 3/8 oz is what's used most. The shallower or colder water the lighter, the deeper and warmer, the heavier. Heavier weights can be used in windier conditions to maintain feel however. Worms (texas rig) - 1/8 - 3/16 is what I use most often. Same guidelines apply as with jigs. Spinnerbaits - 1/4 - 1/2 is what I use the most. Windier and murkier = heavier. Clearer and calmer = lighter. I also like to use a smaller spinnerbait earlier in the year because the forage is usually smaller, in the fall when the bait is bigger, the heavier is the one I'll opt toward. cranks and top water - Buy these based upon length rather than weight, same for crankbaits (IMO) Finesse (Shaky head, drop shot, etc.) - Lightest you can get away with, 1/16 - 1/8 is what I use most, with 1/8 probably being use the most. Carolina rig - I personally fish these in shallower water than most, but 1/4 is the norm for me. As long as I'm keeping contract with the bottom I'm happy! I don't need to have a big ol 1oz weight because I rarely fish in water over 10 feet. But when it's windy, I'll tie on a 3/8 oz weight if I can't feel the bottom well. Swim jigs - 1/4oz is what I use! Listen to the other guys about these though, they're far more experienced with these than I! One thing to keep in mind is the equipment you're using like Ken pointed out, but as a general rule, use baitcaster when ever possible, and use a spinning reel when you need to use lighter baits! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

04-20-12, 07:00 AM	#13
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Mac, I have only one spinning outfit, and I choose to use braid. Personally, with Flouro being a stiffer line, I don't care for how it casts on spinning gear. Mono twists a lot for me on spinning gear. However, with braid, those issues are history. But I am using only 20 pound braid which has a VERY thin diameter. It's sufficiantly strong yet thin enough to use with even lightweight lures easily. And I don't use any leader with 20 pound braid as it's so thin, I don't believe visability under water to the fish is an issue. Especially if your fishing off colored water. __________________ Just one more cast, and then some!

04-19-12, 01:28 AM	#2
AUFred BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Prattville, Alabama Posts: 801	All rods have suggested lure weights on them. Too light or too heavy and you realize pretty quickly in lost casting accuracy and feel. The rods also list suggested line weights they are there for a reason. I always follow those. If I am fishing where big fish are available I like using bigger lures to increase the possibility of bigger fish plus the hooks are bigger & stronger usually. Then pond fishing I use mostly 3/8 to 1/2 oz lures. I like 5/8 on topwater baits.

04-19-12, 02:11 AM	#3
Mac Lovin BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	Thanks I have a field and stream 7ft medim action rod i believe the lure weight is 3/8 to 1/2 oz lure and 2lb-14 lb line, the reel is spinning reel field and stream 8lb-12lb test.....right now i am using Berkley mono XL smooth casting 10lb line, so i should be using more then an 1/2 oz lure and no more then a 12lb test? Open for suggestions...

04-19-12, 02:13 AM	#4
Mac Lovin BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	The reel is 7 bearing reel

04-19-12, 06:39 AM	#5
kennethdaysale BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: rock hill, sc Posts: 2,315	Mac Until matching rod/reel/line/lure with conditions/goals/target fish becomes second nature to you I'd suggest matching everything up to the rod and reel's stated specs. If a reel says it's designed for 6-8-10 line use 8. If a rod says 10-17 use 12-14 etc. As time goes by...while you're fishing or even in the backyard try experimenting with different set-ups so you'll know why these guidelines make sense. Put 20lb mono on a 500 class spinning reel and 4'6" UL rod then tie on 3/4 oz jig and then notice what happens. After that spool 4lb Trilene on a Revo Wench and 7' XH flipping stick and throw a #5 original floating Rapala and take notes. Obviously those are extremes but you get the idea....have fun while you're at it and it will all start to fall in place soon enough __________________ Sometimes you gotta risk it to get the biscuit.

04-19-12, 08:34 AM	#6
Mac Lovin BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	Thanks for the input! With all that being said should I use straight 10lb fluorocarbon line or use braid 40lb line with fluro leader, this is my only rod/reel so I want something that i can use the most variations of lures possible. If i went with the braid and fluro leader what lb test fluro would you recommend getting for leaders? Thanks again for input guys!

04-19-12, 09:36 PM	#8
Mac Lovin BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	Well i havent bought anything yet I was just going by the line guide because i like spinner baits but going with braid pretty much limits me to only buzz baits, hard bodied topwaters, and frogs. I am considering flourocarb 10lb being that me reel only calls for 8-12lb i have heard its best to select the middle number of 10lb

04-19-12, 10:35 PM	#10
Mac Lovin BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	Awesome! Thanks for that guide! @bassboss What line would you recommend? Flouro, mono, or braid. Pretty much all the water here in NC is colored where i fish is very rocky/wooden bottom. I was using Berkeley 10lb XL casting and was getting like breaks from the bottom over and over but im thinking could be caused by the Drop shot sinker I am using they dont carry Tunksten Tear Drop sinkers down here anywhere local.

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