Braid Digging in Help

[MontclairDave]

I’ve read a lot of posts on this and seen all of the recommended fixes, including ensuring drag isn’t locked down, avoiding hard jerk casts, peeling line off the reel by hand and then reeling in to avoid loose line, using line conditioner, fiddling with cast control settings on reel, etc., all of which I will try. But here’s my question: could it just be the braid itself? It’s three-year-old Sufix 832 30 lb. I am tempted to try a different braid first, to eliminate that as the issue. (Maybe Smackdown or 131). Or is that just me looking for a quick fix to what is probably mostly a user-error issue on my part? Reel is an SLX DC.
 

P.S I’ve also read 30-lb braid is more prone to digging in that 40 or 50, but there is not universal agreement on that piece of this puzzle….And I want to use this reel for frogging so I will be going up to at least 40 if not 50 lb anyway. 

 

Thanks!

[JackstrawIII]

I use 832 braid of at least 40lb on my baitcasters and the only time I have braid digging in is when I really yank on a snag or something like that. 

 

I think your solution might be as simple as going up to 50lb braid. Easy peasy. 

[softwateronly]

I don't use 832 yet I don't think it's the brand of braid with how many people like it.  The 30lb diameter probably has the most to do with it from what I read above.  I have pp v2 30lb on 2 different 71hg mgl's, one behaves perfectly and the other digs often, the one I swim jig with and tighten down the most.

 

scott

[Glenn]

It's all because how you're spooling it on the reel. Here's how to do it so it won't dig anymore:

 

 

[ABU is overpriced]

Simply apply a good amount of pressure when you spool your reel. Still, there are some braid that dig more than others, and one of them is the J-Braid from daiwa.

[Jig Man]

I have never had braid digging in on any reel.  I use 10# mono backing with tape over the splice knot.  I don’t do any thing special when spooling it.  My braid of choice is Power Pro which I use in several sizes.

[Tennessee Boy]

Lots of good tips already mentioned.  The ultimate solution is to use a reel that is designed so the it wraps the line on the spool in a way that prevents dig in.  On my Diawa Silver Wolfs I can use the smallest diameter line and do everything else mentioned above wrong and still have no problems.

[LionHeart]

I think it depends also on the lure.  If you are hopping a Trig across the bottom,  the line isn't really under any tension as it is laid on the reel.  As such, when you set the hook, your line is liable to dig in.

 

A big spinner bait or chatter bait will keep a fair bit of tension on your line while it is spooled.  You can still get dig in for sure, but in my experience not so much.

[Bird]

I've seen so many threads about braid digging and still can't fathom it.

All spinning reels have 15# braid and all baitcasters have 20# braid and never experienced it.

Wish I had a solid answer but do hope you get it resolved.

[dodgeguy]

On 6/24/2024 at 8:53 AM, MontclairDave said:

I’ve read a lot of posts on this and seen all of the recommended fixes, including ensuring drag isn’t locked down, avoiding hard jerk casts, peeling line off the reel by hand and then reeling in to avoid loose line, using line conditioner, fiddling with cast control settings on reel, etc., all of which I will try. But here’s my question: could it just be the braid itself? It’s three-year-old Sufix 832 30 lb. I am tempted to try a different braid first, to eliminate that as the issue. (Maybe Smackdown or 131). Or is that just me looking for a quick fix to what is probably mostly a user-error issue on my part? Reel is an SLX DC.
 

P.S I’ve also read 30-lb braid is more prone to digging in that 40 or 50, but there is not universal agreement on that piece of this puzzle….And I want to use this reel for frogging so I will be going up to at least 40 if not 50 lb anyway. 

 

Thanks!

Ive been using braid since the 90s.i will never use under 50 lb on a bait caster.Also if your going to replace it go with Vicious No Fade Braid in 50 lb.the shallower your spool the less it can dig.i use Lews baitcasters and don't get dig with this line in that lb.test.all the other tips u got help also.

On 6/24/2024 at 10:03 AM, JackstrawIII said:

I use 832 braid of at least 40lb on my baitcasters and the only time I have braid digging in is when I really yank on a snag or something like that. 

 

I think your solution might be as simple as going up to 50lb braid. Easy peasy. 

 Buy a wood dowel 1 inch by 12 and wrap around dowel instead of risking damage to your equipment.

[MontclairDave]

Update: I do think the snag thing was part of the problem because I did a long cast on water and back paddled my kayak until the most of the line was off the spool and then retrieved the line back with moderate pressure on the line with my fingers (gloved). Definitely helped a lot but here’s the kicker: I finally noticed that I had some extra side-to-side play in the spool, which is NOT my usual setting. So I tightened the spool tension knob a smidge and voila, not a single backlash all day long. Was slinging a 1/2 ounce frog a mile. Now, if I can suck a bit less at frog fishing… but that’s for another post 🥹