"I'm using a Penn Spinfisher 10500 for drone fishing in Australia, targeting mulloway, kingfish, and tuna. I'm stuck between spooling it with 65 lb braid (for ~750m capacity) and 80 lb braid (for ~500m capacity). Which line test is the better all-around choice for durability, drag performance, and capacity? Assume I am using appropriate leader material."

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Verdict: go with 65 lb braid for an all-around setup here. It gives you more capacity to reach where the fish live, smoother spool performance for drag, and plenty of abrasion resistance when paired with a solid leader. If you routinely fight big, toothy pelagics or fish tight to reef/structure, then 80 lb becomes appealing — but for a single “do-it-all” setup on a Penn Spinfisher 10500, 65 lb is the smarter balance.

Why 65 lb is the better all-around choice
- Capacity and distance: ~750 m of 65 lb braid beats ~500 m of 80 lb braid on most reels, which matters when you’re deploying from a drone and you want the option to run farther or to tow heavier gear without swapping spools mid-session.
- Drag performance: On most reels, a thinner braid (65 lb) delivers smoother, steadier line lay and less initial resistance as you load the spool under drag. That can translate to cleaner hooksets and steadier fighting drags, especially when you’re trying to keep line off reefs or through trolling currents.
- Durability with the right leader: With an appropriate 60–100 lb fluorocarbon or braided leader, 65 lb line still has robust abrasion resistance, making it capable for mulloway and kingfish bites and even tuna, while keeping the mainline supple enough to manage on drone drops.
- Practicality on a drone rig: You typically want enough line in the water to avoid short drops and to handle long runs, but not so heavy that the line becomes stiff or memory-prone on your spool. 65 lb gives you that middle-ground balance for most environments along Australia’s coast in mid fall weather when kingfish and tuna runs can be a thing.

When you’d opt for 80 lb instead
- Known heavy bite-offs: If you’re consistently fishing tight reefs or targeting exceptionally toothy or big-bodied tuna/kingfish, 80 lb adds bite-off resistance and a thicker profile that stands up to more abrasion and teeth. 
- Reduced capacity, higher diameter: The trade-off is less line in the water, and a slightly stiffer spool fill. If your drone rig requires maximum depth or distance, 80 lb can limit options.

Practical setup tips
- Leader strategy: Use a strong shock/leader setup (60–100 lb fluorocarbon or braid leader) to bridge 65 lb mainline to your lures or bait. A 1.5–3 ft leader is a common starting point for this combo.
- Knots and joins: Favor reliable joins (e.g., FG knot or double-uni to leader) to minimize slipping under drag.
- Spool filling: Fill the spool to about 70–85% with the main braid, then add backing to reach full capacity without overfilling. This helps maintain smooth line release during drone drops.
- Backing and lock-in: Use a strong backing, and consider a gentle drag ramp during initial drops so you don’t shock the system with a sudden line tug.
- Tackle compatibility: The Penn Spinfisher 10500 is a capable platform for this job; pairing it with a 65 lb mainline lets you leverage the reel’s drag well without sacrificing your ability to chase offshore pelagics.

Extra notes and reference ideas
- If you want to see real-world drone fishing setups for these species, check out tutorial videos on drone fishing for mulloway/kingfish/tuna in Australia: [Drone fishing mulloway/kingfish tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drone+fishing+mulloway+Australia)
- For gear ideas, you can peek at relevant reels like the PENN Spinfisher VII 10500 product page: [PENN Spinfisher VII 10500](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDLT8KRS?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

Bottom line: 65 lb braid hits the sweet spot between capacity, drag behavior, and abrasion resistance for Mulloway, Kingfish, and Tuna on a drone rig off Australia in mid fall. If you start consistently catching bigger, toothier fish than your current setup can bear, switch to 80 lb, but keep a 65 lb option handy for versatility.

Keep the lines tight and the spirits high — you’ve got this! 🐟🚁

Product Recommendations

PENN Spinfisher VII 10500 Saltwater Spinning Reel, Right/Left Handle Position, IPX5 Seal, HT-100 Front Drag, Superline Spool, Precise CNC Gear Technology

TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax, Magic Noisy Turbulent Wiggling and Vibrating Actions for More Bites, Segmented Swimbait Jointed by Dyneema Strongest Fiber, Lifelike Fishing Lures for Relax Family Fishing

Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Fishing Kits, Slow Sinking Lifelike Swimbaits Crankbaits Hard Baits Lure Set, Fishing Gear for Bass Trout Pike Walleye, Freshwater Saltwater Predator Bait

193PCS Fishing Lures Kit with Tackle Box, Freshwater Saltwater Bass Lures Set – Hard Baits, Soft Plastic Worms, Crankbaits, Spinner Baits, Frog Lures, Fishing Hooks & Accessories

HALF CRESCEN Fishing Lures Kit for Diving Bass/Trout/Pike with Lifelike Action, Fishing Gear Set for 2025 Xmas (Gift Box 1)

TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass Trout Jighead Lures Paddle Tail Swimbaits Soft Fishing Baits Freshwater Saltwater Jigging Bass Gear Gifts for Men

TRUSCEND Fishing Jigs Lures with Handmade Lead Heads Paddle Tail Spinner Baits for Bass Trout Walleye Musky Soft Plastic Fishing Lures

10PCS Fishing Lures Kit – Inline Spinner Baits with Brass/Copper Spinner,Freshwater Trout Bass Salmon Lures,Includes Tackle Box for Fishing Tackle

Community

🎣 Coastal waters of Australia

Line & Knots Questions

How does one measure and determine the size of hook. I know the smallest is size 32 and the largest is 31/0.

Cum se leaga bine o serma de undita

What size hooks for live bait?

czy mozesz mi powiedziec jaka plecionka bedzie idealna do mojej wedki

More Questions

looking to catch 10-20lb grouper on a fishing raft in hong kong what leader line and cricle hook size

What are the best lures for catching bonnies?

Where should I fish on Logan Martin Lake in the afternoon?

How can I catch spawning walleyes?

What type of bait should I use on Lake Tellico in Rarity Bay, TN?

Where are the best places to catch stripers in the CA Delta?

What fish can I catch from Lake Washington?

Wo kann man in elmshorn am besten in der Krückau Barsche angeln?(Bitte nur beim kostenlosen also vereinslosen Bereich(Der kostenlose bereich ist von der alten mühle bis zur Elbe in Richtung hafen und bahnhof nicht in die andere Richtung)) Und nenne bitte genaue orte also z.B. sag „Beim Hafen“.