Power Pro?

[missouribigbass]

So I've never made it over to braid. Was wondering how you guys felt about power pro and what would be the ideal lb test to start with. I was going to start with the 20lb test but not sure if I need to heavier I know the 20lb is 6lb diameter and I'm concerned o may birdsnest it a few times as I adjust and to me the smaller diameter is harder to pull a mess out. Thoughts and opinions on power pro?

[webertime]

It's sort of the standard for all braids. It's not the best or sexiest, but its solid, cheap, easy to find, and has no glaring weaknesses.

For general purpose on a baitcaster start with 30 lb. Spinning go 15 or 20lbs. Think nasty stuff, go 50lbs. (Assuming the rod is rated for it.)

[Cgrinder]

The price is probably the best thing about PP. It's common to find 150 yd. spools on sale for $10.

[Raul]

20 lbs is awfully thin, 30 lb will do the trick most of the times. The line is so long lasting that ( I´m not a huge fan of braided line ) Power Pro is the only braided line I´ve tried and it has served me well.

[Kevin22]

I used to love power pro until I got two bad spools this spring. One online and one locally. Both broke easily, wind knotted like crazy, and just plain sucked. Nothing like the old power pro I've been using for years. 

 

I would suggest 20 for spinning reel, 30-65 for casting

[Catch and Grease]

I've used 20lb fine on my small cranking setups but I started using 30lb recently and I like it little better I think, I'd try 30-65 first like kevin22 said

[BassinLou]

If your starting out with braid for the first time. 40lb, is the ideal weight. It does not dig as easily as the lighter weights. You can also get away with more applications with 40 as well. Just my .02 This is assuming you are using a b/c. If your using a spinner. #15-20 would be good. 

[Frenchman83]

Just buy whatever I'd on sale between 20-65#.

[TorqueConverter]

I'd stay away from Power Pro unless it's their 8 carrier.  That old 4 carrier stuff is not very good below #50.  #30 Suffix 832 is probably where you should start.

[robster80]

get the 50 powerpro

[FishTank]

get the 50 powerpro

 

I would second that.  I just spooled one of my Daiwa Zillions today.  I have been getting hung up in some thick moss the past couple of days and decided it was time to try it again.....

[Catch and Grease]

50lb braid with a XX lb leader is a pretty versatile starting point like others said

[ATX]

I use the 50# on my frog rig. I think it's the jigging line because every foot is a different color. I've used it a couple years and haven't had any problems.

[Bluebasser86]

I've been using the PP Super Slick on my shakyhead rod this year and love it. 10lb test 2lb diameter, cast a mile and I can actually set the hook out a long ways with it. The regular PP is just fine on casting gear but I like 50lb, anything less is too thin IMO and digs in too bad. 

[jtharris3]

I run Power Pro 50# braid on my froggin rod. It's always worked great for me.

[Kevin22]

OP you never did tell us if it was a spinning reel or casting reel?? 

 

You said birdsnest so I assume casting. DO NOT put 20# braid on a casting reel. Go 30 at the very least. But if you are going to throw heavy baits then 30 is probably still too small. 

[ChrisD46]

If your starting out with braid for the first time. 40lb, is the ideal weight. It does not dig as easily as the lighter weights. You can also get away with more applications with 40 as well. Just my .02 This is assuming you are using a b/c. If your using a spinner. #15-20 would be good. 

+1 ...What BassinLou said !!

[Darren.]

So I've never made it over to braid. Was wondering how you guys felt about power pro and what would be the ideal lb test to start with. I was going to start with the 20lb test but not sure if I need to heavier I know the 20lb is 6lb diameter and I'm concerned o may birdsnest it a few times as I adjust and to me the smaller diameter is harder to pull a mess out. Thoughts and opinions on power pro?

 

First, PowerPro is excellent line. Are there better lines? That's up to you to decide. Our opinions are just that, opinions.

 

But don't think you have to match diameter of mono to diameter of braid. I know some may think this way, and it is not wrong, but neither is it the only way to fly.

 

Many of us use 10lb PowerPro for spinning, and as stated by Bluebasser, is only 2lb mono diameter. Yeah, it is thin, but it is darn strong. You honestly do not need massive strength of equivalent-diameter braid, unless you want it, feel more comfortable with it, etc.

 

I run 10 on spinning and 20 on baitcasting. Can 20 dig in, yes it can, but we all fish differently, set hooks differently, etc. I prefer smaller diameter of 20 for lighter lure casting. But I will throw 4" swimbaits on 20lb braid, too. I am always aware of my line and if it may have dug in on that cast, or snag, or fighting fish, I try to cast it out and fix things then and there.

 

2 cents. Do what you feel confident in. There are no absolutes.

[Arv]

Assuming you're using a bc reel since you mentioned birds nests. I think if you go 30 to 50# you'll be fine. Lower is definitely doable, but may not be as manageable as the lines with thicker diameters

[SirSnookalot]

I'd stay away from Power Pro unless it's their 8 carrier.  That old 4 carrier stuff is not very good below #50.  #30 Suffix 832 is probably where you should start.

Really ?  I use outdated 10- 15 and 20# PP, works just fine on 40# tarpon.  I do catch an occasional 8# bass, using the same 15PP for them.

[TorqueConverter]

Really ?  I use outdated 10- 15 and 20# PP, works just fine on 40# tarpon.  I do catch an occasional 8# bass, using the same 15PP for them.

 

The line digging into the spool on a bass type baitcating reels is what I am referring to.  To make it more clear.  I am speaking about #40 and below Power Pro 4 carrier not being well suited for fishing for bass using baitcasting bass tackle.  Tarpon?  Not one d**n to be given.   

[Cgrinder]

Currently using 20 and 30 lb. original Power Pro on casting reels with no issues. 

 

I'm not trying to be snarky or argumentative, but it's not the fishing faux pas that many in this thread make it out to be.

[Jrob78]

Currently using 20 and 30 lb. original Power Pro on casting reels with no issues. 

 

I'm not trying to be snarky or argumentative, but it's not the fishing faux pas that many in this thread make it out to be.

Using original Power Pro isn't a faux pas at all.  It's a more than capable braid.  It just isn't the best braid on the market like it probably was at one time.  Some of the newer 8 carrier braids are more round, smoother, quieter and handle a little better.   If PP is working for you and you're happy with it, it's much ado about nothing really.

[Cgrinder]

Using original Power Pro isn't a faux pas at all.  It's a more than capable braid.  It just isn't the best braid on the market like it probably was at one time.  Some of the newer 8 carrier braids are more round, smoother, quieter and handle a little better.   If PP is working for you and you're happy with it, it's much ado about nothing really.

 

You're certainly right. There's always room for improvement. 

[SirSnookalot]

The line digging into the spool on a bass type baitcating reels is what I am referring to.  To make it more clear.  I am speaking about #40 and below Power Pro 4 carrier not being well suited for fishing for bass using baitcasting bass tackle.  Tarpon?  Not one d**n to be given.   

Digging in, that only amplifies my reasoning for using spinning gear with lighter braided lines.  There are a number of people that do use a braided line less than 40# on a b/c that don't seem to have that digging in problem.  The tarpon reference is only to indicate that a fairly light braided line is strong enough to handle a fish that is larger than a bass.  If one feels they need to winch a 5 or 6# fish in with a line that breaks about 80# with a locked down drag, so be it.  I can't personally address this digging in issue as I only use spinning gear, to me it sounds like an excuse to overpower a fish.