Proper Braided Line Use

[Big Fish Small Pond]

I am looking to replace a couple of my combos lines next season with braided line. Are there any pointers, or even tthings to avoid when using braided line.

 

I am looking to make sure that I do not damage my rod or reeel in the process of using the braided line, either the line guide or the rod guides.

 

I have read somehwat about line digging and other issues with using too heavy pound test line.

[J Francho]

Rule #1: match line diameters, not break strength or "test".

[Big Fish Small Pond]

sure, I have noticed that like a 30 lb braid is same diameter as a 6lb mono or something similar

[J Francho]

General recommendation - spinning, 15-30#, casting 40 to 65#.  I pretty much stick to 20 for spin, and 50 for cast. 

[John G]

The line digging into itself would be caused by using braid in the lighter pound test and or not spooling it on tight to begin with. That said, when using braid for bottom contact techniques or with un weighted plastics, the braid is not going to go back on your spool as tight as when it's initially put on. You just have to be conscience about it. If you hang up with braid, the best thing to do is either carry a wooden dowel in your boat or if you are a bank beater like me, grab a stick that is lying on the ground and wrap your braid around it and pull your hang up free using the dowel or the stick. Don't wrap it around your hand or use your rod/reel to pull free.

[BassinLou]

The line digging into itself would be caused by using braid in the lighter pound test and or not spooling it on tight to begin with. That said, when using braid for bottom contact techniques or with un weighted plastics, the braid is not going to go back on your spool as tight as when it's initially put on. You just have to be conscience about it. If you hang up with braid, the best thing to do is either carry a wooden dowel in your boat or if you are a bank beater like me, grab a stick that is lying on the ground and wrap your braid around it and pull your hang up free using the dowel or the stick. Don't wrap it around your hand or use your rod/reel to pull free.

 

I got hung up on some branches across a canal the other day using braid. So I looked for a stick, but I could't find one. Then it hit me. I wrapped the braid around my pliers a few times then I pulled my braid free. Just  a thought if you can't find a stick.   

[John G]

I got hung up on some branches across a canal the other day using braid. So I looked for a stick, but I could't find one. Then it hit me. I wrapped the braid around my pliers a few times then I pulled my braid free. Just  a thought if you can't find a stick.   

I have did the same with pliers but make sure your braid is wrapped around the handles instead of any sharp edges cause the braid will easily break.

[BassinLou]

I have did the same with pliers but make sure your braid is wrapped around the handles instead of any sharp edges cause the braid will easily break.

 

You are correct, I failed to specify that critical point. Thanks. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I am looking to replace a couple of my combos lines next season with braided line. Are there any pointers, or even tthings to avoid when using braided line.

 

I am looking to make sure that I do not damage my rod or reeel in the process of using the braided line, either the line guide or the rod guides.

 

I have read somehwat about line digging and other issues with using too heavy pound test line.

 

When you have a fish on avoid rocks 

 

Also Ive wrapped braid around my pliers handle and it sliced right into the rubber handle so be mindful of this as well.

[SirSnookalot]

It is diameter, braid is much stronger than what the label designates it to be.  Using only spinning I have no dig in issues, I use 10# and sometimes 15# on smaller reels, my 4000 reels are spooled with 15# and 20#.  Nothing is written in stone, use the diameter that works best for you.

 

I've used the stick and pliers, I usually just wrap the line around my shoulder and walk backwards, either the lure breaks loose or the leader breaks.  The only rod I can remember ever breaking was trying to free up a snag, in the long run the cheapest lesson I ever had.  I always open my bail and keep my rod pointed straight at the lure or put the rod on the ground, this will save a broken tip.  IMO it's better to pull the line than use the rod to unsnag. 

[fishballer06]

LIke others have said, use 40-50 pound braid on your baitcasters. If you're fishing super heavy stuff, 65 may be necessary.

 

Most braids these days are like this:

 

30 pound (8 pound dia.)

40 pound (10 pound dai.)

50 pound (12 pound dia.)

 

Every brand of braid is different, but that is the general average size comparison. 

[gulfcaptain]

Make sure you have a backing of mono before you spool up your braid.  Use whatever size you feel best using.  I posted a question on here about why everyone fishes heavier braid and most match what size mono they normally fished.  I have had no issues with braid as light as 15lb on a baitcaster.  Normally fish 20-30lb braid (may use 40lb next year for fishing a frog) on most of my baitcasters and 10lb on my spinning rods.  Don't think I have a single rod with straight mono or fc anymore.  Lighten your drag some since there is no stretch.  Most "damaged equipment" from fishing braid is caused by user error.  Backing off the drag will help and will keep you from pulling the hook on fish. And use just a quicker hookset, the more you fish it the more you will become comfortable with how much presure you need to use. You will also find there is a huge difference in sensitivity.  And always check your braid for wear, if you see some fraying or you think a knot doesn't look right, cut it off and retie.  So with that said, buy yourself a pair of sissors to keep handy as well as your pliers.  I have never damaged any guides from using braid so that's not even an issue.....more of a myth in my opinion. And if you use tungsten weights ALWAYS pay attention to your knot at the hook, I have had wieghts over 1/2 oz cut into the knot overtime while pitching grass end up failing due to the wieght hitting the knot(over a day of hard fishing).