Who Made The Switch To Mostly Braid On Bait Cast Reels ?

[ChrisD46]

What about braid main line  for a C-Rig and Football jigs and other bottom dragging baits (like a Biffle Bug) ? Would a short 3' FC leader keep you out of abrasion trouble using #40 lb. braid ?

[ChrisD46]

Full disclosure - the bass'n video that made me want to consider looking at braid main line more closely (especially since I use Dobyns Sierra bait cast rods which run about 1 power lighter than rated) : 

 

[12poundbass]

Braid on every set up but two, I haven’t looked back. 

[Captain Phil]

Until recently, I have not been a big believer in braid.  I only used it for frog fishing in heavy over.  I have seen instances where mono or fluro would out fish braid, especially when fishing plastic baits in clear water.   Here in Florida, it is rare to find clear water.  I find myself fishing a Rattle trap more and more.   Rattle Traps are one of the best search baits. There are days when you can't get a bite unless you are fishing one.  I fish a Rattle Trap on a casting rod with a 7/1 reel and 20 pound mono.  If I can feel the lure vibrate in the rod, I know I am fishing it right.   By switching to 30 pound Power Pro, the lure seems to vibrate more than mono.  I do not know of what happens on my end affects what happens on the fish's end, but I catch more bass pulling a Rattle Trap with braid.  I also don't worry as much about hangups.  I'm pretty sure I could anchor my boat with 30 pound braid.  :>)

[Hook2Jaw]

I use a mixture of braid to leader, straight fluorocarbon, and straight monofilament to accomplish presenting a bait in what I attempt to make the most appealing showing to a bass.  I also keep in mind what hook is at the end of my line to best connect with fish.

 

I think matching the line to the bait, rod, and reel is one of the most important aspects of fishing.  I also think one can adjust their gear to accommodate many variations in line choice.

 

There are many ways to skin a cat.

[Teal]

All braid with exceptions on 2 cranking rods,1 jig rod, and my jerkbait rod, and swimbait rigs.  So probably 10 or 12 rods with braid to leader.  I used to use only 30lb braid and 50 depending on what it was on.  No I just use 50 except for one today that has 65.

[Big Rick]

4 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*So essentially you still favor FC line for crank baits - is that mainly to help get the crank baits down deeper , for better feel or both ?

Both.  FC seems to have less stretch, IMO, so my start and stop retrieves offer a more crisp response. And my baits appear to run deeper with 12 LB FC. I mostly use Seaguar, although the choices are endless and can really get costly, and have had no issues. InvisX and AbrasX are my go to. 

 

As a side note, I have really come to like Sunline FC100 system leader when using a leader for jigs, T-rigs, and chatterbaits. It's proven to be tough as nails and holds up well on those hard hook sets. 

[bx.versatile]

Same running braid on majority of setups. I find braid minimize the mistakes, since I'm not a statue I can have poor position on footing or angle. You don't need to set has hard to get a hook penetration compare to the clear lines.

 

Plus, like the above MLF video, you can downsize your gear. I don't believe in rods longer than 7'4 now. Most rods over that length are way heavier or tip-heavy even when it's lightweight. 

[The Maestro]

I've been using braid exclusively for years but I was primarily targetting largemouth. This year I really got into fishing smallies and almost by fluke started catching them by the same way I fish for largies - flipping creature/craw baits and jigs - just in different areas more suitable for smallmouth. I expanded on this pattern with the only real differences being thinner braid (50lb PP MaxQuatro - stuff is ridiculously thin diameter) and lighter rods and I caught so many fish. Next year I'm probably going to go straight braid on a drop shot as well.

[Spy]

All braid, all the time is where I'm at. Stained, shallow and chock full of obstructions is what I have access to and being on a kayak I need all my set ups to be as versatile as possible. Braid allows me to focus on what matters in these conditions by eliminating some of the variables and my rod choices make up for any other shortcomings that may remain.

[TcRoc]

Braid on all my setups w/  FC leader on some setup’s