Baitcast Braid Set Up (Non - Frogging / Heavy Cover Flipping) ?

[ChrisD46]

For those of you who use braid on a baitcast reel for techniques OTHER than frogging / heavy cover flipping , describe your setup for using 30LB. ~ 50lb. braid and the techniques / applications you apply it to ? ... Thanks in advance !

 

* My current baitcast setups are : 1 ) Mono for top water and 2) FC for Jigs , T-Rigs and C- Rigs ... Since I don't use a frog and no heavy cover flipping required in the open water reservoirs I fish - I'm trying to determine if I have an application for braid / braid + leader that would offer an advantage over the two current baitcast setups I listed above using straight Mono & FC ?

[Tywithay]

A lot of folks like braid for jigs. If you maintain a tight line while working a jig, it may be slightly more sensitive than a good fluoro. I don't know that you'd see enough difference to warrant change. Plus, you'll be giving up some in the visibility department.

[Catch and Grease]

M/F casting rod with 30lb braid, a MH/F casting rod with 50lb braid. I feel these two setups can cover a wide array of lures and you can always put a leader on in certain situations.

[masterbass]

I use 30lb braid on just about everything:  jigs, t rigs, weightless soft plastics, cranking, spinnerbaits, dropshots etc.  On my finesse casters I use 10lb braid because of line capacity.  I use different leaders for each application.  I do it for simplicity and the fact that I keep the reel spooled with the same braid for years.  I am going to try some fluoro this year though to see what all hype is about in regards to slack line sensitivity though.  However, I will say that I find braid w/fluoro leader plenty sensitive for weightless senkos, but then again I don't fish with a slack line.  Even on a semi slack line I don't believe I'm missing bites, but I'm going to give straight fluoro a try because so many experienced anglers seem to endorse it. 

[Mike L]

Other than my punching and heavy cover outfit I use braid on 1 other casting set up.

I use 30# for frogs, soft swim baits and carolina rig.

Currently on my Spinning reel it's 20# with a 12# floro leader.

But that's gonna change to 10# Tatsu.

I use that for Wacky, Shaky, flukes etc.

Mike

[ABW]

I like 30 lb braid for all around casting too.

[ChrisD46]

It would appear 40lb. braid would not be a bad place to start for football jigs , T-Rigs and spinner baits ... I'd like to consider 30lb. (8lb. equiv) but concerned with handling (digging , over runs , wind knots ) compared with the slightly heavier 40lb. (10lb mono equiv.) braid line.

[War Eagle 44]

I use 50# on two different 7' rods, one a mh fast and the other a mh x-fast, for all types of techniques. Some of the more common are swim jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, top water (other than frogs of course) etc. 99% of the time I fish these lures with the braid directly to the lure. For other lures such as t-rigged plastics or pitching/football jigs I'll add a fluorocarbon leader. I don't feel that I'm missing strikes either but it has been a very long time since I've fished with straight fluorocarbon so I might be wrong about this. If it turns out that I am missing strikes I'm pretty sure it's a small number. 

 

30 or 40# braid could be substituted for all of the above, though I'd feel slightly "under gunned" with 30# using the swim jig or chatterbait in the places I sometimes fish them.

[Tywithay]

I guess I just don't see where 30-50# line is necessary in open water, if you're not fishing for spoonbill or something. You can catch most bass on 6-15lb in open water without breaking a sweat.

[Catch and Grease]

I guess I just don't see where 30-50# line is necessary in open water, if you're not fishing for spoonbill or something. You can catch most bass on 6-15lb in open water without breaking a sweat.

Because 10lb braid is the same diameter as 2lb mono and it will just be a PITA on casting gear. 30lb braid is as low as I go for casting unless I'm cranking, then I can go to 20lb.

[Tywithay]

Because 10lb braid is the same diameter as 2lb mono and it will just be a PITA on casting gear. 30lb braid is as low as I go for casting unless I'm cranking, then I can go to 20lb.

They make other kinds of line besides braid.

[Catch and Grease]

They make other kinds of line besides braid.

Yes, but this thread is geared towards braid so I figured that was what you were talking about. Sure you could use 6-15lb mono, copoly, or fluoro but you will have to give up the manageability and sensitivity of braid. strength isn't always the reason people switch to braid.

[Tywithay]

Yes, but this thread is geared towards braid so I figured that was what you were talking about. Sure you could use 6-15lb mono, copoly, or fluoro but you will have to give up the manageability and sensitivity of braid. strength isn't always the reason people switch to braid.

He said he's already using mono and fluoro, but wondering if he should switch to braid. A good fluoro or mono on a baitcaster is every bit as manageable as braid and some good fluoros are pretty similar in sensitivity. If he's already using that other stuff and catching fish, he's not going to see any improvement with braid in open water.

[Catch and Grease]

He said he's already using mono and fluoro, but wondering if he should switch to braid. A good fluoro or mono on a baitcaster is every bit as manageable as braid and some good fluoros are pretty similar in sensitivity. If he's already using that other stuff and catching fish, he's not going to see any improvement with braid in open water.

Honestly im gonna disagree and say braid is just flat out more manageable, fluoro and mono just get ruined after a few good backlashs which are inevitable even for pros and not to mention the fact those lines need extra care like line conditioner, Braid also last longer and is a lot more user friendly when it comes to tieing knots because you don't have to be perfect. There are many situations when braid can improve your fishing, if you are fishing vertical and deep braid is very sensitive on a tight line and makes hooksets a breeze, the ridiculous strength is just a plus.

I mean don't get me wrong other lines have many advantages over braid but it really comes down to what the individual is using and what he prefers.

[F14A-B]

I don't think so, I would opt out on braid and stick with a better grade carbon.. In open water, and in most every other case, I choose a nylon or carbon line myself. The only way for you to be sure is to give it a try, I did & don't care about braid much...

[F14A-B]

I never use a line conditioner, ever.. I also don't backlash often either.. Once you have become tuned with your rod, reel, line & bait, backlashes don't occur very often. Lets put it this way, backlash is not a issue for me.. I predominatly use Yozuri and CXX , CX... With one setup rigged with carbon..

[Catch and Grease]

I never use a line conditioner, ever.. I also don't backlash often either.. Once you have become tuned with your rod, reel, line & bait, backlashes don't occur very often. Lets put it this way, backlash is not a issue for me.. I predominatly use Yozuri and CXX , CX... With one setup rigged with carbon..

I don't backlash often ethier, but I'm not gonna act like I don't have a bad one occasionally. Especially with all the moss and cypress trees around here, its like they just reach out and grab your bait man!

[Tywithay]

Honestly im gonna disagree and say braid is just flat out more manageable, fluoro and mono just get ruined after a few good backlashs which are inevitable even for pros and not to mention the fact those lines need extra care like line conditioner, Braid also last longer and is a lot more user friendly when it comes to tieing knots because you don't have to be perfect. There are many situations when braid can improve your fishing, if you are fishing vertical and deep braid is very sensitive on a tight line and makes hooksets a breeze, the ridiculous strength is just a plus.

I mean don't get me wrong other lines have many advantages over braid but it really comes down to what the individual is using and what he prefers.

I haven't used line conditioner on anything and have never had a problem. I tried it for a while and saw zero advantage to it. If you use a good high quality fluoro or mono, there's little to no management issues. Shooter Defier is the most limp, most manageable, line I have ever used, braid included. Haven't had any backlashes that I can remember recently either, maybe the occasional overrun that you pull out a few loops and it's done. A high quality fluoro will last two-three years without any damage at all, because it isn't affected by UV rays. I don't doubt that braid has some good points, but he asked if he is going to see any advantages that he isn't already getting, and I don't think he'd see anything to warrant changing what he's already using; unless he just wants too.

[ChrisD46]

Thanks - I appreciate the replies ! ... I currently use 12 - 15lb. Seguar InvizX FC , Sunline Super Natural 16lb. mono and Berkley Big Game 10lb. mono as my main lines for : Jigs , T-Rigs , C-Rig , Spinner Baits (FC) , the Sunline 16lb. mono for top water and lastly the Big Game 10lb. for jerk baits .

[Bluebasser86]

I have a 7' 3" MH/MF with 50lb braid I use for C rigs and a 6' 10" MH/F with 40lb braid I use for swim jigs/jigs/t rigs when I can get away with braid.