What Is The Best Braid?

[bassin' 4 life]

So, I really like braid, I hate mono, but I can't find a braid that I can trust and rely on, and I am tired of buying expensive line that does not last, (and loosing lures).

So far I have tried spider wire: it frayed and broke, power pro: tangled so often that in two or three months I could only cast fifteen feet, stren sonic braid: frays and breaks.

So, any suggestions?

 

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Tywithay]

Daiwa Samurai, Sufix 832, or Sunline FX2. If you're fishing near rocks, docks, or trees, braid will fray very quickly. It has very little abrasion resistance.

[ZB85]

Sunline FX2

[SirSnookalot]

So, I really like braid, I hate mono, but I can't find a braid that I can trust and rely on, and I am tired of buying expensive line that does not last, (and loosing lures).

So far I have tried spider wire: it frayed and broke, power pro: tangled so often that in two or three months I could only cast fifteen feet, stren sonic braid: frays and breaks.

So, any suggestions?

 

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Don't know what your problem is but it isn't the brand of braid you're using.  I've used most brands both in fresh and saltwater, have not experienced any problems like you are, I fish 7 days a week.  I generally use PP, don't endorse it over any other, it's just reasonably priced and very convenient to buy.  

[jaysen]

i stick with power pro. havent had as many issues as with other brands.

[ColdSVT]

Ive used a lot of em over the years. Power pro and seagaur smackdown tournement braid are two of the best imo

[JaxBasser]

Suffix 832 and Power Pro Ss8 are the best I've used. I've heard great things about Daiwa Samurai but I haven't tried it yet.

[fhsfish]

Power pro super 8 is my go to

[ww2farmer]

If you can't get Power Pro to last more than a couple months something tells me you may have other issues. I have Power Pro on some of my reels that is 2-3 years old. I am not saying it's the best, but it works for me.

[BadBassWV]

If you can't get Power Pro to last more than a couple months something tells me you may have other issues. I have Power Pro on some of my reels that is 2-3 years old. I am not saying it's the best, but it works for me.

What he said.

I have Power Pro on all my reels. I haven't re-spooled in 2-3 years. Before you invest in anymore braid, you need to find out what your doing wrong.

[robster80]

sunline fx2

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Sufix 832

[Smokinal]

Don't know what your problem is but it isn't the brand of braid you're using.  I've used most brands both in fresh and saltwater, have not experienced any problems like you are, I fish 7 days a week.  I generally use PP, don't endorse it over any other, it's just reasonably priced and very convenient to buy.  

 

 

If you can't get Power Pro to last more than a couple months something tells me you may have other issues. I have Power Pro on some of my reels that is 2-3 years old. I am not saying it's the best, but it works for me.

Yup yup, I've tried a lot of brands and so far, Power Pro Super Slick is my favorite. You didn't mention if this is on a spinning setup or a baitcaster. If it's on a spinning setup, are you closing the bail by hand? If not, get into this habit. It has stopped all line twist for me.

If it's on a baitcaster, what lb line are you using? You may be using too small a line and having digging issues.

I literally get years and years out of my braid.

[new2BC4bass]

I agree.  Not the line.  There are other problems.  As mentioned braid is not abrasive resistant so if fishing in rocks and such use a leader.  Sudden stops will snap the line.  No idea what pound test you use, but I have snapped a 1/2 oz. jig off on 30# braid when the line wrapped around the rod tip and I didn't notice.  My brother-in-law fishes strictly spinning reels and strictly the older PowerPro.  He loves it.  Don't think he has ever lost a lure with it.  Also check the rod's guides for any rough spots.

 

Had to change my 40# Sufix Performance after 5 years due to line twist after spending 6 hours throwing a spoon tied direct.  I will use a swivel if the chance to fish the same lure comes up again.  Five years sounds like a lot, but the reel didn't get used as often as what many on here get to fish.  However, it was performing great until the spoon incident.

[nascar2428]

My first brand of braid was Zebco omniflex, never experienced the problems you are describing. I now have Power Pro and Stren Sonic on my spinning reels, still not having those problems that you have described. If you are using a spinning reel here are a couple of tips.

 

Use some type of backing and make sure that the line is tight on your reel. You can do this by tying your line around a stationary object, walk the line off until you come to your backing, then increase your drag just a little and slowly reel in your line.

 

Do not over fill the spool, leave about an 1/8".

 

Always stop the line just before it hits the water and close the bail by hand, this should reduce wind knots tremendously. 

[FishTank]

Not a big fan of braid but I like power pro out of what I have used.  I would stay away from Spider Wire braid, horrible line

 

After reading your post, I am wondering and just suggesting, that if you are losing lures and fraying line, you may need to find a better knot and a pair of sharp scissors. As far as the knot goes, I find that the a Uni knot works best but most importantly, you wet it before you tie it down.

[CJV]

BEST = SUNLINE FX2 & SX1

WORST = SUFFIX 832

POWER PRO IS GOOD TOO

[Kevin22]

So, I really like braid, I hate mono, but I can't find a braid that I can trust and rely on, and I am tired of buying expensive line that does not last, (and loosing lures).

So far I have tried spider wire: it frayed and broke, power pro: tangled so often that in two or three months I could only cast fifteen feet, stren sonic braid: frays and breaks.

So, any suggestions?

 

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I have tried spiderwire (threw it out after 1 day), fireline (same thing), Stren super braid (was a little better, but pretty rough), power pro (was great for years, got 2 bad batches this year that wind knotted every cast), sufix 832 (using it now, great stuff!), Nanofil (good), and power pro slick 8 (just tried it, no opinion yet)

 

So overall, power pro worked great for me for years until I hit those bad batches this year which put me off it for good. 

Tried sufix 832 in 30# green on a casting reel and it is great, very strong and nice and subtle. Lo-vis green color, and it has faded to near white already. 

Have sufix 832 in 6# (similar in breaking strength to PP 10#) on a spinning reel and it is also great. Have had it on there since spring and the color has not faded at all, this one is neon lime color. 

Have nanofil 10# on another spinning reel and it is pretty good stuff. Much stiffer than true braid, but it seems to be pretty strong and pretty sensitive. Haven't used it a whole lot this year yet. 

I just spooled up last night with 65# power pro slick 8 in the green color on a frog rod. Seems to be rounder than orig power pro, and with a few practice casts in the back yard it seems to cast well. 

[bassin' 4 life]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I use spinning gear, 20lb sonic, the tip guide on my rod had tons of grooves in the plastic. I am pretty sure my knots are not the problem. I do fish around docks, wood, and lily pads all the time, so what do you recommend for a leader?

 

So here is what I did and did not like about the braids I used:

 

Power pro: It did not cast very well, I could not cast any weightless bait, but that was about it.

 

Stren sonic: I like it because It casts very smoothly, and it is easy to use, not sure why it's fraying, probably the guides.

[Kevin22]

First you need to replace that tip, braid ate it and it will continue to fray your line until you replace it. Get a higher quality tip that will be "braid safe". 

 

I very rarely use a leader, when I do its seaguar red label. The last trip out I was throwing a weightless finesse worm on the 10# nanofil and the first cast I had about a 15-16" fish slam it right at my feet. I let him turn and set the hook (not that hard really) and the shock broke the leader in an instant. I cut the leader off and fished straight nanofil the rest of the time and caught a couple more. They didn't seem to shy off it, came right up and slammed it. This was in water of 5-6' of visibility so not dirty at all. 

[Catch and Grease]

My favorite braid is power pro super 8 slick, I like suffix preformace braid too

[Mattfrom_NJ]

momoi diamond 

[PAGreg]

Using smackdown this season and loving it.

[Fisher-O-men]

As soon as I saw that you are experiencing tangling with PP, I immediately thought, " he is using spinning gear".  It has already been mentioned to close your bail by hand.  That will help. But you also need to visually inspect your spool every cast or two to make sure you have not developed and loops standing out from your spool.  If you are occassionally casting out ugly snarles, it probably started with a simple loop on your spool.

[Smokinal]

Your grooved eye is your main problem without a doubt. That will fray braid in a pair of seconds. Next, do learn to close your bail by hand. Not exactly sure why it works...it just does.

And finally, make sure you're not overfilling your spool. A too-full spinning spool will pour off line and make a mess.

 

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