30Lb. Or 40Lb. Braid : Lightest Used On Baitcast Reel ?

[ChrisD46]

If using one of the more modern popular braids (Sufix Performance Braid /  832 , Power Pro / Super Slick 8 , etc.)  assuming you use good baitcast braid spooling practices (mono backing , wind on tight, etc.) what is your preferance as the lightest you will go between 30lb. or 40lb. on a baitcaster ?

Main concerns are digging in and wind knots - thanks in advance !

[BrianinMD]

You should be okay with 30, but wouldn't go below that. Personal opion, go with 40 to give a little extra comfort that it won't dig.

[Jar11591]

I have used 20lb Spiderwire Stealth with no issues.

[Catch and Grease]

I'll use 20lb PP when cranking

[BassinLou]

40lb braid is the ideal diameter for BC's. Digging is minimal, and having the extra thickness helps the line hold up better in cover. 30lb, works well too, but it digs alot more. 20lbs although some have said they have had no issues with it, I feel it's a recipe for a lot of heartache and frustration. 20lbs and under should be utilized in spinner's and 30lb and higher on b/c's. 

[Mike L]

40lb braid is the ideal diameter for BC's. Digging is minimal, and having the extra thickness helps the line hold up better in cover. 30lb, works well too, but it digs alot more. 20lbs although some have said they have had no issues with it, I feel it's a recipe for a lot of heartache and frustration. 20lbs and under should be utilized in spinner's and 30lb and higher on b/c's.

Agree with Lou

I use 30 minimum on baitcaster

And 20 max on spinning

Mike

[Catch and Grease]

Well with light cranking on 20lb braid it doesn't dig in much because your drag is set light, but it does still dig in alttile.

[Josh Smith]

I have found that the lighter the mono backing, the less it digs.  I use 8lb backing for this reason, but have been thinking about going to 2lb backing.  There's just less space to dig into this way.

 

Josh

[Arv]

I have 20# on one reel, 30# on my other two

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Like other have said, 20 lb braid is possible on a casting rod. I have used it with no issues.

[War Eagle 44]

I'm currently fishing 30# S8S on my Curado 51E with absolutely zero problems. I'm not using a backing on this small of a spool, you certainly can it's just my choice not to with this reel. I have it mounted on a new Crucial 6'10" MH (which is a very nice & powerful stick by the way) and although I don't have a ton of fishing time with this set up yet I did manage to pull a few bass out of some tree tops last weekend on a night trip. I had my drag set fairly tight, as in no slip on the set, and had it tied directly to my hook (Owner 3X 1/8 oz weighted Twistlock) "Rage riggin' " a Zoom Speed Craw and the bass were eating it in those tops.  

 

I didn't have a single issue with dig in all night, I will add that I spool my braid with more tension than most I think. Of course I can't be certain about that but I'm just making the point that I get it on there tight. Also for the most part I was pitching so I wasn't taking a ton of line off the reel to allow for "looseness" to occur. I did make some casts throughout the night but they weren't all that long.  

[gulfcaptain]

I've used 15 to 65lb on baitcasting gear.  Most of mine are either 20-30lb though but do have a couple with the 15lb on them and as long as it's packed tight and the drag is set right you shouldn't have any issues.

[ChrisD46]

I appreciate the replies - I understand for frogs , flip / pitch in cover  you want that 50lb. ~ 65lb. braid .

The "all others" category using braid on a baitcaster is where I was thinking about that 30lb. ~ 40lb. area .

[Mike L]

I appreciate the replies - I understand for frogs , flip / pitch in cover  you want that 50lb. ~ 65lb. braid .

The "all others" category using braid on a baitcaster is where I was thinking about that 30lb. ~ 40lb. area .

You'll be fine.

Mike

[BassinLou]

I appreciate the replies - I understand for frogs , flip / pitch in cover  you want that 50lb. ~ 65lb. braid .

The "all others" category using braid on a baitcaster is where I was thinking about that 30lb. ~ 40lb. area .

 

Your safest bet in the "all others" category imho would be 30-40lb range. Besides your still talking about a diameter equivalent to 8 -10lb mono. That's still pretty thin. Good luck with whatever you choose. 

[Master Bait'r]

I use 10lb SX1 with a Curado 51e & abec7's with literally no issues. When I first started out it took a little getting used to but I would not go back or change anything now. It casts a mile, is plenty strong and is wonderful for weightless plastics- stuff I could never throw on my 30lb braid setup.

So yeah, not sure I'd go any lower than 10# just because it's plenty fine in diameter for my tiny/light stuff, but 10 is fine if you've got a 50 spool.

[Pinoy_Basser]

My lightest is 20lbs Sufix PB (0.20mm i think) on my CQ51 and 1001xt for light or weightless pitching/flipping.

30lbs on the standard 200 sized reels.

[Darren.]

Another 20lb braid user here for baitcasting gear... There have been very few issues with digging in for me on my Chronarch 50e models, or my Lexa.

 

Don't see an issue using 30-40 for your needs/comfort. I just like to go lighter ... 10 lb for spinning, 20 for casting, always a leader, rarely an issue.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I have never gone below or above 30 pound and it does dig when you catch a fish, but it's not too bad. The extra casting distance is worth it.

[AMAC]

I have been experimenting with 20# seaguar smackdown which is an 8 strand braid. I did get 1 wind knot fish in 15-20 mph wind all day. But the advantages and senstivity far out weigh theone knot. used 8 lb backing maybe 15 yds. And filled a abu garcia sx spinning reel 30 series with 150 yds of smack down and run about a 6.5 ft 8 lb Invizx leader.

[T-Rick]

Not sure if this is a different thread but I see many posts about braid digging into itself here.  I had braid dig in on my baitcaster this weekend.  

 

Is there a way to "un-dig" the braid on a baitcaster?  I've removed a few backlashes in my 1-year with a baitcaster but the dug in braid is proving very difficult.  Is there a method to approach this issue or am I stuck cutting the line and re-spooling?

Thanks.

[desmobob]

I've been using 30 lb. Power Pro, then 30lb. 832 on my Lew's Tournament Pro for a while with no complaints at all.  I'm kind of curious about giving 20lb. 832 braid a try....

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[fishballer06]

I generally use 40 or 50 pound test. I've never tried to go any lighter than 40. 

[flyfisher]

I like 40lb on my citicas and use 30lb on my cranking set up with a bass pro PQ.  Heavier seems to be overkill for me, even in heavy cover and any lighter i have some issues. 

[thehooligan]

I regularly use 10lb braid on my casting gear for open water baits. 30lb is the heaviest i go if im in the slop...