Braided Line Set Up

[RLinNH]

     Asking this as the last time I fished braided line was in 1988 when I was still living in FL...(yes, I'm that old...😝). I got away from it for many reasons that I won't get into here on this thread. I was to build out a top water set up for this season. I have questions though. Does a specific braid cast better on a bait caster versus on a spinning reel? Is braided line stile a PITA to cut? Sorry for asking such rookie questions, but I am sure that braided lines are better now than they were back when I was younger.

[Jar11591]

A lot of people use braid on spinning gear. I am not one of them. For me it’s strictly casting gear because I hate how it performs on spinning gear, but I recognize I am in the extreme minority. Some braids cast better than others, but I think that’s more brand to brand than it is casting to spinning. And now they make scissors designed specifically to cut braided line, so if you get a pair of those, your cutting woes should be non existent. 

[RLinNH]

6 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

A lot of people use braid on spinning gear. I am not one of them. For me it’s strictly casting gear because I hate how it performs on spinning gear, but I recognize I am in the extreme minority. Some braids cast better than others, but I think that’s more brand to brand than it is casting to spinning. And now they make scissors designed specifically to cut braided line, so if you get a pair of those, your cutting woes should be non existent. 

I hate to say it out loud, but I am a casting reel only kind of guy. I remember those braided lines from 25ish years ago and no way those stiff lines would of casted on a casting reel. Time to go shopping. Can anyone recommend a braided line brand that they have found success with using a bait caster?

[Jar11591]

I use Power Pro and Sufix 832. They both perform great on casting gear. Haven’t found issues with either line on casting gear, other than it flattening out after a lot of use, which is the same as any braid I’ve ever used. 

[MyKeyBe]

27 minutes ago, RLinNH said:

Can anyone recommend a braided line brand that they have found success with using a bait caster?

At least 30# for a bait caster. Larger diameter lines handle better on casting gear. Make sure you use a layer of tape on the spool or tie to mono backing to keep the line from slipping on the spool. Most people are probably going to recommend sufix 832 but all the sufix lines are pretty good. Power pro and yozuri are also pretty good. Most braids now a days are pretty decent as far as that goes. If you haven't used braid since forever ago, 832 will probably seem pretty amazing.

 

[Scott F]

I love braid on my spinning reels. ALL spinning reels twist line. Mono and FC lines behave very poorly when twisted and braided line is much more tolerant to being twisted. I’ll agree with the other posters, Sufix 832 is good stuff. 

[RLinNH]

Thanks to all for the most appreciated replies. Now off to go pick out a rod for top water froggin' in the thick stuff...  Gear 🐒 has struck...

[MRQturbo]

Sunline fx2 for baitcaster.. Or Sx1 for spinning.. 

[dk2429]

Braid is my favorite line to use, although I have mono and fluorocarbon on a few specific setups. It just casts a lot better and overall feels a lot better to me. The no memory and no stretch is absolutely the winner with braid. Cuts no problem with a knife or even toe nail clippers. Get you a pair of fishing pliers with line cutters built in

 

I like Fins Windtamer the most. Sufix 832 is also a good option  

[casts_by_fly]

For treble hook type topwaters, 30# 832 for me if I’m fishing braid. You don’t need heavier for open water and it’s a good pair for 12-16# mono leader if you’re using it. 
 

For frogs, I’ll bump to 50# 832. Rod wise, have a look at the falcon Cara eye crosser. 

[wvhunt]

I had big problems with wind knots last year when using braid on my spinning reels.  Perhaps it was poor technique on my part or the very windy lake I fished a lot last year.  I'll probably spool at least one up with braid and give it a shot this year as well.

[VTFan]

Personally I use 40# Power Pro on my casting reels with absolutely no issues. Using 30# Power Pro with fluro leader on my spinning reels. I'll get the occasional backlash or wind knot depending on which reel I'm using. I found out the hard way that overfilling either reel can cause problems. JMHO

[RLinNH]

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

For treble hook type topwaters, 30# 832 for me if I’m fishing braid. You don’t need heavier for open water and it’s a good pair for 12-16# mono leader if you’re using it. 
 

For frogs, I’ll bump to 50# 832. Rod wise, have a look at the falcon Cara eye crosser. 

     Pulled the trigger last night on a Dobyns DC 735C FH. Going to stop by the Bass Pro today and pick up a reel. 

[ike8120]

For a budget friendly braid and pretty decent is the Kast King Super Power Color Shield. I use braid on my spinning gear with FC leader. Also BFS guys are using braid because of the smaller line diameter. Either you love braid or hate it.

[Mike L]

To me braid is a specialty line, not an all around, do everything all the time kinda line. 
Over the years it kinda morphed into just that. 
 

Anyway, in my mind being there are so many brands each having thier own process it’s hard to answer and steer you to only one. 
 

That said, if I were you I would only use an 8 carrier from a nationally known quality manufacturer such as Seaguar. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[dk2429]

On 2/2/2025 at 7:25 AM, RLinNH said:

     Pulled the trigger last night on a Dobyns DC 735C FH. Going to stop by the Bass Pro today and pick up a reel. 

Was just about to suggest the Dobyns SA735, but looks like you done went and got the step up! Nice pick

[new2BC4bass]

On 2/1/2025 at 8:37 AM, Jar11591 said:

A lot of people use braid on spinning gear. I am not one of them. For me it’s strictly casting gear because I hate how it performs on spinning gear, but I recognize I am in the extreme minority. Some braids cast better than others, but I think that’s more brand to brand than it is casting to spinning. And now they make scissors designed specifically to cut braided line, so if you get a pair of those, your cutting woes should be non existent. 

Nor am I.  Have braid on 3 spinning reels.  30# on my MH rod ain't bad, but I prefer mono/co-polymer otherwise.  Guess I'm one of the very few that feels like I get better distance with mono/co-polymer with the light lines I normally use on spinning rods.  Also not a fan of small guides on spinning rods.  Returned two to Cabela's and brought casting rods home.

 

I like braid in the nasty stuff.  In open water, I prefer something else.

[Smirak]

I run braid on one of my spinning rigs, and on ALL of my baitcasters. I have begun the switch from Seaguar Tactx braid on everything to suffix 832 and Daiwa JBraid Grand X8 (switching all to this line for 2025). 

[N.Y. Yankee]

I like Suffix 832 on spinning reels very much but I also tie on Seaguar Blue leader as well. I feel I get the best of both worlds with this way. As for cutting, Walmart carries Rapala brand line scissors for about 4 bucks and they work great. You can spend more but you wont cut any better. I have about 12-15 pair in all my boxes, bags, tool boxes etc. They are light weight and sit in my pocket all day when fishing. Either that, or get a good, sharp, pocket-clip folding knife and that works well too but a bit more awkward. Once you practice you can cut braid one-handed with a pocket knife.

[Smirak]

The cuda scissors are my go to in various lengths….