Braid On Spinning Gear?

[tomustang]

Only drawback would be tying more because of leader line, not really a problem compared to what you gain.

[skeletor6]

Remember you're on a braid heavy forum. If you're short on cash and on an insensitive rod I might go braid. Because its unlikely you'll feel slack line sensations anyways. Nonetheless weightless or finesse techniques for me involve a fair amount of slack line. Also, this seems to be when most strikes occur.

Braid is fantastic on a tight line and its manageability as far as memory goes is great. Once its on top of the water bellying blowing around you're line will be slack as the light bait sinks and you will not feel the sensations a fluorocarbon will deliver and unless your great at watching your line you will miss hooksets. Whether people want to claim they can feel slack line hits on braid its mostly bs. The fish would have to hit the line in a fashion that makes the line tight. It does not transmit slack line sensitivity.

As far as hooksets go, I've never had a problem setting a hook with mono or fluorocarbon. Even in 30+feet of water and long casts. Manageability of quality fluorocarbon or even seaguar invizx is definitely enough for spinning gear. I care more what the line is doing on/in the water and the transmission I receive. Then again, im not using cheap rods.

Watch arguably the best finesse fisherman in the game, Aaron Martens. See what he uses.

[SirSnookalot]

Only drawback would be tying more because of leader line, not really a problem compared to what you gain.

I use swivel with my leader and keep my leaders about 20" or so, carry a small spool of leader line in my pocket, add leader when needed with a quick clinch knot and a loopknot, works well for me.  I do the same exact thing in saltwater with the exception of mackerel I tie line to leader then.  I don't find it to be too time consuming, if others do then I'm sure they have worked out their own system.

I go thru tons of braid, every reel gets respooled often.  Between rocks, coral, barnacles, cement pylons, excessive line twist from rotating lures.  I don't mind spending the money or taking the time for a fresh respool.

[Jaheff]

I like braid and for me the positives outweigh the negatives.  I fish for some of the most line shy fish around, I do not catch anymore with a f/c leader (I always use a leader) than I do with a mono leader.  Been stated many times people catching bass with braid using no leader.  I don't need to see my line and do a lot of fishing in the dark where I couldn't see it anyway.  Braid is the equalizer when it comes to sensitivity, even when I have a bow in my line, keeping your rod lower to the water is going to reduce the bow.

I disagree with that statement Sir Snook. Go fish shoulder to shoulder on a charter boat with more than 10 people of equal fishing ability,

and look at the fish counts between Flouro and mono, line shy or not. As far as fishing for Bass i, dont think it makes as much a difference.

[LMB ANGLER]

I like braid and for me the positives outweigh the negatives.  I fish for some of the most line shy fish around, I do not catch anymore with a f/c leader (I always use a leader) than I do with a mono leader.  Been stated many times people catching bass with braid using no leader.  I don't need to see my line and do a lot of fishing in the dark where I couldn't see it anyway.  Braid is the equalizer when it comes to sensitivity, even when I have a bow in my line, keeping your rod lower to the water is going to reduce the bow.

your correct again sir, my technique is 100% braid in freshwater, here in Florida theirs vegetation everywhere, i never seen a lake or freshwater body of water that does not have vegetation, if i cast in the middle of the lake away from vegetation, and the water if clear, then i use a leader, but even then if you drop your bait to the bottom or when is a reaction bite, then you don't really need leader.

[Capt.Bob]

 Some may be right that on insensitive rods, you may gain something besides voodo with Fluorocarbon,,,,   but after 30 years fishing with nothing but mono, running Charters on Erie for very very light biting Walleye, and deep jigging for Yellow Perch, both far tougher to detect bites from than Bass,,,,    after using Braid and Fluorocarbon,,,,,,,I find the braid to be capable of the slightest pickup, some maybe can't but for me I see no need for any more sensitivity than I already have,,,,I will admit I do use the finest rods in the world, maybe when you use better rods they make up for any lack of sensitivity but some may experience a lack of sensitivity with lesser equipment as some have said,,,,   After nearly 60 years fishing all species and waters,,,,,,this old man prefers Braid, on every rod, and with 6 to 13 foot leaders, in only the clearest waters I will turn to fluorocarbon,,,,,the rest of the time I will use Trilene Big Game for leader duties!!  

[SirSnookalot]

your correct again sir, my technique is 100% braid in freshwater, here in Florida theirs vegetation everywhere, i never seen a lake or freshwater body of water that does not have vegetation, if i cast in the middle of the lake away from vegetation, and the water if clear, then i use a leader, but even then if you drop your bait to the bottom or when is a reaction bite, then you don't really need leader.

Bass is a different issue, I do not feel they are overly line shy, but I always use a leader,  that just goes back to my basic training over 60 years ago fishing Lake St Clair.

I have never experienced fish more line shy than fish in the mackerel family, you may catch spanish on wire as they strike during a bait frenzy but kingfish offshore is a different ballgame.  Not only do I go out on small private boats but I go on walk on party boats and reserved charters with 10 person max.  There is always a portion of inexperienced fishermen that use the boat's gear, standard senators on 40 or 50lb class rod using generic 40# mono and leaders.  The more experienced fishermen bring their own gear, generally a bit lighter (but not always) more refined and most use mono lines as braid is not allowed on many of these boats due to the fact that braid tangling with mono is a nightmare, mates cut lines they don't untangle.  Have no idea of who is using f/c or mono leaders, but the catch rate for these boats are pertty consistant among the all the fishemen.  When I'm fishing a small private boat I have used both mono and f/c leaders many times in the same outing, strike rate doesn't seem to vary a bit.

For people that do believe f/c is a big advantage, go ahead and use it.

[LMB ANGLER]

Bass is a different issue, I do not feel they are overly line shy, but I always use a leader,  that just goes back to my basic training over 60 years ago fishing Lake St Clair.

I have never experienced fish more line shy than fish in the mackerel family, you may catch spanish on wire as they strike during a bait frenzy but kingfish offshore is a different ballgame.  Not only do I go out on small private boats but I go on walk on party boats and reserved charters with 10 person max.  There is always a portion of inexperienced fishermen that use the boat's gear, standard senators on 40 or 50lb class rod using generic 40# mono and leaders.  The more experienced fishermen bring their own gear, generally a bit lighter (but not always) more refined and most use mono lines as braid is not allowed on many of these boats due to the fact that braid tangling with mono is a nightmare, mates cut lines they don't untangle.  Have no idea of who is using f/c or mono leaders, but the catch rate for these boats are pertty consistant among the all the fishemen.  When I'm fishing a small private boat I have used both mono and f/c leaders many times in the same outing, strike rate doesn't seem to vary a bit.

For people that do believe f/c is a big advantage, go ahead and use it.

talking about mackerel, their run is about to start, i already bought a gotcha lure and a silver spoon for them, any ways back to the subject. In Florida we don't need a leader for bass because almost every lake has vegetation here, but in other state with no vegetation and clear water, they do need it. i believe that the bigger bass do see the line in extremely clear lakes. saltwater is a must because the water is clear, the snooks are very visual.

[SirSnookalot]

talking about mackerel, their run is about to start, i already bought a gotcha lure and a silver spoon for them,

You missed it.............lol.  Spanish, bluefish and ladyfish were going crazy last 2 weeks, no exaggeration but I was cut off and lost about 20 lures as of late, gotchas do rule, went to 1 Walmart and they only had 1 left.  Have some cooler weather and rough water coming in staring today so they may be back.

The ICW was nuts with mullet yesterday morning about 6 am, snook and tarpon busting all over the place, 30 minutes later and not one strike, been thru that one dozens of times, they are just too busy inhaling live bait and don't want artificial.  Best way to catch them is a live mullet and clip a fin so they swim different.  I'll be back there again this morning, Atlantic Ave and the ICW in Delray.

 

I'd rather catch bass than spanish mackerel, no fight to them.  Blues and especially ladyfish are awesome to catch.

[jiggz125]

Thanks for all the advice/suggestions.

 

Side question: if my 7' MH Abu Vendetta states: 8-14LB line, does that matter when putting on and using a 20/30lb PowerPro braided line? What exactly does that mean about the rod? My spinning reel has an extra spool for braided line.

 

Also, do you need special guides when using braid, I am reading alot about the line getting frayed and losing lures that way?

 

 

[5dollarsplash]

When it comes to braid I pretty much throw the line rating out the window, within reason.  Don't throw 80lb test powerpro on a ultra light lol.  Most seem to prefer 30lb super line and that will work from ML-XH rods.

 

Guides have gotten sooooo much better than what they were.  I haven't experienced any fraying for some time.  I did change out a tip on a daiwa rod I got as a gift, it was all aluminium and making too much noise for my tastes.