2 lbs. Sufix Nanobraid Report

[Brad Reid]

A few weeks ago, I posted the math related to calculating just how much line is needed to fill a reel spool (of  known dimensions) to a desired depth and in doing so, determined that it takes one heck of a lot of line if its diameter is .001". This is what Sufix claims for its 2 lbs. Nanobraid. If one converts the millimeter measurement Sufix also provides to inches, it is a bit closer to .002" as I recall. Still, it is incredibly small for a true braided line.

Anyway, I have fished with it a few times now over at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries and I've caught small stocker trout and bluegills with it. No issues yet regarding line breakage. I ran my finger down the line and did notice some roughness to it near the lure, so I assume that it isn't a line you'd want to fish in heavy covers as it appears to abrade a bit. The fact that it is 2 lbs. certainly doesn't help here.

And, knots are difficult for me with aging eyes with lines that small. I have no issues handling, say, 6 lbs. fluorocarbon leaders to lures or tying junction knots back to main lines on bass fishing set-ups. A pair of magnified reading glasses helps.

My new St. Croix PSF69ULF came in and I transferred my 1000 series Shimano Ci4+ over to it, walked down to the lake (Lake Athens) just before dark and made 6 casts with:

1 strike but a miss, then 2 caught, 3 no bites.

Bluegills? No, these were small crappie but it gave me yet another test for not only the line but my new rod. I was softly casting a very small jig and it was covering 35 or 40 feet with just a firm flip, not a real or full cast.

Tomorrow, back to the Freshwater Fisheries for another fuller test of the line, this and I bought some of the Nujin Spiders a few people were touting on another forum. The little lure mimics a bug that has fallen off a branch or flown into the water.

It looked like too much fun to pass up.  Gosh, I am such a sucker for fishing stuff!

Brad

[Brad Reid]

Yes! Just generally speaking, the lighter the line the better. This is rarely an issue with spinning tackle where we are taught that we let the rod tire out the fish . . . lifting it slowly, then reeling down on the slack for another slow lift of the rod tip, then reel in the slack again. I often find myself using my off hand to make tiny adjustments to my drag. Back to light line, I think other than it is generally harder to see it (can't hurt), the other big advantages are casting distance and that it lets the action of your lure or bait appear more natural. The more finesse-like you can make your presentation, the better.  More reports to follow.  Brad

[Leo Nguyen]

Brad, sounds like a great plan. Still teaching my family to utilize lighter lines without playing tug-o-war with the heavy weight fighters. If this line can last for a few seasons (at least a year) with good results, I'll invest in it. Will await for the results.

[Brad Reid]

Leo-pomis, yes, I'll stick with it and keep the braid on my "go to" ultralight rod and reel going forward over the spring and summer months. I'll report back results, too, so you can determine how it holds up. So far, over 3 or so months, no degradation issues are obvious. Nanobraid is all Dyneema, as I recall, so it should be plenty tough. We will just have to see. Normally, on most of my "bass" set-ups using 10 lbs. Sufix 832 braid, it will last for several years as a mainline with fluorocarbon leaders. I re-tie my leaders before going out every time, sometimes even on the water if I feel like my junction knot might have been compromised. ***Budgets. Yes! There are some very good, yet very inexpensive rods and reels and lines and lures that do the trick very well. I just really like braid so I thought I'd give it a go! Next kayak outting for panfish? Sunday with a fishing friend, so maybe more to report then.   Brad

[Leo Nguyen]

Interesting. Will you be utilizing the nanobraid to test throughout the spring, summer, and possibly fall for durability and possible degradative issues on the line? Braid at this size tend to become brittle over a short period of time. It'll be interesting to see your log as you fish throughout the seasons, and report back on the line's capacity to handle punishments. Most of us boys here are not the high budgeted type. We like to compare the best bang for the bucks with the latest and greatest innovation.

[Brad Reid]

This is the little bait I have been using almost exclusively. I had lost the name of it after taking them out of their original packaging but then I found them at a Walmart. They are, oddly, made by Creme, the company I believe credited with making the first plastic worm. And, oddly again, Creme is located in Tyler about 30 miles from me.  Anyway a photo of it here.  Note that on the tiny jig head, I have been tying off at the eye up on the body of the jig not up at the eye area. There are these two alternatives that give a slightly different swim pattern.  Brad

[Brad Reid]

Here is another photo of a darker bluegill. As I recall, this one was right at 10". I use my hand which is 8.25" as an informal ruler most of the time. I really would like to get a scale but the one that appeals to me has rather large incremental readings, like a quarter or half pound as I recall. No good weighing fish that are around a pound or two or three.  And, I see another of a large one that I laid along my thigh. Brad

[Brad Reid]

It has been an excellent season with quite a few bluegills in the 10" range equaling the lake record here on Lake Athens. I don't have a scale, so hard to say . . . but one I caught was 10.5" and it felt like a solid one pounder and maybe a few ounces. I have also caught quite a few crappie up to around 12", one white bass (the hardest fighter on the 2 lbs. braid yet for me) and many small large mouth bass up to about 1.5 lbs. using the 2 lbs. braid. The jig heads I am using are made by Owner, weigh .7 grams so about 1/40th oz. and I have had lots of success with a tiny black grub with a chartreuse curly tail splitting off into 3 tail sections (Creme makes them). When I have hung up on lily pads and had to pull aggressively to dislodge, I have broken the rounded portion off the tip of the hook and pull back just the shaft; or, I have been able to yank it free almost all of the time. So far, the braided line itself has not snapped owing to a fish or to hanging up. My guess is it has about the equivalent tensile strength as does a 6 lbs. monofilament. Yes! I have Sufix 832 in 10 lbs. for main line down to an 8 lbs. Seaguar Invizx leader for larger finesse fishing targets. I want to downsize the whole affair to either 6 or 8 lbs. Nanobraid and also step down my leader size. I'll use this for drop shot, finesse wacky worm presentations, Ned Rigs and more.  Let me show you the cherry red belly on a fish I caught a few days ago sporting its spawning colors.   Brad

[Leo Nguyen]

So, how goes the winter to spring fishing action with the nanobraid? Are you planning on venturing out with the same line type to face other larger, toothier creatures?

[Brad Reid]

Will do and I'll take a look over at the line-wars group and see what is going on. Yes, I am still learning to navigate on this website! Thanks! Brad

[Brad Reid]