Braided Line Getting Stuck When Flipping/Pitching

[Ersteman]

I use Berkley Professional Grade Braid when flipping and pitching jigs.  After a handful of uses, the coating on the braid wears off and the braid looks thicker and not as smooth.  The line doesn't come off the reel smooth and it gets caught in the reel sometimes or pinches on itself, preventing a smooth pitch or flip.  My reel is set properly because I can pitch and flip just fine when the coating on the braid is there.  Do you have any thoughts on what the issue could be?  Is it the line?  Is there something I'm not aware of? Anyone else have this problem?  Thanks 

[Tim Kelly]

How thick is the line? If you're using braid that's too thin in situations where you're putting a lot of strain on it, it will bed into the spool. Some braids are worse than others for this, but it's probably the main reason people recommend 65lb braid for flipping.

[Ersteman]

Interesting.  I'm using 30lb and 40lb braid and yes, it's bedding into the spool. 

[geo g]

Tim is 100% correct on the thickness of the braid.  If I use 65 pound braid I have fewer problems then with 30 pound braid.  Thinner braid digs into itself.  You may help the situation with a good line spray.

[the reel ess]

That's the real reason people use 65 or 50# braid. It won't dig in as much. Try not to yank on it because that's when it digs in. When you do have to yank it, take a good cast away from your target, reel it up and get back to pitching. I love braid, but that's a shortcoming.

[fishnkamp]

You could try power pro Spectra. I use a lot of it in both 30 and 65 pound test and have no problem with it. I know braid is expensive especially to just try out but if you try the Power Pro I think you will like it.Also if you install a 14 pound mono on fist 9 1/2 a spool) as a backing a new spool of braid will fill a couple of reels.  I really do not notice the line fade you mention either.

[WIGuide]

Although it sounds like your braid is just digging in, which is pretty common on the smaller diameters like you're using, you might want to check your rod guides. I've got a spool of the same line that I've got a whole lot more than a handful of uses on, and it's only starting to slightly fade in color. The coating is still in good shape. Your post makes it sound like it's taking a beating and it makes me wonder if it's not getting frayed up on a bad guide. 

[Larry Moffatt]

My first post on bassresource. So don't think of me as a dummy, just a newbie. WIGuide's comment about a bad guide has prompted me to ask this community: has it been well communicated that hooking your hook in any guide for storage and transportation is a big NO NO?

[.ghoti.]

Cut your avocados in quarters instead of halves, and it won't stay stuck in the skin as firmly.

[Tim Kelly]

On 12/08/2016 at 1:07 PM, Larry Moffatt said:

My first post on bassresource. So don't think of me as a dummy, just a newbie. WIGuide's comment about a bad guide has prompted me to ask this community: has it been well communicated that hooking your hook in any guide for storage and transportation is a big NO NO?

No point in taking a risk of damaging the guide. Put the hook through the guide's legs rather than the ring and the risk of damaging the guide is negligible.

[DenhamBruce]

If you spool your braid on tight it won't have any room to dig. I use 20lb on a baitcaster without much problem

[WPCfishing]

I've been using 65# Power Pro. I dropped down to 50#. I get a little more casting distance but... I do get some line digging.

Going back to 65#.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Heavier line will help but what ever you use do a clearing cast periodically and wind the line back on tightly. 

[WRB]

On August 9, 2016 at 5:07 AM, Ersteman said:

I use Berkley Professional Grade Braid when flipping and pitching jigs.  After a handful of uses, the coating on the braid wears off and the braid looks thicker and not as smooth.  The line doesn't come off the reel smooth and it gets caught in the reel sometimes or pinches on itself, preventing a smooth pitch or flip.  My reel is set properly because I can pitch and flip just fine when the coating on the braid is there.  Do you have any thoughts on what the issue could be?  Is it the line?  Is there something I'm not aware of? Anyone else have this problem?  Thanks 

You don't cast line using the reel when flipping and small diameter 30 lb braid can cut into your fingers when flipping or pitching, for that reason most anglers use 50# to 80# braid. It's important to keep any type of line tight onto the spool.

Tom