Mono Vs Braid?

[FishingMN718]

Recently put 10# mono on one of my baitcasters. In the past mono hasn't worked very well for me on a baitcaster. I was thinking of using it for cranking and plastics. Just wondering what you guys think, braid or mono for what I'm using it for?

[Cgolf]

Personally I like braid off both plastics and Crankbaits. I like the extra feel that I get especially with plastics around snaggy cover. I think I hang up less because I know when I hit a snag and I can work it out. One thing with Crankbaits is braid works best with a slower tipped rod. If you have a rod with a fast tip, lighten up on the drag a touch to have a little give when a fish crushes a crank.

[scaleface]

mono works fine on a baitcaster.  You just need more practice or a different baitcaster .

[ThatZX14Fella]

Buy some kind of line conditioner and it'll help. KVD is supposed to be really good, but there isn't anywhere to buy local. I use Real Magic and don't notice much difference. I've been using braid with a leader lately so I'm just using the Real Magic to wipe down the reel after each trip.

[papajoe222]

If you decide to go with braid, I suggest 30lb. 10lb. braid on a baitcaster is asking for trouble.

Mono is okay for both techniques you mention. Neither is ideal for both, so I'd say decide which technique you'll be using most often and choose the line that works best for it.

[Darren.]

For me it is braid as a mainline for both casting and spinning.

 

I add a leader (always) for whatever purposes you need.

Just find that braid manages so much better than mono/copoly/fluoro.

[RoLo]

I've fished with nylon line for about 50 years, in both fresh and saltwater.

Today I'm a braidoholic, and use braid on all my casting and spinning gear.
There is no right or wrong, it's a personal choice that only you can make.

Nice pike in your avatar

 

Roger

[FishingMN718]

Thanks!

[Dye99]

I've fished with nylon line for about 50 years, in both fresh and saltwater.

Today I'm a braidoholic, and use braid on all my casting and spinning gear.

There is no right or wrong, it's a personal choice that only you can make.

Nice pike in your avatar

 

Roger

Here as well. I run 30lb low viz green on everything I own. Love it.

[the reel ess]

I like mono for trebles. I like braid for single hooks like T-rigs. But not as a hard-fast rule. I recently had to rely on a MH BC combo for T-rigs because I had braid and a frog on my T-rig combo. It did well enough to land a PB. It was 15# mono and a Gamakatsu hook. It wasn't 8# and a wimpy M spinning combo.

[MrBigFishSC]

Line diameter is key on BC. I never use anything less than .014.

[FishTank]

For me I use (on baitcasters) 12lb FC for soft plastic, 50lb braid for flipping and punching, 10lb mono for crankbaits and 6lb FC or 6lb hybrid on spinning gear. 

[Balshy Fishing]

So using a leader gives you the same strength as the braid mainline that you're using while giving you the invisible line factor of the leader?

[deep]

Only if the lb test of the leader is same as that of the mainline.

[Balshy Fishing]

So then whats rhe point, other than stealth, to using a flouro leader?

[Cgrinder]

So then whats rhe point, other than stealth, to using a flouro leader?

 

Abrasion resistance (rocks, mussels, teeth, etc) and/or the ability to break off if necessary.

[BucketMouth15]

The cast ability alone with braid is enough for me to use it on any lure or presentation on baitcasters... That being said I usually have a spinning reel for mono for when I feel like I need more stealth for finesse.

[Big Bait Fishing]

it's up to you to decide what's best . i used to run braid on everything but my swimbait rods till recently , just switched over to Sunline Sniper on my baitcasters and spinning reel , still use co-poly on my swimbait rods (Izorline XXX in golden green )

[Turkey sandwich]

So then whats rhe point, other than stealth, to using a flouro leader?

Braid is much more manageable in a baitcaster as a main line because it has such low memory and even in the event of a backlash, it's a lot easier to clear while doing much less damage to the line (in my experience). Also, it casts a extremely well, has excellent sensitivity, and can cut through a lot of vegetation. The only downside it really has as a main line is that it lacks the forgiveness of stretch and can be a nightmare in very small diameters on a baitcasting reel (20lb Power Pro slick had me second guessing my abilities with a baitcaster).

The problem wi using it as a leader or straight to the lure is that it's very easy to see compared to mono or flouro. By using mono/flouro leaders, you can get the best of both worlds. Flouro offers great abrasion resistance, is nearly invisible, and is either neutral buoyant or sinks. Mono floats, is generally solid all around, and offers better "stealth" than braid. And both flouro and mono stretch more than braid and can add a little stretch/shock absorption between you and the lure.