To Braid or Not to Braid (Page 2): I agree with several of the prior posts, since the braid is about 1/3 smaller in diametr than mono for the same strength, you can use even a 50 lb...

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I agree with several of the prior posts, since the braid is about 1/3 smaller in diametr than mono for the same strength, you can use even a 50 lb braid, then maybe 10 lb test leader. Just Sayin...RJS

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

20lb and under braid is better on a spinning reel. Go 25 or more on your baitcaster, and the 50% leader strength will get you out of trouble with snags. Mono or Fluorocarbon with a uni to uni connection. Good luck on your trip.

Jeremy Loc: America

Fredfish wrote:

20lb and under braid is better on a spinning reel. Go 25 or more on your baitcaster, and the 50% leader strength will get you out of trouble with snags. Mono or Fluorocarbon with a uni to uni connection. Good luck on your trip.

This Fred is how I have one Spinning reel set up for Steelhead but I use it for other fish when trolling. Have 50 braid mainline to uni knot with 25# Mono for 20 feet ( called a bumper ) then swivel or diver splitter etc then leader to bait.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Jeremy wrote:

This Fred is how I have one Spinning reel set up for Steelhead but I use it for other fish when trolling. Have 50 braid mainline to uni knot with 25# Mono for 20 feet ( called a bumper ) then swivel or diver splitter etc then leader to bait.

Wow Jeremy that sounds pretty heavy-duty, but I guess that's what you need trolling out there. How deep do you troll? Back when I was trolling saltwater,was before modern braids were invented. We had Dacron braided line or mono.I used strictly mono, Trilene Big Game, with a mono or short braided wire (Bluefish) leader. The small diameter option was wire line. I only setup one wire rod for, for bucktailing, and occasionally dragging an umbrella rig deep.. These were all on conventional reels, Sealines, Senators, and TLDs.

bearsss33 Loc: Bastrop,Texas

Where u going to put in???im in Bastrop

gr8advice Loc: Boston

If you are fishing from a Kayak, stretch should not be a consideration if you are using straight braid (especially in murky water where the fish can't really see the line). The fact that you are not stationary and moving around on the Kayak provides enough stretch to not require mono. Of course, if you are worried about getting a lure stuck on an object and you want to go loose, then that is a different consideration.

PierRat904 Loc: St. Augustine

I bought a huge spool of J-Braid 40 and enjoy the toughness and durability of a heavier line. With this I use a 15# leader. If a hook gets snagged I just break it off.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

FS Digest wrote:

Hey guys, just got a new Lew's baitcaster and am w... (show quote)

If you are using a Shimano Curado & you're regularly birdnesting as you implicate there is something wrong. With proper spool tension & practiced thumb control you should seldom birdnest. Have someone you know uses baitcasters with no problems to cast your reel using the same weight lure or bait you use. If your reel is clean & properly lubed there are several causes of a professional overwind ( backlash). Spool tension is #1. Readjust every time you change lures. Are you casting into the wind? Are your lures or bait too light. Do you use a very stiff rod rated at heavy action with 8 or 10 lb test line? There are other causes but these are very common. A Curado is an expensive reel & very reliable. Find out what's wrong.

bobgin

I fish out of a kayak 99% of the time and use braid,mono,and flor. I would not want to be in a kayak in moving water and fish with 40 lb + braid and hang up. No sure what you are fishing for but 12 lb mono for top water and 14lb p-line florclear(hybrid mono-flor) if needing a line that will sink . You will be better off fixing a birdnest than swimming in the river.

blessedinmontana Loc: Rockport, TX

SaltStrong has a great video on tying the double uni knot to join mono and braid...and you don't have to join their club to view it.