Why braid? 2024

dulouz reply :

Is braid really worth the expense and inconviences? I ask because I recently put braid on one of my smaller spinning reels to get a stronger line with a small diameter. I like it so far, especially for the sensitivity. So I put some Power Pro 15 on one of my casting reels. It casts a mile! But after reading some posts on here about smaller braid digging in I am questioning my choice.

The general opinion is that you need at least 30-50# braid to prevent digging in. Well that puts the diamater back to comparable size mono that what i had been using. Also people have mentioned tying the line to fence posts and reeling it in as tight as possible. Seems like a hassel to me. Besides, I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

I am thinking about going back to my 12lb Trilene XT, which I have never had a fish break. I generally don't fish areas with a lot of heavey cover. Any thoughts???

Senkoman12 reply :

if you fish heavy cover braid is a must. i have it on my texas rig/large spinnerbait rod and gonna put it on my pitching rod. it is way more sensative and much stronger than mono. if you dont like it and are more comfortable with mono than use mono

roadwarrior reply :

Braid will significantly improve your jig fishing.

I am experimenting with the new Fireline Fusion

recommended by dodgeguy. So far, me likes!

8-)

jdw174 reply :

I'm asking myself the same question. I'm currently running PowerPro 20# with leader on 3 spinning outfits, one pitching combo, and my C-rig. I like it on the C-rig, but I could go either way on the spinning rigs and the pitching outfit. If it weren't so expensive, I'd just swap it out and go back to my favorite copolymer.

rubba bubba reply :

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I a stronger line with a small diameter.
especially for the sensitivity.

It casts a mile!

smaller braid digging in

The general opinion is that you need at least 30-50# braid to prevent digging in. Well that puts the diamater back to comparable size mono that what i had been using.

tying the line to fence posts and reeling it in as tight as possible. Seems like a hassel to me.

takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

Everything you mentioned are all valid points to consider/evaluate but keep in mind everyone's experience is not the same. Continue using your 15 lbs braid on the caster and see if you have any problems; many have not. If you need to go to a bigger diameter, that's the reason many end up tying a fluoro or mono leader to their braid. Keep using it and experimenting to determine what works best for you; that's part of the fun of fishing.

cigarleaf reply :

I don't use braid, but I would like to know if there are any braids that don't have a coating on them. From everything I have read, the coating and color from the braid gets all over your hands and reel. Don't want my reels stained with the color. That's the only thing stopping me from fishing with braid.

J Francho reply :

I never had any braid stain anything. Yes, some of the color bleeds, but stain? No. KVD Line & Lure prolongs this process greatly.

SharkHat reply :

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Besides, I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

This is solved by using a leader. If you have to break off, you'll break the leader and not compromise the braid. This also saves a lot of braid if you retie a lot, as you'll be cutting off leader instead of braid. A filler spool lasts a long time when you're using it this way.

Wayne P. reply :

I've got superline on about 35 rigs from spinning ultra light to baitcasting heavy frogging setups. I have no problems with any of them since the smallest I use is the 6# mono equivelent diameter.

dulouz reply :

Thank you everyone for you input. Since posting this I talked with the three most knowledgeable fishermen in my area. All three of them use 20# power pro on baitcasters with no problem one said he had some 15# on one reel.

They all also stated they use braid for the strength at such a small diameter, and the excellent sensitivity. The exact reasons I started using braid.

QUAKEnSHAKE reply :

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All three of them use 20# power pro on baitcasters with no problem one said he had some 15# on one reel.

I used 10/2 PP for years on a baitcaster no issues tossed senkos and spinnerbaits. I went to 20#PP for throwing frogs still no issues so far.

Too on my spinning reels I have 10/2 PP

dulouz reply :

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I used 10/2 PP for years on a baitcaster no issues tossed senkos and spinnerbaits. I went to 20#PP for throwing frogs still no issues so far.

Too on my spinning reels I have 10/2 PP

10/2, wow that is small. It is good to know that there are other people that are interested in keeping things light. I really like the way baitcasters handle and how versitile they are. What I don't like is how heavy they tend to be. I actually had someone build me a casting rod with a Batson blank meant to be a spinning rod. It is listed as light with a fast tip; meant for light jigs, spinners, and micro cranks. It is great for all that and more. I love it and look forward to trying it out in the spring with braid, 15/4 or 20/6 (?)PP.

trevor reply :

Mainly, I saltwater fish. When I saltwater fish, I mainly reef fish. When I reef fish, I use braid, period. Its sensitivity and low stretch are undeniably crucial to successful bottom fishing. Setting the hook in 120 feet of water with mono would need some serious swinging, but with braid just a little pop! and you're good. Freshwater fishing, I usually like mono. I have had braid dig in and ruin lots of casts, so I just use mono. But of course I use braid for flipping and frogging. I still have my doubts when fishing bottom contact baits if braid would be the better choice. But overall, I just don't like the way braid casts. To me, it doesn't flow off the spool like mono. When throwing reaction baits, I only use mono.

Aluma-Bass reply :

maybe try putting some backing on the reel bf putting on braid to help the digging issue or slipping. I use mono or flouro to barely fill bottom of spool then fill up with braid.

Locked reply :

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I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

When I need to break off on braid I'll just wrap the line around the handle of my pliers a couple times and give a nice pull. A lot of times I will just straighten the hook or uproot whatever I'm stuck on.

Texasfishingtips reply :

Carry some sizors or a sharp knife. When you get hung up it works good.

Clancy W

dodgeguy reply :

1 inch thick 8 inch dowel to wrap braid around and pull.you will lose far less lures with braid.get rid of the powerpro.it's outdated.i like fireline braid (not regular fireline) because it is round and smooth and does not dig.you could try diawa or sufix 832 also.

jdw174 reply :

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I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

When I need to break off on braid I'll just wrap the line around the handle of my pliers a couple times and give a nice pull. A lot of times I will just straighten the hook or uproot whatever I'm stuck on.

A couple of times I've wrapped it around a mooring cleat and backed up with the tm. Works every time

J Francho reply :

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I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

When I need to break off on braid I'll just wrap the line around the handle of my pliers a couple times and give a nice pull. A lot of times I will just straighten the hook or uproot whatever I'm stuck on.

A couple of times I've wrapped it around a mooring cleat and backed up with the tm. Works every time

I tried doing the same thing with 15 lb. CXX once. The boat lost, LOL.

Alpster reply :

Locked and Dodge Guy are right about something to wrap braid around to pull it so you don't cut your hand off. I have also saved a few expensive baits by straightening the hook or catching a limb. I buy Power Pro in bulk spools to make it affordable. 50/12 for bait casting and 20/6 for spinning reels. I don't use it exclusively, but it is mandatory for some of my fishing.

Ronnie

cbfishalot reply :

I'm not a big fan of braid. I use it for frogs and flipping in heavy vegetation. I will once in a great while use it for spoons, jerkbaits and topwaters.

SirSnookalot reply :

Braid excels in open water for fish that make super long runs where both strength and line capacity are needed, also why I prefer not use any backing.

gotarheelz14 reply :

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I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

When I need to break off on braid I'll just wrap the line around the handle of my pliers a couple times and give a nice pull. A lot of times I will just straighten the hook or uproot whatever I'm stuck on.

A couple of times I've wrapped it around a mooring cleat and backed up with the tm. Works every time

I tried doing the same thing with 15 lb. CXX once. The boat lost, LOL.

You got a weak trolling motor then

dulouz reply :

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Locked and Dodge Guy are right about something to wrap braid around to pull it so you don't cut your hand off. I have also saved a few expensive baits by straightening the hook or catching a limb. I buy Power Pro in bulk spools to make it affordable. 50/12 for bait casting and 20/6 for spinning reels. I don't use it exclusively, but it is mandatory for some of my fishing.
Ronnie

Yeah, I found a broken shovel handle in a barn on the family farm. I just cut myself a chunk of that to break off when I get snagged. I have been using 12lb Trilene XT and have cut myself up trying to break that off.

Micro reply :

I'm in the minority. I don't like braid. I like it well enough to have it on a couple of my 25 outfits.

Some issues I have with braid:

People say it cuts through vegetation. True. It also cuts into vegetation when you don't want it to. It's limp enough that when you cast to water behind or beyond vegetation, it seems to find every nook, cranny, and hang-up on the vegetation it crosses.

People say that because of reduced stretch, you can get hook sets at longer distances. But "experts" recommend slower rods and/or reduced drag settings when using braid. If you have a rig set to fish braid like mono, then where's that braid-advantage?

People say that braid is "more sensitive" than mono or fluoro. I haven't really detected that. How can it be? Unless the tiny bumps and ticks you feel when fishing with mono are dampened by line stretch, and frankly, I don't think line stretch is an issue under those circumstances.

Braid has poor abrasion resistance.

Ever try to dig out a braid backlash?

Braid is very visible. Even "Invisible" line, like Spyderwire Invisibraid, sticks out like a sore thumb compared to run of the mill mono.

People say "braid is a must." It's no more of a "must" than it was before it was invented. I use braid and mono (Yo Zuri Hybrid specifically) when fishing frogs. I like mono better. I get more hits with mono. Hookups are just as easy. It doesn't cling to vegetation.

Braid is a preference. It is not necessary for successful fishing.

dodgeguy reply :

the newer braids such as fireline braid are much more abrasion resistant than older style braids.i fish cranks on rocks all day with fireline braid with no retie.

braid backlashes are far easier to get out than mono or flouro.i don't dig them out i use the thumb trick.

braid is far more sensitive.this point can't even be argued logically.

fathom reply :

am with micro on this one...for much the same reasons.

i do have one braid rig for the deep winter ledges at pickwick or some of the grasslines on the tenn-tom...other than that, i have no use for it...most of my regular lakes are loaded with cover...pitching or casting into this cover with braid gives me more line snags and breakoffs than i experience with yo-zuri or 100% fluoro.

and, fwiw, have tried the new fireline, as well.

i can see a purpose for braid and a lot of that purpose depends on where you fish, how you fish and what you fish with....for most of my purpose, i can live without it.

Micro reply :

Why is braid more sensitve? The only reason I've ever heard proffered is "stretch." How significant is "stretch" when you are twitching a worm?

Hamby reply :

Somebody else mentioned in another thread the same thing i do. If you're out on the boat, wrap it around a cleat and pull it with the trolling motor.

Hamby reply :

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I am not sure I want a braid that takes a pickup to break off if I ever get snagged.

When I need to break off on braid I'll just wrap the line around the handle of my pliers a couple times and give a nice pull. A lot of times I will just straighten the hook or uproot whatever I'm stuck on.

A couple of times I've wrapped it around a mooring cleat and backed up with the tm. Works every time

Oops, somebody already mentioned it.

Dockhead reply :

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Carry some sizors or a sharp knife. When you get hung up it works good.
Clancy W

Unfortunately this method leaves more line in the water, posing potential problems for other anglers and/or animals.

Dockhead reply :

Micro makes some interesting points.

Braid can be a pain, it's true. But I have to say, with soft plastics, in the places I normally fish, braid is downright addicting.

Setting the hook in basically any type/strength/density of cover with braid and knowing that fish is coming to the boat, is hard to get away from.

So it definitely adds some confidence and also minimizes angler miscues. If I "miss" a hook set on a fish with mono, there is a good chance the fish won't get to meet me. With braid, that miscue doesn't hurt as much and many times the fish is hooked properly anyway.

Actually now that I write that, maybe that's a negative for braid. After all, one of the reasons we do this is to become better fisherman, and if something covers our mistakes, we can't learn from them. (Don't want to go back to a string on a stick either, though.)

Hmmmm....something to ponder I guess.

My big concern with braid is the visibility factor.

And by the way, have you noticed most pros use flouro, and reserve braid only for truly thick stuff? Gotta be a reason (or 2) that they don't use it more. :-?

dodgeguy reply :

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Why is braid more sensitve? The only reason I've ever heard proffered is "stretch." How significant is "stretch" when you are twitching a worm?

stretch absorbs feel.it's that simple.

Micro reply :

Again, how much stretch is there in mono when you are twitching a worm in grass 35 feet from your boat? You guys make it sound like you were fishing with bungee cords, not mono.

J Francho reply :

I'm not going to say this is a 100% truth, but its something I noticed after teaching fishing for a season. Guys that use braid, use their tip to "feel" bites. That's why they like an x-fast action, that soft tip telegraphs the bite. To me a light, well balanced rig does it just as well, regardless of line. The x-fast tip is for getting into the backbone faster, for quicker hooksets.

dodgeguy reply :

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Again, how much stretch is there in mono when you are twitching a worm in grass 35 feet from your boat? You guys make it sound like you were fishing with bungee cords, not mono.

the property that gives line stretch deadens the feel even if the line isn't stretched. mono lines generally have approx 20% stretch.that means at 35 feet your line will stretch 7 feet.in weeds the problem becomes even greater as the mono grabs the weeds and stretchs like a rubber band . like i said you cannot logically argue this point.

grimlin reply :

Dodge guy,you must not fish rocky areas.....I don't care what braid you are using...it won't work.

That's the biggest downside for me..I fish rocky river systems with heavy current.It just won't work for me.Fluorocarbon or heavy mono is the only way to go.

I don't care for the hook sets on braids either...too easy to rip that bait right of the fish's mouth.

RandySBreth reply :

I use the fluoro leader/superline (Fireline isn't braided) set-up for my rocky rivers - best of both worlds.

But some folks can't tie a decent line/leader knot, I know.

Even with a 6- or 8-foot leader the sensitivity versus mono or fluoro is unbelievable.

We have this thread every - what - two weeks?

People need to learn how to use the "search"

function. :

Steve_IA reply :

Randy... Although it doesn't pertain to this thread, I think if you pick apart the fibers of original Fireline under a magnifying glass you will find they are loosely braided. The line that Dodgeguy touts is not Original fireline but an eight strand tightly woven braid named Fireline Braid. Poor marketing in choosing such similar names but two different lines entirely.

steve

Dockhead reply :

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Again, how much stretch is there in mono when you are twitching a worm in grass 35 feet from your boat? You guys make it sound like you were fishing with bungee cords, not mono.

the property that gives line stretch deadens the feel even if the line isn't stretched. mono lines generally have approx 20% stretch.that means at 35 feet your line will stretch 7 feet.in weeds the problem becomes even greater as the mono grabs the weeds and stretchs like a rubber band . like i said you cannot logically argue this point.

Are you saying that if we put out 35 feet of mono, and pull it tight and keep pulling, it will stretch to 42 feet??

(Assuming it doesn't reach its breaking point first.)

RandySBreth reply :

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Randy... Although it doesn't pertain to this thread, I think if you pick apart the fibers of original Fireline under a magnifying glass you will find they are loosely braided. The line that Dodgeguy touts is not Original fireline but an eight strand tightly woven braid named Fireline Braid. Poor marketing in choosing such similar names but two different lines entirely.
steve

I was referring to original Fireline, what I use. Never tried Fireline Braid. As often as Dodgeguy refers to it, I know excactly what he means.

Jaheff reply :

There's a hundred ways to skin a cat!

I do like these discussions. Every time I honestly think i learn something new.Heck two weeks ago, i didn't think there was a big difference in flouro leader material then main line, even tho i used Leader material when inshore fishing.

Steve_IA reply :

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(Fireline isn't braided)

As was I, Randy

steve

dodgeguy reply :

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Again, how much stretch is there in mono when you are twitching a worm in grass 35 feet from your boat? You guys make it sound like you were fishing with bungee cords, not mono.

the property that gives line stretch deadens the feel even if the line isn't stretched. mono lines generally have approx 20% stretch.that means at 35 feet your line will stretch 7 feet.in weeds the problem becomes even greater as the mono grabs the weeds and stretchs like a rubber band . like i said you cannot logically argue this point.

Are you saying that if we put out 35 feet of mono, and pull it tight and keep pulling, it will stretch to 42 feet??

(Assuming it doesn't reach its breaking point first.)

yes

Micro reply :

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the property that gives line stretch deadens the feel even if the line isn't stretched. mono lines generally have approx 20% stretch.that means at 35 feet your line will stretch 7 feet.in weeds the problem becomes even greater as the mono grabs the weeds and stretchs like a rubber band . like i said you cannot logically argue this point.

With all due respect - this is absurd.

Mono stretches when significant force (read weight) is applied, as when a fish is on. But it not going to exhibit any significant stretch in the absence of significant weight. Twitching a soft plastic across or through grass, or bumping it off the bottom, is not going to stretch mono "like a rubber band." And if there is no significant stretch, then stretch is an insignifcant factor in sensitivity deadening.

If this is th best "logical" explanation you can come up with, then I'll assume you can't answer the question.

Micro reply :

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Are you saying that if we put out 35 feet of mono, and pull it tight and keep pulling, it will stretch to 42 feet??

(Assuming it doesn't reach its breaking point first.)

No. What he's saying is that if you put out 35 feet of line and twitch a worm, that stretches it to 42 feet.

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

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the property that gives line stretch deadens the feel even if the line isn't stretched. mono lines generally have approx 20% stretch.that means at 35 feet your line will stretch 7 feet.in weeds the problem becomes even greater as the mono grabs the weeds and stretchs like a rubber band . like i said you cannot logically argue this point.

With all due respect - this is absurd.

Mono stretches when significant force (read weight) is applied, as when a fish is on. But it not going to exhibit any significant stretch in the absence of significant weight. Twitching a soft plastic across or through grass, or bumping it off the bottom, is not going to stretch mono "like a rubber band." And if there is no significant stretch, then stretch is an insignifcant factor in sensitivity deadening.

If this is th best "logical" explanation you can come up with, then I'll assume you can't answer the question.

From what i gather dodgeguy is not saying that that the mono is stretching when twitch over 35' he is saying that the properties that give the mono its stretch has a vibration damping effect. Here's a test to prove it. Grab some mono and tie one end to a door knob. pull out 20-30 feet and hold it so that it is tight but don't stretch it. then have someone tap on the door knob with a quarter. Do the same with braided line and i think you'll understand that braided line will transmit vibration better than mono even though neither one is stretched. Its not about stretch its about vibration dampening and a stretchy line like mono does not transmit vibrations like a non stretchy line like braid does.

SharkHat reply :

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Are you saying that if we put out 35 feet of mono, and pull it tight and keep pulling, it will stretch to 42 feet??

(Assuming it doesn't reach its breaking point first.)

No. What he's saying is that if you put out 35 feet of line and twitch a worm, that stretches it to 42 feet.

No, that's really not what he's saying at all.

Micro reply :

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No, that's really not what he's saying at all.

I asked how much stretch is involved when you are twitching a worm through grass on mono 35 feet from a boat. The response was...

mono lines generally have approx 20% stretch.that means at 35 feet your line will stretch 7 feet.in weeds the problem becomes even greater as the mono grabs the weeds and stretches like a rubber band .

While I have the utmost respect for Dodgeguy and agree with him 97.254% of the time, I assert that his explanation above in nonsense. (In the same spirit I say it to my wife when she says I send too much on fishing stuff - nonsense. I still sleep with, uh, like her.)

I assert that any stretch you experience when working a bait in the manner described, and in the case of working most soft plastics, where sensitivity is most desirable, the loss of sensitivity due to line stretch is minimal. I am NOT asserting that mono doesn't stretch - it certainly does. I am asserting that its doesn't stretch significantly as a result of most bait presentations where one desires sensitivity (deep jigging or deep c-rigging not withstanding). Heck, during many presentations, the force required to work a bait scarcely straightens out the coils that form in mono as a result of memory.

I assert that the differences in sensitivity between mono, fluoro and braid is minimal under most bait presentations. I assert that if there is a perception that mono is less sensitive than braid it is because it is easier to get a straight connection between rod and bait on braid than on mono. If mono is old and has coiled from memory, it takes more line to reach 35 feet than it does a straight length of braid. (Remember, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.) It is the straightening of the line that deadens feel during bait presentation, not line stretch.

As many have, I've fished mono, fluoro and braid side by side for the same techniques. With fresh line that is exhibiting little memory, have a hard time saying braid is any more sensitive than mono. IMO, the key to sensitivity is keeping your line as straight and tight as possible under the circumstances, and less about the material your line is made of.

dodgeguy reply :

when worming in weeds and rocks the worm tends to get caught by the tail then your line stretchs as you pull on it.this makes it even less sensitive.like i said the properties that make it stretchy also deaden feel.flouro is denser and transmits feel better than mono.i fish cranks on braid.i can feel when the fish opens it's mouth behind the bait.it creates a vacuum which changes the pulse of the bait.you wil never feel that on stretched out rubberband mono.sometime with cranks on mono you don't even know it's a fish until it runs the other way.i don't think you'd even feel it on flouro.

Micro reply :

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when worming in weeds and rocks the worm tends to get caught by the tail then your line stretchs as you pull on it.this makes it even less sensitive.like i said the properties that make it stretchy also deaden feel.flouro is denser and transmits feel better than mono.i fish cranks on braid.i can feel when the fish opens it's mouth behind the bait.it creates a vacuum which changes the pulse of the bait.you wil never feel that on stretched out rubberband mono.sometime with cranks on mono you don't even know it's a fish until it runs the other way.i don't think you'd even feel it on flouro.

Are you fishing steel worms? Every worm I've ever fished would stretch way more than the line it was connected to if the worm was caught by the tail.

I think you are way overstaing the effects of mono stretch. Mono stretch has the biggest effect on things like hooksetting. It has far less effect on sensitivity than does line straightening.

dodgeguy reply :

guess we gotta disagree on this one.

Micro reply :

I agree.

One thing we do agree on, BPS rods have good reel seats.

No hard feelings.

Steve_IA reply :

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the loss of sensitivity due to line stretch is minimal.

I think we would all have to agree with you on this point as it is tension on the line that gives both braid and mono it's tactil sensitivity.

A line watcher will remind those arguing in favor of braid that mono with it's comparative stiffness will VISUALLY transmit a bite on slack line much better than braid.

steve

dodgeguy reply :

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I agree.
One thing we do agree on, BPS rods have good reel seats.

No hard feelings.

they screwed up the johnny morris rods.i don't mind the lack of a foregrip but i need a solid handle.they also went with cheaper guides.they had titanium fuji sic.

2360

Why braid? 2024

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