Best Braided Line

[Yung_Ty]

Hey there everyone,

 

Looking to learn a little more about what brands everyone prefers for braided line. Ive been using Power Pro for the last few seasons, but am considering a change. Not that there is anything in particular I dislike about Power Pro, I just havent had any experience using any other brands.

 

What brands do you you folks use? Why do you prefer them over others? Has anyone else made a switch like this before, and what were your reasons?

 

Thanks everyone!!

[roadwarrior]

Seaguar Smackdown Stealth Gray

 

https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/smackdown-stealth-gray

[Yung_Ty]

Just now, roadwarrior said:

Seaguar Smackdown Stealth Gray

 

https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/smackdown-stealth-gray

 I have a friend who also prefers Seaguar - my question for you, why Seaguar over Power Pro? What is it that you prefer?

[Yung_Ty]

 I have a friend who also prefers Seaguar - my question for you, why Seaguar over Power Pro? What is it that you prefer?

[roadwarrior]

The line is perfectly uniform and smooth.

[MN Fisher]

I just got a spool of 20# Smackdown in the mail as a gift. Compared to even the Sufix 832 that I had been considering, it's much smoother and more supple. Comparing to a left over spool of 20# Power Pro I had sitting around...the Power Pro almost feels like nettles compared to the Smackdown.

[Glenn]

x2 on the Smackdown.  I used to use PowerPro, but Smackdown is more supple and thinner than PowerPro.  It's easier to handle and tie knots. Also, I had problems with PowerPro fraying. Smackdown doesn't do that.

[Hammer 4]

X 3 on the Smackdown braid. I agree with Glenn, very easy to use.

[Boomstick]

I have been using mostly Daiwa J-Braid x8 for years. Last year, I picked up some J-Braid x8 Grand and that's behaved pretty well. On my spinning reel for finesse, I've ran Sunline SX-1 12LB for a few years now and for thinner line it behaves very well.

[Dens228]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

Seaguar Smackdown Stealth Gray

 

https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/smackdown-stealth-gray

I just ordered three spools from Tw on Friday to try it out.

[jbsoonerfan]

I use Sufix 832 and I like it a lot. I would love to try Smackdown but I only buy line in bulk spools so I will wait until I can get it in at least 600 yard spools.

[Team9nine]

For spinning reels: YGK G-Soul SS112 Sinking Braided Line

 

[FishTank]

I used Power Pro and Suffix 832 off and on for years and have since moved on.  I like Seaguar Smackdown, Sunline X-Plasma and Berkley X9. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Why are you using braid; distance or sensitivity? And are you using a spinning reel or a casting reel? And are you fishing from a boat or shore?

   And you said you're considering a change. Why?

 

   Spinning + distance: generally, a good match-up. Use the smallest diameter braid that will have 2x the test rating you think you'll need. The reason for the 2x is that the knot strength of braid is poor. Best to use bodied lines, like Fins Windtamer, to reduce wind knots.

 

   Casting + distance: generally, a poor match, although I have heard of exceptions. The reason is that distance can be achieved, but by using somewhat smaller diameter braids. Those smaller diameter braids can dig in on a snag or hookset, causing a bird's-nest the next cast. This backlash, combined with the poor knot characteristics of braid and the higher velocities associated with distance casting can allow you to see one of the truly amazing sights in fishing: an expensive lure going "snap!" and traveling vast distances to exotic new places. Can you say, "Bye-bye"?   ?????

 

   If you're out for sensitivity, you're already aware by virtue of the PowerPro that you're using, that sensitivity is great. That's a characteristic that is pretty much equatable among all braids.

   So ...... what are you seeking to improve? If it's noise, go to a round braid with high pic count. If it's twist reduction, get either a bodied line or else learn to tolerate a larger diameter line than what is "normally" advised. If it's abrasion resistance, I don't know what to tell you. New braids enter the marketplace every year. Maybe one is magically better, but I have no idea whether that's the case or which one it might be.

 

   Naturally, these problems are exacerbated for shorecasters, because of our attempts to eke out just .... one .... more .... yard .... from the cast. If you fish from a boat, you're on Easy Street.

   Good luck!     jj

 

p.s. - if you're battling twist, remember that shorter rods (with fewer guides) can reduce twist by virtue of reduced friction.

 

  

  

[Yung_Ty]

3 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Why are you using braid; distance or sensitivity? And are you using a spinning reel or a casting reel? And are you fishing from a boat or shore?

   And you said you're considering a change. Why?

 

   Spinning + distance: generally, a good match-up. Use the smallest diameter braid that will have 2x the test rating you think you'll need. The reason for the 2x is that the knot strength of braid is poor. Best to use bodied lines, like Fins Windtamer, to reduce wind knots.

 

   Casting + distance: generally, a poor match, although I have heard of exceptions. The reason is that distance can be achieved, but by using somewhat smaller diameter braids. Those smaller diameter braids can dig in on a snag or hookset, causing a bird's-nest the next cast. This backlash, combined with the poor knot characteristics of braid and the higher velocities associated with distance casting can allow you to see one of the truly amazing sights in fishing: an expensive lure going "snap!" and traveling vast distances to exotic new places. Can you say, "Bye-bye"?   ?????

 

   If you're out for sensitivity, you're already aware by virtue of the PowerPro that you're using, that sensitivity is great. That's a characteristic that is pretty much equatable among all braids.

   So ...... what are you seeking to improve? If it's noise, go to a round braid with high pic count. If it's twist reduction, get either a bodied line or else learn to tolerate a larger diameter line than what is "normally" advised. If it's abrasion resistance, I don't know what to tell you. New braids enter the marketplace every year. Maybe one is magically better, but I have no idea whether that's the case or which one it might be.

 

   Naturally, these problems are exacerbated for shorecasters, because of our attempts to eke out just .... one .... more .... yard .... from the cast. If you fish from a boat, you're on Easy Street.

   Good luck!     jj

 

p.s. - if you're battling twist, remember that shorter rods (with fewer guides) can reduce twist by virtue of reduced friction.

JimmyJoe thank you. This is the type of feedback I was hoping for. I'll be aiming for illusive casting/distance program. Looking to balance there is tricky

  

  

 

[jimmyjoe]

5 hours ago, Yung_Ty said:

    This is the type of feedback I was hoping for. I'll be aiming for elusive casting/distance program. Looking to balance there is tricky

 

   If you're going for distance with casting equipment and want to use braid, I suggest finding a forum for surfcasting. Even though it's a totally different style of fishing, the problems we're discussing are very obvious to surfcasters, and they deal with them all the time. Very few who use rotating-spool reels stick with braid, mostly because of the dig-in problem. It's not impossible, just trickier and more frustrating.

 

    I've been where you are, and I wish for you the best of luck.        jj

[moguy1973]

I've been using the Power Pro SuperSlick8 V2 on most of my reels for the past few seasons and I find it much more manageable than the normal Power Pro.  Much quieter going through the guides due to it being rounder and having less friction.

[Dens228]

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   If you're going for distance with casting equipment and want to use braid, I suggest finding a forum for surfcasting. Even though it's a totally different style of fishing, the problems we're discussing are very obvious to surfcasters, and they deal with them all the time. Very few who use rotating-spool reels stick with braid, mostly because of the dig-in problem. It's not impossible, just trickier and more frustrating.

 

    I've been where you are, and I wish for you the best of luck.        jj

I'm curious as to why you have had so many issues with dig in.........I use braid 100% of the time from 20 lb test to 65 and don't have that issue.  I fish A LOT with jigs, cast the out there quite a distance and set the hook hard.   I can count on one hand the dig in incidents over the past 5 years or so.  To each his own.

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

17 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Seaguar Smackdown Stealth Gray

 

https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/smackdown-stealth-gray

I won the lottery!

My Ace hardware has this line for six dollars.