Braid: I’m trying to decide on braid or not. I fish redfish, drum, sheepshead and whatever else bites on live shrimp. I’ve been using 8lb trilene big game. Live the fight on light...

ltfishcop Loc: New Port Richey, Florida

I’m trying to decide on braid or not. I fish redfish, drum, sheepshead and whatever else bites on live shrimp. I’ve been using 8lb trilene big game. Live the fight on light weight tackle. I use braid on my grouper rods but haven’t tried it on the smaller fish. Mostly 5-10 pound in-shore fish. I’d probably use 8-10 lb leader. Is it worth the effort?

Jeremy Loc: America

It definitely is if can find the size your after. Just my opinion. No stretch is good too.

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

I like braid casting spinning but light stuff can be hard in finger. A bit of tape helps. I have toughened up
over time.

Jeremy Loc: America

Tie at home with lots of light and a magnifying set up with light and good background. Can take a bait board of whatever color needed in field or boat for contrast to see the line

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

all my reels have suffix 832. freshwater I use 4# with 4-6# fluoro leader. saltwater I use 10-20# with 10-30# leader depending what I'm fishing for. those two stripers in my avatar were both caught on 10# braid. my ultra light has 4# braid with 2# fluoro leader. caught 2-3 lb trout and some good size Mangroes. I like the additional casting distance I get with the braid. all my surf rods have 10# braid.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

ltfishcop wrote:

I’m trying to decide on braid or not. I fish redfish, drum, sheepshead and whatever else bites on live shrimp. I’ve been using 8lb trilene big game. Live the fight on light weight tackle. I use braid on my grouper rods but haven’t tried it on the smaller fish. Mostly 5-10 pound in-shore fish. I’d probably use 8-10 lb leader. Is it worth the effort?

Itfishcop, that topic was just run a few days ago with a lot of replies. If you scroll through a few pages you will see some good post on the subject.

I went braid 4 years ago and no plan on changing.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

ltfishcop wrote:

I’m trying to decide on braid or not. I fish redfish, drum, sheepshead and whatever else bites on live shrimp. I’ve been using 8lb trilene big game. Live the fight on light weight tackle. I use braid on my grouper rods but haven’t tried it on the smaller fish. Mostly 5-10 pound in-shore fish. I’d probably use 8-10 lb leader. Is it worth the effort?

Itfish. All good advice. One other advantage of braid you could go to 10 lb braid n have not only stronger line but also more line on same spool due to smaller diameter. Power pro slick is thinner that suffix. You could go to 12lb no problem 👍

ltfishcop Loc: New Port Richey, Florida

Awesome. Thanks, that is what I’m looking for. I occasionally get big snook and can’t stop there jumping and swimming into the mangroves. Too much stretching with mono. How is it with big sheepshead and black drum in the rocks.

ltfishcop Loc: New Port Richey, Florida

Thanks Grizzly. Going in Amazon to order tonight. Warming up here in Florida by Friday and going at it. Before this cold snap the Reds and Trout were plentiful. Fish the shallows around the mangroves. Lost too many fish lately without seeing them.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

ltfishcop wrote:

Thanks Grizzly. Going in Amazon to order tonight. Warming up here in Florida by Friday and going at it. Before this cold snap the Reds and Trout were plentiful. Fish the shallows around the mangroves. Lost too many fish lately without seeing them.

You're welcome. I've first used braid in late 80's. I like the sensitivity. You'll find it doesn't take as much effort to set the hook. Let us know how you like it 🎣👍

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

Not sure what you are expecting? Braid is a tool not a miracle. Mono does stretch some but not like you make it sound and that stretch is useful in some applications.

ltfishcop Loc: New Port Richey, Florida

Just looking for more ability to land bigger fish on light line. Loose too many at the side of the kayak on mono. Plus I like that it may be easier to feel the lighter bites. I fish in oyster bed flats in the edge of mangroves. The mono takes a beating.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

ltfishcop wrote:

Just looking for more ability to land bigger fish on light line. Loose too many at the side of the kayak on mono. Plus I like that it may be easier to feel the lighter bites. I fish in oyster bed flats in the edge of mangroves. The mono takes a beating.

You are a kayaker too? Kayaker myself and know what you mean. Are you netting at the side ?

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

ltfishcop wrote:

Awesome. Thanks, that is what I’m looking for. I occasionally get big snook and can’t stop there jumping and swimming into the mangroves. Too much stretching with mono. How is it with big sheepshead and black drum in the rocks.

I've never experienced that kind of stretching with the mono I've used. Braid will stretch as well. Just not as much but there's not enough difference to make in the two as far as stretch goes. I use both for several different applications. Braid is smaller in diameter compared to mono for the same strength line so I get more on the reel. Plus braid casts smoother and doesn't have the memory like mono but each has its place. Might be a good option for your specific goal there. We don't use braid in the salt in Alaska cuz the salt eats it up quicker than mono.

Harris T. Fudpucker Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

plumbob wrote:

Itfishcop, that topic was just run a few days ago with a lot of replies. If you scroll through a few pages you will see some good post on the subject.

I went braid 4 years ago and no plan on changing.

I went to braid about that time, and not looking back. Just put 6# braid on one of my reels, and went into the back yard pond. First cast small bass, third cast maybe a pound bass, about 5 cast later, a 3# bass, I caught more, but it might be the smaller line, the bait, or I'm just that good! LOL