braid virgin

2661 Views 41 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Joseph Lamberty, Feb 27, 2010

brady32182

Discussion Starter · Feb 17, 2010

Hey Guys...So I just picked up a new Sargus for my 9ft Tica. With all the hype regarding braid now i was thniking of giving it a try. I have always, always, used mono but hear that once you use it, and use it right, braid is incomparable. Ive researched it and got a lot of pointers and tips but wanna see wat you guys think too. All my other rods are spooled with mono so would it be too much of a hassle to try braid on this rod (which would be more of a plugging/light bait rod) while i use mono on the others since its two different extremes? The gentleman i bought the reel from told me to use this set up for the Sargus 5000 - (20 lb mono backing - 50 lb braid - 20 to 25 ft. of 30-35 lb floro shock leader.)

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Joseph Lamberty

· #2 · Feb 17, 2010 (Edited)

I wouldn't go with 50 lb braid, I would use 30lb for plugging. The chances of catching a 40 lb + bass in the spring is definitely possible. The smaller diameter braid will increase your casting distance especially if your throwing plugs under 3 oz . Remember that the Rod and drag can handle a Bass 40+ pounds. by lightening your main line you will also have less problem with the wind and water catching the braid which makes it harder to stay in contact with your presentation. If you plan on using bait. then stick with the 50lb braid. but for plugging 30lb is plenty strong with 40-50lb 3ft leader.

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Narragansett

· #3 · Feb 17, 2010

Joseph Lamberty said:
I wouldn't go with 50 lb braid, I would use 30lb for plugging. The chances of catching a 40 lb + bass in the spring is definitely possible. The smaller diameter braid will increase your casting distance especially if your throwing plugs under 3 oz . Remember that the Rod and drag can handle a Bass 40+ pounds. by lightening your main line you will also have less problem with the wind and water catching the braid which makes it harder to stay in contact with your presentation. If you plan on using bait. then stick with the 50lb braid. but for plugging 30lb is plenty strong with 40-50lb 3ft leader.

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I agree, and 30 pound power pro, I feel is the best. If you go lighter, you start to get wind knots. I have not tried them all, but I have tried the stren, and do not like it a bit. You need some mono against the spool, to eliminate slippage. 3feet of leader is all you need. You should have that hanging out of the end of the rod anyway when you cast. I use a small 80lb SPRO swivel between the braid and the leader. You can use the 130 LB. They are very small. On the other end of the leader, I tie a small as possible surgeons loop, and connect it to the back side of a sampo black stainless duosnap( by opening the back. Then you can change plugs easily.Have not had that system fail yet. I tie a palomar in the braid to the swivel.

rchipbrown

· #4 · Feb 17, 2010

I can't imagine using mono ever again.

All I ever hear is "powerpro is best" but I again suggest that most of the people saying that have never tried Daiwa Samurai braid -- it is far far superrior to powerpro. 40lb Samurai braid is the ultimate all around line.

FISH BUCKET

· #5 · Feb 17, 2010

:thumbsup:

if i could afford it,daiwa braid would be on all my reels!

RyanF

· #6 · Feb 17, 2010

50# for bait and 30# for articials. You will not be putting 30# of pressure onto a fish anyway - the old timers used to fish 15-20# mono.

All I hear is good things about the Samurai and if it was off the shelf at my local B&Ts I would probably try it. I am happy with Suffix.

RyanF

Exterminator

· #7 · Feb 17, 2010

I too use 50# for baiting and 30# for plugging. I buy the 1500 yd PP and that last a long time. I change line once per year but only because I rinse each reel extremely good after every use. Even if I just cast one time I will rinse reel for 5 mins.
Braid is the way to go.:bow::bow::bow:

soup's on

· #8 · Feb 17, 2010

i tried 60 lb pp braid with like 12lb diameter on my surf rod and was extremely disappointed... birds nest after 3-4 casts....never had this problem with mono. what am i doing wrong!

Tony Mig

· #9 · Feb 17, 2010

I just convert from mono to braid last season, there's a learning curve with braid, and I'll share what I personally discovered.....

For any baitcaster or conventional reel you want to go no lighter than #50, anything lighter tends to bury itself into the spooled line when under pressure. Power Pro works fine for this.
For spinning I don't like Power pro, and prefer Suffix in #30, but you will still have occasional issues if you are not careful. First thing is, do not over fill the spool, that will only lead to wind knots, no matter the size or brand. Second, get in the habit of manually closing your bail, and third always keep your line tight on the spool.
Until you get the hang of braid bring a backup outfit spooled with mono in case you get frustrated with the braid, or get one of those world class wind knots that'll take an hour to straighten out....especially if you're fishing at night.
A good majority of my fishing is plugging with light artificials, the first couple of times I tried braid, it pissed me off and I went back to mono. The third time I tried it I started to figure it out, I still have occasional issues and difficulties with braid on my light plugging gear, but absolutely love it on all my conventionals.

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Joseph Lamberty

· #10 · Feb 18, 2010

Tony Mig said:
I just convert from mono to braid last season, there's a learning curve with braid, and I'll share what I personally discovered.....

For any baitcaster or conventional reel you want to go no lighter than #50, anything lighter tends to bury itself into the spooled line when under pressure. Power Pro works fine for this.
For spinning I don't like Power pro, and prefer Suffix in #30, but you will still have occasional issues if you are not careful. First thing is, do not over fill the spool, that will only lead to wind knots, no matter the size or brand. Second, get in the habit of manually closing your bail, and third always keep your line tight on the spool.
Until you get the hang of braid bring a backup outfit spooled with mono in case you get frustrated with the braid, or get one of those world class wind knots that'll take an hour to straighten out....especially if you're fishing at night.
A good majority of my fishing is plugging with light artificials, the first couple of times I tried braid, it pissed me off and I went back to mono. The third time I tried it I started to figure it out, I still have occasional issues and difficulties with braid on my light plugging gear, but absolutely love it on all my conventionals.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:....Perfectly put my friend. I have been using braid for 6 yrs and there is a learning curve. Best Advise for anyone fishing the surf
::thumbsup: (((( Close the bail manually))))):thumbsup:
The sensitivity and distance casting braid while plugging and the confidence you get knowing you aren't gonna break a fish off as YOU direct the fight outweighs the issues you'll have learning how to fish it.

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brady32182

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks a lot guys. So much helpful advise! My reel is rated 220/14. How much 30lb braid should be spooled on it? The comparison between mono and braid sizes still confuses me:huh:

Joseph Lamberty

· #12 · Feb 18, 2010

brady32182 said:
Thanks a lot guys. So much helpful advise! My reel is rated 220/14. How much 30lb braid should be spooled on it? The comparison between mono and braid sizes still confuses me:huh:

When ever I braid spinning gear for the first time I let the Tackle store do it. The store bought spools only come in 110, 125,150, or 300 hundred yard lengths. while 150 yrd is plenty. I like to put 200 on my spinning reels so if I break off I can still get a season out of it. On my conventionals I like 300 yrds but, I like the tackle stores to spool it because they can get it on way tighter than I can plus the guy who does it for me criss crosses the braid manually on the reel every 50 yrds or so to help with it digging in when your fighting a big fish or get hung on the bottom. The extra few bucks is worth it to me.

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FISH BUCKET

· #13 · Feb 18, 2010

some good advice and some not so good advice
if you're using a non level wind reel you can go much lighter than 50#.
as you reel in crisscross in x's and you won't have the dig in problem.
on my spinners i fill to the lip and sometimes beyond.
because all my spinners are braid friendly and because i keep my line spooled tight,i rarely have wind knot issues.
some of my braid is well over 5 years old and still being fished.
i cut back when line gets fuzzy.
braid knots are so small that i will add new line to old right on the beach.
to ease the transition fish with someone who has used braid for a while.

kermic

· #14 · Feb 19, 2010

I'm agreeing for the most part with everyone on here too. For the NJ surf 30# braid is perfect, but if you fish jetties or go up north to boulder fields you'll want 40 or even 50# braid because of severe rocks. You should be able to get 250-300 yrds. on that reel of braid and a little mono backing. I prefer sufix, as I've tried all the other popular brands but have found that sufix is my line- don't fix it if it aint broke- so to speak. It does take a little getting used to, but if you hang in there with it you'll never go back to mono. Make sure it's on tight, and as even as possible so have a tackle shop do it if you don't have a good tension winder. I also prefer mono on all my bait rods, just don't see the need for braid on bait rods for some reason, but since I plug 98% of the time it doesn't really matter.

Tedder

· #15 · Feb 19, 2010

Question--

I'd think braid would be better for bait fishing than mono--? seems like you could get away with a much lighter sinker than with mono just due to the diameter of the line?

If I'm wrong let me know, but that what I've always thought.

I love braided line-- been using it for years dating back to my smallmouth days. I tend to trust my Braid knots better than a heavy mono, and just overall confidence when you have a hog on the other end helps. and OH! the casting difference...

Thanks guys for the "close the bail manually" advice... I had one nasty nest that almost ruined my afternoon this year, maybe I can prevent the next one with that.

Narragansett

· #16 · Feb 19, 2010

soup's on said:
i tried 60 lb pp braid with like 12lb diameter on my surf rod and was extremely disappointed... birds nest after 3-4 casts....never had this problem with mono. what am i doing wrong!

Some reels do not wind braid well, but I have never had a problem . Frankly I think the line is too heavy, 30lb is fine, but at a guess, I would say your spool sounds like it is too full. What type of reel, and how much in yards do you have on? Are you spooled right to the edge of the lip? If so you have too much line on, and you will get knots.

KOS

· #17 · Feb 19, 2010

Now that you will be using braid do not forget to protect your casting index finger. Braid can cut to the bone.

Homer

· #18 · Feb 19, 2010

I disagree about not filling spinning reels all the way and then maybe some more! I put all I can on my reels, wish i could find my pictures of reels. Only times i get wind knots is after I reel in a slack line and don't pay attention, then cast too hard on next cast.

I do agree w/ manual bail closing; it also forces you to pay attention to how the line is on the reel- occasionaly the line will be laying across the spool top after a cast, and if you don't notice you'll end up w/ a loop somewhere in your spool= knot when you cast again.

This part i don't understand:

brady32182 said:
.....(20 lb mono backing - 50 lb braid - 20 to 25 ft. of 30-35 lb floro shock leader.)

Couple things about that: a shock leader (for absorbing the shock of the cast when throwing weight and bait) needs to be maybe that long (should wrap the spool about eight times), but it should be heavier/stronger than the running line- that's the whole point! But why the need for a shock leader for plugging, especially w/ 50lb. braid??

By the way, check out the new K-series "tangle free" guides- pretty cool demo vid!:
http://www.tackletour.com/previewfujikseriesguide.html

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Joseph Lamberty

· #19 · Feb 19, 2010

KOS said:
Now that you will be using braid do not forget to protect your casting index finger. Braid can cut to the bone.

Usually by mid summer the callous on my index finger is thick enough to prevent any cuts, whenever I get a braid cut its usually in the crease between the tip and middle of my finger and caused by the lighter braid I have on my flounder rod..hauling in dogfish.

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fishincrazy

· #20 · Feb 19, 2010

RyanF said:
50# for bait and 30# for articials. You will not be putting 30# of pressure onto a fish anyway - the old timers used to fish 15-20# mono.

All I hear is good things about the Samurai and if it was off the shelf at my local B&Ts I would probably try it. I am happy with Suffix.

RyanF

Like Ryan I like the suffix and have tried the stren and PP,and fireline.I haven't tried the Diawa samuri line yet I guess cause I like the suffix so much.I switched over to braid a long time ago and haven't used mono since.I use a shock leader of around 3 ft usually I like to tie everything direct,but while plugging I've been using clips on the buisness end for quick change.I still like the uni to uni knot to connect to the braid,but alot of guy's use the albright knot.There's also the crazy Alberto knot.As Ryan said 30lb for plugging is the way to go.

FC:thumbsup:

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