30 lb braid problems on baitcast reel

[JimInAlabama]

I've used 50 & 65 lb Power Pro braid on my froggin reel for years and love it. I switched from mono to fluoro on most of my other bass reels several years ago and like the feel and low stretch of fluoro ... but ... if ya don't tie a perfect knot you're gonna break off and it's gettin' harder every year to tie perfect knots every time, plus a lot of times the fluoro is hard to see to watch my line. So I decided to try 30 lb Power Pro instead of fluoro on two reels recently (jig and T rig). I've only been out twice but really struggled with it. The line is digging into itself on the spool. I'm pretty sure I've read on the forums that a lot of folks like 30 lb braid on baitcast reels, any tips for me? Is this just the nature of lighter braid? Will the line settle in better after I use it a while? If it doesn't get any better I'm going back to fluoro! Thanks in advance for your experienced advice.

[MN Fisher]

Did you put backing on the reel before spooling up the braid?

 

All my braid-rigs, I only put 60-70 yds on. Under that is mono backing...10# Big Game for the BCs, 6# Sufix Elite on the spinners.

 

Helps prevent dig-in and saves money if you replace the line frequently as the mono is way cheaper than the braid and you don't replace the backing all that often.

[JimInAlabama]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Did you put backing on the reel before spooling up the braid?

 

All my braid-rigs, I only put 60-70 yds on. Under that is mono backing...10# Big Game for the BCs, 6# Sufix Elite on the spinners.

 

Helps prevent dig-in and saves money if you replace the line frequently as the mono is way cheaper than the braid and you don't replace the backing all that often.

Thanks for the reply. Yep, I used mono backing, a wrap of tape and appx 75 yards of braid.  And, after I posted I kept digging and found some other posts on the issue.  I'll try unspooling and respooling REALLY tight and see if that helps.

[MiceNReets]

I’ve stopped using power pro few years ago.  I Constantly digging into the spool.  Changed to berkley x5 and never have that problem since. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, MiceNReets said:

I’ve stopped using power pro few years ago.  I Constantly digging into the spool.  Changed to berkley x5 and never have that problem since. 

I haven't had an issue with PP - and I even ran 20# on my President one year...just have to be careful.

 

Still run PP on my flip/pitch/frog rig - the 4-carrier braid seems to cut through the weeds better than an 8-carrier like Sufix 832.

[jimmyjoe]

25 minutes ago, JimInAlabama said:

. I'm pretty sure I've read on the forums that a lot of folks like 30 lb braid on baitcast reels,

 

   On the internet, anyone can say anything that they want. It doesn't need to be true.

   Not only that, but there are people who post things that they really, really believe are true and believe work just fine. They're right .... for them, but wrong ......... for you.

   I've said it before, and although it might sound crude, the best advice is to try something YOURSELF, and believe what you see with your own eyes. That way, if you happen to do something differently than some other poster, you'll know the truth FOR YOU. Figuring out the difference between what you're doing and what the other poster is doing is, to my mind, immaterial. Don't worry about it.

 

   BTW .... 30 lb. Berkley Fireline Ultra 8  is .015", the same as 50 lb. Smackdown or Asegai.

 

   jj

[JimInAlabama]

23 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   On the internet, anyone can say anything that they want. It doesn't need to be true.

   Not only that, but there are people who post things that they really, really believe are true and believe work just fine. They're right .... for them, but wrong ......... for you.

   I've said it before, and although it might sound crude, the best advice is to try something YOURSELF, and believe what you see with your own eyes. That way, if you happen to do something differently than some other poster, you'll know the truth FOR YOU. Figuring out the difference between what you're doing and what the other poster is doing is, to my mind, immaterial. Don't worry about it.

 

   BTW .... 30 lb. Berkley Fireline Ultra 8  is .015", the same as 50 lb. Smackdown or Asegai.

 

   jj

Ummm, thanks??  ?    I've learned a lot of really good stuff on Internet forums through the years.  And I've chased a rabbit or two but I'm pretty good at sifting out garbage.

[MickD]

I don't see how backing can affect the digging in that takes place at the surface of the line "stack" on the reel spool.  From my experience, 30 is about at the low end of the recommended braid for casting outfits, and if you set your drag quite heavy, it can be a problem.  If you don't want to set your drag sort of light (keep in mind that most fresh water baitcasters have drags limited to only around 12-15 pounds unless "locked up.").  I expect mine is only about 8, but I don't really know.  Or care.  It works.  

 I don't see Power Pro as being any worse than others, but look for braid advertised as "round."  Which I expect all of them are now.  Used to be braid was flat and it REALLY dug in.  

[Scott F]

What are you doing that is causing the line to dig in? Pulling on snags with the reel? Not getting backlashes cleared all the way? Locking down your drag? 

[LCG]

I have used 30lb braid from kastking and it worked well but it's the diameter of 40-50lb braid. Tried 30lb suffix, removed it in short order. 40lb suffix works very well. So for me personally, 40lb or higher on baitcasters. I use 20lb suffix on a spinning outfit, 10lb is just too thin for me, makes tying knots difficult for me. This year I am trying mono for a bit and see how it works for my style. 

[Dens228]

I've used both 832 and PowerPro down to 20 lbs without issue.  And it is true for me as well as others I know. 

[Sir Shamsalot]

You're not alone. I put 30lb PP braid on a Curado K, and cast after cast, it just dug into itself. I'm no novice when it comes to putting braid on a reel, but there was something really wrong. Then I came across a forum where another guy was having the same problem. According to the replies there is a lower grade of PP out there that's flatter and is a pain to work with. I've used PP before without issue. I remember buying that particular spool from Amazon, and thinking at the time that it was a cheap buy. Since then, I've gone back to good old 832. I admit my eyes aren't what they used to be, but I can read 832 from 10 feet away on the lable.

[Lead Head]

I use 30lb 832 a lot. Most of the reels I keep it on I run a pretty tight drag (far tighter than most here would recommend). Anytime I actually get into the drag, ill strip line to make sure I don't have a dig in and clear it if I do. If I'm fishing something that can cause a less than tight spool of line over time (senko, t-rig) ill cast out and tighten the line from time to time. Overall I baby-sit 30lb braid less than I do fluorocarbon, and about the same as mono.

 

Regular PP is more square than 832 and that may be contributing to some of your problems. I can't speak to that because I have always used 832 for any braid needs below 50lb.

[dodgeguy]

NEVER PUT AYTHING LESS THAN 50LB BRAIDCON A BAITCAST REEL. I also suggest you try Sufix Advance Mono. Way less stretch than flouro and almost as sensitive without knot issues.

[Deephaven]

I find 30 ideal for most presentations and even run 20 on my jerkbait rod.  Cure for troubles with smaller braid for me was when I stopped worrying about the extra 2' in a cast and started instead to focus on boat position.

[Supra]

I had that issue with power pro 30, went away with 40 so that is my minimum on baitcast.

[Dens228]

35 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

NEVER PUT AYTHING LESS THAN 50LB BRAIDCON A BAITCAST REEL. I also suggest you try Sufix Advance Mono. Way less stretch than flouro and almost as sensitive without knot issues.

Absolute statements such as this are usually wrong.....it's your opinion but VERY far from fact. 

[ironbjorn]

I've also had nothing but problems from 30lb PP on BC reels. It does nothing but dig. 

[Bluebasser86]

I've got 20lb braid on a couple BC and don't have any problem with digging. They're not reels that have a lot of high impact use (big hooksets or winching fish), and I never pull a snagged bait with the rod/reel.

[Bankc]

I use 30lb 832 on most of my BC reels.  The only time it digs in is when I'm pulling a deep crankbait, like around 20+ feet deep.  I don't have a lot of weeds in my lakes, so I'm not ripping through them often.  That might play a part in It.  I also spool it on really tightly.

 

But if it's not working for you, then it's not working for you.  Everyone does stuff a little differently.  I hate fluorocarbon for anything but a leader due to line memory.  I don't know how anyone uses it, but it's quite popular.  I wasted a lot of money on most all of the expensive FC lines thinking I just wasn't using the right stuff, but eventually just gave up on all of it, and am much happier for it.  

[GTN-NY]

So how do you spool braid on correctly? I know you want it tight but how do you do it?

[Dens228]

8 minutes ago, GTN said:

So how do you spool braid on correctly? I know you want it tight but how do you do it?

I run it through my finger and thumb as it comes on the reel.  Although the other day I spooled two reels running the line through the pages of the new BassPro catalogue. 

[DomQ]

18 minutes ago, GTN said:

So how do you spool braid on correctly? I know you want it tight but how do you do it?

I usually get the fiancee to poke a pen through the spool, apply pressure to it with her two hands against the spool and then I feed the line through a broken rod cut down to the last guide, install the reel, tie the line on and put tape on the knot to keep it low and from slipping,hold the line between my fingers and make it nice and tight, then have at her.

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, GTN said:

So how do you spool braid on correctly? I know you want it tight but how do you do it?

 

I gave up trying to load it tightly on the first pass.  What I do is to slightly overfill the reel while keeping the braid as tight as I can.  Then I go outside, tie the line to a fencepost, walk all the line out, and then crank it back on under pressure.  I have gotten to the point where I can eyeball the initial fill enough so that it usually right on the money once the line is on there tight.  I repeat the walk it out and crank back under tension routine every 3-4 trips with my braid reels, more often if I spend a day pitching.