My abu spinning reels are only used for casting and only braid is used and in saltwater. The water itself has no effect on twist or knots but imo the wind conditions are more prominent, calm wind produces far less problems. Yes, braid will twist under certain conditions, that would be a bait like a spoon and in my case barracuda tubes which constantly spin 360 degrees.
There is one application that I do use clear line ( mono, copoly etc) that is drift fishing in the ocean, these spinning reels are 8000 series or larger. Twist happens each and every outing without fail and is caused by 2 actions. The first happens when using baits like a ballyhoo or sardine which are about 6" long, they constantly turn around and around twist up your line, swivels help some but not much. Second reason is the way the line gets loaded back onto the spool as your cranking in. A spinning reel spool is in a fixed position mounted straight and the line is wrapped around the spool, a b/c spool is at a 90 angle to the rod and gathers the line itself by rotating, gets no twist.
I just get the line on the reel knowing the first thing i do before fishing is to troll the line out ( twists in braid will not troll out), I troll my line out before every outing. Just a mention, a b/c will get line twist from using the baits like a sardine for the same bait rotating situation, most will never encounter that problem as you don't fish that technique.
I am almost 100% convinced the reel is the major problem, but the way thre line loads back on to the reel contributes. I really like these abus, the drags are some of the best and the reels are built rock solid. That said and not wanting to start a reel debate, my stradics have never encountered that twist or wind knot problem, I do feel they are not built as solid. Don't get me wrong stradic is an excellent reel.
I know in my head what i was trying to say, hope it makes sense on paper..lol
