How many of you use braided line ?

[Fish Chris]

I've pretty much used nothing but braid, for everything from Bluegill to Sturgeon, for the last 15 years. Granted, I'm sponsored by Western Filament, makers of the best braided line available ;)  > TUF-Line..... but even if I weren't sponsored, I'm so hooked on braid, I'd pay whatever I had to, to keep using using it.

 

I use 2/12 on my micro-lights, as it's thin enough to put about 200 yards on a 1000 series reel, + it's very well suited to a rod rated for 1-4, or 2-6 lb mono (with zero stretch, a soft, forgiving rod is a plus).

 

Of course my leaders can be anything from 4lb mono for Sunfish, up to 50 lb braid for Sturgeon.

 

Anyway, are you a braid fisherman ?

Just curious,

Fish

[Anthony Palafox]

Yes I am, I use power pro micro line 3lb and 4lb with a mono or fluorocarbon leader. Am loving the distance and sensitivity it gives me when I use small crankbaits. Though I have only started using braid recently for the past five trips.  

[Fish Chris]

Thanks guys :)

 

Hey Anthony, TUF-Line actually makes a 6 lb braid now (Duracast) but I haven't tried it yet. That would be as easy (and cheap :)) as a phone call.... But Im so comfortable with my TUF-Plus 12.... not to mention, only the TUF Plus is available in white, which I greatly prefer for line visibility on my end. And since I always use a leader of one sort or the other, line vis at the fishes end is never a concern.

 

Still, at least for sunfish, I'm curious now about that 6lb Duracast....

 

Hmmmm,

Fish

[Fish Chris]

Hey 2lb, what brand / lb test braid do you use ???

 

Fish

[Janice Emmons]

I like spider wire or cajun red.

[John C Watson]

I have been using Fireline lately and really like the strength/diameter ratio that braid gives you as well as how supple the braid is.  The fact that the braid has no memory is a bonus for me.  In addition, the strength of the braid will aid if you are lucky enough to get a bite from a larger species of fish than what you initially targeted.  

 

I especially like braid for spinning reels in higher test lines.  Just put some 50# on a older Mitchell and have had some bad line twist problems.  We have been targeting garfish so the heavy line is needed with a wire leader.  Wish I would have spent enough to get braid to begin with.

[Janice Emmons]

I have switched from monofilament to braid and using nothing else.  I like to use something with the diameter of 4 pound test when using my ultralight pole.  I can feel the slightest bite but am also not sunk if I get a big bass.  Love using open faced reels too. 

[jody call]

i started using fireline fused crystal 4 lb.,cast great ,works well as long as I don't forget and set the hook like I have heavier line spooled! have lost some decent hookups due to setting to hard!

[Josh Milczski (Omaha)]

I was turned on to braided line a couple years ago on my baitcaster and will never go back on those reels.  On my lighter spinning reels I finally tried it this year and love it so far.  It can be tough if you forget your scissors or knife in the truck however and need to retie.....

[jody call]

tell me about it being tough,i went trout fishing a few years ago and was a ways from the truck and needed to retie,only i didn't have any type of knife or nippers ,i tried chewing it to no avail,finally had to go ancient old school and beat it with a sharp rock against another larger rock ,it worked but dang it took forever! tried wrapping the line around my arm once to free the line from a snag across the river once,finally got it free,it straightened the hook on my little inline spinner and brought blood from my arm ,braid don't play it is strong!

[John Wiley]

I switched to 8lb power pro a couple of years back and love it, 1lb diameter and if i hook in to a blue cat or a small mouth I know ive got the line to handle it also...and NO MORE LINE TWIST!!!  Just a wind knot every know and then...

John

 

[JBplusThuy]

Maybe I've just been living under a rock, but I didn't know you could use braid on a spinning reel.

On a related note, I've been considering trying a baitcasting reel for the first time, to replace a somewhat ailing old spincast reel on a baitcasting rod. Any n00b pointers from those of you using casting gear? Should I use mono or braid?  Or flourocarbon?

Anyone familiar with this reel?

 

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-EZ-Cast-Low-Profile-Baitcast-Ree...

 

i don't expect a lot for that price, but many of the reviewers say the anti-backlash mechanism works and it's a good reel for the baitcasting beginner.  I don't know what Shakespeare reels are like nowadays, but I still have and use a Shakespeare spinning reel that I saved up for when I was in 7th or 8th grade (about 35 years ago). It has all of its original parts, still works great, and the only piece of plastic in it anywhere is the drag adjustment knob. I hope they still build reels that way, but wonder if anyone actually does.

[richard foutch]

hey jonathan,

 i've used baitcasters plenty for bigger fish, bass, pike, and the like. but if you're looking to throw small lures, less than a quarter ounce, a spinning reel or a spincast reel is the way to go.  when trying to throw the smaller lures with a baitcaster, the lure is to lite to get the reel spool moving, and that is what releases the line as you cast.  to much resistance to cast far.  i had a shakespeare baitcaster many years ago and found it to be worthless for casting anything but the heaviest baits.  i was fortunate enough to become the owner of 3 sizes of Abu Garcia C-3 and C-4 reels, a 6500 C-3, a 5500 C-3 and a 4600C-4 all of which cast very well when balanced with a good rod and good line.  i've found the 4600 c-4 to be my go to setup for throwing 1/4 oz. crankbaits, but when i start getting smaller than that, the backlashes get overly annoying.  but, if you have the money, by all means, buy the setup!  another rod is always welcome, and if it doesn't fit the need you bought it for, then thats a perfect reason for expanding your fishing horizons!!

 Good luck and let me know how it works out for you.