| For the bass reel -- if it is on a light rod rated up to an oz or so, 50# braid is about same diameter as your 12# fluorocarbon and would work fine as long as you don't cast anything heavier than an oz or so. But 12# fluoro/mono on a light rod with the drag set light should do fine too. With those little rapala hooks, you can't go toe-to-toe with the fish and muscle it into submission boatside like we try to do with full-scale musky gear to keep the fight short. So the strength of the line isn't the problem really: Problem is, with 50# braid or 12# mono or fluoro, musky can bite you off. But any leader you put on that is actually gunna stop a muskys' teeth is going to ruin the lure's action in terms of walleye fishing. If you're willing to abandon the idea of finessing walleye, then load the reel with 50# braid, put a light 7 strand steel leader on it, don't cast any baits heavier than an ounce, be fine. BUT if you're going to abandon the idea of walleye and use the outfit to target musky...it's too light for the job and you should cast your floating rapala on the garcia 6500 with 80# braid and a real leader.
I suggest if you're going to cast a little rapala for walleye, use your 12# fluoro, or lighter, and hope a musky doesn't bite LOL |