Braid Test

[HoosierHawgs]

Trying braid for the first time. I spooled up 50# SpiderWire Stealth Braid on a Lew's Tournament MB 7.3:1 attached to a 7' MH Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. I will use it for soft plastics and frogs mostly. Any tips for a first time braid user?

[WIGuide]

If you get a backlash be sure you're holding on tight. Braid digs into itself so in most instances it won't fluff way up like mono or fluoro, it digs and your spool stops. Other than that it's a pretty trouble free line. 

[masterbass]

I find braid very manageable.  Snags can be challenging though with such heavy braid which is why I use a leader most of the time. 

[BassinLou]

50lb is very manageable. The only way you can birdnest that line pretty bad is if you have never handled a baitcaster before or if you had some kind of casting accident. Other than that, 50 lb braid will not dig into itself as bad as let's say anything under 30lb braid. 

[papajoe222]

If you get snagged, DON'T pull on the line in an attempt to free your lure. Ease up on your hook sets as braid doesn't stretch. When it starts to frey, cut that section off.  Lastly, if the water is clear and you believe that line visibility is costing you fish, add a fluoro or mono leader.

[gulfcaptain]

50lb is very manageable. The only way you can birdnest that line pretty bad is if you have never handled a baitcaster before or if you had some kind of casting accident. Other than that, 50 lb braid will not dig into itself as bad as let's say anything under 30lb braid. 

Why does everyone say braid under 30lb digs in.  Most of my outfits have 30lb and under.  Only 2 before this year were over 30lb.  Never had 20lb dig into itself nor 15lb which I have fished on a baitcaster for many years.  If it digs in, then it was user error in not putting it on correctly.  No different then poorly spooled mono which can also dig into itself  it's put on loose not to mention the mess it becomes.    Sorry  Lou, just have never had that problem and still believe when it happens it's user error and they just shift blame to the line.

 

Now back to the OP, put a bit of mono backing on your reel before you spool up, and once you spool your line, give it a bit of KVD Line Conditioner treatment. This stuff works, and when I skip this step I can tell the difference.  Also as stated above DO NOT wrap the line around your hand if you get hung up.  Learn the Alberto knot well for attaching topshot/leader material.  Loosen up your drag a bit to compensate for the lack of stretch until you get your hooksets down, no need to swing for the fences, and the little bit of drag slip won't hurt anything. Oh, and buy yourself a cheap pair of sissors, they work a lot better then pliers or fingernail clippers.

[Dredd]

I spool 10# braid. Its best to manually wind the line instead of having the bait store guy do it on the machine. The machines don't apply enough tension.

 

Here's the best tip I learned - if you ever get a birds nest, pull out line until you get to a jam. Then apply pressure with your left thumb on the spool and make a few cranks. Then pull line out. Repeat as needed.

[mrc.in.wi]

Use a line Conditioner. I like KVD, but there are other good ones out there. I also like the Uni knot for braid.

[mrc.in.wi]

I spool 10# braid. Its best to manually wind the line instead of having the bait store guy do it on the machine. The machines don't apply enough tension.

 

Here's the best tip I learned - if you ever get a birds nest, pull out line until you get to a jam. Then apply pressure with your left thumb on the spool and make a few cranks. Then pull line out. Repeat as needed.

Absolute best way to do it.

[Alpha Male]

Braid is great stuff. I think everyone has covered the basics from drag, spooling it properly, getting snagged, and a good knife/scissors.

One thing i do almost every trip is to let out a lot of the braid behind the boat while trolling with a lure that has a lot of resistance like a crankbait or a heavy jig and then reel in and that will keep your spool as tight as it can be to prevent the line from digging.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

I muscle my cast and that seems to be a prob with braid under 50 lb. if I ease up I have a lot less probs and can get some nice cast. Unless pitching I would rather not have braid on my baitcasters. I do like braid on spinning gear. Braid is great for cutting through vegetation.