Moving from Braid back toward Mono Baitcaster

[33oldtimer]

I've used monofilament line all my life until this summer when I started switching to braid. I'm coming back to the realization that I'm happier with mono than braid. I've already had points of failure with braid using leaders despite solid uni knots. Both failure at where it ties to the braid and lures at the leader. That latter had me stumped until I realized mono would take the shock on the line rather than the lure knot alone on a bad cast or snag. Until this summer I never had a lure just go flying off of the end of my line.

 

I know flouro line is popular, but I can't stand the thought of cutting expensive line off of a backlashed baitcaster. So I've started moving my baitcasters back to mono line and find that not only have I missed it, I seem to fish better with it. I'm probably just getting too old and set in my ways, but liking the old school fishing line better at this point.

 

Curious if anyone else has come to the same conclusions or simply prefers mono on a baitcaster reel?

[gim]

In general, no.  I prefer braid.

 

But I still use mono in a couple applications.  Like when I'm tossing a jerk bait.  I want some give when I'm snapping the rod.  The trebles on those jerk baits are generally not super strong either.  They're just very sharp.

 

Usually I can remove a backlash when it occurs too.  I don't remember the last time I got a backlash so bad with any line that I had to cut it all out.  The key is to pulling it out where the issue is before trying to cast again and making it worse.

[WRB]

I use 4 line types, 11# Sunline Armilo Nylon (mono) bait cast reel general use, 12# Seaguar Tatsu for jigs, 7 lb Sunline Sniper leader w/ 10# Fins Spin5 braid spinning Senko’s and 5# Maxima copoly no leader spinning general use.

Tom

[12poundbass]

Braid and flouro for me with braid getting the nod on all but two of my setups. No leader either. 

[Catt]

I use braid for punching & frogging, everything else gets Berkley Big Game. 

 

The only time I use a leader is when saltwater fishing & it's usually stainless steel. 

 

[Columbia Craw]

For the situations you fish your decision might be right.  Braid however has it’s place.  It has all but eliminated line twist on my spinning reels. It cuts vegetation and is strong so punching and frogging get braid. Sometimes swim jigs too.  The lack of stretch and it’s neutral floatation make it the deal for Super Spooks but a leader is employed.  That’s the deal.

[Woody B]

The only combo I have braid on is my "heavy stuff" combo.  I launched an Alabama Rig into orbit last year with 12 pound mono.   

 

I use mono for everything else.   I can't wrap my head around using a leader.......just goes against my "K.I.S.S." mentality.   

 

'I tried a couple different brands of flouro but the "advantages" everyone talks about weren't enough to put up with the stiffness.   

[33oldtimer]

19 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

For the situations you fish your decision might be right.  Braid however has it’s place.  It has all but eliminated line twist on my spinning reels. It cuts vegetation and is strong so punching and frogging get braid. Sometimes swim jigs too.  The lack of stretch and it’s neutral floatation make it the deal for Super Spooks but a leader is employed.  That’s the deal.

Agreed, spinning reels are easier to manage in general and cast well with braid. I'm not planning on changing most of my spinning outfits from braid. And I will keep braid on a baitcaster for frogs.

24 minutes ago, Woody B said:

The only combo I have braid on is my "heavy stuff" combo.  I launched an Alabama Rig into orbit last year with 12 pound mono.   

 

I use mono for everything else.   I can't wrap my head around using a leader.......just goes against my "K.I.S.S." mentality.   

 

'I tried a couple different brands of flouro but the "advantages" everyone talks about weren't enough to put up with the stiffness.   

I'm a big believer in the K.I.S.S Principle.

[ElGuapo928]

I still run mono for cranks, spinnerbaits, spoons, and jerks. It all boils down to what feels best for you.

[GRiver]

@33oldtimer,I agree with @Catt,  pitching and my set up I fish around docks is the only rigs that have braid.Everything thing else is Berkeley Big game mono. 

[greentrout]

I put 15 and 20 lbs. braid on my spinning reels. Mostly 12 lb. mono on my bait casters. When I travel a little further from my home lake to Lake Bill Waller, then I might put some heavier braid on one of my bait casters and heavier mono on the others. It's a trophy lake. 

 

I enjoy fishing with mono. Been fishing with it for many years. 

 

Lake Bill Waller - Wikipedia

 

MDWFP - Lake Bill Waller

[Log Catcher]

I use mono for crank baits, spinner baits, and top water baits. I use floro for Texas rigs and jigs. I have braid on a couple of spinning rods. I put braid on one bait caster for frog fishing. I think I have used it once in two or three years.

[gim]

3 hours ago, 33oldtimer said:

I'm a big believer in the K.I.S.S Principle

Explain this please. I am not familiar other than the old school rock band.

[Team9nine]

I’m a fluoro guy when it comes to baitcasting, but if I had to switch everything to either braid or mono, I’d go mono except for 1 or 2 specialty outfits as others have alluded to. 

[12poundbass]

2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Explain this please. I am not familiar other than the old school rock band.

Keep it simple stupid

[33oldtimer]

34 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Explain this please. I am not familiar other than the old school rock band.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KISS_principle?wprov=sfla1

[DaubsNU1]

I have been fishing straight braid on my casting rods since the 1990's. Just this summer I picked up a new casting rod-reel combo, and spooled with braid and fluoro leader. Works well. The others are still straight braid. 

 

About three years ago I moved all my spinning rods from mono over to braid and fluoro leader. Could not be happier! 

[Susky River Rat]

I use braid on everything but my drop shot set up. I hate the spongy feel but, that’s just me. If you aren’t comfortable with your gear no need to force yourself. 
 

 

[Hulkster]

I use 12 pound Sufix Siege on my baitcasting rig. its amazing 

 

[thediscochef]

I have one cheap baitcaster with a cheap bfs spool in it, I run 20# 832 with a 12-14# big game mono leader between 5 and 7 feet long. The stretchier leader material gives better shock resistance for the knots and braid while still maintaining most of the benefits of braid. I retie the double uni and lure knots after a couple of days, between contact with the guides and knots weakening over time it saves some heartbreak. You can use a rod with micro guides but I've found my knots weaken faster with them 

[casts_by_fly]

I'm much more of a mono guy.  I'll use braid for a frog rod.  I have it on my swim jig rod (though I may change that).  My spinning reels are braid to leader, though I don't fish them much.  I just swapped braid off my heavy pitching stick.  I do like it for lipless crankbaits, but moreso because of the rod I fish them on.  Otherwise, I fish mono from thin 10 to thick 20 lb and I don't see that changing much going forward.

[scaleface]

I have braid on one rod for frogs, mono on everything else.  I'm only competing with myself and the fish  .

[Darth-Baiter]

i only use 50 or 65 braid on my baitcaster reels.  i know some of you dont have problems with the thin line biting into the spool with smaller diameter lines, but i do.   i'm cool with not being as lucky, or talented as you guys.

 

i do love watching it happen to my friend Steve.  fish are slamming and we are rapid firing casts...only to hear him start cussing as his lure flys out to 20 feet and come to an aprupt stop and lash a tiny bit.   i made my suggestions on "what works for me" for exactly one year.  hahah...finally his shop changed him over to straight non-braid and he is happy and loves how he came up with the idea himself.  hahahha..

[TnRiver46]

I’ve done exactly what you’ve done , and I agree. I love mono . I keep braid on one or two for very heavy lures and catfish but don’t really like bass fishing with it 

[crypt]

20 hours ago, Catt said:

I use braid for punching & frogging, everything else gets Berkley Big Game. 

 

The only time I use a leader is when saltwater fishing & it's usually stainless steel. 

 

this ..................