OCD and braided line

[ABurk]

Anyone else struggle with braided line and OCD? I like to take care of my gear as I don’t have a lot of extra income like all of us. I feel like whenever I use braided line I’m going to have to clean (general not full tear down) my reels way more often. From the water retention that braid holds, and throwing that water back into the reel or elsewhere when casting, I feel like my worm gear and other things are getting dirtier faster than they would with mono/FC/copolymer. 
 

I like the properties of braid in practice, given the sensitivity and strength, but I feel like I’m having to do more work on the free time making sure my reels run correctly given all the water and dirt that braid holds and then flings all over everything as you cast it out. I also feel like braid overruns more often than other lines and an uneven spool drives my OCD crazy. I will cast out as long as I can just to straighten out my line and make it level on the spool. Any tips to beat that OCD? I can’t be the only one. 

[roadwarrior]

Water retention?  You are way overthinking the maintenance of your reels. Braid has no impact

on the issues you have raised.  Overruns, uneven spooling? Might be user error, not the line.  Get

over it and fish it like you stole it.

 

[GaryH]

I agree with RW you are way over thinking it. I have no more maintenance with braid than I do with floro or mono. Actually less because it last a lot longer.

[Lead Head]

I find it odd that some people struggle with more overruns from braid. I also find it odd that some people have more trouble picking those overruns out (than they do other lines).

I have always found the opposite to be true for myself. Just goes to show, we are all different, and what works for one person might not work for another. 

 

I will make a cast to "even out" my braid occasionally, but don't find the need to excessively clean because of water splashes. I figure fishing reels should have no trouble holding up to that small amount of water. In the past I would only break down and clean a reel when it started acting up. Had a Lews tournament mb go 3 years with 0 maintenance beyond wipedowns (stupid cottonwood gets into everything). It was used heavily fishing frogs on 50lb braid. In the last 2 years I've started treating my gear far better, but only break down to clean and re-lube annually unless something out of the ordinary happens. 

If a reel can't hold up to minor exposure to water from braid, I don't want it.

 

Having said all that (sorry, lack of sleep has me rambling a bit), do what you need to in order to feel good about your gear.

[newapti5]

For one thing, if you don't like the color shredding of braid, try Vicious no-fade braid. It's legit. Personally, the color fading doesn't bother me much, except maybe on my top gears. 

[A-Jay]

Most quality built casting reels are designed to deal with and or shed reel spool water in a manner that

prevents it from being detrimental at all. 

So that might not be that big of a concern.

If & when line size / type are designed for a reel, meaning not excessive in any way,

line management issues can routinely be traces back to the end user.

Perhaps consider taking a harder look at your reel 'set up' and application.

Might be able to, at the very least, improve your line management deal.

As for the OCD thing - in my world that's described as maximum attention to detail 

A-Jay

[ABurk]

Thanks for all the replies! I probably am overthinking it, I wouldn’t doubt that. The overrun could be because of the TWS on daiwas. I don’t have the issues on my Shimanos. I fish on a daily basis as I live on a river and I’m confident in my casting ability. I was just out yesterday and had noticed how much water braid will fling back onto the reel and it just got me thinking. I am super attentive to detail especially when it comes to the things I love and fishing is my #1 (I’m single and have no kids). Just wanted to be sure it was probably just me and my OCD about cleanliness taking over. And I’ve never had anyone to teach me about this stuff so I’m thankful this website exists! Hope everyone is doing well. 

[ThatZX14Fella]

I'm not a big braid fan. I have constant issues when I use it. I try to give it a shot every few months or so, but every time, I'm reminded why I always throw it away. Whether it be it digging in, trying to knot itself, knot strength, etc.

[WRB]

Fins braid is polyethylene coated fibers and doesn’t hold water.

Seagar Smack Down braid claims to have clear coating to prevent frying and water tight.

There is water resistance braid that greatly reduces spray during the cast and retrieve.

Avoid braids that color dye runs, that bugs me.

Spinning reel spools are external to the reel internal parts, none issue. Casting reels are designed to be wet and shouldn’t be a major issue with water.

Tom

[ajschn06]

I've never cleaned a reel before.... but it does annoy me when braid stains my reels....

[TcRoc]

4 hours ago, amb32 said:

Thanks for all the replies! I probably am overthinking it, I wouldn’t doubt that. The overrun could be because of the TWS on daiwas. I don’t have the issues on my Shimanos. I fish on a daily basis as I live on a river and I’m confident in my casting ability. I was just out yesterday and had noticed how much water braid will fling back onto the reel and it just got me thinking. I am super attentive to detail especially when it comes to the things I love and fishing is my #1 (I’m single and have no kids). Just wanted to be sure it was probably just me and my OCD about cleanliness taking over. And I’ve never had anyone to teach me about this stuff so I’m thankful this website exists! Hope everyone is doing well. 

Overrun’s to me are not enough thumb or break , not the TWS . That’s me anyways.

[waymont]

5 hours ago, amb32 said:

Thanks for all the replies! I probably am overthinking it, I wouldn’t doubt that. The overrun could be because of the TWS on daiwas. I don’t have the issues on my Shimanos. I fish on a daily basis as I live on a river and I’m confident in my casting ability. I was just out yesterday and had noticed how much water braid will fling back onto the reel and it just got me thinking. I am super attentive to detail especially when it comes to the things I love and fishing is my #1 (I’m single and have no kids). Just wanted to be sure it was probably just me and my OCD about cleanliness taking over. And I’ve never had anyone to teach me about this stuff so I’m thankful this website exists! Hope everyone is doing well. 

Why would a TWS equipped reel cause backlash? I would say it's definitely not the Daiwa reel causing it.

[WRB]

6 hours ago, amb32 said:

Thanks for all the replies! I probably am overthinking it, I wouldn’t doubt that. The overrun could be because of the TWS on daiwas. I don’t have the issues on my Shimanos. I fish on a daily basis as I live on a river and I’m confident in my casting ability. I was just out yesterday and had noticed how much water braid will fling back onto the reel and it just got me thinking. I am super attentive to detail especially when it comes to the things I love and fishing is my #1 (I’m single and have no kids). Just wanted to be sure it was probably just me and my OCD about cleanliness taking over. And I’ve never had anyone to teach me about this stuff so I’m thankful this website exists! Hope everyone is doing well. 

Wet line is easier to cast because it prevents the from springing loose the spool during the cast.

My guess is your not familiar with mag controls in lieu of centrica  weight controls. Pay close attention to the mag setting and spool end play adjustments are critical .

What braid size and brand are you using?

Tom

[Columbia Craw]

I would assume you don't kiss your fish.

[ABurk]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

Why would a TWS equipped reel cause backlash? I would say it's definitely not the Daiwa reel causing it.

I didn’t say anything about backlash. 

2 hours ago, TcRoc said:

Overrun’s to me are not enough thumb or break , not the TWS . That’s me anyways.

I think it’s only happening when I’m pitching. I have tons of pads on the river and I’ll flip and pitch to those all day. When I’m casting in a regular manner it doesn’t happen unless I made some error with my thumb. 

[waymont]

35 minutes ago, amb32 said:

1 hour ago, waymont said:

 

I didn’t say anything about backlash. 

Same imo, no way a TWS reel can cause an over run.

[Fastbee]

Not so sure it's the braid or t-wing giving you issues. The Magforce breaking is a little different profile from the others on the market. It took me some getting used to. 

[ABurk]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

My guess is your not familiar with mag controls in lieu of centrica  weight controls. Pay close attention to the mag setting and spool end play adjustments are critical .

What braid size and brand are you using?

Tom

30/40/50 daiwa j braid (the three I have been using lately). I’m not having an issue with my casts, but I would say I could use to tinker around with my reel settings. I took both my tatula/tatula ct combos out and pitched/flipped with only one and regular casting on the other. I would only get an uneven spool (what I consider overrun correct me if I’m wrong please) with the reel I was pitching with. I think it’s just the repetitive short casts and sometimes with the TWS the line won’t always pop directly into the groove and will play on either side of the TWS depending on where on the spool it’s coming out from and where the level wind is at. I can try and explain better if that doesn’t make any sense. 
 

I have been experimenting with different lines over the last several months to dial in what I like the most, and to learn how each line works. I’ve only been using baitcasters for a year and a half now so I’m not fully competent with them yet or how the intricacies of different reels/lines work. The only reason I asked was really because of my OCD, I don’t mind water splashing on my gear just wanted to be sure, but the stains braid leaves on my rods and reels drives me bonkers. 
 

While I’m here as well, anyone that has the TWS, any tips for settings for skipping? Currently practicing that a lot since the bite sucks lately. Been practicing the motions with my slx dc reel but those are easy to dial in for skipping just set it to 4. Still blowup plenty but I’m learning the motion, and I want to make sure I can still do it with a regular baitcaster. (If not the proper place for this piece I can start a new forum elsewhere for it, just figured why not ask here). Also aware it’s a lot of thumb control, not just settings. I’m comfy with my thumb, but may not apparently be so dialed into my TWS reel. 
 

 

[WRB]

I tried Daiwa Samurai, braid very soft but...the dye runs forever.

My 1st braid back in the 80’s for tuna fishing was FINS PRC green and no issues with dye running and still have the 60 lb FINS and used for frog fishing the Delta and Clear lake all these years until I sold everything. 

Just ordered Seagar Smack Down bright green 20 Lb (.007D) for my spinning outfits for Senko fishing. Let you know how it works, if the dye runs it goes in the can!

Tom

[Michigander]

Never clean my braid. I do full reel teardown and clean/lube at the end of the year when the ice comes. I find a lot of junk under the reel and in the seat but nothing in the reel itself. I'm all braid to FC leaders. 

 

Occasionally I have to clean the eye of the reel, but I had that problem when I tried straight FC too. 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, Michigander said:

Never clean my braid. I do full reel teardown and clean/lube at the end of the year when the ice comes. I find a lot of junk under the reel and in the seat but nothing in the reel itself. I'm all braid to FC leaders. 

 

Occasionally I have to clean the eye of the reel, but I had that problem when I tried straight FC too. 

Eye of the reel? Maybe you mean the+level wind wind guide?

Tom

[Michigander]

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

Eye of the reel? Maybe you mean the+level wind wind guide?

Tom

Yes, your technical term is correct. ,?

[ABurk]

3 hours ago, Michigander said:

Never clean my braid. I do full reel teardown and clean/lube at the end of the year when the ice comes. I find a lot of junk under the reel and in the seat but nothing in the reel itself. I'm all braid to FC leaders. 

 

Occasionally I have to clean the eye of the reel, but I had that problem when I tried straight FC too. 

The hard part for me is I can fish year round. I live on a river in Texas and I fish quite literally on a daily basis. It’s easy when I can walk out of my cabin and be at the river bank in less than 45 seconds. I have yet to do a full breakdown and cleaning of my reels as they don’t need it yet(to my insufficient knowledge), I was just fishing the other day and noticed how much water and dye was on my reel towards the end of my session and got the bug to ask here on the forums. 
 

 

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, amb32 said:

The hard part for me is I can fish year round. I live on a river in Texas and I fish quite literally on a daily basis. It’s easy when I can walk out of my cabin and be at the river bank in less than 45 seconds. I have yet to do a full breakdown and cleaning of my reels as they don’t need it yet, I was just fishing the other day and noticed how much water and dye was on my reel towards the end of my session and got the bug to ask here on the forums. 

The water will evaporate,  and none of your reel lubricants are water-based (unless you've made a grave mistake, lol) so the water won't hurt your reel as long as it isn't salt water.

 

Sounds like you just need to get some line with a coloring that doesn't run. 

[ABurk]

3 minutes ago, Michigander said:

The water will evaporate,  and none of your reel lubricants are water-based (unless you've made a grave mistake, lol) so the water won't hurt your reel as long as it isn't salt water.

 

Sounds like you just need to get some line with a coloring that doesn't run. 

Yeah I’ve been experimenting a lot with line over the last year. I know it’s like a sin to say it, but googan braid has been the best I have personally tried. (Not going past that) and some others. I’ve got some good recommendations here on the thread that I’m going to look at in the near future.