Best monofilament fishing line according to redditors

It's alright. I'm thinking about switching out the strings to some Trilene Big Games, so hopefully that'll help.

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Line-Spool-Clear-Small/dp/B001ECQPS4

You can buy this: Maxima Fishing Line Leader Tying Kits, Chameleon, 3-40-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FKTEZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_brEJAbDHQ5XZQ

My dad still uses leaders tied from this material. I like the knotless tapered bought leaders. There are tons of formulas and info on ratios out on the internet.

I'm headed out for a two week bike tour through southern Wisconsin and plan on hitting a few creeks, rivers, and ponds along the way. From the DNR site it looks like mostly Brown, Brook, and Rainbow are in these areas.

• Reel and Rod combo - Okuma VS-605-20 - I need the rod to break down as small as possible
  
• Line - Trilene XL 6lbs test - Seems like an obvious choice
  
• Tippet - Rio Flouroflex Plus Tippet 5x - Matches the line test
  
• Swivels - Riptail Rolling Barrel Swivels Size #7 30lbs - Small, light swivels
  
• Panther Martin lures:
  
  • 1/32 Silver/Blue - Holographic Trout
    
  • 1/16 Silver/Blue - Holographic Trout
    
  • 1/16 Yellow Body/Red Dots
    
  • 1/16 Black Body/Yellow Dots
    
• Leatherman Juice S2

Here is the desktop version of your link

The most basic all around set up I would recommend for fishing in a lake would be to go buy some crankbaits, jerkbaits, a couple topwater lures (I recommend jitterbugs, and poppers), and some softplastic worms and worm hooks (they have the little angled shaft by the eye of the hook). Get some 12lb monofilament fishing line (it's good for mostly everything you'll catch in a lake).
Also, get some hooks and splitshot sinkers.

In terms of color for the baits, try to mimic the types of baitfish that are in the lake you're fishing at. Shad are pretty common in lakes near me, so 2/3 of my tackle box are filled with shad colored crankbaits and jerkbaits. Bluegill colored bait is always good because most lakes are full of bluegill.

That should help you target almost anything you could want to catch in a lake until you start getting more experience. Once you get more experience you can start tweaking things and buying more specialized stuff. But with the stuff I told you to buy, you really just have to locate the fish and you should be able to catch them.

EDIT:

Here's a pretty good assortment of hardbait to get you started. I'm not sure how wonderful the quality is, but they should catch fish for you and give you a foundation to build on until you get some more experience.

these and these are pretty decent rubber lures that will work for a wide variety of fish. Buy these hooks for them and these weights to help get your rubber lures to the bottom of the lake.

A package of bait hooks like these will help you catch stuff like catfish and bluegill using live bait. [Bobbers] (http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Floats-Assortment-1-Inch/dp/B0009V5QEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1462166419&sr=1-1&keywords=Bobber) are pretty good for catching bluegill as well. Catfish suck food off of the bottom of the lake at night, so skip on the bobber if you're fishing for those and I wouldn't waste time fishing for them in the day time.

And some basic 12 pound fishing line. Stick to the clear stuff.

All that gear should help you get started. There shouldn't be a fish in a lake that you can't catch using that stuff.

I recommend an Ugly Stik Elite Medium Action rod paired with a Penn Fierce II size 2500 and spooled with 8lb mono line. It's a combo he can use for anything from brim to bass to catfish and even some light saltwater use. It's easy to use, and pretty tough and low maintenance. Here's the items on Amazon that are around your price limit with free prime shipping. The other option would be a Bass Pro / Cabela's / etc. gift card so he can choose his own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QJ4IE6S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

+

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011LVCGA8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1&psc=1

+

https://www.amazon.com/Stren-SOFS4-15-Original/dp/B00MGBG6M2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1491522800&sr=1-1&keywords=stren%2Boriginal&th=1&psc=1

Can't go wrong with the Ugly Sticks for the price, however you might want to go down a weight... medium heavy (MH) is a bit much for the species you're targeting unless you're using really large lures and mostly going for big carp, and heavy is way too much. It'll be pretty stiff and with lighter line result in larger fish being more likely to break you off vs a medium action which will flex more when fighting the fish. You could even go medium light if you're catching more smaller walleye, crappie, and rock bass. I do prefer the Ugly Stik Elite over the GX2 though, they're 10 bucks more but lighter with a nice cork handle. Either way is fine though. Also, you mention casting rods and spinning reels... that won't work, you will need either a spinning rod and spinning reel (which is what I would go with) or a baitcaster reel and a casting rod (which is harder to get used to).

The reel you're looking at is not one I've used personally, but they're quite popular and most people love them here, so from everything I've heard it will be a fine choice. I use mostly Penn reels which I've been very happy with, and the compatible Penn would be the new Fierce II which is also a good choice.

If I were buying a new all around use freshwater setup today, here is what I would buy... I'm posting the Amazon link because it's easy to find, but you can get this stuff most anywhere:

Penn Fierce II Spinning Reel size 2500 or 3000. I use the Battle II line which is just a step up, but the Fierce is reliable and durable as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Penn-FRCII4000-Fierce-Spinning-Reel/dp/B011LVCGA8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487770336&sr=8-1&keywords=penn%2Bfierce%2B2&th=1&psc=1

Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod - this is a matter of preference, but I like a 7' rod for casting out a bit farther, 2 piece for easy transport, in medium power so it has some flex to help with casting and fighting larger fish on lighter line.

https://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Elite-Spinning-2-Piece-7-Feet/dp/B00QJ4IE6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487770384&sr=8-1&keywords=ugly%2Bstick%2Belite&th=1&psc=1

My choice for line (either way you go reel wise) would probably be 8-10lb mono, like this one, or 15-20 braid. If you get an extra spool for the reel you buy, you can have both.

https://www.amazon.com/Stren-Monofilament-Fishing-10-Pound-Fluorescent/dp/B00LDYHTQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487770474&sr=8-1&keywords=stren%2Bmono%2B10lb&th=1&psc=1

I've made something like this (not for climbing), using a musky fishing leader. Just add another snap to the other end.

yep, found some, thanks! http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Fisherman-KastKingTM-Premier-Copolymer/dp/B019154L2C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457655040&sr=8-1&keywords=5lb+fishing+line

I actually got stren super knot on clearance for $2.50 https://www.amazon.com/Stren-Super-Knot-Monofilament-Fishing/dp/B00S84L3KQ
I honestly wasn't expecting much out of it and mostly bought it because I knew I would be birds nesting a lot in the beginning. To my surprise its quite durable and has been holding up very well!

He's not lying. You can buy 100 yards of 500lb test clear monofilament for $22.99 on Amazon right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Monofilament-Fishing-2-2mm-500lb-Clear-25pcs-2-4mmx18mm/dp/B00BDLE2KO

I would probably go with a braided line which can be black/grey in color and doesn't "coil" like a monofilament and would be harder to detect.

Honestly get two Shakespeare GX2's they are only $40 each. The GX2 is a great combo; I would say get the 6ft medium action. Spool them with 15lb test Mono!

Here are the links

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F0KMLCK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OLRQO0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My light tackle set up is mostly used for drop shot, so i'm using a Team Diawa-X spinning rod, a Diawa Exceler 1500 spinning reel and 8 pound Suffix monofilament

I will also use it for a floating worm and fluke. This is all for bass fishing of course.

[Here.] (http://www.amazon.com/Zebco-33-Spincast-Fishing-Combo/dp/B000LNZ66E/ref=pd_sbs_sg_10)

Then buy:

Decent line, from six to ten "pound test."

[Terminal tackle.] (http://www.amazon.com/Dolphin-343-Piece-Terminal-Tackle/dp/B005LPVTTA/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370884155&sr=1-1&keywords=terminal+tackle+kit)

[And a decent beginner lure kit.] (http://www.amazon.com/Mister-Twister-Curly-piece-Assorted/dp/B000WEOPZK/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1370884345&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=curly+tail+jig+kit)

There you go.

I have the same one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001ECQPS4

Try this.

Plano Line Spool Box (Clear, Small) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ECQPS4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_PJINub1H87QVB

What about a fishing line spool holder
http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Line-Spool-Clear-Small/dp/B001ECQPS4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1406072939&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Plano+Line+Spool+Box

I'm unsure of the dimensions, but I've wanted to try out these kind of fishing line dispensers... the little black bit is rubber so should hold the wire from 'retracting.'

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Line-Spool-Clear-Small/dp/B001ECQPS4/

Here's a bigger picture of one as an example, but it's the wrong size spool.

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Line-Spool-Clear-Large/dp/B001O9BV2W/

I have switched over to using furled leaders (most of the time). Instead of building these with the messy and complicated jigs, I've been hand twisting these. Really simple to do -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbcVaEe3RIs

For a very nice dry fly leader I've been using on my 3 and 4 weight rods, I've been using a 6 lb Rapala "Tough Line", which is a pliable mono that is about perfect for this type of leader -> http://www.amazon.com/Rapala-Tough-Line-Fishing/dp/B007DNOJJA

I've been using 10 lb Berkly Vanish (flouro) for my heavier weight nymph and streamer setups.

I haven't looked at upgrading to belts yet, but I did have to replace the lines once. In case you're not quite ready for a large upgrade (or need to it to just work long enough to print the parts for the belt upgrade) here's the type of line to buy: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0084OR2T6

The sandpaper pulley, I think is the same one that is used for Dremel tools, as for the string, it's Woodstock, Powerstrike, white
~Link

But I would go with the upgrade that Printrbot has for the simple
~Link

Looking at that lake makes me want to bust out the canoe so much...

That said, if you are just starting out I wouldn't overthink it. People have been catching fish for decades with good ol' Trilene XL. haha. Especially on a setup that light (edit: I thought you linked to the ultralight version, but now I'm not sure sure), I'd just go with whatever weight trilene XL works on your reel and start to get a good feel for the hobby. It's easier to just start fishing without having to worry about leaders and things like that. But ultimately, braid really is the way to go. I've never used fluoro as a main line, but even now I don't use braid on my ultralight setup. Really small diameter braid digs in to itself too easily.

Cobourg or Peterborough usually. You gotta get the paper box one(100yd?), not the bigger spool in the clamshell plastic case.

$5 on Amazon too
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B001F5H4I0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468508108&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=trilene+xl&dpPl=1&dpID=510LgwdVBFL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Oh well, i'm sure you can come up with something using this :

https://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Salon-100pcs-Polycarbonate-Phillips-Countersunk/dp/B01H3GH4R0/ref=sr_1_4?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1540907535&sr=1-4&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5485614011

this :

https://www.amazon.com/Stren-SHIQS10-15-Impact-Monofilament-Fishing/dp/B00NWD4NMI/ref=sr_1_4?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1540907667&sr=1-4&keywords=fishing+line

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and this :

https://www.amazon.fr/pi%C3%A8ces-Retractable-Key-Chain-pouces/dp/B071LFMPD8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540908003&sr=8-3&keywords=porte+clef+enrouleur

I looked on Amazon and found some super-heavy fishing line for speargunning that's up in the 1.6mm-2.5mm range.