I hope everyone is ready. I have all the line off my fishing reels and cleaning them now. Then plan how they will all be setup for the season. Some for bass, some for jigging, some muskies, some slip bobber rigs, some for catfish, etc. Since there are so many different ways to go.
I will dump a few reels that have just fallen apart, and a few rods that aren't what I want any more. Then I have to see just what I have left.
Are you all done getting ready? I know I put on new line, clean the reel, grease the reels, retry all knots, double check the tackle boxes to see if any important gear is running low or missing, etc. It seems like a bigger job every year. But it is worth it in the long run.
For line: I love to use spiderwire - yellow for jigging and bass, moss green for casting setups and 3-way riggings. I also have some fusion that I use for my bottom bouncer rods, but spiderwire would work fine. I love the feel, you know what you are in contact with and learn more about the bottom and what the fish are relating to.
For slip bobber rods I still like mono, mainly Trilene XT 4 or 6 pound. It's great stuff for bobber fishing and live bait rigging too.
I have Big Game 25 pound for catfishing. When I am being serious about big cats. You have to get them away from the snags they like to run to. When they are related to areas without as many snags, the 12 or 17 pound mono works fine too. And I do have rods with each line rigged most of the year.
I don't pretend to be all prepared, but I try. I know that line is the most important part of your tackle that's between you and the fish. Most of us have favorites, these are mine. I have had great luck with them all and have tried a lot of combinations, so I have confidence with all of these.
Good fishing and I hope you are ready for the fishing opener. Maybe we can get out fishing sometime..