I'm Done!

[The Bassman]

I'm giving Sufix Advance a try on some of my BC. Will see if it's the best of both worlds like it's marketed. I'm like @Scott Fas far as spinning goes. Just can't improve on straight braid because of its manageability and casting distance.

[LionHeart]

2 hours ago, Gundog said:

Fishing a rocky river from shore when you can't wade around (spring time the river gets between 5 and 7 feet where I'm fishing) makes running straight braid impossible if not extremely expensive. Sometimes I get hung up on multiple casts in a row. 

@Joshua van WykDo you ever have problems with the knot getting stopped at the rod eyes? That's another reason I'm not to excited about going to a leader. 

Any man willing to go through this much to get rid of line memory, certainly has what it takes to learn the FG knot.  Passes through fairly small guides better than any other knot, and I would argue possibly stronger than any other knot if properly tied. 

2 hours ago, Gundog said:

 

 

2 hours ago, Gundog said:

 

2 hours ago, Gundog said:

 

Not sure why this posted four times.   My phone does the weirdest things on this forum some times

[BoatSquirrel]

Braid is the only reason I went back to spinning reels.  Alberto knots are easy and FGs just take some practice.  

Anyone on this feed loves fishing enough to dedicate a few minutes of youtube time to learn these knots.

[Fishin' Fool]

7 hours ago, Gundog said:

So fishing season is about to kick off here in Northeaster PA and I was getting my gear ready as I always do. Started with spooling up my new Pflueger President XT reel with Trilene XT 12# mono like I always do. Only problem is this year its far worse than its ever been. I'll always struggled with fresh mono off the spool because of line memory. But its never been this terrible. Not only is there a ton of memory but also serious line twist. Normally I'm use to some memory but after a little prodding I can straighten it out and get it useable. How I do it is string the line out for about a day till the memory disappears but now I'm on day 4 and this line shows no sign of straightening out. Also the twist in the line has a mind all its own. I'm thinking its time for braid but I hate the idea of putting another knot between me and the lure. Also I'll have to learn to ty a Alberto knot or Crazy Alberto or whatever. And I'm gonna have to carry line with me so if I break off I can replace the leader. This complicates something that use to be very simple. 

Is this a spinning reel or casting reel? Because 12 pound XT which has a thicker than normal diameter could work for a casting reel but that is really thick line for a spinning reel. If you wanted to stick with straight mono I'd stay in the 6 to 8 pound test range.

[fin]

You can go straight braid, but if you get hung up a lot you will have to re-spool sooner than if you use a lighter weight leader. I use the Alberto myself. It took me a while to get the hang of it - it's important that you pull the right tag when tightening. If you don't do it right, you may send your favorite lure into orbit like I did.

 

I only loop 4 times, not 7 like the illustration. It gives you a smaller knot and I've never had one break at the knot.

 

 

After you get used to it, you'll wonder why you ever used anything other than braid.

[KDW96]

What size reel are you putting 12lb line on?

[Boomstick]

10 hours ago, lmbfisherman said:

Yes it can be annoying to replace the leader.  I use a leader moreso because it saves me money.   I'm surprised about the Trilene but I use XT 10lb and don't usually have an issue.  I guess maybe the 12lb has issues?  

You have to remember XT 12lb is like XL 14lb line. I would expect one to be running a catfish-sized spinning reel to get that to be able to get acceptable handling out of 14lb line.

 

I would try 10lb XT or even better, 10 or 12lb XL and see what happens if you aren't sure about using braid. I use braid on most of my spinning setups except one without issue -- including on my Avid X which has micro guides -- but I'm only using 12lb braid with nothing larger than a 8lb fluorocarbon leader.

9 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

If you want to stay with mono I would recommend Sufix Siege. I've had very good luck with it including abrasion resistance.

Sufix Siege is a fantastic line, but not too dissimilar from Berkley XT although my experience with the latter is much more limited than with Siege, so maybe it does have memory issues.

[FCPhil]

Straight braid or bust!

[WRB]

Your problem with mono line is it's to big in diameter resulting in spring off the spool of you spinning reel. Maximum mono, coploy or FC line is .011D! Spinning reels 2000-3000.

Sunline Super natural 10 lb test or Armillo Defier 11 lb test or any other brand under .011D will work. Berkley 12 lb XT is .015D way to big dia for a spinning reel under 4000-5000 size.

Tom

 

[Gundog]

10 hours ago, KDW96 said:

What size reel are you putting 12lb line on?

 

12 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Is this a spinning reel or casting reel? Because 12 pound XT which has a thicker than normal diameter could work for a casting reel but that is really thick line for a spinning reel. If you wanted to stick with straight mono I'd stay in the 6 to 8 pound test range.

It is a spinning reel. It is a Pflueger President XT 30. I've spooled spinning reels in that same size with 12# XT and like I said, it was tough at first but would calm down after stretching the line. I still have it stretching and have been trying unsuccessfully to get the twist out. I also bought a spool of 150 yds. of 40# Gliss. Not really sure what to do with it but since it was only $7 I might as well throw it on this reel and see how it does. I will look at the FG and Alberto knots and see which is easier for my arthritic hands and nearsighted eyes.  

[J Francho]

I would not use 12 lb. anything on a spinning reel.  It's rare that I find an 8 lb. line line that behaves.  I typically use 6 lb. line, or equivalent diameter.

[Fishes in trees]

How confusing.. ..   After reading the entire thread, and taking a break to go to the Pflueger web site where I find out that there is such a thing as a Pflueger President XT Baitcasting reel and a Pflueger President XT spinning reel, it took a long time to find out that it is a spinning reel that is being discussed.

 

At this point I'd weigh in with several others in the opinion that 12 lb test anything is a little too much for a spinning reel.  If the OP got decent performance out of this combination in the past - good for him.  I don't have an answer.  Another option to resolving the stretch/twist issue - try tying a ball bearing swivel to the line prior to stretching it.  At my house, I can stretch out a hundred yards of line if I feel like it, but it's been a long time since I've felt that way.

 

I've found the best way to resolve line twist issues is to drag the line behind the boat for a quarter mile or so and then reel it up tight - maybe not  an option in this case.

 

Question #next - Is this a new spinning reel?   I've purchased spinning reels in that past that were just line eaters.  They could take new untwisted line and in one afternoon, turn that line into a twisted mess that had to be thrown away.

 

IMO the first generation of Mitchell skirted spool reels (late to mid 80's) were famous for this.  I realize that this is a different brand but every so often it happens.

 

 

 

 

[Log Catcher]

21 hours ago, The Bassman said:

I'm giving Sufix Advance a try on some of my BC. Will see if it's the best of both worlds like it's marketed. I'm like @Scott Fas far as spinning goes. Just can't improve on straight braid because of its manageability and casting distance.

I was planning to try Sufix Advance but so far the reviews I have seen on it are not very good. It is quite a bit more expensive than Sufix Siege.

[Gundog]

3 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

How confusing.. ..   After reading the entire thread, and taking a break to go to the Pflueger web site where I find out that there is such a thing as a Pflueger President XT Baitcasting reel and a Pflueger President XT spinning reel, it took a long time to find out that it is a spinning reel that is being discussed.

 

At this point I'd weigh in with several others in the opinion that 12 lb test anything is a little too much for a spinning reel.  If the OP got decent performance out of this combination in the past - good for him.  I don't have an answer.  Another option to resolving the stretch/twist issue - try tying a ball bearing swivel to the line prior to stretching it.  At my house, I can stretch out a hundred yards of line if I feel like it, but it's been a long time since I've felt that way.

 

I've found the best way to resolve line twist issues is to drag the line behind the boat for a quarter mile or so and then reel it up tight - maybe not  an option in this case.

 

Question #next - Is this a new spinning reel?   I've purchased spinning reels in that past that were just line eaters.  They could take new untwisted line and in one afternoon, turn that line into a twisted mess that had to be thrown away.

 

IMO the first generation of Mitchell skirted spool reels (late to mid 80's) were famous for this.  I realize that this is a different brand but every so often it happens.

 

 

 

 

I like your idea about a swivel. That is something I hadn't thought of. I will try that. And yes, it is a new reel. Sorry about the baitcaster/spinning reel confusion. I didn't look to see if there was a baitcaster with the same name. 

[soflabasser]

On 3/18/2019 at 2:46 PM, microotter said:

Do you guys ever go straight braid with high visibility colors?

Have used orange and yellow braid with success but prefer fishing with green braid. 

19 hours ago, KDW96 said:

What size reel are you putting 12lb line on?

I use a size 4000 spinning reel when using 12 pound test mono.

[long island basser]

I use braid in 15, 20 and 30 lb on all my spinning, no leaders.

[Gundog]

Update on the situation: I had off work today so I went to the local Cabela's to buy some line. I was staring at the different brands of braid and I noticed so Sufix Advance. On the box it said "low memory". I bought 330 yds of 8#. I took the advice of many who replied to this topic saying I should drop down to a more manageable diameter. Took it home and immediately tried to spool up my spinning reel with it. It was worse than the Trilene. I didn't even get the spool full. Too many twists and I couldn't straighten them out without it kinking. The old adage "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." applies here. Never again will I spool a spinning reel with mono. Ain't worth the aggravation. 

[Jcj90]

12 minutes ago, Gundog said:

Update on the situation: I had off work today so I went to the local Cabela's to buy some line. I was staring at the different brands of braid and I noticed so Sufix Advance. On the box it said "low memory". I bought 330 yds of 8#. I took the advice of many who replied to this topic saying I should drop down to a more manageable diameter. Took it home and immediately tried to spool up my spinning reel with it. It was worse than the Trilene. I didn't even get the spool full. Too many twists and I couldn't straighten them out without it kinking. The old adage "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." applies here. Never again will I spool a spinning reel with mono. Ain't worth the aggravation. 

Are you making sure the line is coming off the filler spool counter clockwise?

[Gundog]

Fixed the problem once and for all. I'm officially a braid guy now. It was so easy. Took less than 15 minutes, no hassle, no stretching, no twisting. Should have done it years ago. The line I went with was the Gliss 40# and an Albright knot to a 12# floro leader. I hate trying new things in the spring because that is prime time for Susquehanna smallmouths and I usually don't have a big window when the fat females are biting. So any hiccup will ruin one of the few chances I get to snag hawgs. Hope this change turn out in my favor. 

 

[J Francho]

That looks pretty sloppy for braid.  Did you spool up with some pressure on the braid?

 

 

 

[Scott F]

50 minutes ago, Gundog said:

Fixed the problem once and for all. I'm officially a braid guy now. It was so easy. Took less than 15 minutes, no hassle, no stretching, no twisting. Should have done it years ago. The line I went with was the Gliss 40# and an Albright knot to a 12# floro leader. I hate trying new things in the spring because that is prime time for Susquehanna smallmouths and I usually don't have a big window when the fat females are biting. So any hiccup will ruin one of the few chances I get to snag hawgs. Hope this change turn out in my favor. 

 

That spool is over filled. You will have problems. You should take some line off before you use it. 

[Jaderose]

Holy crap!  That's a helluva mess...lol

[rangerjockey]

You've got about 40 yards too much line on it. If you filled like that with mono its no wonder you had issues.

[MN Fisher]

A spinning reel should never be that full.

[Log Catcher]

I don't know about Gliss but any braid I have seen recommends using a mono backing on it before you put the braid on. Hope it works out for you okay.