Best braid under $20

[pondbassin101]

What would you guys say is the best braid around $15, and yes I know good braid is expensive. I currently have #30 Stren Sonic braid and the line digging in is just getting to me. Should I go with #40 or #50 and is Spiderwire ez-braid any good? If it's not then PowerPro or Sufix are my next options. Thanks for any help

[Choporoz]

I use mostly PP.  However, I have used (and still do use) Cabelas Rip Cord.  I thought they'd discontinued it; there wasn't any online last time I shopped.  But, I see they have it on sale now and might be in your price range.  I've only used 40+, but it has served me well.  If it compares negatively to PP, it is slightly less 'slick' and the brown and green fade a little...I haven't fished the yellow.

[NHBull]

Power Pro from wally world may get it done, that said, I use 10 and 20 lb braid and NEVER had an issue digging in.  It is backed with only braid and very tightly wrapped.

 

For open water fishing, I would never use 50#

[pondbassin101]

7 minutes ago, NHBull said:

Power Pro from wally world may get it done, that said, I use 10 and 20 lb braid and NEVER had an issue digging in.  It is backed with only braid and very tightly wrapped.

 

For open water fishing, I would never use 50#

 

Then why do I have so many issues with my braid digging in? and if 50 is too heavy the nwhat about #40?

[NHBull]

8 minutes ago, pondbassin101 said:

 

Then why do I have so many issues with my braid digging in? and if 50 is too heavy the nwhat about #40?

I can't answer that, but I spool it very tight.

When I go in the sisal, I do use 40.

On a side note, I know many use smackdowwn because the line is coated to prevent dig-ins.

 

Truth be told, I am in the minority and suspect many will say 30# minimum.

If you can stretch your budget, I would go smackdown

 

 

[pondbassin101]

2 minutes ago, NHBull said:

I can't answer that, but I spool it very tight.

When I go in the sisal, I do use 40.

On a side note, I know many use smackdowwn because the line is coated to prevent dig-ins.

 

Truth be told, I am in the minority and suspect many will say 30# minimum.

If you can stretch your budget, I would go smackdown

 

 

 

I'd say that my line is just prone to digging in. If it's spooled on too tight it digs into itself and doesnt come off properly. I think that's part of the reason why is was discontinued. 

 

It'll be a while before I can afford to spend $35 on line. I get that quality matters but PP or 832 is more in my range

[CTBassin860]

PP or 832. If you're fishing open water try the 40#. 50# if you're playing in the weeds.

[NHBull]

11 minutes ago, pondbassin101 said:

 

I'd say that my line is just prone to digging in. If it's spooled on too tight it digs into itself and doesnt come off properly. I think that's part of the reason why is was discontinued. 

 

It'll be a while before I can afford to spend $35 on line. I get that quality matters but PP or 832 is more in my range

When you first spool, it should be very tight. If it is not, when you reel in, it will find the spaces on the spool.. Larger line reduces the spaces.....as does tightly spooling it in the first place

 

Edit......I don't know anyone who uses more than 30 for stripes in the 40 inch range..........

 

I am presently using Gamma and 832

[david in va]

Well it may not cast 2  miles but I like Kastking Fortis, I use 30, 40 and 50LB depending on what reel I spool it on. Very cheap and no problems as of yet. I tried 20 LB Spider but it was either too small or I am not good enough to use it. Backlashed all the time  

[IndianaFinesse]

Power pro, although I do really like gliss on some of my spinning reels.

[fishnkamp]

There is a very easy way to cut down on the cost of braid.   I use Stren 14 pound mono to half fill all my reels. This way a regular 150 yard spool will fill two reels.  If you look at Tackle Warehouse Power Pro Spectra Moss Green 30 pound braid costs $15.00.  A spool of Stren clear blue original sact $8 for a 330 yard spool.  If you use 75 yards of Stren that costs less than 3 cents a yard and you only need about half the spool of braid to fill your reel up the rest of the way with the braid.  75 yards of braid is plenty on most reels and the backing can be used over and over as the braid needs replacement in several years.  That is how I save money on my 12 baitcasters and 4 spinning  combos. 

[Falkus]

Just like fishnkamp said, I do the same thing on all of my reels.

 

Anything to save money... 

[roadwarrior]

If you take into account that this is a 300 yard spool, it might meet your criteria:

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/KastKing-Mega8-Super-Performance-8-Strand-Braid-Fishing-Line-300Yds-275M/133974896?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3031&adid=22222222227053605326&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=154934029881&wl4=pla-264990811089&wl5=9013543&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113500056&wl11=online&wl12=133974896&wl13=&veh=sem

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

40# Sufix Performance.  Back spool with mono.  Fades fairly fast, but doesn't affect performance.  Has never dug in for me, and I have pulled my brother-in-law's dinghy over to where the lure was snagged more than once.  Quieter through the guides than original PowerPro.

[ksboy]

I suggest you consider WHY the line is digging into itself.  I'd think you are getting hung or when you catch a fish, the line digs in. I have the same problem but I consider it part of the deal when fishing braid.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

BTW, I use Academy H2O braid. $9.99/150 yard. They're 20 and 30# work very well and are pretty smooth.

[NHBull]

As far as cost,

You can't tell the cost of something until the accounting period is over"

 

Like stated above, when backed with mono or old braid, 1 spool could fill 2 reels.

I have a reel that has 3 yrs on it.

Some will swap the working end with the holding end which could last another three yrs.

Then swap out with the balance of the original spool.

If you prescribe to this method, 1 spool could last you 10+ yrs.

 

Now....Given increases in prices, it could be cheaper to buy better braid now!

 

Just a thought 

[DroneFisher]

I second KastKing braid. It has been good for me. I don't know about the new 9 strand braid they are coming out with, sounds a bit overkill.

[Doelman]

Spool your reels tighter.  Are you doing it yourself by hand?  Machine does it the best, but if you're doing it yourself you have to make sure there are TONS of pressure.  I remember when I was a kid I used to just toss a spool of mono into the sink with water in it and spool my reels up, never a problem, nightmare for braid though.  Your arm should be seriously fatigued when you finish spooling a reel with braid by hand or you aren't doing it tight enough.  Once finished, the line on your reel should be rock hard, virtually no "give" to it.  I use J-braid now and love it, but I've used that cheap kastking stuff and it's fine and doesn't dig as long as you spool it correctly.

[pondbassin101]

17 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

There is a very easy way to cut down on the cost of braid.   I use Stren 14 pound mono to half fill all my reels. This way a regular 150 yard spool will fill two reels.  If you look at Tackle Warehouse Power Pro Spectra Moss Green 30 pound braid costs $15.00.  A spool of Stren clear blue original sact $8 for a 330 yard spool.  If you use 75 yards of Stren that costs less than 3 cents a yard and you only need about half the spool of braid to fill your reel up the rest of the way with the braid.  75 yards of braid is plenty on most reels and the backing can be used over and over as the braid needs replacement in several years.  That is how I save money on my 12 baitcasters and 4 spinning  combos. 

 

Does the quality of the mono I use matter? Currently the only thing I have to use as backing is cheap $3 wally world mono. Would this affect anything? 

3 hours ago, Doelman said:

Spool your reels tighter.  Are you doing it yourself by hand?  Machine does it the best, but if you're doing it yourself you have to make sure there are TONS of pressure.  I remember when I was a kid I used to just toss a spool of mono into the sink with water in it and spool my reels up, never a problem, nightmare for braid though.  Your arm should be seriously fatigued when you finish spooling a reel with braid by hand or you aren't doing it tight enough.  Once finished, the line on your reel should be rock hard, virtually no "give" to it.  I use J-braid now and love it, but I've used that cheap kastking stuff and it's fine and doesn't dig as long as you spool it correctly.

And that sir is where my problems started. I spooled #30 Stren sonic braid very tightly and instead of laying on the spool tightly and evenly it dug into itself. With this line it's been more messing around with the line and spool, on account of it just not working, then fishing.

 

 

Seaguar smackdown, kastking fortis, and a whole bunch of other lines are slightly out of budget. Currently options are PP, sufix 832, and sufix performance all of which are pretty much the same price. Should I get #30 or #40 for open water fishing and out of those 3 which is best. I get its personal opinion but based on quality and performance

[I.rar]

PowerPro in yellow for me. 

[rippin-lips]

Daiwa J Braid X8

330 yards for $20 on the auction site. 

[pondbassin101]

1 hour ago, I.rar said:

PowerPro in yellow for me. 

 

I prefer lo-vis green, I feel like I can get get away without a leader sometimes. And then again it might just be my laziness

 

10 minutes ago, rippin-lips said:

Daiwa J Braid X8

330 yards for $20 on the auction site. 

 

Quick side question, why does everyone here call it "auction site" and not the given name?

[I.rar]

17 minutes ago, pondbassin101 said:

 

I prefer lo-vis green, I feel like I can get get away without a leader sometimes. And then again it might just be my laziness

 

 

I used to be all about the green/moss colors but the bright yellow helps tremendously with line watching. I always use leaders. 

[mllrtm79]

you could try this: it's 40# hi-vis Yellow at that price

https://www.overstockbait.com/Power-Pro-150-Yard-Fishing-Line-8-to-50-lb-Test-p/21100.htm

 

On 7/24/2017 at 3:39 PM, pondbassin101 said:

Spiderwire ez-braid any good?

I didn't like it very much, and I think that I have a full spool laying around the shop. If you want to try it on the cheap shoot me a pm and I'll ship it to you for a few bucks.

It is the "stealth glo-vis" not the EZ after all, but the offer stands. I think it's either 40 or 50 lb and I think 300 yds, but I will check, and a 300yd spool? of 65# that I used 50yds or so off of. I will check it tonight if you want. 

[pondbassin101]

46 minutes ago, mllrtm79 said:

you could try this: it's 40# hi-vis Yellow at that price

https://www.overstockbait.com/Power-Pro-150-Yard-Fishing-Line-8-to-50-lb-Test-p/21100.htm

 

I didn't like it very much, and I think that I have a full spool laying around the shop. If you want to try it on the cheap shoot me a pm and I'll ship it to you for a few bucks.

It is the "stealth glo-vis" not the EZ after all, but the offer stands. I think it's either 40 or 50 lb and I think 300 yds, but I will check, and a 300yd spool? of 65# that I used 50yds or so off of. I will check it tonight if you want. 

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Power-Pro-Fishing-Line-Moss-Green-150-yards-40-lbs/10340038

13 hours ago, I.rar said:

 

I used to be all about the green/moss colors but the bright yellow helps tremendously with line watching. I always use leaders. 

 

tbh i almost never use leaders beacause i mostly fish ponds that arent too clear. It would be something i would have to get into