Braid vs no Braid from the bank

[MUSLENUTZ]

For two seasons I’ve used braid. I love casting further, ripping the line from cover and just the overall toughness. Mostly fishing from the bank, I simply notice though I catch way more fish without the braid. Has anyone else who primarily fishes from the bank experience this? I’m just curious here others experience. 

[Finessegenics]

Do you go straight braid or use a leader? Is it a clear body of water and/or highly pressured?

 

I haven't noticed much of a difference. I used to go straight fluoro on my casting setups and I've always been about braid to leader on spinning gear. If there is a difference in my fish catches I'll have to dismiss it as seasonal changes. I was still using straight fluoro in the spring when the bite was hot. 

[jimmyjoe]

   I'm a shorecaster. You didn't mention, but it seems you're using spinning gear. If so, you're getting about the same results I'm getting. I can't tell for sure, but it seems as if braid sometimes pulls the lure away from the fish too soon. I also cast long distances in some locations. In those instances, braid is a big advantage, and by that I mean feeling a hit at the end of a long cast, and setting the hook in a timely manner. But for average distances, I go monofilament (nylon or fluorocarbon) 100% of the time. 

   Like I said, that's for spinning gear. I don't use braid on casting reels.         jj

[WRB]

There isn't any difference fishing form shore vs from a boat regarding the line you use.

From shore you are always fishing uphill,casting away from the bank and retreiving back towards it. From a boat you can cast multiple directions down hill, up hill and sideways.

From a boat you can go to where the lure is snagged to shake it free or break it off. 

From shore you can't go to the snagged lure.

Braid doesn't cast any further then mono, FC or copolymer lines....myth.

If you get more strike with other line use it that line.

Tom

[lynxcat]

Braid + FC leader...basically always. 

[Hammer 4]

I do lots of shore fishing, the only time I use braid is If, I'm froggin, or flipping into Heavy cover, i.e. cat tails, ect.

 

As WRB said, no difference if your fishing from shore or a boat, conditions dictate which line to use. 

[islandbass]

10 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Do you go straight braid or use a leader? Is it a clear body of water and/or highly pressured?

 

I haven't noticed much of a difference. I used to go straight fluoro on my casting setups and I've always been about braid to leader on spinning gear. If there is a difference in my fish catches I'll have to dismiss it as seasonal changes. I was still using straight fluoro in the spring when the bite was hot. 

I’ve noticed it for myself and will concur with you but it’s only my experience. We know lots of our brethren here catch a ton of fish with it, but not me and I’ve given braid more than a fair shake. 
 

I say this as one who likes many of braid’s traits. And with that said, for me braid has caught the least number of fish. 
 

I too am a shorebound angler. I don’t hate braid at all and I am not knocking it, but thems is my results, lol. 
 

6 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I'm a shorecaster. You didn't mention, but it seems you're using spinning gear. If so, you're getting about the same results I'm getting. I can't tell for sure, but it seems as if braid sometimes pulls the lure away from the fish too soon. I also cast long distances in some locations. In those instances, braid is a big advantage, and by that I mean feeling a hit at the end of a long cast, and setting the hook in a timely manner. But for average distances, I go monofilament (nylon or fluorocarbon) 100% of the time. 

   Like I said, that's for spinning gear. I don't use braid on casting reels.         jj

You can credit that to braid’s near zero stretch. You just have to adjust for that, I.e., ensure that they take your offering AND they close their mouth, lol. It’s even worse when I witness the take. I’ve seen them suck in my rattletrap like a vacuum cleaner inhaling it completely and I have yanked my bait away before they even had a chance to close their mouth.

 

The other thing as a shore angler is that 30# braid (which is what I’d use) is tough to break off. It’s easier to break off 8# mono than 30# braid when you’re snagged, lol. 

[NoShoes]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

There isn't any difference fishing form shore vs from a boat regarding the line you use.

From shore you are always fishing uphill,casting away from the bank and retreiving back towards it. From a boat you can cast multiple directions down hill, up hill and sideways.

From a boat you can go to where the lure is snagged to shake it free or break it off. 

From shore you can't go to the snagged lure.

Braid doesn't cast any further then mono, FC or copolymer lines....myth.

If you get more strike with other line use it that line.

Tom

I disagree regarding casting distance, braid casts much better (and farther) than the other two. 

 

Admittedly that’s only if you compare the same lb test across the board as braid is thinner. I think we can all agree bigger thicker line costs you casting distance.   

[Captain Phil]

39 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

I disagree regarding casting distance, braid casts much better (and farther) than the other two. 

I'm not sure about "better", but braid definitely casts farther with spinning tackle.  This is due to it's smaller diameter, which is one of braid's advantages.  Braid also has less stretch.  This means you will get a stronger hook set at distance.  When fishing soft plastics, you won't get as many bites when using braid.  It's stiffer, more buoyant and more visible, not to mention more costly.  You can tie a leader on the end, but now you have added another variable. Braid has it's place as does mono.

[NoShoes]

24 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

I'm not sure about "better", but braid definitely casts farther with spinning tackle.  This is due to it's smaller diameter, which is a major advantages.  Braid also has less stretch.  This means you will get a stronger hook set at distance.  You won't get as many bites when using braid.  It's stiffer, more buoyant and more visible, not to mention more costly.  You can tie a leader on the end, but now you have added another variable. Braid has it's place as does mono.

The “better” part in my experience is that mono tends to spring off the spool at times, even on a bait caster. 

 

I use braid to a long fluoro leader for pretty much all my setups and have done better than I did running straight 10 lb big game. 

[Captain Phil]

17 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

The “better” part in my experience is that mono tends to spring off the spool at times, even on a bait caster.

I'm not partial to one line or the other.  Personally, I get more line tangles with braid and they are harder to pick out.  I also don't like braid's tendency to wrap around my rod tip. If you train yourself to flip your bail over by hand and check for loops on every cast, you will avoid most spinning tackle mono line "bird nests".

[NoShoes]

15 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

I'm not partial to one line or the other.  Personally, I get more line tangles with braid and they are harder to pick out.  I also don't like braid's tendency to wrap around my rod tip. If you train yourself to flip your bail over by hand and check for loops on every cast, you will avoid most spinning tackle mono line "bird nests".

Definitely agree there, when you birds nest braid you have a mess that’s terrible to get out. 

[WRB]

I learned to cast using braid in the 50's using 12 lb Ahaway Dacron line very close to 12 lb mono about .012 diameter. Today's Superbraids are 50%  smaller diameter however equal .012 diameter line cast nearly equal distance as Dacron, mono or FC lines.

Tom

 

[Stephen B]

16 hours ago, WRB said:

 

Braid doesn't cast any further then mono, FC or copolymer lines....myth.

 

Not sure if I agree. I have experience longer casts going from straight FC to braid to leader on spinning. Proof?

 

In addition, almost everyone tends to agree as well.

[WRB]

Spinning reels used for bass have limitations to line diameter do to line memory coming off the spool in coils that the larger line guides must manage to straighten out. Braid has very little memory, the coils are smaller creating less line slap going through the guide train. Spinning reels you right.

Tom

[soflabasser]

I fish for bass mostly on the shore with spinning reels. Both braid and monofilament lines have times they do best. For example braid is best when fishing near heavy aquatic vegetation and monofilament is best when fishing near abrasive structure such as rocks, bridge pillings, and other structure that monofilament can handle better than braid. Light monofilament can sometimes help when fishing in very clear bodies of water with lots of fishing pressure.

[MUSLENUTZ]

On 10/8/2020 at 4:17 PM, Finessegenics said:

Do you go straight braid or use a leader? Is it a clear body of water and/or highly pressured?

 

I haven't noticed much of a difference. I used to go straight fluoro on my casting setups and I've always been about braid to leader on spinning gear. If there is a difference in my fish catches I'll have to dismiss it as seasonal changes. I was still using straight fluoro in the spring when the bite was hot. 

Always a fluro leader. Shallow mostly. Always reservoirs or lakes. Always pressured up here in CT. Always lots of brush and tillys. Lots of snags on windy days which is why I use the braid. I haven’t used mono in a while. Are you saying switch to Mono or is using a mono leader even a thing?

On 10/8/2020 at 8:57 PM, jimmyjoe said:

   I'm a shorecaster. You didn't mention, but it seems you're using spinning gear. If so, you're getting about the same results I'm getting. I can't tell for sure, but it seems as if braid sometimes pulls the lure away from the fish too soon. I also cast long distances in some locations. In those instances, braid is a big advantage, and by that I mean feeling a hit at the end of a long cast, and setting the hook in a timely manner. But for average distances, I go monofilament (nylon or fluorocarbon) 100% of the time. 

   Like I said, that's for spinning gear. I don't use braid on casting reels.         jj

It’s for casting and spinning from the shore. You think Mono has an advantage? Since I’m so shallow perhaps it’s better as a slow sinker. What about when I T rig weighted and want to hit the bottom - fluro or Mono?

[jimmyjoe]

2 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

It’s for casting and spinning from the shore. You think Mono has an advantage? Since I’m so shallow perhaps it’s better as a slow sinker. What about when I T rig weighted and want to hit the bottom - fluro or Mono?

   One of the primary concerns I have about any line is how it handles. A great handling line .... a consistent handling line .... is a huge plus for me; I can see whether I can tolerate any negatives from there .... if there are any. And that's true for both casting and spinning gear. If you're fishing shallow, nylon monofilament is the most forgiving and most consistent line I've seen yet. And the way I fish(ed) T-rigs, it was fine up to 12-16 feet deep. Because I was fishing from shore, there were only 2 or 3 places I could fish even that deep.

   For me, fluorocarbon line's sinking characteristic isn't important. I use it for slow-retrieve cranks around rip-rap. Yes, I experimented with it for bottom-contact, but it didn't impress me as being any better than good nylon.

   I absolutely hate, detest and loath braid's handling characteristics, and the abrasion resistance and knot strength are both poor, but I have to admit it's sensitive on spinning reels. I have used it, but no more. Personal choice. If I were jigging in 20-30 feet of water, I might change my mind, but I'm not.

   So I use 4 and 6 lb. Stren Original on a 2500 spinner. I'm still experimenting with lines for a 4000 spinner ..... I'll probably settle on 10 lb. Magnethin. Then I go to casting, with 12 lb. Big Game my lightest line.

   Some people think that 6 lb. Stren is too light for bass. It's not, as long as you stay out of the cover, which I do.

   I know .... I ramble. But I hope this helped.   Good luck!   ?   jj

 

   P.S. - if you feel you need to use a leader, use actual leader material. It's tougher that regular mainline. Seaguar makes some great FC leader material, but I recommend Maxima Chameleon leader material. It's stiff, but excellent.    

[MUSLENUTZ]

On 10/8/2020 at 9:17 PM, WRB said:

There isn't any difference fishing form shore vs from a boat regarding the line you use.

From shore you are always fishing uphill,casting away from the bank and retreiving back towards it. From a boat you can cast multiple directions down hill, up hill and sideways.

From a boat you can go to where the lure is snagged to shake it free or break it off. 

From shore you can't go to the snagged lure.

Braid doesn't cast any further then mono, FC or copolymer lines....myth.

If you get more strike with other line use it that line.

Tom

It’s the snags that cost me which is why I prefer braid. Perhaps mono is the deal breaker, I may need to go back. On a baitcaster what’s the suggesting point test. DC Curado 7’2 Expride. 

On 10/9/2020 at 2:13 AM, Hammer 4 said:

I do lots of shore fishing, the only time I use braid is If, I'm froggin, or flipping into Heavy cover, i.e. cat tails, ect.

 

As WRB said, no difference if your fishing from shore or a boat, conditions dictate which line to use. 

Fluro or mono?

23 hours ago, islandbass said:

I’ve noticed it for myself and will concur with you but it’s only my experience. We know lots of our brethren here catch a ton of fish with it, but not me and I’ve given braid more than a fair shake. 
 

I say this as one who likes many of braid’s traits. And with that said, for me braid has caught the least number of fish. 
 

I too am a shorebound angler. I don’t hate braid at all and I am not knocking it, but thems is my results, lol. 
 

You can credit that to braid’s near zero stretch. You just have to adjust for that, I.e., ensure that they take your offering AND they close their mouth, lol. It’s even worse when I witness the take. I’ve seen them suck in my rattletrap like a vacuum cleaner inhaling it completely and I have yanked my bait away before they even had a chance to close their mouth.

 

The other thing as a shore angler is that 30# braid (which is what I’d use) is tough to break off. It’s easier to break off 8# mono than 30# braid when you’re snagged, lol. 

Then fluro or mono for the situation? Spinning vanford on a Expride M and Curado DC Expride 7’2 MH?

[MUSLENUTZ]

Great feedback. You all are going to help me on next season. So that’s o you ! So I guess this moves to me to part two. I’ve always used fluro since most of my fishing is done within a couple of feet or max 10-12 at best mono sounds like the best winner. My concern is when I need to hit the bottom vs fluro. The set up is a vanford on a 7 m Expride and a dc Curado on a 7’2 Expride. I’m fishing around cover I have spinning gear with at most a 1/8 oz weight and worm, or whacky or ned. On the bc I’m throwing a 1/4 oz with worm, or shadow rap, chatter or crank or jig. Will mono work on all of these best?

[jimmyjoe]

5 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

Will mono work on all of these best?

 

   There is no "best" that is the same for everyone. Would I use mono in the situation you describe? Absolutely! But someone else might totally advocate braid or FC, too. Remember that I said .....

8 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

I can see whether I can tolerate any negatives from there

So other people might not see the negatives the same way I do.

 

   What about you?

 

   You need to make your own judgements. You fish your way, and I fish mine. If we were to fish side-by-side, you might try to fish the way I do and find out it works for me, but doesn't work for you. That's why we listen to other people's advice on this forum.  We consider all things from all available angles ..... and then we see which works best for us.

   The equipment you have is top-notch. No matter which type of line you choose, you'll find there are great lines out there. You've arrived at a point where you need to invest time, money and effort to see what works best for you.

 

  

5 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

My concern is when I need to hit the bottom vs fluro.

 

   A swivel or VERY small split-shot sinker on mono will make all the difference in the world between mono and fluorocarbon. It will make FC sink faster, too.  

 

   Have fun!  ???   jj

[MUSLENUTZ]

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   There is no "best" that is the same for everyone. Would I use mono in the situation you describe? Absolutely! But someone else might totally advocate braid or FC, too. Remember that I said .....

So other people might not see the negatives the same way I do.

 

   What about you?

 

   You need to make your own judgements. You fish your way, and I fish mine. If we were to fish side-by-side, you might try to fish the way I do and find out it works for me, but doesn't work for you. That's why we listen to other people's advice on this forum.  We consider all things from all available angles ..... and then we see which works best for us.

   The equipment you have is top-notch. No matter which type of line you choose, you'll find there are great lines out there. You've arrived at a point where you need to invest time, money and effort to see what works best for you.

 

  

 

   A swivel or VERY small split-shot sinker on mono will make all the difference in the world between mono and fluorocarbon. It will make FC sink faster, too.  

 

   Have fun!  ???   jj

Do you ever use mono leaders with Braid?

[WRB]

Braid isn't equal regarding abrasion resistance. Braids that are "fuzzy" like Power Pro have poor abrasion resistance IMO. FINS braid is polyuerathane coated and not "fuzzy" with good abrasion resistance compared to other brands.

FC sinks and depending on how fast you retreive bottom contact lures will drag on the bottom when retreived uphill when fishing from shore, increasing snagging

Lighter weights snag less then heavier weights but don't cast as well. 

Bait casting it's hard to beat Berkley Big Game 12-15 lb test mono. Sunline Defier Armillo 15 lb (.012D) or 17 lb (.013 D) is a good choice and smaller dia mono.

Spinning Fins PRC 20 lb braid with 10 lb Big Game or 11 lb (.010D) Armillo  mono leader or without a leader should work. 

Tom

[jimmyjoe]

3 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

Do you ever use mono leaders with Braid?

 

   Yes ....if and when I use braid. I have 2 spinning.reels with braid on them, and that stuff just won't die. I'm too frugal (read: cheap) to just throw it away. As soon it does die, though, I will be (and will stay) braid-free.

   I tried many different materials for leaders. I would suggest Maxima Chameleon leader material, but I need to warn you; that stuff is not easily managed. I tried Big Game, too, like Tom said. It was kinda OK. Don't use soft nylon lines, though. Braid will cut through them, slowly but surely

 

   jj.

  

[Hammer 4]

I use mono 99% of the time. I only use fluro if I'm fishing in gin clear water. 

 

Everyone has their favorite, use whatever you have confidence in.