04-16-2007, 02:22 PM
I use it for just about everything now. The only place I think I wouldn't want it would be spin fishing on small streams, where you're already using 4-6 lb. mono. anyway. And I'm talking about real "big boy" fishing here, not panfish and power-bait/worm fishing. Artificials and/or baits that need to be presented for quality sport fish that require casts, presentations, some touch, and might pull back. That other stuff is ok if that's what you like, but you don't need a high-dollar spool of braid to do it.
First, it increases your casting distance on spinning reels by double. It's very thin, so you can use smaller, lighter reels and still have lots of line capacity. You can feel what your lure or bait is doing much better. It lasts for 50-100 trips instead of 7 or 8 like mono. Less line drag in the water when trolling. Diving lures will run deeper when trolling. When you get snagged and need to break off a hook or lure, you only lose your leader instead of a bunch of line off the reel, which minimizes line left in the water. You don't lose your main line, so you never have to re-spool. Reel stays full. Jigging, you know where your jig is and what it's doing. You can feel the bottom, and work your lure through structure by "feel." Bites are sometimes more obvious. Finally, no line twist. Yes, it does twist, but you won't notice it. I never have to let my line out to untwist it like with mono.
Negatives: Whatever you do with the rod goes directly to your lure and hook. You usually need a lighter rod than with mono. When hooked-up to a fish, you need to make appropriate moves with the rod to help off-set the fish's movements. You can over-set the hook and rip fish's lips off and pull hooks. It's a direct connection to the fish with very little shock absorption. If you don't keep tension on the line, it will not wrap on the spool properly and you'll get loops and knots on your next cast. You have to be careful when retrieving very light lures. You can't cut it with your teeth or fingernail clippers. You need sharp scissors or a small knife.
And finally, Please, Please, close the bail on a spinning reel with your hand, NOT just by turning the handle. That way, the line will lay straight on the spool, and there won't be a dreaded loop in the line when you start your retrieve. Watch any professional or experienced fisherman, and you will see him close the bail by hand every time. You also control your casting accuracy with the same hand during the cast.
It has its quirks, but positives outweigh negatives in most cases, if you pay attention.
Be sure to put a small amount of mono backing on your reel so the slippery braid doesn't spin on the spool. Be sure to keep the line tight when filling your reel. Wind it on tight! Use a glove to keep tension on the line with your fingers.
Power Pro, Stren, and Sufix are my brands of choice. Power Pro is least expensive, Sufix is most expensive and the best.
I always use a mono leader appropriate for the bait/lure I'm using. Use a uni-knot to connect the braid to mono. Tie a uni from the braid around the mono, then tie a uni with the mono over the braid, and pull the two tight. Presto. Blood knots WILL slip. If using heavier mono, say over 15 lb. test, double the braid before tying the knots.
If you're just fishing bait on the bottom, or fishing where line capacity, sensitivity, and/or casting distance are not a factor, it might not be worth the extra cost up-front. Mono. still works! Braid just lets you do things you can't do with mono (smaller, stronger, more distance, more sensitive.)
I used to change out my lines once a week (fishing every day). Now, I change the braid once a season, or maybe twice if it gets a ton of abuse. And when you wear it out, you can simply reverse it on the spool, and the line that was deep on the spool is like new because it has no memory. Two for the price of one, just like a double taper fly line!
Just say "yes" to braid. Try it, you'll like it. I've converted.
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First, it increases your casting distance on spinning reels by double. It's very thin, so you can use smaller, lighter reels and still have lots of line capacity. You can feel what your lure or bait is doing much better. It lasts for 50-100 trips instead of 7 or 8 like mono. Less line drag in the water when trolling. Diving lures will run deeper when trolling. When you get snagged and need to break off a hook or lure, you only lose your leader instead of a bunch of line off the reel, which minimizes line left in the water. You don't lose your main line, so you never have to re-spool. Reel stays full. Jigging, you know where your jig is and what it's doing. You can feel the bottom, and work your lure through structure by "feel." Bites are sometimes more obvious. Finally, no line twist. Yes, it does twist, but you won't notice it. I never have to let my line out to untwist it like with mono.
Negatives: Whatever you do with the rod goes directly to your lure and hook. You usually need a lighter rod than with mono. When hooked-up to a fish, you need to make appropriate moves with the rod to help off-set the fish's movements. You can over-set the hook and rip fish's lips off and pull hooks. It's a direct connection to the fish with very little shock absorption. If you don't keep tension on the line, it will not wrap on the spool properly and you'll get loops and knots on your next cast. You have to be careful when retrieving very light lures. You can't cut it with your teeth or fingernail clippers. You need sharp scissors or a small knife.
And finally, Please, Please, close the bail on a spinning reel with your hand, NOT just by turning the handle. That way, the line will lay straight on the spool, and there won't be a dreaded loop in the line when you start your retrieve. Watch any professional or experienced fisherman, and you will see him close the bail by hand every time. You also control your casting accuracy with the same hand during the cast.
It has its quirks, but positives outweigh negatives in most cases, if you pay attention.
Be sure to put a small amount of mono backing on your reel so the slippery braid doesn't spin on the spool. Be sure to keep the line tight when filling your reel. Wind it on tight! Use a glove to keep tension on the line with your fingers.
Power Pro, Stren, and Sufix are my brands of choice. Power Pro is least expensive, Sufix is most expensive and the best.
I always use a mono leader appropriate for the bait/lure I'm using. Use a uni-knot to connect the braid to mono. Tie a uni from the braid around the mono, then tie a uni with the mono over the braid, and pull the two tight. Presto. Blood knots WILL slip. If using heavier mono, say over 15 lb. test, double the braid before tying the knots.
If you're just fishing bait on the bottom, or fishing where line capacity, sensitivity, and/or casting distance are not a factor, it might not be worth the extra cost up-front. Mono. still works! Braid just lets you do things you can't do with mono (smaller, stronger, more distance, more sensitive.)
I used to change out my lines once a week (fishing every day). Now, I change the braid once a season, or maybe twice if it gets a ton of abuse. And when you wear it out, you can simply reverse it on the spool, and the line that was deep on the spool is like new because it has no memory. Two for the price of one, just like a double taper fly line!
Just say "yes" to braid. Try it, you'll like it. I've converted.
[signature]