The braided line dilemma

[Bird]

These threads pop up every so often and I'm always amazed.

 

I've been using 15# Power pro braid on all my spinning reels and 20# on all casting reels, never a dig.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong but a big fish doesn't cause it.

Would love to experience it just once to say I did.

[OkobojiEagle]

5 hours ago, MickD said:

I assure  you, this is not a realistic option for bonefish.   Been there, done that.  Didn't work out well.

This isn't a site to discuss bonefish...

[dodgeguy]

11 hours ago, Bird said:

These threads pop up every so often and I'm always amazed.

 

I've been using 15# Power pro braid on all my spinning reels and 20# on all casting reels, never a dig.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong but a big fish doesn't cause it.

Would love to experience it just once to say I did.

Never had a spinning reel dig. Only happens with baitcasting.

[bulldog1935]

Well of course any spool and line will line dig if pushed too hard. 

Our OP, @PressuredFishing, already described how he was pushing too hard.  

 

While the old Spiderwire copolymer has its nostalgic fan club on BR, I was never one of them.  The only time I spooled it was 10-lb on Penn 4200SS on my daughter's inshore Falcon Open Hook Special. 

Heck of an opportune kayak-to-tide-pass day.  

My daughter caught 3 sheepshead on the flat, which become UPS trucks trying to get back to deep water.  The copolymer extruded to a smaller diameter and dug deep, jamming the reel and ending our morning.  

It was ok, we took home a nice dinner of schoolie specs. 

Also noteworthy, at the fillet table this day, I recognized she was going to become a surgeon.  All grown now, Biomed Engr degree, and applying to med schools.  

[Derek1]

I use 30# on most of my casting reels. After my first season never have problems. Also have way less trouble with braid on spinning reels. Then I did mono. 

[BrianMDTX]

12 hours ago, Derek1 said:

I use 30# on most of my casting reels. After my first season never have problems. Also have way less trouble with braid on spinning reels. Then I did mono. 

I really like mono on most of my baitcasting reels. But the days of mono on my spinning reels has long passed. No more coiled loops of line was the bell ringer for me. 
 

I haven’t had any issues with either Sufix 832 or Seguar Smackdown (all 20 lb.), but of the two, the Smackdown is more supple, makes less noise and seems to lay a bit better in the spool. 

[waymont]

On 2/6/2023 at 7:09 PM, dodgeguy said:

NEVER USE BRAID UNDER 50 LB. TEST ON A BAITCASTER !!!!

Nah, I regularly use 20,30, and 40 with zero issues. I always use mono as a backing with 1.5 times my longest cast of braid on top. I have caught plenty of 4-6lb bass and a few 15lb cats and drum and still no issues.

On 2/7/2023 at 7:07 PM, Bird said:

I've been using 15# Power pro braid on all my spinning reels and 20# on all casting reels, never a dig.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong but a big fish doesn't cause it.

Would love to experience it just once to say I did.

Same here, but I use mostly 8 and 10lb braid on my spinning reels. No issues with anything.

Just have to have the drag set properly. 

[dodgeguy]

5 hours ago, waymont said:

Nah, I regularly use 20,30, and 40 with zero issues. I always use mono as a backing with 1.5 times my longest cast of braid on top. I have caught plenty of 4-6lb bass and a few 15lb cats and drum and still no issues.

Same here, but I use mostly 8 and 10lb braid on my spinning reels. No issues with anything.

Just have to have the drag set properly. 

You guys obviously don't fish heavy veggies. A 7 lb bass with a ton of weeds 15 feet down and wrapped up requires brut force.

[FishTank]

14 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

You guys obviously don't fish heavy veggies. A 7 lb bass with a ton of weeds 15 feet down and wrapped up requires brut force.

 

Try it with 6lb test FC, a toothpick rod and a lure with #12 trebles. Force will get you nowhere in any cover.  Braid at any size is stronger but not always the right tool.