Line Too Small?

[buzzed bait]

Is 35lb braid too small for pitching a 3/8oz jig into moderate or heavy cover? Would 50lb be a better choice?

[Marty]

 

Is 35lb braid too small for pitching a 3/8oz jig into moderate or heavy cover?

 

Moderate or heavy cover are subjective terms which might mean different things to different people. I've fished in cover which I'd describe in those terms with 15# braid.

[Darren.]

Moderate or heavy cover are subjective terms which might mean different things to different people. I've fished in cover which I'd describe in those terms with 15# braid.

 

Agree with Marty. I scratch my head when I see 50, 60, 80+ pound braid being used for bass fishing. I guess the point is not to lose the fish under any circumstance, act of God, or otherwise. I've been amazed at what can be caught with lesser poundage lines. But this is just me and my paltry .02. I don't fish tourneys.

 

Although I have caught onto such braid that's been snagged and cut. What an absolute pain to deal with! LOL.

[tomustang]

Agree with Marty. I scratch my head when I see 50, 60, 80+ pound braid being used for bass fishing. I guess the point is not to lose the fish under any circumstance, act of God, or otherwise. I've been amazed at what can be caught with lesser poundage lines. But this is just me and my paltry .02. I don't fish tourneys.

 

Although I have caught onto such braid that's been snagged and cut. What an absolute pain to deal with! LOL.

 

I use 50lb braid for some applications, not because of the rating, but because of the line diameter equivalent. 50lb power pro is 12 diameter, which 12lb size runs great on my 50 sized reels.

 

Not based off the pound rating at all. Bigger lines run better on baitcasters, just like smaller braid lines run better on typical spinning reels.

[skeletor6]

^^^^ Is right, the amount of cover is subjective. In most cases, 35# is plenty, however, I prefer the diameter of most 50# braid. It is easier to manage, less wind knots and line dig. Remember your biggest issue with braid strength is not the straight power rating of the line, it is shock resistance and abrasion resistance.

[dave]

The only issues I have ever had with a 30# braid,  is line digging after a good hookset or pulling out of a snag.  I went back to 50#.   I fish frogs and toads on 30# braid and spinning gear (another thread) with no power issues at all.

[WRB]

Are you using a leader? The braid diameter should equal the leader diameter, especially if you are handling the line when pitching, you always handle the line flipping.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

The problem with lighter braid is the thin diameter and it's tendency to dig into itself when pressure is applied. I prefer 50lb for bass fishing if I'm using a baitcaster, 20lb if I'm using a spinning reel. Not saying it won't work, just be prepared to deal with it digging in on the hooksets, which you may have to clear before you can make another cast or you might cast your bait off if it's dug in bad enough. 

[LMB ANGLER]

30 pound is good enough 

[SirSnookalot]

First of all I would never use b/c gear so a heavy braid is not even a consideration.  We see people that feel lighter braids dig in with b/c gear and others that say they have no problem, guess ya just have to use what works for you.  In the heaviest of slop I have here in Florida I use 15# braid  on a med spinning rod for bass fishing, don't care what kind of lure I have on and I always use a leader.  I fish for recreation and sport, I do not want to winch a fish in at warp speed, I don't mind giving a fish a chance to compete with me, that's what I'm there for.  Can't seem to understand dragging them in with 50# line especially if it's just for fun. 

[new2BC4bass]

In the heaviest of slop I have here in Florida I use 15# braid  on a med spinning rod for bass fishing, don't care what kind of lure I have on and I always use a leader.  I fish for recreation and sport, I do not want to winch a fish in at warp speed, I don't mind giving a fish a chance to compete with me, that's what I'm there for.  Can't seem to understand dragging them in with 50# line especially if it's just for fun. 

 

Have to agree with this.  However, I do use baitcast reels almost exclusively, so 40# braid is normally my minimum just because the popular opinion is that 30# and lighter can and does dig in.  Reel's drag does not have to be locked down.  I've also read of others using much lighter braid on b/c reels with no problem.  I put some 20# UltraCast on a PE Line Special, but 2 things....1) I haven't used the reel since spooling it, and 2) UltraCast has a larger diameter than other braids.

 

I fish for fun, not money.  Part of that enjoyment is playing the fish.  Not until it is so tired it might not survive, of course, but simply skating them across the top of the water like the professionals do isn't my idea of fun.

 

EDIT: I should state that braid is something I use only when throwing into the slop.  I don't like loosing lures.  Otherwise mono is my preferred line of choice.

[RandySBreth]

I think most of the guys hit the high points already - it's only too small if it's digging in or other issues are popping up. I use everything from micro-diameters of 4 and 6-pound test NanoFil to 65-pound test braid for Alabama rigging and heavy pitching - it's all about what kind of cover and if you can use what test line in it more than a specific size.

[Arv]

If you're fishing in cover where you have a high tendency to hang up, id go with 50+ to minimize digging. Other than that, I wouldn't be worried. Ive straightened thick hooks before with 30#. Im sure 35 is plenty strong

[SirSnookalot]

One thing I don't undertand is straightening out a hook.  I know a bass isn't going to do it especially if it's taking our drag, only an immovable snag will bend or break a hook. With braid a super strong hook set is not needed, and if the braid is light enough the lure or hook can be broken off with a result of losing less line.  We do hear about the digging in issue, I don't experience it because I'm deprogammed in believing b/c gear is the way to go.  Spinning gear and light braid rules for sub 40# fish.