Lesson Learned

[Preytorien]

I'm a huge fan of braided line. I like the confidence of knowing that very rarely do I ever lose a fish when I'm using it, in fact, I can't remember the last time I lost a fish due to line problems (weak hooksets are another topic )

 

I've been experimenting with various braids on my baitcast and spinning setups.

 

By far the best braid I've used for my spinning setup has been Power Pro Slick 8. I use the 15lb (4lb eq) version, and the small diameter lets me cast lures as far, if not further, than the flourocarbon P-Line I had on before. I love the stuff.

 

Usually I use Sufix 832 50lb on my baitcast, and I love the stuff. It's manageable and seems like the kind of line you like to spool then forget about since I've never had any issues whatsoever, and unless you get a bad batch, you won't either.

 

However, the adventurous side of my personality got the best of me and logic said that my casting abilities on my baitcaster might benefit from the same advantages my spinning rig does when I use Slick 8.

 

Boy was I wrong. Let me get this straight, I didn't lose any fish, and really when it boils down to the true test of a line it's making sure our fish are landed, however the problem was right after I let the fish lose.

 

Slick 8 is VERY slick stuff, which makes it great for spinning rods, but it's slick nature caused insane line dig. I was able to pick the first dig out, but the second was so deep I had to cut the line off the spool, and I promptly re-spooled tonight with Sufix.

 

My best educated guess would be that the slick-ness of the Slick 8 allows it to just dive right in. Please understand these weren't 8lb hawgs or anything, they were less than 2lbs and I didn't try to just haul em' in. I let them play a bit. Under every other circumstance with line, I've never had a problem, flouro, mono, Sufix, etc....nothing has ever given me this much line dig.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not hacking on Power Pro Slick 8, there's no way I'd use anything else on my spinning rod, what I'm saying is just that I think it's a risky choice for a baitcaster.

 

What are your thoughts? Anyone ever had the same thing happen?

[Hogsticker]

I didn't encounter any digging issues with it on a casting reel, but I took it off after two trips as every time I cut it using a boomerang tool, scissors, or whatever to retie, the stuff frayed like no other braid I've used. The line casts crazy good, but not much better than Performance braid which is what I've stuck with throughout my adventures with braid.

[Preytorien]

I noticed some fraying too when I used it. I'm not used to seeing it, but I figured it was due to me having to pick out those digs. Interesting to hear I'm not the only one that saw that. Thankfully I've never seen it on my spinning rig. Like I said, it's absolutely awesome on that one.

 

For what it's worth (and pertaining to another thread I read), I did indeed tension the line as I spooled it. I always do. Better casts of course. So it wasn't a problem with tensioning while seating the line.

[0119]

I didn't find it to be all that slick.  Between the initial spooling and the first days fishing, what slickness was there about wore off.

[5dollarsplash]

I think a lot of it has to do with what your used to and comfortable with.  If your used to Suffix, you'll notice everything that Power Pro does different and vice versa. 

 

I use PPS8 on most of my reels, I'll get an occasional dig but for how it performs otherwise I'll take the trade off.  I notice it more, oddly enough, with my frog set up with higher lb test. 

 

I'm trying 832 on one set up and Tufline Supercast on another, like you I notice every little thing they do different than the Power Pro I'm used to.  We just need to work out what works best for our situations.

[rockchalk06]

I actuslly switched from 832 over to PP Slick. I run the Timber Brown. With 40#, I've had no digging in issues, no casting issues etc. it fades quick like most braids, but I've had no issues you've described after just over 8 months.

[Capt.Bob]

Lesson's Learned,,,,,,me to, that's why after trying everything out there, I only run Sufix 832. of course on Lew's, and  Shimano's reels with St. Croix's rod's!!  For some reason I never have a problem,,,,,,,  

[SirSnookalot]

I spooled up a couple of reels with 10# PPslick, so far I like it.  Casted well and the few windknots I had just pulled right thru.  A handful of 5# bass is not my measure of testing line, I'll be spooling an inshore set up and that will give me some very good feedback.

[baluga]

I have spooled a couple of my baitcaster with PPS8 and it was great no issue with digging in the spool, and I've landed fish over 10#s with it and no issue with line digging. 

I also have spooled a couple of my baitcaster with 832 and it was great no issue with digging in the spool. 

 

I'm using 20#s rating for both PPS8 and 832.

 

I like the PPS8 better since it is more abrasive resistant than 832.  The only downside is that the PPS8 is a bit thicker than 832 so your losing some capacity but not by much.

[dodgeguy]

suffix 832 imho is the best braid made.i've used a bunch of the others since the early 90's and 832 is overall the best handling braid.

[iabass8]

i uses super8slick around the time it first came out. line frayed a lot but the slickness wore off pretty quick. went back to 832 i don't recall any digging issues.

[thehooligan]

I use regular pp, slick 8, and suffix performance. I'm slowly fading everything out and considering buying bulk spools of the performance braid. Really like that stuff. Regular pp is fine though, and super slick is a little pricey.