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Braid vs. Rocks. 2024


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 

Hey everyone, I need some advice.  This is the first year I have used braid.  While fishing in the river along rip rap banks I have been getting hung up quite a bit.  I am using 20# PP on spinning gear, and am able to free most of my jigs.  The ones that break off appear to break at the knot.  So far no big deal until today.  I got stuck good, and i tried breaking off but lost a good deal of line doing so.  It is to where i can see the backing.

My question is am I wasting my time and money by using braid in this situation?


fishing user avatarskunked_again reply : 

youre not breaking off at the leader? are you using a leader?


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 

No leader, didn't figure I needed one given that the river is pretty dirty.  Should I use one?


fishing user avatarfishingkidPA reply : 
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No leader, didn't figure I needed one given that the river is pretty dirty. Should I use one?

i have never used braid but i think people use leaders for 2 reasons, so the fish cant see it and then so if the get a snag the leader will break off and they wont loose a ton of line, but im not sure.


fishing user avatarShane J reply : 

Yes, and for abrasion resistance. Braid and rocks don't go well together.


fishing user avatarFishing Rhino reply : 

Braid is great in lily pads and other vegetation, but around rough rocks it will part like sewing thread.

The best thing for cutting braid is not braid scissors, though they do work quite well.  The cutter on a spool of dental floss cuts it quickly and cleanly. 


fishing user avatarMNGeorge reply : 

There are many times when I would not need a leader due to dirty water, but I always use one in the river so that I can be able to break off if I need to.  I use 30# braid with a 12# fluoro leader.  The statement made about the fluoro holding up to the abrasion in rocks is also right on...sharp rocks and braid do not go well together.


fishing user avatarbreezy reply : 

Agreed on the comments about the leader. I use one 100% of the time while fishing braid, but not because of visibility. My main concern is being able to break off at the leader; the increase abrasion resistance of mono/fluoro is just a plus.


fishing user avatarJason_Barnucz reply : 

Braid and rocks definitely don't mix. FC is a good alternative to braid in rocky situations. I spend most of my time fishing for smallmouth in open water areas. Dragging tubes is a great method for enticing the Brown Bass from deep areas. Straight FC is the way to go.


fishing user avatarhookingem reply : 

Yeah go with a leader the braid will fray awkwardly, Also breaking 30+ pound braid when you get hung up is near impossible and once you do break it it'll sound like a .22 going off!   


fishing user avatarHookSetDon reply : 
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Braid is great in lily pads and other vegetation, but around rough rocks it will part like sewing thread.

The best thing for cutting braid is not braid scissors, though they do work quite well. The cutter on a spool of dental floss cuts it quickly and cleanly.

thats a great idea, and so simple using the cutter on the dental floss box, definetly going to start carrying it with me on the boat


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 

How long of a leader would you use?


fishing user avatarMNGeorge reply : 

I start the day with a long leader, at least 2 rod lengths long.  That way I can retie my bait a number of times before needing to replace the leader.  You do need to occasionally check the knot between your braid and the leader though...bouncing through all the guides on every cast and retrieve takes its toll on that knot after a while.


fishing user avatarslonezp reply : 
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I start the day with a long leader, at least 2 rod lengths long. That way I can retie my bait a number of times before needing to replace the leader. You do need to occasionally check the knot between your braid and the leader though...bouncing through all the guides on every cast and retrieve takes its toll on that knot after a while.

X2 At least 6-8 feet. I use an albright knot with a dab of superglue.


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 
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I start the day with a long leader, at least 2 rod lengths long. That way I can retie my bait a number of times before needing to replace the leader. You do need to occasionally check the knot between your braid and the leader though...bouncing through all the guides on every cast and retrieve takes its toll on that knot after a while.

X2 At least 6-8 feet. I use an albright knot with a dab of superglue.

So what happens when you get snagged? Does the leader itself break, or does it completely come off of the main line? 


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

Ideally, the leader breaks.


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 
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Ideally, the leader breaks.

So what should be the difference in strength between the leader and the main line so that the leader breaks first?


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

really, whatever you prefer, just less than the mainline.  I use 15# P-line with 50# PowerPro for jigs and T-rigs, for example.


fishing user avatarbaluga reply : 
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.

So what happens when you get snagged? Does the leader itself break, or does it completely come off of the main line?

It usually breaks on the knot on the hook. Since it is the weakest point between you and the fish. Hardly breaks off on the joint of the leader and main line

Alberto knot fan here too.


fishing user avatarMidnight Splash reply : 
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really, whatever you prefer, just less than the mainline. I use 15# P-line with 50# PowerPro for jigs and T-rigs, for example.

Which model P-Line are you using?


fishing user avatarJosh Bassman reply : 
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How long of a leader would you use?

I like a long leader. Two benefits: last longer and my FC leader sinks and my braid floats. I use braid with a leader mostly for shakey head fishing. Floating braid drives me crazy, but with a 10+ foot leader it isn't so bad.


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 

I tried using a leader today, 10lb Trilene XT, with my 15lb PP.  On my first cast I got snagged and it broke on the main line of PP.  I think I am going to use the 10lb XT on the river now.  Or I might use a lighter jig that won't go down so fast. 


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 
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really, whatever you prefer, just less than the mainline. I use 15# P-line with 50# PowerPro for jigs and T-rigs, for example.

Which model P-Line are you using?

CXX Moss Green.


fishing user avatarRaul reply : 
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I tried using a leader today, 10lb Trilene XT, with my 15lb PP. On my first cast I got snagged and it broke on the main line of PP. I think I am going to use the 10lb XT on the river now. Or I might use a lighter jig that won't go down so fast.

15 lb braid is still as thin as a hair, doesn 't matter you have a 10 lb test nylon leader, you will continue to experience main line breakeage if you keep on fishing with 15 lb braided, for me even in the less rocky lake I fish won 't fish with less than 30 lb braid, it may be 30 lb breaking strength but it 's 8 ish lb test diameter and I treat it like I treat 8 lbs test.


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 
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I tried using a leader today, 10lb Trilene XT, with my 15lb PP. On my first cast I got snagged and it broke on the main line of PP. I think I am going to use the 10lb XT on the river now. Or I might use a lighter jig that won't go down so fast.

15 lb braid is still as thin as a hair, doesn 't matter you have a 10 lb test nylon leader, you will continue to experience main line breakeage if you keep on fishing with 15 lb braided, for me even in the less rocky lake I fish won 't fish with less than 30 lb braid, it may be 30 lb breaking strength but it 's 8 ish lb test diameter and I treat it like I treat 8 lbs test.

You know that is an interesting thought... I started using braid on a smaller reel so I could have a stronger line at a smaller size.  I am learning that there is a lot of trial and error in all of this. 


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

I use 15# Power Pro on a 1500 series spinning reel, 4-8# leader with an Alberto knot, no issues at all. Skip the leader, and zebra mussels eat you alive. Keep that leader at least 6' long, and if you want, you can leave 1/2" of the tag end of braid, fray it, and its a great shallow water strike indicator.

As with anything, match the gear to the cover.


fishing user avatarI.rar reply : 

i fish coral infested lakes also. i use 15 , 20 and 50 lb braid with a long leader and have no issues. i will check my line and retie when i need to.


fishing user avatardulouz reply : 
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I use 15# Power Pro on a 1500 series spinning reel, 4-8# leader with an Alberto knot, no issues at all. Skip the leader, and zebra mussels eat you alive. Keep that leader at least 6' long, and if you want, you can leave 1/2" of the tag end of braid, fray it, and its a great shallow water strike indicator.

As with anything, match the gear to the cover.

What is the advantage of using the 15# braid if you have a leader that is so light?


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

Stealth and finesse.  Easy line management.  Light tackle.

This fish came on that very combination:

543366746_Q3ewm-M-2.jpg




4919

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