Braided line question

[AustinHellickson]

When using braided line, should i tie it directly to my hook, or no? I am considering switching to braid and i have heard it is a great change but also a downgrade. The main downside to switching to braid I've heard is tying a leader to it, making a knot and also a harder cast, and less strong line. Any thoughts.... i hope this is not to confusing to read.

[Ray K]

7 minutes ago, AustinHellickson said:

When using braided line, should i tie it directly to my hook, or no? I am considering switching to braid and i have heard it is a great change but also a downgrade. The main downside to switching to braid I've heard is tying a leader to it, making a knot and also a harder cast, and less strong line. Any thoughts.... i hope this is not to confusing to read.

I researched this same question several months ago when considering switching to braid for heavy cover fishing and the responses were mixed.   But, so many said they tied directly to the lure with no negative affect on catching fish that I decided to go the "direct tie" route.  So far, I too have seen no problems with catching bass so, I'll just keep doing it.

[AustinHellickson]

Just now, Ray K said:

I researched this same question several months ago when considering switching to braid for heavy cover fishing and the responses were mixed.   But, so many said they tied directly to the lure with no negative affect on catching fish that I decided to go the "direct tie" route.  So far, I too have seen no problems with catching bass so, I'll just keep doing it.

What pound test braid are you using? Cost for that braid? What diameter is it of mono? Thanks for your help.

[Scott F]

My opinion is contrary to many but I've been using braid for many years and have never used any kind of leader except steel when pike fishing. I ALWAYS tie directly to my lure. Using a leader is always an option, but not required. The lack of stretch is to me it's best feature but for some it takes a little getting used to. Braided line is very strong and because it is much thinner and softer than mono, it casts much better.

[AustinHellickson]

Just now, Scott F said:

My opinion is contrary to many but I've been using braid for many years and have never used any kind of leader except steel when pike fishing. I ALWAYS tie directly to my lure. Using a leader is always an option, but not required. The lack of stretch is to me it's best feature but for some it takes a little getting used to. Braided line is very strong and because it is much thinner and softer than mono, it casts much better.

Thanks, same thing as i asked Ray K. .... What pound test braid are you using? Cost for that braid? What diameter is it of mono? Thanks for your help.

[fishnkamp]

Forget what you have heard about braid.  Now my wife is a very accomplished angler. She has caught up to 8 pound rainbow trout on fly rods, can handle any spinning from light to saltwater but refuses to fish a baitcaster. So for years I have tried to find a mono or floro or even copolymer line that would give her the least trouble with knots or bird nesting.  We have settled on Berkley Fireline in 14 pound test for our spinning reels.  I almost always have a leader tied on and rarely does it give me trouble.  I use P Line CXX in 10 pound for my leaders unless I am fishing super clear water and say a finesse bait then I may go down to  6 lb.  Learn to tie a double uni or uni to uni knot. They are very easy and strong. Sometimes on my one micro guide rod I may tie a shorter leader otherwise most of mine are 3 foot long.  For my baitcasters I have some Power Pro like 50 and 65 pound braid and I tie directly like on frogs. 

For baits like crankbaits I shy away from braid and go to P Line FloroClear It gives better action.

[Ray K]

2 minutes ago, AustinHellickson said:

What pound test braid are you using? Cost for that braid? What diameter is it of mono? Thanks for your help.

I'm using 50 lb. Sufix braid which is about the same diameter as 12 lb mono.  I had Gander Mountain wind it onto a Lew's Tournament MB and had 4 other reels wound with mono.  Total was about $50 so I can't say how much the Sufix was.  My rod is a #*** BlackOut, 7 ft. medium action fast taper.  Hope this is helpful.

[Scott F]

I use 10 pound test on my spinning reels and 20 pound test on my baitcasters. Many guys have trouble with 20lb on baitcasters because thinner line it can dig in and jam up. But if you don't lock down your drag or try to pull out snags using the reel, you don't have to have any problems. Braid is more expensive than mono, but for me it lasts many times longer so in the long run it's cheaper to use. The diameter comparison to mono doesn't matter to me because I don't use mono so how it compares size wise is irrelevant.

[fishnkamp]

One more bit of help.  On any reel i use braid or really expensive Floro I always put 1/2 a reel of good quality either floro or copolymer (usually the remains from a spool I have been using) and then add 1/2 of a spool of my expensive braid or floro. This way my $20 to $30 spool of line fills 2 reels. Now that cuts the cost in half. These two lines are also joined with the same knot.

[Darren.]

Austin, I'll give you another take.

I totally agree with using braid for mainline,
but for me, I always tie on a leader. Many 
moons ago I used straight braid and did 
catch bass.

Thing is, for me, today, braid is expensive, 
and I tend to retie lures a number of times
during an outing. Each time, if straight braid,
I'd be cutting in to my mainline.

But with a leader of say, 4-6 feet, I can tie
a bunch of times before I tie a new leader
on.

Just need to be confident in your knot, and
I do suggest the uni-to-uni or mod'd Albright.

[buzzed bait]

i rarely if ever tie on a leader.  if i do, it's usually when in the river and i want to break the line off if need be.  i use 15lb on spinning gear and anywhere from 15-40lb on casting gear.  mostly all power pro and i've found the best price is usually when they have it on sale at Dick's sporting goods.