Braid For The First Time

[(='_'=)]

hey. last week i just purchased a spool of 30# braid. this will be the first time i use braid, as i have been using mono on my cranking rod, and fluoro on my worm rod... i plan on using the braid on the worm rod, wich is a Falcon Clark Wendlandt 6´6" MH, with a Quantum KVD reel.

now, i have heard things about the braid digging into the guides, it slipping in the reel´s spool when trying to reel it in, or knots slipping. so before i spool my reel for a fishing trip this weekend, i want to know what special considerations i have to take... what is the best knot for tying worm hooks?? what to do in rocky areas?? tie a fluoro leader?? or any other thing i should keep in mind??

thanx!!

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Put some mono backing on the spool before adding the braid. Double Uni or Palomar to tie to the hook. Use a Fluoro or mono leader around rocks and use the Alberto to join the braid, and mon/fluoro together.

[(='_'=)]

thanx... i assume to use the Alberto knot, which i dont know, to tie the mono backing to the braid??

this is the video i found about the knot, is it correct??

[new2BC4bass]

Yes, that is the correct knot for splicing leader to main line.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

thanx... i assume to use the Alberto knot, which i dont know, to tie the mono backing to the braid??

this is the video i found about the knot, is it correct??

I use the Alberto to tie the braid to the backing, and then to tie the fluoro/mono to the braid. It is very easy to tie after a couple times, and I have NEVER had that knot fail.

[(='_'=)]

thank you!! ill prepare my reel today and hopefully use it to get something tomorrow....

[(='_'=)]

well, yesterday i spooled my reel with the braid... fist i used mono as a backing, and tied the braid with the alberto knot... the knot was very strong, no slip or anything, but, it left a big ball, i was hoping the transition would be smoother but there is a big bump between both... i dont think it will be a problem since the bump is covered with braid and most probably i will never throw my bait far enough for the bump to pass through the reel´s guide...

however, if i tie a leader and the bump is of similar size, i think i wont have a smooth cast... this was the first time i tied the knot, so, when finished, how big should it be?? is it noticeable?? i plan on tying a leader with thin fluoro, so i may be getting a smaller knot, but im not sure how big is too big....

and another thing.... how do i avoid damaging the rod, if its rated for 12-20 lbs and my braid is 30 lbs?? how should i adjust the drag??

thanx!!

[Chris Wilson]

Adjust the drag to 1/4 of your line weight. For example 40lb braid will be 10 lbs of drag. As far as the knot, try a normal Albright it should serve fine and will be thinner. Just keep in mind the weak link will then be your mono leader unless it is of similar size. I run 30 and 50 lb braid straight on my spools with no backing, just a thin strip of tape for grip. Then cut the swivel off a snap swivel and tie the snap straight to braid. That way I get quick lure changes and braid all the way.

[deep]

however, if i tie a leader and the bump is of similar size, i think i wont have a smooth cast... this was the first time i tied the knot, so, when finished, how big should it be?? is it noticeable?? i plan on tying a leader with thin fluoro, so i may be getting a smaller knot, but im not sure how big is too big....

Comparison for 8 turn alberto.

Left to right:

30 lb Daiwa Samurai to 10 lb Sufix Elite, 55 lb Daiwa Samurai to 14 lb Berkley Trilene XT, 80 lb Daiwa Samurai to 25 lb Berkley Big Game.

Passing through guides, only tip-top shown.

Pic 1:

Powell Max 733 Spinning, 30 lb Daiwa Samurai to 10 lb Sufix Elite

Pic 2:

Powell Max 753 Casting, 55 lb Daiwa Samurai to 14 lb Berkley Trilene XT

Pic 3:

Mattlures XH Swimbait Casting, 80 lb Daiwa Samurai to 25 lb Berkley Big Game.

[(='_'=)]

thank you very much Deep!!

the knot i did was only 4 turns, and i used 15 lb mono to 30 lb braid, so actually the mono was thicker i believe... for the leader i may be using 12 lb fluoro which is smaller, so i think the knot will be almost like your left picture... if you dont have problems with the third pic, i guess i wont have either....

now, what about the rod rating vs braid rating?? i am exceding the rods capacity by 50%... what should i keep in mind?? softer hooksets?? looser drag??

[SirSnookalot]

I believe most people set their drag to the mono equivalent of the braid diameter, I set mine by feel the drag is about the same braid or mono. 10# of drag as stated above is a lot of drag, for 40# braid I would be setting somewhere around 3 or 4#, same as 10 lb mono.

@ Chris, your explanation and the fact you'e from Conn. makes me think your set up may be used for stripers, my tarpon set ups are quite similar, never backing only straight braid to the leader. I may suggest not to use snap from snap swivels but to use a crosslock or duolock instead. My own preference is using a loopknot rather than any kind of a snap, but that is personal.

[Chris Wilson]

I've never fished saltwater lol, just always have used overkill. I fish a lot of swampy areas and lillypads have taken my lures before so I beefed my stuff up. I never used snaps until I used braid, it's expensive to keep cutting, a pain to cut and only a few knots work with it. I feel like using 30lb braid an a 10lb mono leader defeats the purpose of having the braid. I used straight braid only because I found a way that works and won't slip.

[fishking247]

i use 10-30lb power pro with NO LEADER

[(='_'=)]

ok, i guess ill be using no leader, unless i begin noticing a lot of abrasion on the braid due to the rocks, then i may consider the fluoro leader...

now i only have the question about the drag... i dont have a way to measuring the # i have the drag set to, but i always set it to where it will let out line when i pull with moderate force.... then i adjust while fighting the fish... but i dont really know how tight or loose should it be...

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Set the drag as you normally do with mono...

[fishking247]

ok, i guess ill be using no leader, unless i begin noticing a lot of abrasion on the braid due to the rocks, then i may consider the fluoro leader...

now i only have the question about the drag... i dont have a way to measuring the # i have the drag set to, but i always set it to where it will let out line when i pull with moderate force.... then i adjust while fighting the fish... but i dont really know how tight or loose should it be...

if you start to fish a lot around rocks ditch the braid and fish a setup with mono or fluoro

[(='_'=)]

thanx... i dont fish a lot around rocks, even though there are some rocky places that are very productive, these are not the majority of the fishing i do... so ill try the braid and see how i like it, i already am using fluoro and liked it a lot...

[AirbusAngler]

Here in AZ i fish a lot of rocks, never use a leader on my 30lb power pro. Just make sure you check it every now and then as you should with all lines. But especially after catching a fish I almost always retie just because when I do catch one the only thing they have around here is rocks to drag it on.

[AirbusAngler]

Oh and by the way bring a little extra patience to the lake with you too lol braid has a tendency to tie itself into some crazy nests if your not careful