addendum to braid versus other line: I agree that braid is the way to go on spinning reels with lower wt leaders. My question is what might I be doing wrong with braid on bc's because...

runandgun Loc: East Texas

I agree that braid is the way to go on spinning reels with lower wt leaders. My question is what might I be doing wrong with braid on bc's because occasionally I get a "snaffu" after catching several fish? Is it cutting into the spool and catching itself when casting or what?

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

OK you didn't have that much drag on the line when you loaded the reel, IMO
Also IF you get a snag, take something round that you can hold in your hand and wrap the line around it then pull on that. Don't hold the spool and pull that just digs the line into the reel. Also sounds like your drag is set higher than you line. I use 40 LB line because of the snags where I fish, but the reel drag is 20 LB. I use a 1/4 inch extension to wrap the line around 6-7 times and then with the rod pointing at the water/snag, walk backwards. The 1/4 inch extension fits in my pocket so I can get it easy. LOL

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

audigger53 wrote:

OK you didn't have that much drag on the line when... (show quote)

I also find that applying line conditioner to the spooled line prior to an outing lubricates the line so it's easier to pull out after it's dug in. Added bonus of additional distance when casting.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

runandgun wrote:

I agree that braid is the way to go on spinning reels with lower wt leaders. My question is what might I be doing wrong with braid on bc's because occasionally I get a "snaffu" after catching several fish? Is it cutting into the spool and catching itself when casting or what?

MHO, I think all three answers/solutions could/are correct. But, I have experienced a lot of line digging into the reel after catching big salmon, when I had to crank the drag down in order to control them. But, that could have come from not keeping enough tension on the line when I was spooling the line on the reel. I spooled the line for the second time and the problem was solved.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Thank y'all for your comments. Between them, I think maybe I can solve my problem. I'll re-spool the line with some conditioner and pay attention to the drag more depending on the fish.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

runandgun wrote:

Thank y'all for your comments. Between them, I think maybe I can solve my problem. I'll re-spool the line with some conditioner and pay attention to the drag more depending on the fish.

runandgun, I'm a great believer in using a line conditioner, but that is not going to help with dig-introubles. In fact you can make the problem worse. Think about it. Soap up your hands and see the difference interlocking your fingers, as opposed to doing it dry.
The key is putting firm, but not tight resistance to the line while spooling up. Too much: you create valleys that will prevent incoming line from moving evenly across the horizontal plane of the existing line already spooled up. Too little: gaps are present for incoming line to burrow into.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Got it, thanks for the comment. Use the conditioner after line is spooled on.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

runandgun wrote:

I agree that braid is the way to go on spinning reels with lower wt leaders. My question is what might I be doing wrong with braid on bc's because occasionally I get a "snaffu" after catching several fish? Is it cutting into the spool and catching itself when casting or what?

Runaround
I use braid on my BC's.
Two things to watch reeling in keep enough tension on the line. If not you'll develop loose line n eventually get a burr.
#2 watch for overrun at end of cast.
I run my reels loose so I stop line with my thumb.
Got in the habit of putting thumb n finger on line when I first start reeling till I have tension on it.
If you keep line tight dig in will not be a big problem.
As for using a pc of wood or something I use a small dowel rod or pvc on any line.
Mono n floro will shred your finges also.

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

On a baitcaster I never use less than 30 lb braid and still get a little problem with digging in but not so bad, anything less than 30 lb will easily dig in

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Uncle_T wrote:

On a baitcaster I never use less than 30 lb braid and still get a little problem with digging in but not so bad, anything less than 30 lb will easily dig in

Agreed. I can get away with 20# but then I jump to 50# for my frogging reels with absolutely no digging in even when horsing a bass wrapped up in about half the produce section at Safeway. So 30# sounds about right.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

audigger53 wrote:

OK you didn't have that much drag on the line when... (show quote)

I use 50 LB super braid (about the same dia as 12 LB mono) for my Steelhead/salmon rod because of all the wads of line (mono) in the river but as a "fuse" I use a 11 lb leader. on my Sturgeon rig never had that problem and those were huge fish pulling very hard!

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Grizzly 17 wrote:

Runaround br I use braid on my BC's. br Two things... (show quote)

Just an FYI: I always have my needle nose pliers. Rapping around them gives a good grip and handle.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

DCGravity wrote:

Agreed. I can get away with 20# but then I jump to 50# for my frogging reels with absolutely no digging in even when horsing a bass wrapped up in about half the produce section at Safeway. So 30# sounds about right.

Sounds good, but hasn't that gotten a lot tougher now that kale is so popular at the market?

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I do not use braid under 30 pounds. I have 30 pound on most of my spinning and baitcasting rods from panfish to salmon rods. I don't see enough gain vs. problems to justify the thread stuff. I can't see the smaller stuff, it binds up, it doesn't seem to cast much further, the knots hold better than the light stuff, I can switch from very light leader for trout to heavy leader for salmon and it is still better in most conditions than 6 pound mono. It is also no problem to switch from fresh to salt and back. That being said, I am not fishing for big buck prizes and paying astronomical entry fees.

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

bapabear wrote:

Sounds good, but hasn't that gotten a lot tougher now that kale is so popular at the market?

They're not complaining--at least I'm moving product for them and keeping inventory fresh, lol.