Current Favorite 8 ~ 9 Carrier Braid ?

[Paul Roberts]

Thanks, BFS. Decided to go up in J-Braid diameter, to 15lb; A spool I already had. Just to try it out. I don't want to give a bad review of J-Braid on general. Again, 20# and 30# has been fine. Trying 15 now. 

[Paul Roberts]

OK... update. And I'm not sponsored by anyone. This has been my experience, dealing with a finesse braid headache this winter. 

 

The 15lb (.008) J-Braid x8 also knotted itself, but not as much as the 10#. The issue was loose loops on the reel spool (spinning) tying into knots. The stuff is so soft, and the braiding somewhat loose. In fact, I noticed the "puffiness" of the braid would stick to the cold water roughened skin on my fingers! This was new braid, after a single day of fishing. I'm guessing the softness, coupled with its ability to adhere to itself, is the problem. 

 

Another reel had 27lb (.007) Gliss, and it handled just fine -great in fact. Loose loops never caused any problems. Guess I'm going to Gliss for my finesse fishing. I used 8lb Gliss (.004!) in my UL's the last two winters, without a problem. I'm guessing its smoothness just doesn't cause line touching line to adhere.

 

I've heard complaints that people have had Gliss break. I'm guessing here that it may have to do with the break-rating. Although the rating may be accurate, I doubt 27# Gliss would be interchangeable with even 20# braids. It's so much finer that a little damage would very likely severely weaken it. Once again, I'd buy braids based on diameter, not rated break strength, keeping other properties in mind. Unless maybe they come up with some bullet-n-brush proof material in the future maybe, that still handles well. There is probably a limit to how fine a diameter one could go and still have a line be manageable. But who knows, the right rigidity, and slickness, might have us flipping with .001" 50lb lines! Kinda doubt it, though

 

Just my 2cents, following some headaches on the water this winter season.