braid test question

[The Patriot]

Heres a question for you braid users.  If you're running braid on your baitcaster, no leader, why use 20 or 30# braid when you could use heavier pound test?  I had 20# on, and after so many lure changes and cutting line, I started running out the braid and pulling off the mono backer.  Therefore, I went to dicks to get new braid to spool on but they were out of the 20# Power Pro and Spiderwire and only had 30# in another brand.  I've always used Power Pro and Spiderwire so I opted for the 50# Power Pro.  I throw mostly senkos, some jigs, and buzzbaits with this rod and will attach a flouro leader when I feel its needed.  So is opting for the 50# going to hinder anything?  Why not go for the heavier line if I can?  As a note, I fish a fair amount of open water, but most of my fishing is in waters with a lot of weeds, pads and laydowns.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

In all but the heaviest applications braid test is all about handling. 50# works fine for me as an all around size. 30 casts a hair better if max distance is required and thinner will dive better if cranking with it. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

unless i'm punching , 30 lb, braid is max i use , i regularly use 20 lb. braid on my baitcasters as it is plenty strong an affords me longer casts & better handling . i use 10 lb. braid on spinning reels .

[Bluebasser86]

I have 20lb on my baitcasters I use for topwater poppers and WTD baits because they cast a little easier and much further, which are both bonuses with those style baits. 

I have 40, 50, and 65 pound on the reels I use for T rigs, C-rigs, flipping, and punching. 

[fishnkamp]

In my opinion I would not use 50 pound braid on a bait that works best in finesse situations. I speak of the Sencos, they work best when they are just gently floating down unweighted or weighted lightly with a small worm weight. My choice for that would more likely be a copoly line in say 10 pound test or a braid like a 14 pound test Berkley FireLine original and maybe a 8 pound P Line leader. The FireLine is a good flexible or limp braid and measures more like a 6 pound test Stren Clear Blue.  I like to fill my spinning gear half way up with 14 pound Stren then fill with the Fireline. I use that setup for small cranks,rattle traps, Sencos, light tX rigs etc. My friend Bryan prefers 8 pound P Line Halo for this use. Never use any Halo bigger than 8 pound on a 2500 or 3000 size reel and if you try the Halo you will find it is hard to cut, very abrasion resistant but holds memory. Two things help this.. Heat the filler spool in hot water before spooling the reel and add line conditioner as it goes on.  Let it just stand overnight to set on the reel.  I just tried my first spool of it and have not had a chance to try it out.

[NHBull]

10lb on spinning gear, 20 lb on casting.....no need to use rope when twine provides better action

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Ive always used braided line in one form or another. Oh 14 years ago or so started using 10# powerpro on baitcaster and that became my type of line ever since. When I signed on to this site and mentioned that I used such light line I was practically vilified. For 8-9 years all I used was 10#pp, as braid advanced to 8 strand and using more pricey lures wanting a bit more strength to pull out snags went with 15-20# braids. The thin dia is a help for visibility, I dont use leaders, bass have relatively poor eyesight if you take the word of Berkley biologists. I finally went and tried 40# braid and noticed right away a difference. The line of course being thicker was heavier and  just felt like my casts were being hindered because of it. During retrieve the extra weight pulling down can be felt on rod with just a bit more effort to reel a lure in. Most braid anyways seems to be underrated power wise. 10# will hold to 15, 20# will hold to 26. Except for smackdown or kanzen those hold to less than or right at rating. Are there situations 40+ may be wanted sure but not for me or for clear open water where I want to cast as far way as possible so as not to spook fish and get to areas other usually dont.

[Angry John]

I like 30 on a baitcaster so i can deal with a backlash or not have missiles in orbit when i do.  I think its a great size and works well for me.

[rippin-lips]

#10 - spinning - 100%

#20 - casting - 75%

#30 - casting - 10%

#50 - casting - 5%

mono - casting - 10%

I have different rods for different applications. My braid size is based off what I use that rod for. If I was to pick just 1 size it would be #30 though. It's plenty strong and casts well.

 

 

[Attila]

I only use Power Pro Super 8 Slick as my main braid; find it casts a country mile and haven't had any issues with backlashes.

On my topwater baitcaster setup I fish 30lbs with no leader and I've found that both smallies and largies in both clear or weedy water have no problem hitting either a walking or popping style bait.  I've also never lost a fish (biggest around 6lbs) that decided to dive into thick weeds with 30lbs braid, so I'll continue to use it in that capacity.

For my spinning setup that I use for jerk baits I run 20lbs braid w/ an 8lbs fluro leader and have had both large and smallmouth bass run under docks, rub against rocks, and get wrapped up in branches but have never lost a fish.  I plan on using the same type of line setup for the next couple of spinning outfits I purchase.

I fish primarily clear water with mostly rock and dock style cover and feel that the braid helps as it has a smaller diameter than anything else and yet has plenty of power to move fish when coupled with the right rod and reel combo.  Unless I was fishing a jungle, like say while frog fishing or flipping, I wouldn't use more than 30lbs braid as it just doesn't serve any purpose unless you're targeting larger fish like musky or pike which can get huge as we all know.

Hope this helps!

Attila

[The Patriot]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!  I appreciate all the responses.  I've never had an issue using lighter braid.  I think I'm going to fish this rod (MH/F) with the 50# braid.  Once I get this new Abu MH/F, or Fenwick H/F, that will be my rod for fishing the nasty stuff and I will transfer the 50# over to that rod. My current rod is used as a universal rod right now - buzzbaits, senkos, swim jigs, Ribbit frogs, hollow body frogs, and football jig hooks being dragged around, as well as some spinnerbaits.  Its my only baitbaster at the moment so these applications will be redistributed sooner or later.  I'm mostly a bank fisherman, or fish from a canoe so I plan to carry just three rods.