Braid Negatively Effecting Reel Performance. Hoping For Some Input.

[Jay Ell Gee]

Hey all. After using nothing but mono on my Shimano Sahara 2500 spinning reel, I took advantage of the Tuff-Line Supercast offer but after seeing so many people use 20ish lb braid on their spinning gear, I decided to go that route as well.

 

After spooling up the braid (mono backing), I tied up a small Suffix Siege leader and started tossing around a fluke on lunch the next day at the work pond. What I immediately noticed is that my reel handle is now "sticking" on the retrieve. It seems like the whole reel just seizes up and I am forced to reel through it to get the line in.

 

This braid seems pretty thick for 20lb, so I am probably going to try tossing it on my Chronarch 50e instead. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the braid OR the generous offer from TL, I am beginning to wonder if the diameter is simply too much, or if something is wrong with the way I set my reel up. I am mainly blaming myself for not taking the time to check into it a bit more.

 

If I were to go out tomorrow and buy some Power Pro, would 20lb test work well? 30lb? The rod is a St. Croix Mojo 6'8 M/XF Wacky and it is used primarily for wacky rigging senkos, flick shaking, and tossing weightless senkos. I fish stained rivers and ponds almost exclusively, so do I even really need a 6 foot mono leader? If so, would Suffix Siege be a decent leader? I'm not going to spend the money on fluorocarbon simply to use as leaders in stained water. I just can't see the point.

 

Also, a buddy of mine regularly flips and pitches to light cover in the same rivers that I fish on a MH baitcasting setup using 30lb braid. Would this be fine for all but the heaviest of cover, such as flipping pads and tossing frogs? I already have a rod with 65lb Power Pro set up for that, but the heavy braid really has a negative effect on pitching distances. I would really like one more setup that can get some extra distances, as I do a LOT of pitching while river fishing.

 

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it!

 

Joshua

[OkeechobeeAngler]

I use 20pd PP on all my spinning and most of my casting reels. Light cover as in weeds ? 30pd should work. Tree limbs, rocks etc. stick with the 65. 

[The Rooster]

Take the spool off and try cranking with no line to interfere to rule out a sudden mechanical problem in the reel. I've heard of spinning reel binding issues with Shimano before. Could be coincidence it just started after spooling braid on. If it's seizing up and you force it, this causes damage to gears or bearings.

[Jay Ell Gee]

In all fairness, it's not a "total" seize... The reel just gets sticky.

I will test it tomorrow, though this reel has never given me cause for concern. Heck, it spooled the braid up just fine. I am aware of the damage that can be caused by reeling, but it wasn't anything that felt damaging. A little pressure on the handle and voila, smooth reeling again for a few turns.

Thanks for the input Rooster.

Light cover as in grass and floating vegitation. Some laydowns but I wouldn't fish the lighter braid in it unless it was pretty small limbs.

The spinning reel will also be used for skipping.

[Diggy]

This braid seems pretty thick for 20lb, so I am probably going to try tossing it on my Chronarch 50e instead. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the braid OR the generous offer from TL, I am beginning to wonder if the diameter is simply too much, or if something is wrong with the way I set my reel up. I am mainly blaming myself for not taking the time to check into it a bit more.

Powerpro 40 is the same diamater as tuffline 20 for what its worth since the tuffline isnt tru braid. 20lb pp is 6lb mono equiv. That being said, the reel probs are doubtfully from the line. Casting distance probs more than likely but not the sticking.

[SirSnookalot]

Tuff line is not the typical braided line, the 20# has a diameter of 10 lb mono and the diameter is .011.  A traditional 20# braided line is more like 6# lb test with diameters around .008 or .009, doesn't sound like much but it is.  IMO braided lines are more about diameter than strength, this line is reported to break a bit over 30#, I personally would not load up the equivalent of 10# mono or 30# strength on a 2500 sized reel, but in fairness braid is more supple and manageable than mono, but to each their own choice.

On PP website, their 40# is .013=10 lb mono and their 30# is .011=8 lb mono, proving to me that there is no industry standard and the only thing that really matters is the diameter.

 

I did receive my line yesterday and spooled up on a larger spinning reel, as the spool is 100yds I did use backing which I normally do not do.  The weather isn't right, but the tide is good for about an hour this morning for my target species, chances of catching a 20 or 30# fish are slim but I'm going to get a real good handle on how the line manages, I'm looking forward to the test.  If it works out well I'll respool with 300 yds @ $25.99 it is not expensive.

[S Hovanec]

What I immediately noticed is that my reel handle is now "sticking" on the retrieve. It seems like the whole reel just seizes up and I am forced to reel through it to get the line in.

 

Make sure the line is running on the roller on the retrieve.  I've experienced this before on some of my old BPS reels where the line wasn't in the roller and began cutting through the plastic of the bail arm.  There was a small ridge that prohibited the line from sliding to the roller and it hung up there and really made a groove.

[.RM.]

Hey all. After using nothing but mono on my Shimano Sahara 2500 spinning reel, I took advantage of the Tuff-Line Supercast offer but after seeing so many people use 20ish lb braid on their spinning gear, I decided to go that route as well.

 

After spooling up the braid (mono backing), I tied up a small Suffix Siege leader and started tossing around a fluke on lunch the next day at the work pond. What I immediately noticed is that my reel handle is now "sticking" on the retrieve. It seems like the whole reel just seizes up and I am forced to reel through it to get the line in.

 

This braid seems pretty thick for 20lb, so I am probably going to try tossing it on my Chronarch 50e instead. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the braid OR the generous offer from TL, I am beginning to wonder if the diameter is simply too much, or if something is wrong with the way I set my reel up. I am mainly blaming myself for not taking the time to check into it a bit more.

 

If I were to go out tomorrow and buy some Power Pro, would 20lb test work well? 30lb? The rod is a St. Croix Mojo 6'8 M/XF Wacky and it is used primarily for wacky rigging senkos, flick shaking, and tossing weightless senkos. I fish stained rivers and ponds almost exclusively, so do I even really need a 6 foot mono leader? If so, would Suffix Siege be a decent leader? I'm not going to spend the money on fluorocarbon simply to use as leaders in stained water. I just can't see the point.

 

Also, a buddy of mine regularly flips and pitches to light cover in the same rivers that I fish on a MH baitcasting setup using 30lb braid. Would this be fine for all but the heaviest of cover, such as flipping pads and tossing frogs? I already have a rod with 65lb Power Pro set up for that, but the heavy braid really has a negative effect on pitching distances. I would really like one more setup that can get some extra distances, as I do a LOT of pitching while river fishing.

 

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it!

 

Joshua

As posted make sure the line is riding ontop of the line roller. Also check to make sure the line isn't wrapped around any of the rods guides.

When you remove the spool and check the cranking if it is smooth then check back from the reel to the rod tip for line binding....

 

 

Tight Lines!

[Darren.]

Hey all. After using nothing but mono on my Shimano Sahara 2500 spinning reel, I took advantage of the Tuff-Line Supercast offer but after seeing so many people use 20ish lb braid on their spinning gear, I decided to go that route as well.

 

After spooling up the braid (mono backing), I tied up a small Suffix Siege leader and started tossing around a fluke on lunch the next day at the work pond. What I immediately noticed is that my reel handle is now "sticking" on the retrieve. It seems like the whole reel just seizes up and I am forced to reel through it to get the line in.

 

This braid seems pretty thick for 20lb, so I am probably going to try tossing it on my Chronarch 50e instead. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the braid OR the generous offer from TL, I am beginning to wonder if the diameter is simply too much, or if something is wrong with the way I set my reel up. I am mainly blaming myself for not taking the time to check into it a bit more.

 

If I were to go out tomorrow and buy some Power Pro, would 20lb test work well? 30lb? The rod is a St. Croix Mojo 6'8 M/XF Wacky and it is used primarily for wacky rigging senkos, flick shaking, and tossing weightless senkos. I fish stained rivers and ponds almost exclusively, so do I even really need a 6 foot mono leader? If so, would Suffix Siege be a decent leader? I'm not going to spend the money on fluorocarbon simply to use as leaders in stained water. I just can't see the point.

 

Also, a buddy of mine regularly flips and pitches to light cover in the same rivers that I fish on a MH baitcasting setup using 30lb braid. Would this be fine for all but the heaviest of cover, such as flipping pads and tossing frogs? I already have a rod with 65lb Power Pro set up for that, but the heavy braid really has a negative effect on pitching distances. I would really like one more setup that can get some extra distances, as I do a LOT of pitching while river fishing.

Other guys have pretty much tackled the sticking thing (with steps to try). As for PowerPro, honestly, 20 would be the MAX I would use on spinning gear. I personally use 10 lb test on mine, and 20 on my bait caster. I throw wacky rigs, TX, split shot, light jigs, etc., with zero issues.

What matters more is the leader (IMO). I go up to 15lb if I'm throwing in sticks, thick grassy areas, etc. I have had one PP 10 lb break experience that I know of -- it was OLD, worn and should have been replaced first. Fortunately it was on a snag. But I have brought in thick, water-soaked logs off the bottom and the braid holds fine.

I signed up for the "free" Tuf-line, wanted 10, settled for 12lb since that was the smallest diameter offered.

Just my .02. One man's overkill is another man's go-to.

[SirSnookalot]

As I used my 20# Supercast this morning for the first time on spinning gear, this is my opinion.  The larger diameter had absolutely no effect on casting distance, in fact there may have been an increase.  The line was quiet, more than others I don't  know as I really don't pay much attention to that but it was quiet and smooth. The line management could not have been better, due in fact to 2 possible factors, 1. being the line itself and 2. my new design for my constantly spinning lures that create horrendous line twist, the line twist was almost zero after 2 straight hours of casting.  I rate my experience A+, although being fishless this morning the knot strength and holding power were not tested, but I really have no concern of those issues.   I'll give it a few more weeks before deciding whether to buy other sizes for different types of fishing, but so far so good.

[Jay Ell Gee]

Have not had time to test the solutions yet, but I will agree that it cast VERY well. I was more than impressed. I really hope that I can figure this out and keep using it.

[mcipinkie]

The problem with braid, especially the real small diameter braids, is that they dig in on the reel.  I've been throwing braid for a long time.  I used the old braided nylons in the 60's, and now use braid on every rod - reel combination and still fight them some.  One thing that helps to wind the line on the reel very tightly.  If I spool up dry line, I run it through a towel and spool it on as tight as I can.  Sometimes when fishing and the line starts burying up, I'll toss it out, pull out a bunch more line and then do the same thing.  Braid casts better if tight on the spool.

 

I can't put a handle on why, but some combos work for me and some don't.  I can't get 20 lb. braid to work on any baitcaster and I've tried almost all of them, but have very little trouble with 30.  10 lb. Nanofil wore me out on spinning reels, but 10 lb. PP works wonderfully.

 

I wouldn't expect a problem on a spinning reel with 20 lb unless mechanical in nature.  I have more trouble with 832 than either the regular Suffix braid or PP.

 

I just bought a spool of Kanzen 20.  I'll spool it up for jerk bait fishing.  If it works, great.  If not, back to PP.  Other than the Kanzen, which I haven't tried yet, I see nothing better than PP.

[Jay Ell Gee]

There is no digging of any type happening. This braid just isn't thin enough to cause that problem. Those who have it will know that.

 

I removed the spool and the reel cranks like butter. Go figure.

 

I'm guessing that I just overspooled the reel.

[new2BC4bass]

Glad the problem is resolved.  Previously I had only read good things about this line.  As SirSnookalot said, this braid is thicker than other brands.  It gets an external coating.  I have 30# Fireline on a Daiwa 2000A Advantage, and haven't had any problems other than snapping off a new 1/2 oz. jig when the line wrapped around the tip.  No one who has tested the SuperCast has said a word about the line wrapping around the tip.  Just the opposite.  They say it never did it once.

 

I've got the 20# to try on a Zillion PE Line Special.  My daughter has the 12# coming for one of her spinning outfits.  Weather is warming up, so I have hopes of getting out sometime in the next 2-3 weeks to give it a try.  I don't foresee any trouble based on what I have read so far.