Best Braid?

[flyfisher]

I prefer Power Pro Super slick over both the original version, which is still a really good line, and the suffix 832.  I had the suffix on a spinning set up and was not pleased with it all.  It seemed to get more wind knots and, as already been stated, the coating didn't last very long at all.  

[SirSnookalot]

I prefer Power Pro Super slick over both the original version, which is still a really good line, and the suffix 832.  I had the suffix on a spinning set up and was not pleased with it all.  It seemed to get more wind knots and, as already been stated, the coating didn't last very long at all.  

Wind knots are a major problem for me in freshwater, braid brand hasn't made a difference in that regard.  I get far fewer fishing saltwater, I do believe the heavier lures I use most of the time help to reduce those knots.  I think the line stays straighter and doesn't hit the guides with the heavier lure.

[Kevin Beachy]

I like power pro super 8 slick.

The smooth braids allow you to pull wind knots out very easily and they aren't as noisy when casting. Whether or not that's worth a few extra bucks is up to you, I don't have any problem with knot strength with super slick.

x2

[flyfisher]

Wind knots are a major problem for me in freshwater, braid brand hasn't made a difference in that regard.  I get far fewer fishing saltwater, I do believe the heavier lures I use most of the time help to reduce those knots.  I think the line stays straighter and doesn't hit the guides with the heavier lure.

Yeah that might have been the case because i went smaller than i usually do, 4lb test diameter and it just wasn't cutting it....moved back to 6lb diameter power pro super slick and had no issues....

[Hogsticker]

Any other smack down users? Think I might need to try some.

[LunkerFisher]

Another vote for 832 here!

[Dwight Hottle]

Any other smack down users? Think I might need to try some.

 

 

 

I just started using it on two combos. I put on some 15lb & fished it a week ago for the first time. Spooling it up I noticed how extremely smooth it is. Feels like mono. There is a clear coating applied from the manufacturer. I'm comparing the smackdown to suffix 832 & power pro super 8 slick & daiwa samurai. The smackdown is the most round & smooth of the group. Very easy casting, quiet and does not dig in on the spool. If the coating stays intact long term this line will be a pleasure to use. It is more expensive than suffix 832 & power pro super 8 but less expensive than the daiwa samurai. The stated line test poundage is thinner than either power pro or suffis 832 of equal test. The stated diameter of 15lb smackdown is smaller than 10lb suffix 832. So you need to look at the chart or info stating diameter to compare to the same diameter you are using now. Smackdown like samurai is thinner than the others & the poundage or breaking strength is more closer to the actual rating.

 

Addressing the smooth versus not so smooth question I believe that fish detect less vibration from smooth braid than from rough or raspy finished braid. Sometimes fish seem to have an adverse bite reaction to a lure being presented on braid versus mono. I am not talking about the visibility factor. Just the sensed vibration aspect of retrieving a lure on one line type or the other. When there is a tough bite using braid vs mono the smoothest braid does the best. Obviously the roughness of braid can be tempered by using a mono leader. The longer the better if the fish seem to prefer mono presentations over braid. My experiences regarding bass reacting poorly to braid vs mono have only occurred in Mexico. A-Jay & Jeff (00 mod) have reached a similar conclusion. Steve Parks alluded to the same thing in one of his posts. Some days you get more bites on mono than braid. I have never detected that difference on lake erie fishing for smallies. I have never noticed fishing in Florida either. But I have noticed it in Mexico.

[JustinHarantFishing]

It just falls apart, it frays horribly from normal use and breaks very easily.

I can 100% agree with that

[JustinHarantFishing]

The suffix seems to be the best bet out of the group...

[Felix77]

Huge fan of Smackdown as well. PowerPro and PP Superslick is also not too shabby.

[OkobojiEagle]

Spiderwire Ultra-Cast Invisi-braid

 

 

oe

[Josh Smith]

Hi Folks,

 

I've been further defining my needs.  Here they are:

 

• Moss green or off black or some sort.  No hi-viz.

 

• 12# to 17# mono diameter equivalent.  (When I use leaders, it's usually 17# mono or 17# fluro).

 

• Smooth as, or almost as smooth as, mono.  I discovered this on the new rod and reel.  It was backlashing and overrunning, and turns out the Berkely Firewire I was using was really rough, and I therefore couldn't set my spool tension in the normal manner until I tied a fluro leader.

 

Which braided lines fit these criteria? 

 

Thank you,

 

Josh

[Mike2841]

After taking off 832 and putting power pro back on I've found that I like 832 better. The finish comes off 832 almost immediately I think that's why initially I didn't really like it.

I've heard good things about fx2 but it's the only braid I've ever had break on me. Had it break on a cast 3 times. After the first time I started checking for frays (which it does btw). Maybe I got a bad spool but I know I won't buy it again.

[Master baiter]

Sunline fx2 braid or power pro super slick 8

[missouribigbass]

I absolutely love power pro. Casts like a dream a mishap is easily removed and I've never had s knot come out.

[RoLo]

The first braided line I ever used was Power Pro, but since that time I've experimented with many brands.

My two favorite polyethylene braids are Berkley Trilene Braid and Sufix 832.

What's a wind-knot again, I keep forgetting?

 

Roger

[TorqueConverter]

..based on what?

Im using both and I find both are comparable

832 seems to wear its teflon off quicker maybe that explains the color fade so quick

but both lines haul fish

slick 8's coating lasting a bit longer I find

both give u a few extra yards on the cast and a few decibels quieter

 

Super 8 Slick looses it's roundness much more quickly than 832 and becomes too soft too quickly.  I've found that 832 just ages better than Super 8 Slick making 832 the clear winner in my book.  

 

There may not be much of a difference at the higher pound tests but at #30 832 outshines S8S IMO. 

[EvanT123]

Hi Folks,

I've been further defining my needs. Here they are:

• Moss green or off black or some sort. No hi-viz.

• 12# to 17# mono diameter equivalent. (When I use leaders, it's usually 17# mono or 17# fluro).

• Smooth as, or almost as smooth as, mono. I discovered this on the new rod and reel. It was backlashing and overrunning, and turns out the Berkely Firewire I was using was really rough, and I therefore couldn't set my spool tension in the normal manner until I tied a fluro leader.

Which braided lines fit these criteria?

Thank you,

Josh

Using powerpro as a guide, I would not look higher than fifty pound test. 50lb power pro is equivalent to 12lb test. I don't know what your experience with braid is but I've found a 2/10 braid very difficult to break off. 50 should be more than enough for almost if not all applications. As far as smoothness to mono; I think that's comparing apples to oranges.

[SirSnookalot]

Using powerpro as a guide, I would not look higher than fifty pound test. 50lb power pro is equivalent to 12lb test. I don't know what your experience with braid is but I've found a 2/10 braid very difficult to break off. 50 should be more than enough for almost if not all applications. As far as smoothness to mono; I think that's comparing apples to oranges.

I agree about breaking off, I mainly use PP and used other brands as well.  My 3 most used sizes are 10-15 and 20#, when I'm snagged with 20# it does take a lot of effort to break off.  Not 100% of the time but seems to be the majority, using 20# braid and 30# leader with swivel I break at the lure and with the alberto I break at the knot.  I always use a leader for any kind of fishing, while I do use the alberto I do limit it's use for only a few applications.