Does braid wear out? 2025

Rollincoal420 reply :

So, I've searched but the first 50 threads out of over 1000 didn't help me any.

Real simple question, does braid need replaced after abrasions? Like mono?

I ask because the other day, I cast over and through half dead tree. To my surprise, that cast actually hooked up. I had to winch the fish over and through the tree. The top of the tree was about 12ft over the water, and about 6ft above the the ground I was standing on. Luckily it was a smaller fish, but the whole time bringing him in, my line was in the tree. The line is 40lb braid. Can't remember the brand.

OnthePotomac reply :

I suppose in time it will give up the ghost, but I have had the same 50lb Sufix 832 on my frog rod for three years now and it is still in good shape. Believe me it gets a workout on the Potomac vast grass beds.

riverbasser reply :

Braid is not like mono. But like any line no matter what it is can be damaged. I fish braid around plenty of wood and never had any break offs. Only break off I've ever had was due to a missing guide insert that frayed the braid.

Since you winched the fish over the tree like a pulley system lol I would definitely inspect it.

Rollincoal420 reply :

10-4. Thanks. I'll give it a good look over this afternoon on my first cast.

new2BC4bass reply :

I think so. Received a used reel with 65# braid on it. Looked to be pretty old. Floated on a cast like a parachute. I removed it for something smaller. Now it is quite possible breaking strength was still good, but it looked to me like the strands were separating.

I have used braid on a reel for 4 years. Didn't see a lot of use as 1) I don't get out that often, and 2) I switch reels so most get time on the water. Had to change the line only because I threw a spoon tied direct for several hours, and line twist was so bad I had to scrap the line even though I did try reversing it first.

Choporoz reply :

On 8/9/2017 at 11:49 PM, Rollincoal420 said:

10-4. Thanks. I'll give it a good look over this afternoon on my first cast.

Good idea. Try to make a habit of it. I admit that I don't inspect my line often enough. And, if you're using a leader, just go ahead and replace that now. Even the best leader knots take quite a beating from dry wood.

WRB reply :

Braid is made of micro fibers similar to wool using either 4 twisted strands of fibers or 8 strands depending on the brand and braid type. When braid is abraided over a rough surface the fibers break and appear fuzzy and that strand of twisted fibers is weakened. If all the strands are showing a fuzzy area the line may fail any time and should be cut off and retried or reversed on the reel spool so no damaged line is between you and the fish.

Tom

Rollincoal420 reply :

On 8/10/2017 at 12:07 AM, new2BC4bass said:

I think so. Received a used reel with 65# braid on it. Looked to be pretty old. Floated on a cast like a parachute. I removed it for something smaller. Now it is quite possible breaking strength was still good, but it looked to me like the strands were separating.

Good point. Never thought about that happening.

As for a leader, I wasn't using one at the time, and haven't been mainly because i was worried about abrasion resistance of n e thing but braid, but do plan to start using them more often.

Coming through trees and brush, is there a concern about a floro leader being cut?

NHBull reply :

Any braid that comes into contact with the bottom or debris, get flipped at the end of the yr, thus getting 2 yrs out of them. It then becomes backing for new reels or those with mono backing

J Francho reply :

On 8/10/2017 at 12:14 AM, Rollincoal420 said:

Coming through trees and brush, is there a concern about a floro leader being cut?

If you're using a real fluoro leader, that's one of it's strengths.

Rollincoal420 reply :

On 8/10/2017 at 12:39 AM, J Francho said:

If you're using a real fluoro leader, that's one of it's strengths.

How comparable to equal diameter braids?

J Francho reply :

I don't understand the question. Comparable to what? What are you comparing?

Braid has virtually no abrasion resistance. Lines like Fluoro, Copolmer, traditional "mono" are more resistant.

S Hovanec reply :

I fish my braid for 2 or 3 years, then I strip if off and reinstall it backwards. Fresh line again for a couple years!

Rollincoal420 reply :

On 8/10/2017 at 1:18 AM, J Francho said:

I don't understand the question. Comparable to what? What are you comparing?

Braid has virtually no abrasion resistance. Lines like Fluoro, Copolmer, traditional "mono" are more resistant.

Comparing the abrasion resistance of braid vs. equal diameter florocarbon.

What your saying is braid will not resist abrasions, and there for cut real easily, but floro, copolymer, and mono can be drug across wood, stone, concrete, whatever, and not break? I have experienced the opposite. Even advertising claims braid to have superior restance to abrasions over other lines.

J Francho reply :

You're experience is unique.

Rollincoal420 reply :

Fair enough. I just aquired a new to me reel so it seems only right to spool it up with florocarbon and have at it. See which one I like better.

That being said, many people seem run braid for things like frogs and and pitching and such. The question becomes, when would one choose braid over fluoro, or fluoro over braid?

new2BC4bass reply :

On 8/10/2017 at 2:16 AM, Rollincoal420 said:

Comparing the abrasion resistance of braid vs. equal diameter florocarbon.

What your saying is braid will not resist abrasions, and there for cut real easily, but floro, copolymer, and mono can be drug across wood, stone, concrete, whatever, and not break? I have experienced the opposite. Even advertising claims braid to have superior restance to abrasions over other lines.

There is at least one video out with a guy dragging braid across a rock to show how easily braid breaks under that condition.

J Francho reply :

On 8/10/2017 at 3:03 AM, Rollincoal420 said:

That being said, many people seem run braid for things like frogs and and pitching and such. The question becomes, when would one choose braid over fluoro, or fluoro over braid?

I use braid for heavy weed cover. In that case, I tie direct.

I use braid with a leader when fishing wood, docks or other submerged "hard" cover. The cool thing about this, is you can feel your knot bump the branch or whatever, and then you know you just the leaders length before you "hop" your jig or t-rig over. Pay attention, that usually triggers a bite.

For most other presentations, it's straight fluoro like Tatsu or Invisx a tough copoly like CXX.

Pinoy_Basser reply :

Yes

Around here we fish for snakehead in vegetation and sometimes exposed branches.

I replace Braid (30-50lbs) usually twice a year depending on the condition of the braid after the 2nd turn over.

Inspect for fraying regularly.

Burke reply :

I tend to watch the braid's fraying before flipping it over. I had one that was good for 5 years. So Its pretty much worth the price if you ask me ..

hawgwash reply :

I have 15lb Power Pro on my setup and lately I've noticed the line looks "hairy". It's hard to explain but that's what it looks like. Is it suppose to look like this or does that mean I need new line?

I thought maybe this was cause by the guides on my rod, but I felt the guides with my finger and I don't feel any scratches or dings in them (they are still smooth).

junyer357 reply :

I use anywhere from 15-65# braid for a few diffrent setups. If i find myself around rocks, concrete, mussels, or anything sharp i will always have a flouro leader. That stuff cuts right through braid. Thats why you dont see people fishing braid on crankbaits.

I have 15# powerpro slick 8 on my senko rod (spinning) for for over 3 or 4 years now and have no poblems with it. But im also careful about where i use it without a leader.

Personally i use 15-20# braid on all my spinning gear, 65# on my flipping rod, 30 on my worm rod, and 40 on my frog and jig. Topwater and buzzbait rods get mono, and floro on my cranks, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits.

There is no perfect line, i just try and take advantage of each types best attributes, and minimize its weaknesses impact for each technique.

Mike L reply :

On 1/29/2018 at 9:23 PM, hawgwash said:

I have 15lb Power Pro on my setup and lately I've noticed the line looks "hairy". It's hard to explain but that's what it looks like. Is it suppose to look like this or does that mean I need new line?

I thought maybe this was cause by the guides on my rod, but I felt the guides with my finger and I don't feel any scratches or dings in them (they are still smooth).

Replace it.

The "hairy" areas are the fibers breaking down.

Mike

craww reply :

I think the type of cover its rubbing has a lot to do with it...I fish alot of wood for example, and have zero reservations using 15lb braid in it, have for years with shakeyheads and various single hook plastics and smaller topwaters . A similar diameter mono, which is what 4-6 lbs, you can feel the deformity in the line when rubbed against wood or even a basses mouth. If it loses 25% of its strength, thats too much. I also havent had any problems with braid around smooth, river rock. But Im not one to knowingly drag it across something either. A little rod english goes a long way.

Now enviroments like rip rap, chunk rock and jagged concrete, I get what others see.

J Francho reply :

Try zebra mussels growing on EVERYTHING, including even milfoil. That's fun. I swear, if I could turn zebes into braid cutting scissors for cheap, I'd be a millionaire.

FrankN209 reply :

Here in the delta, I've had braid break fairly easy on these big rocks/bolders they put on the bank..

5702

Does braid wear out? 2025

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