Looking for advise (Page 2): I have tried lots of different monos and brands including power pro, spiderwire and fireline. I now have Sufix 832 neon lime in 20 and 30# on all my reels...

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Papa Jack wrote:

I have used mono for years. I am considering changing to braid when I put new line on this winter. I have always used the polymer knot with mono. I understand it is not work well with braid. Two questions what braid to you recommend and what knot do you use?

I have tried lots of different monos and brands including power pro, spiderwire and fireline. I now have Sufix 832 neon lime in 20 and 30# on all my reels (Including panfish rigs) both fresh and salt with a few exceptions. I have power pro on my 80# to 130# halibut/surgeon rigs, one ultra light spinning reel with 6# Trilene XL mono and one salmon jigging rod with 25# extra tough mono. As for knots, I use uni knots for almost everything, as it is easy to tie with my damaged left hand. If not a uni, then an improved clinch knot. Those two knots cover almost every situation on both braid and mono as well as fluorocarbon. Note: always test your knots before the fish does. Most knot failures are due to the loops overlapping rather than laying next to each other, or the knots are not pulled tight before being used. Lube all knots with saliva/spit.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Papa Jack wrote:

Do you always use a leader when fishing with braid?

I use leader when trout and salmon fishing, as they seem line shy. I also use leader when I want a stiffer line to improve the action of some lures like the Flicker Shad. I also use leader on any spinning or rotating lures, dodgers and flashers. The primary reason is to put a chain swivel in line. Sense I have to tie the knots anyway, I usually use floro. I don't know if it helps, but it doesn't hurt. I figure, sense the hype is to use floro, that is what the better lure makers are using to test their products action. I don't see any good reason to fight the flow.

DocB Loc: Bama

Papa Jack wrote:

I have used mono for years. I am considering changing to braid when I put new line on this winter. I have always used the polymer knot with mono. I understand it is not work well with braid. Two questions what braid to you recommend and what knot do you use?

Papa,
I use mono for worm fishing and braid w/ a mono or co-polymer leader for just about everything else... I seem to have a better hook-up rate with mono when worm fishing... I generally use 20# Hercules braid with a 15# leader on bait casters and 10# leaders on spinning reels.... I keep my leaders at least rod length, and use the double uni knot to join leader to braid, with the polymer knot to terminate... There are several name brand braids on the market, for around $17-$18 for 150 yds, but you can buy 1000 yds of Hercules for around $28-$30... Hercules also has many different colors, and even has some that will show under a black light (good for night fishing)... While I get that you generally get what you pay for, I have some Hercules on reels that has been used for 2 seasons with the only problem being the color has faded, but no strength problems or loss of castability... Doc

Bigbum Loc: Washington

Papa Jack wrote:

I have used mono for years. I am considering changing to braid when I put new line on this winter. I have always used the polymer knot with mono. I understand it is not work well with braid. Two questions what braid to you recommend and what knot do you use?

I switched to braid in 2017 when I bought my 19' Northwood. I run 100# on my Halibut rods, 50-65# on my Salmon gear, and 20# on my trout/bass rigs. I'm a fan of Palomar knots for mainline to snap swivel and have never had an issue. My leaders are usually fluorocarbon of appropriate line weight for species targeted. I love the fact that I can stack twice the capacity of line compared to mono, and that braid doesn't have memory problems (like me LOL). So, I'm sold, just be advised to buy quality products (check out reviews) and generally, you get what you pay for.

Chartrich Loc: St. Louis, Mo.

Papa Jack wrote:

I have used mono for years. I am considering changing to braid when I put new line on this winter. I have always used the polymer knot with mono. I understand it is not work well with braid. Two questions what braid to you recommend and what knot do you use?

Continue using mono for top water fishing. For jigs, worm, plastics, crankbaits you can switch to 30 lb. - 50 lb. braid with a 24" - 48" leader of mono or fluorocarbon (which is preferred) tied to your lure with your favorite knot. But to tie the braid to the mono or fluorocarbon leader use the "uni" knot (universal knot). If you want to tie the braid directly to your lure you can use the uni knot or the palomar knot with an additional twist - that is go twice around your main line(instead of just once) with the loop end before you slide the end loop over your lure. BTW the braid lasts a very long time and has no memory/coiling like mono or fluoro.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Papa Jack wrote:

Do you always use a leader when fishing with braid?

I always use a leader with braid
Join the two using the Alberto knot.
It’s a little involved but very strong
Better yet, the FG knot is very thin and very strong.
Also very complicated to tie in my opinion.
I only tie this at home.
Bouncing around on a boat is just too difficult for me.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Ben Bragg wrote:

I always use a leader with braid
Join the two using the Alberto knot.
It’s a little involved but very strong
Better yet, the FG knot is very thin and very strong.
Also very complicated to tie in my opinion.
I only tie this at home.
Bouncing around on a boat is just too difficult for me.

I tied that FG knot on my medium heavy setup takes awhile but the knot held up all summer they claim the uni to uni is just as strong that's what I use on my medium topwater + setup that too seems pretty strong my other bass rods use straight mono and my trout rods use straight floro 🎣🙂👍

DocB Loc: Bama

Papa Jack, I do believe there's no absolute answer to your question, I see several options here for you, and none of them are wrong.... It would seem that everyone has an opinion for thier personal style and what they are fishing for... I have seen several different knots mentioned, and I recognize all of them, they are all good knots... What I use is easy for me to tie and works well for my type of fishing, I would recommend trying some of the knots and see what works best for you...
Doc

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

DocB wrote:

Papa Jack, I do believe there's no absolute answer to your question, I see several options here for you, and none of them are wrong.... It would seem that everyone has an opinion for thier personal style and what they are fishing for... I have seen several different knots mentioned, and I recognize all of them, they are all good knots... What I use is easy for me to tie and works well for my type of fishing, I would recommend trying some of the knots and see what works best for you...
Doc

Doc is right Papa there's hundreds of different knots a lot of good ones out there find the ones you find easy for you to tie and are appropriate for your application you'll do fine the knots are only one piece of the puzzle

rriggs Loc: North Carolina

I do with fluorocarbon leader.

dbast218 Loc: Indiana

Yes

dbast218 Loc: Indiana

J Braid is the best I ever used.

BruceI Loc: Canton ohio

Ben Bragg wrote:

I always use a leader with braid
Join the two using the Alberto knot.
It’s a little involved but very strong
Better yet, the FG knot is very thin and very strong.
Also very complicated to tie in my opinion.
I only tie this at home.
Bouncing around on a boat is just too difficult for me.

Do mostly surf casting in North Carolina…got suffix 832 braid on all my spinning reels with a mono leader….usually connect with the fg knot…I can tie it standing on the beach pretty easy but usually put my leaders on sitting next to the rv …tying an fg bouncing in a boat would be difficult…on my fresh water reels braid as well with a leader..I do pretty regular leader maintenance..for the terminal tackle use either a uni or palomer..