Couple Questions About Braid And Lb Test Fishing Lines..

[BASSPATROL247]

I dont understand why guys would use say 65lb braid for bass fishing, do you use the high lb test so you can get close to the diameter of say 15-20lb mono/fluro because anything lighter will not cast well on baitcasters? And why use any non braid line say higher than 14-17lb test? I understand the stronger line enables you to rocket the fish to the boat very fast but to me that takes the fun out of it when the fish have no chance of getting away, i dont wanna lose any fish but i want there to be a fight. Ive never used anything bigger than 17lb test and never had a problem, i use 12-15 on all my baitcasters wether in open water or around thick cover and very rarely have one break me off or get wrapped around cover and not be able to get it out and in the heavy cover situation i can jerk em out with all my might and dont break the line...tourney guys i get cuz theres money on the line but every day joe using it baffles me... must be like everything else, if the pros use it guys think they have to or theyre not using whats best... all these new lines have situations that make using them more ideal but for me i still prefer mono for most of my fishing, worked for over 30 years just fime for me...

[Ozark_Basser]

Its more about line manageability when it comes to higher # test braids and baitcasters. Also braid isn't the best for abrasion resistance. Higher # tests help with that a little.

[HuskerBassin]

I used to swear by braid, but I've found that for half the money of what I was spending on Sufix Performance Braid, P-line CXX works just as well. 

 

(Also, cool to see somebody else who fishes Francis Case/Sharpe!  I used to live about a half hour away from Francis Case.)

[Kidflex]

I use 30lb braid for most applications. But for heavy cover stuff I use 50+lb braid. I like to pitch and work buck brush in the spring and switched to heavy braids after breaking off a few. You'll get what I'm saying after a few break offs on some potentially big fish. A lot of the times my line is going over and through small limbs and such creating weak spots that aren't as visible. The thicker line does help with that. Nothing non sporty about it. That's close quarters combat. My favorite style. For the record I use 65 lb braid when targeting 100lb tunas on topwater and 80 lb braid when going deep for them. I use the same for 5lb bass. I used to think I was overkill but fishing the thick stuff had changed my mind.

[WIGuide]

It really helps out in heavy cover as you can put all the pressure you want on them to get them out. The heavier lb tests don't dig into the spool either. In the veggies, it seems to cut through better than other lines as well. 

[Jon G]

Heavy braid is mainly used to help pull up cover. For instance when punching you use braid because you hook a 3lb bass but bring up 20+ pounds of weeds with it. Same thing with brush it helps you muscle the fish out to get him out of that cover.

 

Also since braid has no stretch it makes the fight more fun becasue you can feel that fish thrashing and shaking its head more.

[BASSPATROL247]

I used to swear by braid, but I've found that for half the money of what I was spending on Sufix Performance Braid, P-line CXX works just as well.

(Also, cool to see somebody else who fishes Francis Case/Sharpe! I used to live about a half hour away from Francis Case.)

I also use CXX and like it, im from chamberlain and miss the big bend area alot!! Miss those smallies!!! Nice avatar!!( been a husker fan my whole life! gparents are from omaha...

[SirSnookalot]

I understand the reasoning behind using heavier braid, but it isn't for me.  I use spinning and braid for just about everything, 10 & 15# for fresh and 15 & 20 for saltwater.  Don't find strength or knots to be an issue, I don't concern myself with abrasion.  Bass and peacock fishing I don't want to "drag" a fish in 10 seconds or less, I'm there for the strike and the fight.  If I lose a fish so be it, I'm going to release it anyway.

My attitude in saltwater is no different, 20# is my max inshore, and yes we have both weeds and mats coming in too.  I can land a good snook in less than 60 seconds if I catch it off a sea wall, often I open the bail as I want the fight to last longer.   Off the beach I can't do that, they fight differently so I need to be more intense.

Offshore I have 30# on a couple of 8000 spinners, they have landed large fish.

[Crestliner2008]

I agree with most of what has been said. Obviously, the pros use heavier line because of the $$$ factor involved. Heaven help them if they have a line failure, for whatever reason. It could cost them big time. They need to get that fish in the boat ASAP.  For us more casual fishermen, lighter braids suffice nicely. I've pulled some pretty big bass out of snarly garbage with 10# test braid and a bit of patience.

[jitterbug127]

I use braid on all my poles. I'll put a leader on if necessary, but I like the way it casts better so it's on everything

[AdamsEye]

I dont understand why guys would use say 65lb braid for bass fishing, do you use the high lb test so you can get close to the diameter of say 15-20lb mono/fluro because anything lighter will not cast well on baitcasters? And why use any non braid line say higher than 14-17lb test? I understand the stronger line enables you to rocket the fish to the boat very fast but to me that takes the fun out of it when the fish have no chance of getting away, i dont wanna lose any fish but i want there to be a fight. Ive never used anything bigger than 17lb test and never had a problem, i use 12-15 on all my baitcasters wether in open water or around thick cover and very rarely have one break me off or get wrapped around cover and not be able to get it out and in the heavy cover situation i can jerk em out with all my might and dont break the line...tourney guys i get cuz theres money on the line but every day joe using it baffles me... must be like everything else, if the pros use it guys think they have to or theyre not using whats best... all these new lines have situations that make using them more ideal but for me i still prefer mono for most of my fishing, worked for over 30 years just fime for me...

 

There is nothing wrong with how you reel bro, why fix what ain't broke. Each line offers advantages that when used properly, will only make you a better fisherman. Braid just so happens to give you a feel of your bait that mono/floro just can't do. 10# or 60#, you feel whatever your baits hits, or hits your bait.

 

The first time I hooked a bedded bass on braid, I was sold 100 times over. I felt my craw rubbing in the mouth of the bass, I didn't need to see anything to know the fish had my bait I felt it.

 

I do agree that a lot of people take the sport out of it, but I would not let that stop you from taking advantage of it's strong points.