Braid vs Mono on a baitcaster re backlashes?

[learnin]

I've used mono on my baitcasters for a lot of years. For someone that bass fishes about once a week I'd say I'm about average for backlashes.  The older I get the less patience I've got with them.  I've noticed a lot more people using braid.  Is this because it's less likely to backlash?

[casts_by_fly]

Braid is about the same as mono for creating a backlash. It hurts a lot more when you have to cut one out that’s braid vs mono.  I don’t get more than one cut it out a year (usually inattentiveness on my part) but the occasional minor overrun isn’t a thing.  Just cast those out. 
 

if you’re having issues with backlashes, figure out if it’s at the start of your cast or end of your cast. If the start, add some brakes and smooth your stroke. If at the end, train your thumb a little more. 

[Scott F]

Backlashes have little to nothing to do with my using only braid. If you make a mistake, braid will backlash too, it’s just a different trying to fix it. 

[new2BC4bass]

I'm fantastic with a baitcaster.  I can backlash any kind of line!    In my experience, the kind of line doesn't matter.  It's the doofus holding the rod.  ME.  

[fishhugger]

when i started bait casting, i started with mono cause i heard it's more forgiving on bait casters.  i think it's harder to untangle braid than mono................  i'd go with mono if that was a concern.

 

i use my thumb pretty consistently with my bait caster. it seems pretty intelligent; it can just tell when something is amiss, and it takes corrective action - ie, dampens the speed if the line seems to be loosening off the spool, etc... maybe i'm doing it wrong, but that's how i do it.

[Bazoo]

I suggest casting a couple times a week at home. Up your familiarness with casting and gear. I fish 4-5 times a week a s I cast in the yard some too. I rarely backlash in a manner that isn’t just a few loops. When I do it’s because of hitting an obstacle on the backcast.

 

I say braid is slightly harder to cast and slightly harder to remove a backlash from.

[learnin]

Thanks to all for the info.  I'll work on getting better with the mono.

[dodgeguy]

All lines backlash.flouro and mono get damaged from backlash. Braid does not. Braid casts further and backlash less.it is easier to remove a backlash from braid if you know how. Ultimately you control how many  and how often you get them with your technique and what kind d of brakes you use.

[softwateronly]

@new2BC4bass, I'm better than you, my friend my friend    I do like braid though because I can pick it out 95% of the time.

 

scott

[WRB]

The answer is no braid is lighter weight and much smaller in diameter then mono, copoly or FC lines making harder to cast on standard size bass bait casting reels.

When you get a backlash with braid it goes deep into the spool. You mitigate deep braid backlash by pulling about 75 yards of line and tape over it with Teflon plumbers tape the wind the line back on your reel. 
Tom

[Bazoo]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

The answer is no braid is lighter weight and much smaller in diameter then mono, copoly or FC lines making harder to cast on standard size bass bait casting reels.

When you get a backlash with braid it goes deep into the spool. You mitigate deep braid backlash by pulling about 75 yards of line and tape over it with Teflon plumbers tape the wind the line back on your reel. 
Tom

An excellent tip, thank you.

[FishTank]

Braid usually for me at least backlashes the most, mono the least but I tend to like FC the best. Confusing for sure. 

 

Braid, depending on brand, can retain water changing the weight of the spool and how your braking system will work and react to casts.  Braid can also flatten causing line to dig in but this takes time. Braid digs deeper into the spool and can be harder to get out. On the other hand, mono is softer and will cast better and further but breaks down faster.  Some FC can kink and become weaker with backlashes. 

 

In my opinion, I would stay with a good quality mono if backlashes are the concern. I would suggest trying to grab a spool of Sunline Defier Armilo as it has been discontinued or Sunline Machinegun Cast. They also have Super Natural but it does not last as long as the aforementioned two lines. 

 

 

[islandbass]

@learnin: I would have to think they’re using braid because it possesses the traits they want. I would be very surprised if even one who uses braid uses it because of minimum backlash. Sorry, but the grass isn’t greener in this regard. 
 

Any line can be backlashed at any time and I would think 99.9% of the time, it’s angler error. 

 

In my personal experience, non braid lines seem to be easier to get out, but I think that isn’t always the case. I believe the ease of undoing a backlash is related to the severity of the backlash and independent of the line type. 
 

 

[dodgeguy]

On 7/14/2024 at 7:20 PM, WRB said:

The answer is no braid is lighter weight and much smaller in diameter then mono, copoly or FC lines making harder to cast on standard size bass bait casting reels.

When you get a backlash with braid it goes deep into the spool. You mitigate deep braid backlash by pulling about 75 yards of line and tape over it with Teflon plumbers tape the wind the line back on your reel. 
Tom

I have to disagree. In the first placei wouldn't use anything  under 50lb.the only time I've had backlash that bad is hooking something  on a backcast.both mono and flouro would be done

[Backroad Angler]

If you're using a baitcaster, I would say you are bound to backlash at some point no matter the line you are using.

Braid has become more popular over the years due to it being strong, durable, and a pretty sensitive line.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, dodgeguy said:

I have to disagree. In the first placei wouldn't use anything  under 50lb.the only time I've had backlash that bad is hooking something  on a backcast.both mono and flouro would be done

Hitting something on the back stroke blows up any baitcasting reel regardless of the line.

For fresh water bass no reason anyone needs line stronger then 30 lb test. The reason anglers use 50lb, to 80lb test braid is the larger diameter is easier to handle without cutting your fingers and behaved better on a casting reel. Going smaller diameter braid requires special level wind gear and shallower lighter spools to reduce casting issues and small diameter line digging into the spooled line.

Disagree all you want.

Tom

[Westcoast]

If your back lashing often. I’d suggest using the features of your reel such as the adjustable mag or centrifugal brakes. When adjusted properly it can make it difficult to backlash, at the expense of some distance. So as you get more proficient slightly loosen the brakes as you go and you’ll have your thumb trained up in no time at all. And line makes no difference, just mono is cheaper to refill with. 

[PhishLI]

On 7/14/2024 at 2:08 PM, learnin said:

I've used mono on my baitcasters for a lot of years. For someone that bass fishes about once a week I'd say I'm about average for backlashes. 

Explain further. How often and how bad?

 

Due to where I fish, which is remarkably weedy and padded, I'm fishing with straight 30lb braid most of the time in the warmer months. It's never failed me, and in hot water, and for their health, I want to get a fish out then back in as quickly as possible. I can horse in a 5lber covered in a 5lb mop of weeds fast. Not something I'd ever try with mono of an equivalent diameter or even close.

 

A full spool blowup is very rare with braid. Hooking something on the backswing or clipping a tree branch right after the beginning of a cast is the only way I've ever caused it. I've salvaged most of those too, although some required a couch, a pick, and a few bathroom breaks in between. I don't give up easily.

 

A backlash from user error that occurs at the beginning of the cast typically locks the spool and is usually quick to deal with. Catch the first locking loop, pick it, rotate it out, and you're back in business. Same for a cast where you're just slightly late on the splash down and wrap a few loose loops around the spool. This happens to me at night every once in a while, and it comes right out.

 

Both examples are rare, quickly resolved, and not fatal. Neither seemingly does any damage to the line either. I have some reels spooled with the same braid for over 3 years. I use clips that stay on for months at a time, and without the losses of constant re-tying, this is possible. This isn't something I'd ever do with plastic lines.  Additionally, they are often compromised to some degree after a backlash, especially fluorocarbon. Personally, I feel that I need to stay sharp and more deliberate when I'm fishing with monofilament line, especially fluoro. Braid on a bait caster is simply a more carefree experience for me. Also, I've never experienced line dig with 30lb braid unless I hooked a log and dragged it in, and that was years ago when I was dumber than I am now.

 

It casts very nicely, especially typical USDM 30lb 8 strand, and your reel's spool when fully loaded will be lighter by a good percentage than if it were spooled with a plastic line. The advantage here is that you'll be able to throw lighter baits farther and more easily with the same rig.

 

However, you'll need to get used to it. Adjust to it somewhat. Once you do, it'll become a mindless exercise, and if you think mono or fluoro is the better choice for the water you're fishing at any given time, then simply tie on a leader and retain the longevity and benefits of casting with braid.

[33oldtimer]

I had fewer backlashes on braid, but when you get a bad one you have to cut it out. Big Game mono is stiff and seems to backlash least of the monofilament I've used.

[Boomstick]

Braid might backlash a little bit leas than mono or fluoro but a bad one will

knot and cause you to have to replace your line.

 

I ran braid on my first baitcaster not too long after I got it (still a beginner). The only problems I had was when I cast into a bush.

[Maggiesmaster]

I use both braid and mono—braid for worms, jigs, etc. and mono for crankbaits and top waters. In my experience, braid backlashes much less than mono. I soak mono with KDV conditioner and that helps. As others have said— if you hit a limb on the back cast, you’re screwed with both types of line😂!