Mono vs braid on a baitcaster 2025
LCG reply :
I recently asked a question about big game mono and after a lot of positive reviews and suggestions I went out and bought some 15lb line and spooled it up.
Here lies the problem. I have only used a baitcaster for a year and a half and only used braid, 30lb 4 strand braid to be specific. When I practice pitching I am getting quite a few over runs and a few full on backslashes. I tighten up the spool tension and increased the brakes a bit and its a little better but still getting far more than I did with braid.
Is this due to line memory? Or does mono behave differently on the spool? Would line conditioner help this?
Feels like I am relearning how to use a baitcaster. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Catt reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 1:39 PM, LCG said:Is this due to line memory?
Nope!
On 12/11/2018 at 1:39 PM, LCG said:does mono behave differently on the spool?
Yeah!
On 12/11/2018 at 1:39 PM, LCG said:Would line conditioner help this?
Threw that stuff in the trash can!
My turn, what rod, what reel, & what size lure?
burrows reply :
I don't use mono but I have used it and it does have its applications... It does behave differently a lot differently then braid which would explain your problems but it will take a little to get used to specially because your used to a line that pretty much has no memory however when it comes to memory big game is actually one of the better lines to use considering its price line conditioner will help but not much.
Team9nine reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 1:39 PM, LCG said:I recently asked a question about big game mono and after a lot of positive reviews and suggestions I went out and bought some 15lb line and spooled it up.
Here lies the problem. I have only used a baitcaster for a year and a half and only used braid, 30lb 4 strand braid to be specific. When I practice pitching I am getting quite a few over runs and a few full on backslashes. I tighten up the spool tension and increased the brakes a bit and its a little better but still getting far more than I did with braid.
Is this due to line memory? Or does mono behave differently on the spool? Would line conditioner help this?
Feels like I am relearning how to use a baitcaster. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Yes and no, though it's most likely due to you only having been using a baitcaster for a year and a half. If the rod/reel/bait are fairly well matched up, then you simply need to practice more.
Nylon mono has more mass and is stiffer than braid, so it will act differently on the spool until you get more time with it. Once you've got it licked, then you can graduate to fluoro. Same type of increase in difficulty until you get better still.
LCG reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 5:20 PM, Catt said:My turn, what rod, what reel, & what size lure?
St Croix Avid X 6'6 Mh-f casting rod with a Daiwa Fuego CT practicing with a 3/8oz plug as I live in the great white north and bass season is closed.
LCG reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 9:01 PM, Team9nine said:you simply need to practice more.
I guess I know what I am doing this winter.
Team9nine reply :
A little easier with a longer rod, but otherwise setup sounds good...keep practicing ????
BassWhole! reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 9:01 PM, Team9nine said:so it will act differently on the spool until you get more time with it.
I know what you mean, but I don't think it's that ^.
OnthePotomac reply :
I recommend that if you are getting used to the reel and want to use mono, you practice pitching with at least a 1/2oz weight and you will see a big difference. A 3/8oz is pretty light,
Catt reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 9:39 PM, LCG said:practicing with a 3/8oz plug
The setup is fine ????
My suggestion would be practice with what ya plan on fishing!
The wind resistance of a Texas Rigged worm vs a practice plug aint the same. Going from a practice plug to a lure will again require some getting use to.
Skip that step now!
3/8 aint light, with practice you should be able to throw 3/16-1/4 easily!
Hook2Jaw reply :
Meanwhile I'm over here like, "I learned casting gear with fluoro," and I'm wondering why you guys didn't tell me I would have an easier time with braid!
Oh well, I don't notice much difference. Mono aggravates me the most and the only thing I've used it for since I was a kid using it for everything my grandfather handed me out his tackle is jerkbaiting.
I'm switching back to fluoro for that. I don't like the way my baits behave with it.
Mobasser reply :
As others have said: practice makes perfect.
Hulkster reply :
are you sure that your reel is functioning as it should? ie the brakes and spool tension are working properly?
Reason I ask is that with the weight you are casting (3/8oz) it should be relatively easy to get the hang of it.
if you are adjusting things tighter and still having all kinds of problems it could be your reel and not your casting technique at all.
ie you are tightening up the spool tension adjustment and its not actually putting more tension on.
or you are turning on another brake but it is not engaging properly etc.
LCG reply :
On 12/12/2018 at 4:00 AM, Hulkster said:are you sure that your reel is functioning as it should? ie the brakes and spool tension are working properly?
Reason I ask is that with the weight you are casting (3/8oz) it should be relatively easy to get the hang of it.
if you are adjusting things tighter and still having all kinds of problems it could be your reel and not your casting technique at all.
ie you are tightening up the spool tension adjustment and its not actually putting more tension on.
or you are turning on another brake but it is not engaging properly etc.
No the reel is great, it's more than likely my lack of experience with baitcasters and mono in general. I used mini for a few months when I first started fishing then quickly moved to braid.
Only reason I am trying mono is because the rod has micro guides and I hate the connection knot going through the guides. So I am trying mono for a bit to see if it's a viable solution. Otherwise I am going back to braid with a short leader for pitching. But I would like to use the rod for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits as well and don't want a four foot leader trying to cast.
Russ E reply :
I believe the fuego has the same magforce brakes as the tatula ct. They are very forgiving.
I rarely ever get backlashes or over runs with my diawa reels.
with the magforce brake, I set the the cast control very loose. It seems to work best when set so there is a very small amount of side to side play in the spool.
the magnetic brake controls backlashes. if you are having backlashes crank the magnet up all the way.
cast a few times and slowly back off the magnets as you go. stop when you just start getting backlashes.
most of the time my brake is set in the middle.
I occasionally get a few over runs when switching from a braid to mono reel. in my own experience, stiffer line is more prone to over runs. You have to educate your thumb.
Big game is a good line, but it is relatively stiff when you get in the 15 pound plus range. I prefer copoly line with less memory.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 12/12/2018 at 4:07 AM, LCG said:No the reel is great, it's more than likely my lack of experience with baitcasters and mono in general. I used mini for a few months when I first started fishing then quickly moved to braid.
Only reason I am trying mono is because the rod has micro guides and I hate the connection knot going through the guides. So I am trying mono for a bit to see if it's a viable solution. Otherwise I am going back to braid with a short leader for pitching. But I would like to use the rod for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits as well and don't want a four foot leader trying to cast.
You can use straight braid too.
Russ E reply :
On 12/12/2018 at 9:20 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:You can use straight braid too.
that is true. Unless you are fishing very clear water, the fish probably can't see it anyway.
This summer I ran out of leader material,while fishing a shakyhead, on a mildly stained lake. started using straight braid and the catch rate did not change.
Koz reply :
I started using baitcasters last year and I've always had 30 or 50 pound braid on my baitcasters. But this fall I was doing some fishing at some clear water lagoons and switched to fluoro instead and what I have found is that compared to braid I really have to crank up the tension knob.
While I'm not getting birds nests I have been getting more than occasional loops in the spooled line. All in all I prefer braid on my baitcasters and will stick to mono or fluoro on spinning gear.
Boomstick reply :
I find that as braid is thinner and less stiff than mono or fluorocarbon, it will will birds nest much less. The downside is that should it birds nest, you may have to cut your line out as it may cinch down tightly upon itself depending on the severity of the birds nest and especially thin diameter braid can be really difficult to remove knots and not frey the line.
Mono and flurocarbon is both fatter per lb or breaking strength and it is stiffer, so you have to be sure to make a good cast. The upside is that I can pull out a birds nest much faster and unless I do something really stupid, won't ever have to cut out the line.
A longer rod would make it a little easier to cast and not bird's nest but the biggest thing is be sure to not shy away from really throw the lure forward when casting and to feather the spool. After enough practice, I find that I rarely birds nest anymore (but at the start of the season it takes me a little while to get back up to speed).
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 1:39 PM, LCG said:I recently asked a question about big game mono and after a lot of positive reviews and suggestions I went out and bought some 15lb line and spooled it up.
Here lies the problem. I have only used a baitcaster for a year and a half and only used braid, 30lb 4 strand braid to be specific. When I practice pitching I am getting quite a few over runs and a few full on backslashes. I tighten up the spool tension and increased the brakes a bit and its a little better but still getting far more than I did with braid.
Is this due to line memory? Or does mono behave differently on the spool? Would line conditioner help this?
Feels like I am relearning how to use a baitcaster. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
You've been duped by the mono fanboys and braid haters.
Fact are facts and mono/fc lines have memory and want to spring uncoil itself. Braid will not do this it will stay on the spool without uncoiling on its own. It is inherently more controlled on a spool than the other lines.
BaitFinesse reply :
I like Big Game but I haven't ran over 8#. The 8# is difficult enough as it is so I can only imagine 15#. Worst case scenario is you can use it as leader mateial. This is actually how I use Big Game most often. 20# 8 carrier braid with 8# Big Game leader is one of my most used lines.
Hulkster reply :
I would pick up a spool of 12 pound sufix Siege, its much easier to cast than the Big Game and just as strong/tough for the line rating. only problem is it is much more expensive as it cannot be purchased cheaply in those 1/4 spools. But there is a good reason for that, its well worth your money.
Dr. Big Dog reply :
Braid is most definitely easier to handle. I have used all of it. Flouro is the hardest to manage. Mono is fine with a little practice, but braid is just plain easier to cast.
new2BC4bass reply :
Big Game is excellent line, but there are other lines that are softer....and thus have less memory. Love my Neon Tangerine Sufix (handles better than BG, IMO), but I would suggest trying some Sufix Elite to learn on. Sunline Super Natural is another soft line. McCoy Mean Green is also a good choice.
Practice with one of these and you should be ready for Big Game by next year's season.
EDIT: Since this is just practice, I would drop down to 12# line. It will handle a bit better than #15 line.
LCG reply :
On 12/12/2018 at 9:20 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:You can use straight braid too.
I am going to try to learn pitching with mono over the winter and see how it goes.
If not, I will re spool with my usual 30lb yellow braid and try the sharpie camo trick. I don't know if the fish really care or not.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 12/13/2018 at 2:43 PM, LCG said:I am going to try to learn pitching with mono over the winter and see how it goes.
If not, I will re spool with my usual 30lb yellow braid and try the sharpie camo trick. I don't know if the fish really care or not.
They don't. No harm in little extras even if it's just a confidence thing.
The Bassman reply :
Funny thing is that I spent years casting mono and not braid because I was afraid of trashing twenty dollar a spool line. Finally switched and don't want to go back to mono. I do actually have two outfits spooled with mono for treble hook lures because it fouls hooks less. Mono also feels smoother when you're retrieving and I like that with crankbaits. Topwater and contact baits get braid.
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