Using #20 lb. Braid Main Line On Bait Cast Reel ?

[ChrisD46]

*For those who "like to live dangerously" by using *Power Pro #20 lb. braid main line OR equivalent line diameter  (.009" / .23mm / #6lb. mono equivalent) on a bait cast reel - explain your set up (i.e. rod , reel) and exactly are you using such light braid on a bait cast reel for such as which tactics / applications ?  ... I currently go down as thin as #30 lb. Power Pro braid main line on a bait cast reel - but I'm ready to "expand my horizons" and the thought occurred to me may be missing an advantage if I don't consider dropping down to #20 lb. braid main line on a bait cast reel ... Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts & experiences !

 

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[waymont]

I regularly use both 15 and 20lb Power Pro Super Slick V2 on casting setups without issue.

Rod is a G Loomis medium MBR, reel Daiwa SV tw, leader is 12lb Red Label or mono.

I use is for 3.5" belly weighted underspin swimbaits, 1/4oz Bitsy Bug jigs in open water. Poppers, and 3.5" minnows like a Rebel/or jerkbaits. I use 1.5 casts worth of braid on top of mono backing. I've caught fish up to 3.5lbs and don't have any dig in, or any problems at all. Casting distance is incredible.

[RoLo]

 

Not sure why you feel that 20-lb braid is dangerous.

That might better describe 10-lb braid, or 50-lb braid with an 8-lb mono leader.

Remember 'Sirsnookalot', he never used any braid heavier than 20-lb test,

and he landed grouper and crevalle jacks, which are larger & stronger than freshwater bass.

 

Roger

 

[Tywithay]

20lb braid works great for weightless plastics, light jigs, etc. The problem is when someone ties on a 3/4oz and try to chuck it across the pond. It can dig in during the cast if you're trying to heave something heavy out there. Also have to consider the need for abrasion resistance where you'll be fishing. Thinner the diameter, easier it gets cut. Leaders negate this to a point.

[Scott F]

I use 20lb Suffix 832 on all my baitcasters except for one I use if I ever musky fish. I don’t punch, flip, pitch or throw A rigs. I never have had it dig in while throwing topwaters, cranks, lipless baits, spinner baits, in-line spinners, chatterbaits or spoons. I can cast farther, and my lures run deeper. I see no advantages to using heavier, thicker, line than I need to.

[mmoser52]

I am 100 percent straight braid and/or braid to leader on all my casting and spinning setups.  20lb braid is the lowest pound test that I will use with casting gear.  I use 20lb braid to leader for all my crankbaits and jerkbaits.  The specific rod and reel setups are listed below.  I do not normally have any problem with the line digging into itself, assuming it is spooled appropriately and tightly.  I have had only one issue, with Sunline Xplasma Asegai in 20lb, but I think that was user error, in that I did not have the reel dialed-in quite appropriately, especially since that line has received pretty widespread good reviews.  The rest of my rod and reels that are spooled with 20lb braid are listed below.

 

Shimano Chronarch MGL, 20lb Sunline SX1 to 12lb fluoro leader, G. Loomis IMX-Pro 843C CBR Medium/Mod. Fast (squarebills and shallow cranks in sparse cover or open water)

 

Shimano Chronarch MGL, 20lb Sunline SX1 to 12lb fluoro leader, St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass 6'8" Medium/Fast (jerkbaits)

 

Shimano Chronarch MGL, 20lb Sufix 832 to 12lb-14lb fluoro leader, Kistler KLX Crank, Rip and Twitch Medium Hvy./Moderate or Mod. Fast (lipless crankbaits, deep divers upto 6XDs)

 

Daiwa Zillion SV TW, 20lb Sufix 832 to 10lb leader, Kistler Helium 3 Light Medium Hvy./Fast (weightless wacky worms)

Edited May 28, 2020 by mmoser52

[FryDog62]

I use 20 lb Sufix 832 and a fluorocarbon leader on the following set ups:

 

•Daiwa Alphas SV on a MajorCraft Iovino 6’10” MXF for Ned rigging

 

•Daiwa Steez SV TW on an NRX 7’1” MXF for wacky rigs.  Skips weightless worms like a dream

 

As mentioned above, I think having a shallower SV spool helps prevent the line digging in.  Just have to make sure you pull out some line to ensure it’s not buried after catching a big fish, or more likely for me, after pulling out a big snag lol...

[fishwizzard]

I will agree with everyone who says that as long as you are using a shallow spool and pay attention to it, thinner braid isn’t an issue at all on a casting reel.

 

That all being said, I was playing around with one of my combos in the yard today and managed to break off a 1/4oz Super Fluke on 8lb braid because I was not paying attention to dig-in.  I only lost about 50 feet of line, but it’s definitely a thing that will happen if you’re not paying attention.

[S Hovanec]

I just spooled my new Aldebaran MGL with 20# TufLine XP.  It is on my newly completed SCV inshore 7'  MLF.  It's intended purpose is weightless plastics, SR5s/SR7s and Slender Pointers.

[Teal]

7 hours ago, RoLo said:

 

Not sure why you feel that 20-lb braid is dangerous.

That might better describe 10-lb braid, or 50-lb braid with an 8-lb mono leader.

Remember 'Sirsnookalot', he never used any braid heavier than 20-lb test,

and he landed grouper and crevalle jacks, which are larger & stronger than freshwater bass.

 

Roger

 

Roger, I sure miss hearing from Snook on here and seeing his daily catches and reading his stories.  That guy is a true fisherman.  I sure hope he is doing ok.  

[Cgrinder]

Tension is your friend with light (or any) braid. If you notice line getting loose on the spool, tie the line to something, walk it all out, and reel it back on good and snug. I used to use 15 lb. Power Pro a lot and never had major issues. I've also done it with 10 lb. Power Pro but that line liked to cut both leader knot and finger.

[Westcoast]

All my medium and medium/light rods get the 20# braid. My medium/heavy gets the 30# and heavy rods get the 40# or 50#.  Not a hard and fast system though as sometimes I forget what poundage is on what reel. And then some reels have fluoro or mono too. 

[Bluebasser86]

Okuma Cerros, 7' M/F Ethos Micro, 20lb KastKing Super Power. I use it for launching WTD baits and ploppers.