What is the attraction to low test braid?

[craww]

Its a gift from above on spinning reels. I lean towards the appropriate daimeter line for application. For example when shad fishing w/ultralights alot of guys use 2-4lb mono. Just so happens thats 10-15lb braid. I did use the 8lb test 1lb diameter with great results this year. 

 

One reason to push diameters/lb tests  down is less water resistance. You'll get improved action in some specific situations. Also Baits will run deeper, and that can mean the difference between catching fish and not. I caught 5 fish to a friends 1 using 8lb braid wherr he had 6lb suffix seige mono. Same lures same pool.

 

As for baitcasters I cant go below 30lb. Any distance increase seen by the small diameters is negated by the fact you cant "push" it when going for max distance. Mono/flouro type lines are more forgiving when picking out backlashes, and its painful on the wallet to hit a limb or something and blow up a spool of braid. Though  u could justify it perhaps with braids longevity I suppose.

[Bluebasser86]

I use 20# on some of my casting reels. It's amazing the difference in feel and handling between 20 and 30 pound braid. 20 is just so much more supple and cast so much further. I also have lots of situations when I need to cast as far as absolutely possible. So in those situations, I not only need a long casting line, but I need the ability to put a lot of it on a spool to get the most out of my cast. I tried to up to 30# once because I'm dealing with very large fish potentially, but found I couldn't even come close to reaching the fish when I made that move. 

[EW6]

I'm a fan of using at least 20 lb braid for most applications. It casts fine and I don't lose fish. 

[ChrisD46]

I suppose it depends on the application with Braid :

 

* Spinning : Shaky Head , Weightless Fluke / Senko , T-Rig Worm: #10lb. ~ #15lb. PP + FC leader

* Bait Cast :

a. Any application in open water - #20 lb. PP + FC leader.

b. Any application around weeds #30 lb. PP + FC leader.

c. Frogs : Open Water ~ Light to Medium Cover  - #40 lb. ; Heavy Cover : #50 lbs. (both straight PP)

d. Flipping / Punching : #65 lb.  (straight PP).

 

Braid Tips :

*First put 1/4th ~ 1/2 spool of cheap #8lb. mono on tight for backing.

* Uni-Uni knot to braid and spool tight

*Close spinning reel bail by hand after each cast and pull line tight before reeling

*Pull a couple of feet of line out after snags then reel tight.

*Always try to reel braid back on the spool with a little tension

*KVD Line Conditioner can even be used with braid 

*Check top rod guide for loops after each cast before reeling

*Loosen drag to match no stretch characteristics of braid

*Sweep hook set with lighter braid (lighter braid can have poorer shock qualities due to no stretch nature thus snap easier).

*Make longest cast with lure you get the most distance with - then pull off 10 ~ 15 yrds. more line , place strip of electrical tape on reel , then reel line back on the reel under tension over the electrical tape ... If you ever get a professional over run it won't go past the strip of electrical tape on your reel .

 

[LxVE Bassin]

8 hours ago, Further North said:

You mean too expensive?

 

It is what it is, and like most things...you get what you pay for.

 

I don't use it. I use PowerPro and Suffix 832. I don't like the thick diameter of smackdown and I'm sure not paying $40 for 150 yards. Just an observation no knock to anyone that uses it. 

 

[NHBull]

9 hours ago, LxVE Bassin said:

 

That stuff is way too high! 

If you are talking price, you can't tell the cost until the accounting period is over.

A 150 yard spool could last 8 yrs.

Spool 75 yards over backing

Use it 2 years

Swap ends and use 2 yrs

Repeat with the remainder of the original spool.

 

Assuming the original spool was 8.00 more expensive, it has cost you less than a cup of coffee per year to have the line you desire.

 

[Further North]

4 hours ago, NHBull said:

If you are talking price, you can't tell the cost until the accounting period is over.

A 150 yard spool could last 8 yrs.

Spool 75 yards over backing

Use it 2 years

Swap ends and use 2 yrs

Repeat with the remainder of the original spool.

 

Assuming the original spool was 8.00 more expensive, it has cost you less than a cup of coffee per year to have the line you desire.

 

That's one of the things I figured out about braid the first year I used it.  Pretty obvious it was going to last multiple years.  I have some that hasn't even made it to the swap point yet that's been on 5 years.

 

That's really a big part of "You get what you pay for".

 

I've got Smackdown on two reels, I put it on at the beginning of last season.  Good stuff, so far.

[LxVE Bassin]

3 hours ago, NHBull said:

If you are talking price, you can't tell the cost until the accounting period is over.

A 150 yard spool could last 8 yrs.

Spool 75 yards over backing

Use it 2 years

Swap ends and use 2 yrs

Repeat with the remainder of the original spool.

 

Assuming the original spool was 8.00 more expensive, it has cost you less than a cup of coffee per year to have the line you desire.

 

 

I do that faithfully with my braid. I'm all about cutting cost. One set up is going on 3 years with the same braid.

[Attila]

I currently use 20lbs Power Pro Super 8 Slick w/ a fluorocarbon piece added on when I use my jerkbait spinning setups and I can cast my lures pretty far. That said, I'm going to give 15lbs Smackdown this fall on one of my setups to see how much further I can cast with it as I use jerkbaits as a search bait so want to be able to cover as much water as possible.

 

I use straight 30lbs PP Super 8 Slick on my walking style topwater baitcasting setup and find that I don't have nearly the casting distance as I do when I run the lighter line on my jerkbait setup.

 

I think this is due to three factors. The first is the diameter of the braid; the second is the weight of the lures that I use; and the third and final reason comes down to rod length. My topwater rods are 6'6" and my jerkbait rods are 7' long.

 

Cheers, hope this information helps.

[RPreeb]

I used 30# (8# diameter) Power Pro on a Shimano Spheros 5000 spinning reel when we lived in the Bahamas, fishing for snapper, grouper, jacks, and the occasional barracuda.  After we moved back to Colorado, I reloaded it with 10# Berkely Trilene.  I'm heading up to Cabelas (Sidney NE) on Tuesday to shop for a learning friendly baitcaster, and I'll likely load that with the 30# Power Pro because I have the remains of a 3000 yard spool that needs using.  

 

That spool was bought in the US and taken to the Bahamas in my luggage with all of my other fishing gear, because availability of fishing gear in any variety is limited in the Bahamas in general, and nonexistent on the Out island where we lived (I used to shop for and bring back gear and baits for local fishermen on most of my trips to the States).  I doubt that I'll generally need 30# in my current life, but since I have it, I'm going to use it.  It should last until I"m too old to fish, and I'll dispose of what's left when that time comes.

[Falkus]

Been using Sufix 832 braid Ghost line at 10LBS on my Wacky Rod (6'8 LTB) 

It works great and I feel that its little better .I have tried powerpro and I hated it so much. 

 

I only use white braid Sufix or Tuf-Line since its more softer for me. Not only that, I want to watch the line to see if it flicks/moves. If it does, I know there is a bass on the lure and its time to "HAUL" it up ! 

 

 

[Airman4754]

The castability is better especially when you go down in lure weight. The leader knot is smaller adding to casting distance. It also handles better.

[fishwizzard]

I dislike braid as feeling/hearing the leader knot tap the guides is like nails on a chalkboard for me.  I do use it on spinning rods that I use for plastics as it does give more casting distance (I use 8lb on my ML and 15lb on my M) and more importantly, I like to be able to see my line for deadsticking/no-feel presentations. I tried to move to straight floro for a bit but I was not 100% happy with it so I switched back.  I think I am going to pull the braid (one advantage of braid, it is super easy to take off a spool and save) and give floro another go soon.  I just hate the sound of that knot makes.  

 

I really dislike braid on casting reels, but am going to give it a good try soon as well.  

1 hour ago, Burke said:

Been using Sufix 832 braid Ghost line at 10LBS on my Wacky Rod (6'8 LTB) 

It works great and I feel that its little better .I have tried powerpro and I hated it so much. 

 

I only use white braid Sufix or Tuf-Line since its more softer for me. Not only that, I want to watch the line to see if it flicks/moves. If it does, I know there is a bass on the lure and its time to "HAUL" it up ! 

 

 

 

Man, I tried white Sufix for a while but it maybe stayed white for two or three trips max.  I fish a ton of small ponds around here and so many of them are tea stained my line would turn brown super fast.   

[Dwight Hottle]

I use 10lb braid on lake erie for smallmouth fishing on both spinning & baitcasting. My favorite brands are suffix 832 & maxima braid. Most 10lb braid will break between 15 & 22 lbs so it is plenty strong. The smaller diameter allows me to get my jerkbaits deeper than 20 or 30lb braid. The increase in lure depth is a big advantage. I had a guy fishing with me that ripped his heavier braid off in anger after a day of less than successful fishing and added 10lb braid so he could be competitive. I add a mono/fluoro leader to the braid for visibility & abrasion protection.

[Andy007]

I have always believed in using the lightest line possible!  For bass I've been  using 10# power pro on spinning and casting reels without and digging in issues what so ever. Even when deep into the cabbage it works well. Have tried lighter (6#) for bass but it's not always strong enough to cut through the weeds, but in open water works great. I do retie quite often because of the low abrasion resistance and toothy critters. I do loose some because of the low test but really don't care that much. I believe I get more bites with lighter line to offset lost fish.

[fishballer06]

I don't know how you guys are going so light on braid on casting gear. I've tried 30# in four different high end brands of braid on my casting gear, and all of them dug in and gave me fits (with a mono backing base). 

 

For spinning gear I use 20# braid and it does a great job for me. 

[Andy007]

2 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

I don't know how you guys are going to light on braid on casting gear. I've tried 30# in four different high end brands of braid on my casting gear, and all of them dug in and gave me fits (with a mono backing base). 

 

For spinning gear I use 20# braid and it does a great job for me. 

Maybe I'm lucky? I have 10# on a Abu Garcia 4600c, 3600 and 1600,  pro qualifier and Lew's tournament MB with the drags set close to breaking point without one dig in.

[Quarry Man]

I have a cabbalas arachnid that is really hard to backlash. that is why i put 15lb power pro on it. it was extra line and i was on a trip and happened to need new line on a reel. i spooled it up and caught one on my first test cast before a tournament.

 

pros

 cast distance

sensitivitely

 long lasting

floats

thin

[crypt]

first I use braid on all my spinning rods. 3 are spooled with 10 lb. the other 2 with 15. all power pro original. love the stuff never had an issue with it. all of them are at least 2 years running. easier to manage when throwing lighter lures,just as sensitive than heavier line and strong as all get out.

[Crowcommander]

Haven't heard one word about Berkley Nanofil? Spooled up two spinning reels today (2-150 yds off the net for $20.98) Looking forward to throwing the Ned with them. Any Nanos out there?

[NHBull]

8 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

I don't know how you guys are going to light on braid on casting gear. I've tried 30# in four different high end brands of braid on my casting gear, and all of them dug in and gave me fits (with a mono backing base). 

 

For spinning gear I use 20# braid and it does a great job for me. 

I have a couple casting reels with 10 lb 832.  The backing is old braid and a couple times a day, I really throw it and reel it under pressure.  It just works for me.....never had a problem with digging

[Yumeya]

Everyone of my baitcasters has 20lb braid except my swimbait rod, it has 65lb braid.

My spinning reels have 10lb or 15lb braid.

 

I use Vicious no-fade braid on all my baitcaster, I have used almost every braid out there and the vicious is 

simply amazing, it really does look brand new after months of fishing it.

 

My spinning rods get either Seaguar smackdown or P-line TCB8 in high vis-yellow, I would love it if vicious made 

there no-fade braid in less then 20lb and in yellow.

 

When I first started using braid years ago I started with 30lb braid and it worked excellent but I find the 20lb 

gets my lures deeper faster and I can cast farther, I have never had a dig in of any kinda with any braid.

The only line wind knots I got from spinning gear was from Daiwa.

[Ksam1234]

On 8/19/2017 at 9:35 PM, Further North said:

You mean too expensive?

 

It is what it is, and like most things...you get what you pay for.

I use 30# braid on everything.  For me I think it casts smoother and further. I also feel like the thick 50# braid an up the fish can see it... that's just me. I never had 30 pound braid break on me. Even wrapped it around a tree and pulled my canoe over to it without even a problem.