FS Digest

Hey, everyone.

I do not have a lot of experience using braided line. I had a couple bad experiences many, many years ago and since then have just avoided it, probably unfairly.

I do not spend a lot of money on my fishing equipment anymore. I used to, but now I go for the bargains, and just buy MORE. Especially yard sales and such. Anyway, I have an older shimano reel that’s one of my better ones, and I like everything about it except that I cannot seem to avoid tangles with it. I don’t know why, but it drives me nuts. I do use line a little on the heavy side of what it’s rated for, but I don’t see why that would cause the constant tangles I get with it.

So I bought some braid again to try on this reel. It’s 20lb, so about as thick as 6-8lb mono? Long story short, what I’m wondering is... In your opinion, is braid better or worse when it comes to tangles/birds nests? I’m aware of all the cons, real or perceived.

Thanks.

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by TrueNameAmended

FS Digest

If you are a beginner with the baitcasters and aren't used to setting your reel, do not touch braid. Braid doesn't birdsnest easier, but when it does its so much harder to get out. Braid cuts into itself something terrible.

I put braid on a baitcaster a few months ago (just learned how to use a baitcaster a few months ago as well) and literally my first cast nested so bad I had to cut it out.

If you can set it right, you'll be fine. But if you still birdsnest with mono relatively often and you just put braid on there, you are asking for trouble.

I have mono on one baitcaster and I still have that braid on the other one. I only use it for catfishing so I don't need to cast it very often. If it was a bass rod or anything else I would've already swapped it with mono.

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by DarkRyok

FS Digest

Is this a spinning reel or casting reel? That info will be helpful. I find that braid doesn't have the memory of monofilament so it doesnt coil up and get tangled on its own like mono can. However I have found braid more succeprible to wind knots, especially thin braid on spinning reels. They can be a real bastard to deal with if they dont come out easily.

Overall though I much prefer braid because i find it easier to manage than mono, higher strength to diameter ratio, better sensitivity while fishing, and provided there is no physically damage (nicks, frays, etc)... it doesn't weaken with age like mono. I keep braid on every reel I own.

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by fnt

FS Digest

It’s a spinning reel. I’m still not comfortable with baitcasters, and after fishing for 30 years I still have not actually put forth enough effort to master them.

So I spooled it up on said reel and it definitely casts better than the 10lb mono I had on there before. Like WAY better.

So another question. If I’m fishing in pickerel-infested waters (which I do often) and one large enough to bite clean through 15lb mono in one fell swoop (which happened to me last weekend) takes a run at it, I’m assuming it is less likely that the pickerel will just cut my line, right? I hate using leaders because they often interfere with the action of the bait/lure. The last time I used braid more than a few casts was in a lake in Maine with huge boulders lining the shoreline, and I had a few huge largemouth dive in between them and just shred the braid. But it seems like while it may be susceptible to that, a clean slice is unlikely.

Thanks for any input. Like I said, haven’t used the stuff in a long time.

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by TrueNameAmended

bru Loc: South Central Wisconsin

Watch Captain Myers. I've been fishing for 60+ years and I learned much about casting a spinning reel here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUurIgE2H8U

Also watch this guy, Flukemaster. I have never seen a man control a rod like this guy, so natural and like it is an extension of his arm. Lots to learn here too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAL13lJCX6E>

G Zilla Loc: California

If your an avid fisherman, it doesn't take much practice learning to cast with a bait caster, using braid or mono......I see kids around 10 years old casting better than 50 year olds on those yellowtail charters on the west coast. I learned how to use a bait caster in one day, all you have to do is practice with different weight sizes (no hooks, just practice) at a lake or big body of water. I use braid for everything, but dont recommend it for fly lining live bait, the wind creates big bows in the line, plus it tends to float the bait or keep it to close to the surface, which isn't always desirable when you want your bait to run downward.Bottom line, I seem to land more fish, cast further, and feel more bites with braid. Spinning reels will allow far casting with braid, however they lack drag strength (in comparison to baitcasters) to land hard fighting/big fish.

bru Loc: South Central Wisconsin

TrueNameAmended and others, There is no comparison to the NEW braids, like Power Pro. They are so good in many ways and super strong; no bass would ever be able to break the line as you described. This stuff is hard to cut with nail clippers, you have to use sharp scissors - tough stuff.

One of the things I like is that you can yank branches out of trees with 10#. On a recent seven day fishing trip casting to the shallows I was 7 for 7 getting my tackle back intact after hitting trees or bushes and 5 for 5 with bottom snags/ underwater branches. However don't even think of wrapping the line around your hand or finger to yank it. You will cut yourself. Use a glove, or towel.

Keep your line tight to avoid tangles and I have gone to a heavier weight like 15# -- it is still light in diameter, .008", eight thousandths of an inch, like two human hairs. Another thing I love is that you get no coiling or spiraling [line twist] like the line-set you get from mono from being on the reel spool. Of course with most baits you still should use a swivel before your leader. I have never needed to replace line for any reason even after several years.