Making the switch to braid 2024

Craiger12 reply :

Im thinking about making the switch to braid from p-line floroclear for fishing soft plastics due to the high amount of stretch that the floroclear has. My question is, what is the best braid for this purpose? Im looking at fireline braid, stren sonic braid, and suffix braid. Which would you all suggest? Also, I was thinking about getting 20lb (6lb mono diameter). Is this a good strength/diameter for LMB. I fish mostly weightless plastics. Thanks all.

Uncle Leo reply :

I did not find braid manageable until I used Sufix. I would use 20-30 lb for spinning and 50-60 lb for baitcasting.

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

I only use braid on one setup, my flipping stick, so I'm not one to answer your question because I don't really like it. The responses on what type are gonna be Power Pro, Suffix, and Fireline for the most part and many people will ask you why you would stop at 20lb and not go to 50lb (12lb dia.). Personally I dont understand using anything less than 30lb, what the use in using braid if your not going to use the extra strength. I kind of understand 20lb for spinning but would go higher for baitcasting.

Craiger12 reply :

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it will be used on a spinning setup. Also, have you braid users noticed less bites due to the high visibility of braid for a finesse presentaion such as plastics, as this is a concern of mine?

Craiger12 reply :

My reason for switching is less stretch for better sensitivity and improved hook sets and my reason for only 20lb is the higher visibility of braid and for better casting. This is my reasoning as a novice with no prior experience with braid. I am open to any suggestions if my logic is off, please feel free to set me straight.

Uncle Leo reply :

I use it in clear lakes and get as many bites as floro but in the weeds.

RoLo reply :

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Sorry, I forgot to mention that it will be used on a spinning setup. Also, have you braid users noticed less bites due to the high visibility of braid for a finesse presentaion such as plastics, as this is a concern of mine?

Spinning gear and braided line is all I use (note the reel in my lap)

My latest crush is on Berkley Fireline Tracer (I've tried nearly all of them).

Realistically, the difference between polyethylene braids,

pales in comparison to the difference between braid and fluoro (you're gonna luvit)

Roger

Craiger12 reply :

Im leaning toward suffix because you get 150 yards vs. 125 or 110 yards with the stren and fireline for about the same price.

Wayne P. reply :

I mostly use the high visibility superlines. My favorite is the former Stren Superbraid in the gold color. I can see it better than the green or gray superlines. The Fireline Tracer Braid is also easy for me to see because of the alternating dark green and bright yellow. The bass are not scared of it. Most of my spinning rigs have the 30# and I have a couple with 20# Stren Superbraid in the gold color, but don't use those much. Weightless plastics are my primary bass producers. I use heavier superlines for more heavy presentations on baitcasting equipment.

TheHammer84 reply :

Of the braids I've used, Spiderwire Stealth has been my favorite, followed by Power Pro, and least liked Suffix. I have Fireline Tracer Braid that I haven't used yet but I got a spool and will be giving it a try this weekend. I also want to try Spiderwire Ultracast.

infamous512 reply :

I've used power pro & spiderwire ultracast invisi-braid lines. I like invisi-braid more b/c (for me) it cast easier, farther, smoother and most importantly; visibility at night. Oh, one more thing, the line absorb less water than power pro. However, i've heard good things about other superlines but couldn't comment on those since I haven't used them.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

Nothing comes close to the new FireLine Braid IMO!

infamous512 reply :

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Nothing comes close to the new FireLine Braid IMO!

yeah? that's not what i've heard but i guess there is only one way to find out. (I'll try that on my next new reel)

sweet daddy reply :

I don't like the brands you are trying, but welcome to the braid bandwagon.

dodgeguy reply :

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Sorry, I forgot to mention that it will be used on a spinning setup. Also, have you braid users noticed less bites due to the high visibility of braid for a finesse presentaion such as plastics, as this is a concern of mine?

i caught a rainbow trout on a wacky rig senko on 20 lb fireline braid yesterday.trout are far more gunshy than bass.that should answer that question.save yourself a lot of money and go straight to fireline braid.

TheHammer84 reply :

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Nothing comes close to the new FireLine Braid IMO!

yeah? that's not what i've heard but i guess there is only one way to find out. (I'll try that on my next new reel)

Have you heard bad things about Fireline or Fireline Braid? I've heard nothing but good things about Fireline Braid. Will find out this weekend!

Dwight Hottle reply :

I have been using braid for years. I started with power pro & have switched to fireline ultracast for less water absorption & smoother casting. Haven't tried the tracer yet but have heard good things about it also. When concerned about line visibility I add a leader of 4-6 feet using maxima ultragreen tied with back to back uni knots. Once you switch to braid the sensitivity will amaze you & hook sets are much easier. I do favor lighter drag settings & longer rod lengths/more moderate actions to add more give to the setup.

Incheon Basser reply :

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I use it in clear lakes and get as many bites as floro but in the weeds.

That is because you are fishing in dense cover that is the same color (most likely) as your line

If you are not fishing in heavy cover or in stained water why would you want to use braid?

Use a 100% Floro that is high quality.. (BPS XPS for ex) just as manageable on spinning tackle...

but if you wanna go braid.. Power pro and stren are really good.

Craiger12 reply :

I keep hearing great things about fireline braid so I think I will give it a shot. Now all I need to figure out is which size, 20lb or 30lb. Anyone have any reason for choosing one size over the other?

dmac14 reply :

Go with 20#, its got a really thin diameter and yet strong enough that it will break your rod if you try to break off. Good choice going with fireline braid, I was at gander mountain about to pick some up for my spinning reel and they didnt have what I was looking for. My second choice was suffix, and they were out. So by default I got power pro. Already with no fishing and the line has got me angered. They put jagged edges around the spool so I couldnt just lay the spool flat and reel it straight on. Really frustrating lol

Craiger12 reply :

Thanks for the input dmac, and I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunate experience. Hopefully cabelas will have some 20lb fireline in stock when I make the trip this weekend.

RoLo reply :

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I keep hearing great things about fireline braid so I think I will give it a shot. Now all I need to figure out is which size, 20lb or 30lb. Anyone have any reason for choosing one size over the other?

I'm now using 30-lb Fireline Tracer Braid for all my bass and pike fishing.

I used to use 20-lb braid, but prefer the 30-lb because wind knots and burrowing are virtually non-existent.

In addition, slightly heavier line can only enhance abrasion-resistance.

Incidentally, we're only talking here about 2/1000 of an inch between 20-lb and 30-lb braid.

Roger

SirSnookalot reply :

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Im leaning toward suffix because you get 150 yards vs. 125 or 110 yards with the stren and fireline for about the same price.

I don't care what line you use, but to base your purchase on the spool size is not the way to go. If you buy a spool with 110 yds, just use some backing.

Craiger12 reply :

Thats my plan.

Uncle Leo reply :

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I use it in clear lakes and get as many bites as floro but in the weeds.

That is because you are fishing in dense cover that is the same color (most likely) as your line

If you are not fishing in heavy cover or in stained water why would you want to use braid?

Use a 100% Floro that is high quality.. (BPS XPS for ex) just as manageable on spinning tackle...

but if you wanna go braid.. Power pro and stren are really good.

This is why I pointed out it was in weeds.

rubba bubba reply :

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Personally I dont understand using anything less than 30lb, what the use in using braid if your not going to use the extra strength.

??? This is an easy question:

- you get the braid/fusion benefits:

- no stretch; greater sensitivity and power

- no memory

- and still give the fish a sporting chance

I have several of my baitcasters set up with 8-10lbs of braid. Like why would you bow hunt if you could use a rifle?

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

I'm just getting on the braid bandwagon myself so I can't speak tp brand preference. I posted a question a few days ago regarding whether or not to use a flouro leader with braid and got lots of replies but no real concensus. Check it out.

TheHammer84 reply :

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I keep hearing great things about fireline braid so I think I will give it a shot. Now all I need to figure out is which size, 20lb or 30lb. Anyone have any reason for choosing one size over the other?

For spinning setups, I like 15-20 pound braid because I like to use the smallest diameter line possible on spinning. I find I have way less problems with sub-8 pound diameter line on spinning.

BigMoneyGrip reply :

Quote

Quote
Personally I dont understand using anything less than 30lb, what the use in using braid if your not going to use the extra strength.

??? This is an easy question:

- you get the braid/fusion benefits:

- no stretch; greater sensitivity and power

- no memory

- and still give the fish a sporting chance

I have several of my baitcasters set up with 8-10lbs of braid. Like why would you bow hunt if you could use a rifle?

I'm not sure this is a good analogy. Your points about the braid are the reasons to use it. But, to use a lower test, I don't agree. I don't want my line breaking and having a fish swimming around with a lure in its face. If I hook it, I want it to come to me, not break off half way there.

Scott

Wayne P. reply :

rubba bubba, by " sporting chance" do you mean you like for the fish to break your line and carry around a lure until they can get rid of it or until the hook/s rusts enough to get the lure free?

The responsible angler will land the fish in the shortest amount of time and release it unharmed.

rubba bubba reply :

I mostly fish barbless so if I did have a break off, it would work itself free shortly. It's all part of using lighter gear to fish with. People will have breakoffs with heavy line as well.

I get just as few breakoffs with lighter lines than I do with heavier lines as it's all in the drag setting and how you play the fish. The rare breakoff I do get is invariably a knot failure (whether light or heavy line).

Note, I don't use light line in heavy cover.

mrlitetackle reply :

I fish only braid now myself (and spinning gear as well)....

Suffix has my vote hands down, it is wonderful.

Freshwater poles:

1. Saros 3000 with Cabella's fish eagle II 7' (md. lite)

suffix 8/30

2. Stradic 2000 with Bps microlite 6'6" (md. lite)

suffix 8/30

3. Sahara 500 with Cabella's fish eagle II 5'6" (ultra lite)

suffix 2/6

4. Daiwa regal Z 1500 with a POS!! 6' (md.)

suffix 6/20

Saltwater (inshore)

1. Saros 3000 with Bps microlite 7' (md lite)

suffix 6/20

2. Abu Garcia Ambassador with Carbomax 6'6"

suffix 6/20

++++the Abu is my only BC that still gets any use at all, and mainly just use it to toss live bait++++

mrlitetackle reply :

here ya go, if you choose to line up with the suffix braid........

i posted this one a few weeks ago,

its a link to print off a pdf file rebate for suffix,

i believe its 6 bucks off the 150 spool and 10 off the 300 spool......

(there are also rebates for the other suffix lines as well)

.....every little bit counts, eh!

http://www.sufix.com/downloads/coupons/sufix_2009_coupon.pdf

Craiger12 reply :

Thanks for the rebate coupon but I have decided to go with fireline. And I recently got to take a look at some at my local dick's and the 20lb was incredibly thin so I have decided to go with the 30lb. Thanks to all of you for your input and assistance.

TheHammer84 reply :

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Thanks for the rebate coupon but I have decided to go with fireline. And I recently got to take a look at some at my local dick's and the 20lb was incredibly thin so I have decided to go with the 30lb. Thanks to all of you for your input and assistance.

Fireline braid? I've finally gotten to use the 40# tracer, best braid I've used to date.

dodgeguy reply :

sounds like what i have been saying!!!

3505

Making the switch to braid 2024

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