Braid Or Mono For Baitcaster

[Pike_bassFisher20]

Hi my name is Luke and I have the Abu Garcia black max and I was wondering If I should use mono or braid. I have been using mono 8# line and it's been awesome not very many backlashes and casting far. But have been thinking of switching to braid but i don't know what pound line I should get and how thick of braid. I also don't know if braid backlashes more and is it harder to get out then mono. I mostly use chatterbaits and spinners and want to know with braid am I able to cast farther than mono. All you're answers will be greatly helpful thanks

[new2BC4bass]

Braid won't backlash more.  Can't be much help with distance.  Been using baitcasters for 6 years now.  Distance seems to be about the same for me.  I would suggest 40# although many use lighter with no problems.  I bought a used reel that came with 30# Sufix 832 Ghost.  It had tight spots that took a few minutes to get out.  To be fair, I didn't have any the 2 weeks I used it in Florida.  However, I've never had 40# dig in during the 5-6 years I have used it on my STX.

[Pike_bassFisher20]

Do you think I should use power pro or is ther a better brand

[lecisnith]

If you're sticking to mainly chatterbaits and spinnerbaits i'd stay with the mono. Especially if you're going with the one combo, monofilament is probably the best multi-purpose line. I might go with 10-12#, though.

[FinCulture]

BRAID! Go with 30-40 pound power pro!

[new2BC4bass]

I have braid on a few reels, but prefer mono or co-polymer for the majority of my fishing.  Read post #9 in this thread by smalljaw67 (Dan). 

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/162455-mono-recommendation-for-a-medium-power-rod/

 

Sounds like an excellent line.  Dan has often given me excellent advice.  I bought a 3000 yd. spool of 12# and 8# AN40 based on his recommendation last year.  So far I am liking it.  The Spider Wire Ultimate Mono sounds like an even better option, but I won't be needing any line for some time.  I like Siege Neon Tangerine when I need a visible line.  Even when I don't. 

[fishgasm]

Power Pro super slick braid is the best braid in my opinion. I'd go with 30 lb for all around (frogging, punching, etc) And that being said braid is more for heavy cover fishing where fish can't see line and better hooksets.

Cheap mono is great for beginner fisherman, and I still constantly use it. I use lighter pound test but if you're fishing structure go with at least 14 lb. the only problem with mono is its more visible than fluoro carbon.

Fluoro carbon is the truest invisible fishing line. I hardly ever use Fluoro carbon but if you want to try it, go with at least 14lb for fishing structure. The downside to fluoro is that it breaks the easiest in my opinion. Always remember to wet your fluro before tying any knots, other wise it will snap!

I personally use as light line as possible so I'm always fishing 6lb - 10lb mono and 20lb - 30lb braid. To reassure you on all this, I own 2 black maxes that fish all the lines I suggested with ease.

[Bluebasser86]

For the baits you're saying you fish the most, I prefer mono or copolymer. I would step up to at least something like 12lb though unless you're just fishing wide open flats or ponds with no cover whatsoever. Otherwise, it's just a matter of time before a big fish ruins your day with 8lb. The only time I'd personally use braid with those baits would be in heavy grass, but I'm guessing if you're having success fishing them on long cast with 8lb test you're not fishing in heavy grass. The difference in casting distance with braid will be small most likely but the big advantage would be hooksetting ability on a long cast since it has very little stretch. 

[the reel ess]

Qualities:

Stretch (being a bad thing), advantage: braid. Stretch is nice when using trebles. Not so when using a strong single hook.

Visibility, adv.: Mono. If you want braid, but less visibility, you can use a mono leader.

Bouyancy: Mono. Nice for topwaters. Also nice for not yanking topwaters out of the fish's mouth because it stretches.

Breaking off if you need to: Mono. You'll probably have to cut the braid sometime if you can't straighten the hook.

Price: Mono by a mile, but the braid lasts as long as you want to keep it. If you have two empty reels you can take it off, turn it around and use the other end.

 

Braid's nice for frogs, T-rigs if visibility doesn't bother you, I like it for spinning because the line memory is way less than mono. It isn't great for topwaters because it fouls in the hooks sometimes because it's limp.

 

Mono does a few things well (trebles, crankbaits) but there is stretch and lack of sensitivity to it. You can overcome some by going heavier. It's all I used for 30+ years.

 

I got rid of floro. I just didn't like it. Now I use braid on some combos and 15# mono on others. But I'm not out throwing deep crankbaits and trying to get down 18'. Opinions will vary, but those are my own.

[fullcoupe]

As fishgasm brought up, Power Pro is probably the most widely used and versatile braid out there. I've tried a few different brands and 30# Power Pro was (and still is) a good all-around replacement for many of my old mono applications. For frogs, punching, anything around heavy cover I am loving the Sunline FX2 in 50 or 60 lb. That stuff is relentless through cover, lasts forever and casts well for a heavy braid. 

 

All that aside, I still use mono in clearer waters and still ponds (where line visibility is more relevant), or when I need the added sensitivity or a bit of stretch factor. That and it is far less expensive than braid or flouro...

[stk44]

I would recommend 30 lb braid. It casts really well and don't have many problems with a decent real. I prefer power pro, but that's just me.

[Bass newb]

Braid (30lb) has worked infinitely better on my baitcaster than 17lb mono did.