Baitcast Reel + Braid : When To Use ? 2025

ChrisD46 reply :

Besides throwing a frog / topwater - are there other applications you use braid on a baitcast reel that you find better than using fluorocarbon ?

thehooligan reply :

Thats a loaded question, lol.

I typically use braid over any other line solely for how good it casts, line management, and sensitivity. Besides topwater, there are guys that crank with braid and also finesse fish.

Ive got it down to,

topwater/froggin - 30lb braid

crankin - 12lb mono

spinning finesse - 10lb braid/6lb flouro leader

baitcasting finesse - 6lb flouro/mono

BadBassWV reply :

I use Power pro for everything, If I think I need it I will tie a Flouro leader for jig fishing. Other than that Everything gets Braid.

aavery2 reply :

I use braided line in two primary applications, frog fishing, and main line with a FC leader on spinning gear. I will also use it occasionally for dragging football jigs.

masterbass reply :

I use braid w/leaders for everything. If I'm fishing heavy cover then I go straight braid.

5dollarsplash reply :

For bass fishing, the only time I don't use braid for my mainline is with a treble hooked lure.

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

Cover dictates line choice and poundage for me.

If I'm around heavy vegetation, which I usually am, I'm mostly throwing braid.

ColdSVT reply :

You can use it for anything really

Myself i like it for topwater and punching...but i have used it for nearly everything at one point or another

Kevin22 reply :

I use braid for flipping, T-rigs, and main line on C-rigs as long as the water isn't too clear. I like the sensitivity when fishing bottom contact. I would use good fluoro in those instances, but I'm too cheap.

mprestonSEK reply :

I have braid on all of my reels at the moment. Most the time I will have a fluoro leader unless fishing heavy cover.

Catch and Grease reply :

I use braid for everything when bass fishing and tie leaders when needed now. Very rarely when I do happen to fish rocks I don't like braid....

TorqueConverter reply :

Braid for everything all day every day until the end of days.

ABW reply :

I will use braid with a fluorocarbon leader for almost everything. Why? Braid is much more manageable, its cheaper, sensitive, and it lasts a long time!

Also there are no rocks where I fish.

iabass8 reply :

I use braid for punching and frogs. Everything else is fluorocarbon(topwaters get mono). I do not enjoy using braid but I understand it's benefits.

livetofish28 reply :

All the time. Every rod i own has power pro on it

tight lines

Andrew

carlm01 reply :

I use 20lb braid for frogs and buzz baits because it floats , cranks/spinners and worms are 12lb tatsu .. and 15lb seaguar for jigs

carlm01 reply :

I use 20lb braid for frogs and buzz baits because it floats , cranks/spinners and worms are 12lb tatsu .. and 15lb seaguar for jigs

buzzed bait reply :

I have braid on a few set ups as well. i love the casting nature of braid and the sensitivity.

stk reply :

Braid for how well it casts and the sensitivity. Leaders for clear/pressured water. I have braid 30lb braid spooled up for almost everything I throw except for weightless soft plastics which is 15-20lb power pro super slick.

ChrisD46 reply :

A lot of good comments - thanks !

* What I'm hearing is a growing trend where there are less and less places where braid OR braid + fluorocarbon leader cant handle the application.

* If one were to review the past Bass Master article suggesting "six primary rod & reel combos for bass fishing" ...Then a couple more of those set ups would probably use braid today versus a couple of years ago .

* Areas where I still have concerns for braid are : Top water (poppers , spooks) , Cranking , Jerk Baits and where rocky bottoms exist when dragging a worm , jig or C-Rig.

BadBassWV reply :

I love the Braid for Top water because it floats. I use a Flouro leader when fishing around rocks with jigs.

Scott F reply :

All braid, all the time, for me.

gnuisance reply :

Wait. ...? People still fish lines other than braid???

Washout reply :

Crankin = Fluoro or Copolymer.

Everything else = Braid.

timsford reply :

I must be in the minority because i rarely use braid. there is no grass on my home lake so i rarely do feogging or punching and its pretty clear so i always worry about fish seeing my line. About the only time i use it is night fishing for striped bass or when using swimbaits in small ponds i fish because theres not a lot of room to play fish. To me its more fun fishing with lighter line instead of winching in a 2 lb bass on 50 lb braid. I enjoy the fight is why i fish. In the ponds though i use a lot of bluegill swimbaits and have been catching some big bass so i use braid. Id hate to lose the 10 lb bass ive been trying to catch for years. In most situations though braid isnt really needed and because of rocks and clear water i feel it hurts me more than it helps. I know i could use it and flouro or mono leaders but thats just another knot that has the potential of failing. This is all a matter of opinion but thats my opinion on braid

ChrisD46 reply :

I should have also requested : What is the smallest braid pound test you will use to prevent reel digging ?

Arv reply :

I use braid on everything

ABW reply :

On 6/22/2014 at 6:57 PM, ChrisD46 said:
I should have also requested : What is the smallest braid pound test you will use to prevent reel digging ?

On my Speed Spool, I've tried 30 lb, 40 lb, and 50 lb Power Pro. I had some problems with digging on 30 and 40 lb braid, but almost none on 50 lb.

ChrisD46 reply :

On 6/23/2014 at 10:59 AM, alee17 said:
On my Speed Spool, I've tried 30 lb, 40 lb, and 50 lb Power Pro. I had some problems with digging on 30 and 40 lb braid, but almost none on 50 lb.

alee17 : Did you notice much loss of casting distance going from 40lb. to 50lb. braid ?

ABW reply :

On 6/23/2014 at 5:56 PM, ChrisD46 said:
alee17 : Did you notice much loss of casting distance going from 40lb. to 50lb. braid ?

Not very much, maybe a couple yards going from 30-50

ChrisD46 reply :

Good deal - I now believe I got nothing to lose by going to WM and picking up a 150 yrd spool of PP 50lb. braid to try (along with mono backing) . * I like that WM carries it and I don't have to go order from TW or BPS and risk (yet again) getting served with divorce papers

Bankbeater reply :

I like braid for punching through mats, and in lilypads. For everything else its Mono or Fluoro.

4145

Baitcast Reel + Braid : When To Use ? 2025

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