braid lbs for wacky rig and light Texas rig

[Mbirdsley]

I have a feeling I am using way to light of braid.  I’m using 8 lbs power pro hi-viz tied 10 lbs flouro.  it works fine however, sometimes on snags.  The braid will cut my 10 lbs flouro at the knot on snags.  I’m afraid a bigger fish would do the same.  I generally use it in open water.

 

What lbs braid is usually used? 

[Scott F]

I used 8lb braid for years. I only stepped up to 10 when many of the newer braids came out and didn’t offer 8. 8 lb braid breaks at more than 8 pounds as a rule and is strong enough to handle any bass you will ever catch. If you set your drag properly, and don’t fish it like it has unlimited break strength, it will work just fine. 

[Mbirdsley]

10 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I used 8lb braid for years. I only stepped up to 10 when many of the newer braids came out and didn’t offer 8. 8 lb braid breaks at more than 8 pounds as a rule and is strong enough to handle any bass you will ever catch. If you set your drag properly, and don’t fish it like it has unlimited break strength, it will work just fine. 

I mean it has worked well.  That has been one of my set ups now for 3 years.  I also use it for light Texas rigging and tubes up 1/2 oz.

 

 I guess it happens more river fishing.  I get hung up fishing a tube in rocks 10 feet down.  Some times it takes very little pressure other times it takes reefing on it.  Always breaks at the flouro knot 

[Riverside.bassin]

I have been using 10lb braid. It works awesome and cast far. The only thing is that when ever I get a good sized bass, the tension of the bass being on the line causes the braid to dig in on itself (even with a loose drag).

Because of this, I think I will be upgrading to a higher pound test for my wacky rigs (maybe 15lb - 20)

^ Also, I use mono for my leader material. I tie it on with a double uni knot, and so far I've had pretty good success with it.

[Born 2 fish]

I use 10lb yellow 832 to a 20lb leader.

[813basstard]

Wow 8 lb braid must be like a mosquitos twetter in thickness. 
One would think very difficult to tie a knot in any wind. I’ve noticed the smaller by braid is (in diameter) the more issue I had with leader knot breaking. 
You can’t/don’t want to use straight mono?

[Bandersnatch]

This is for a spinning reel? 

[WIGuide]

In my opinion, braid isn't the greatest line for either of those techniques as it offers such little slack line sensitivity. If you can get by throwing what you are on a baitcaster, straight fluoro is the better suited in my opinion. If it is on a spinning reel though, I'd try moving up to 20 lb braid. It's still pretty thin, but may help with that main line to leader connection.  

[Captain Phil]

I'm "old school".  The only thing I use braided line for is plastic frog fishing.  Mono line has less visibility, ties better knots, doesn't dig into itself on the spool and never wraps around the rod tip.  Braid has no stretch.  In my opinion, this hurts more than it helps.  It's rough texture causes it to hang  on weeds when flipping.  A plastic worm fished on braid doesn't fall naturally like thin mono.  My son is 54 years old and a very good fisherman.  He loves braided line.  I hate it.  We agree to disagree.   

[Dens228]

I use 20 lb braid for that.  I go back and forth between using a leader, and to be honest I haven't noticed a difference.  I fish some very clear water quarries and they are pressured.  I still don't notice a difference in catch rate.   So tend towards straight braid, 20 lbs. 

 

[Choporoz]

I use 18# Gliss with 8# Yo Zuri Hybrid leader.

[Armtx77]

difference between the line diameter of most braids between 10-15lbs is minimal. 

With that said, I roll with 10lbs and 15lbs 832.  10lbs on a ML/F and the 15lbs on the M/F. Again. The line diameters are d**n near the same, but the 10lbs set up, will toss 1/16oz lures and 15lbs test is just enough to mess with distance.

[RoLo]

 

I rarely find it necessary to go under 15 lb braid.

For deep trolling though, 10-lb braid may get you another 5 ft deeper. 

 

Roger

[Shimano_1]

I use 15 lb braid to 8 or 12 lb fluoro leader and I always tie the knot where the braid is the part thats clenching down on the fluoro and I've never had those issues 1 time

[Mbirdsley]

10 hours ago, Chief250 said:

This is for a spinning reel? 

Yes spinning reel

1 hour ago, Shimano_1 said:

I use 15 lb braid to 8 or 12 lb fluoro leader and I always tie the knot where the braid is the part thats clenching down on the fluoro and I've never had those issues 1 time

Yeah I don’t have that issue on my 30 or 65 lbs braid set ups 

10 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

I'm "old school".  The only thing I use braided line for is plastic frog fishing.  Mono line has less visibility, ties better knots, doesn't dig into itself on the spool and never wraps around the rod tip.  Braid has no stretch.  In my opinion, this hurts more than it helps.  It's rough texture causes it to hang  on weeds when flipping.  A plastic worm fished on braid doesn't fall naturally like thin mono.  My son is 54 years old and a very good fisherman.  He loves braided line.  I hate it.  We agree to disagree.   

I was fishing braid a lot but, now I’m starting to transition to co-polymer flouro lines. With the exception of my heavy set ups and this one rod.  Only reason I like it for wacky rigging or light T-rigging is being able to see the line better with hi-viz braid.  Most of the time I can feel a bite but, there are the times I’ll see it before I feel it.  Especially on a wacky rig 

[Ogandrews]

For my medium and medium light spinning rods I use 8lbs suffix 832. 10lbs is good too, I just like that 8lbs is that little bit thinner and casts just a touch better. Never have broken the braid or leader just from the strength of the fish, with proper drag you can land whatever you hook. 2 weeks ago I just landed a 47” musky on 8lbs braid to 8lbs mono, that thing was bigger and stronger than any bas you or I will ever catch it’s all about the drag and how you fight them. I have never had any issue with light braid leader knots, I’ve switched to an Alberto knot and with 8lbs I will just do an extra wrap or two. Almost feel more confident in those really light line knots than I do when I’m towing 65lbs braid to 20-25lbs leader although they are the same strength. If you are planning on using a heavier leader than yes you could step up to 15lbs but if your going to a 14lbs leader than you might as well be fishing a baitcaster. I really don’t understand people saying that braid has no slack line sensitivity when in reality it does. If you have a bunch of slack line piled up floating on the surface than yea you might not feel it, but if your tending to your line and not letting too much out you will feel the bite just as well as with floro which is terrible to try to fish on a spinning reel. The other great thing about braid is that with the lack of stretch and how thin it is you can notice the tiniest movements of the fish through the line, which I would argue is almost more important than slack line sensitivity.

[ChrisD46]

#8 lb. Power Pro : Ned Rig (plus #6 lb. FC leader)

#10 lb. Power Pro : Wacky Rig , Drop Shot (plus #8 lb. FC leader)

#15 lb. Power Pro : Shaky Head , Neko Rig (plus #8 lb. FC leader)

[mmoser52]

All of my spinning reels are 12lb hi-viz braid, normally Sufix 832 or Sunline SX1 to a 6lb-10lb fluoro or mono leader depending on conditions, such as water clarity and cover, along with the technique I am planning on utilizing.  I have found that 8lb leader is my most used, unless I am fishing ultra-clear water, in which case I may step down to 6lb.  

 

I always use a lower pound test leader than the mainline braid that I am using, because if I snag and cannot get loose, the knot that normally fails is my terminal knot connecting my tackle.  Then I only have to retie my lure back onto my leader, instead of breaking at my leader connection knot, and having to retie both my leader, and my terminal knot.

[Tywithay]

I imagine it's breaking at the knot because most 8lb braid has a much higher breaking strength than the box will let on. Some as high as 20lbs. Even the best fluorocarbon is usually 85%-90% knot strength. The braid will take a lot more on a straight pull. The difference, braid has nearly zero abrasion resistance at 8lb, because it's extremely thin. If you're fishing around rocks, it doesn't take much to cut it. If the angle is right, it'll just slice right through it. Longer leader may help some. Breaking at the knot on snags is a good thing, in my opinion. I'd rather lose 10' of leader than sit there trying to pull braid until the hook straightens.