I Use Braid Leader On Mono. What?!?

[logan9209]

The last few weeks I started using a Zara Spook with my b/c since it's getting hot so early in the year where I live. Could be a line guide issue, but for some reason after a few casts almost a foot or so of line (mono 12lb) was being eaten up. I had some 30lb braid (8lb mono diameter) left over, so I took roughly double length of the rod of braid and tied it to my mono with a albright special knot. The braid was my leader.

Braid a relaxed line where mono is stiff. My walk the dog retrieve was much smoother and it never dipped under water (braid tends to float). I have caught 6 bass and I lost one because I didn't play the bass right. Also I got the spook hung up in a lay down (still working on accuracy) and both lines withstood the beating that began and lasted for about 10 minutes. Hey at $6 a pop I can't afford to lose lures like that. This lake where I live at has already swallowed almost $80 worth of lures in the last 6 months. Anyways, I got my Spook back and like I said the lines were perfectly fine.

[S Hovanec]

Sounds like a chipped or cracked insert to me.

[logan9209]

That's what I was thinking too. No matter my reel stopped reeling a couple of days ago. It will turn and will kick the button up, but it doesn't move the spool. I took it apart three times and I can't figure it out. I think getting my lure out of the tree like I did damaged it somehow.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

What model reel do you have? If it's valuable enough to repair you can send it in and I'll get it going for you. As for the rod, run a cotton swab around each guide to find the bad one and have it replaced. It should be about a $10 job depending on what guide it is.

[The Guy]

I bought a sellus spinning rod that had a cracked insert. It frayed my 20lb braid from the knot to about 8 inches up the line. I didn't catch it in time and cast a lure into oblivion, exchanged it and all is well now.

[Ratherbfishing]

That's what I was thinking too. No matter my reel stopped reeling a couple of days ago. It will turn and will kick the button up, but it doesn't move the spool. I took it apart three times and I can't figure it out. I think getting my lure out of the tree like I did damaged it somehow.

Are you sure you don't have "ghost drag"? This is where the entire "spool" of braided line loosens on the spool and turns freely. It's very deceptive and unless you know better, you think the reel spool isn't turning.

[logan9209]

there's only 8ft of braid. besides when i had it apart i noticed that the reel gear wasn't moving the spool gear unless the spool/line release was engaged.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That's how a baitcaster works. If the reel is engaged and the main gear is turning the pinion but spool isn't turning the bottom of the pinion is not engaged with the spool. You may have the yoke upside down preventing the pinion from seating.

[logan9209]

Sorry Delaware, I meant that when the thumb button is engaged you can turn the real and it will disengage but the spool still never turns. It's a Quantum Lite that I picked up with the Quantum Lite rod for $20 at a local pawn. I may go back there and see if I can get another one. I bought a Pinnacle for $40 last month but had to return it because even with everything tightened up the line still came freely off of there and when you cast it there's no braking at all. My thumb was the brake. I know that you need to use your thumb but it should be in cooperation with the magnetic brake and the spool tension.

[SirSnookalot]

I do not see the point of using braided line for a leader. I use mono or f/c leaders for a few reasons, braided line getting tangled in the lure hooks can be a nightmare to untangle, best thing to do is just take your bic out and burn it off and retie. I also like a little bit of shock, my leaders never exceed 24" and they are attached via a swivel. I understand the concern over losing lures, we all lose them, for strength my typical set up is 10-15# braid with a 15-20# mono leader, I don't lose much in freshwater. Many people have success all braid and no leader, so there is no right or wrong way.

Why the line was eaten up can't be answered without being there.

To my memory I can't seem to remember having a cracked guide on any freshwater rod, it has happened in saltwater, but rarely is the insert cracked, it's the outer shell of the guide getting corroded from the salt. A rinse down after each outing of the rod is as important as rinsing the reel.

[0119]

Most of my fishing is walking the dog. You arent having trouble with the braid catching the front trebles? I find a stiff mono at least 12#, a necessity to prevent that. Being that to really work the lure you keep alot of slack in the line. You should be able to almost keep the lure in the same place, flopping back and forth you have so much slack going.