Braided line and guide insert damage

[Guest SkyChimp]

I want give braided line a chance.  I've been a mono-fisherman since the beginning.   But so many people on this board seem to suggest it's the way to go for jigging and for fishing scum frogs in heavy cover that there must be something to it.  

I've also heard that braid is very hard on equipment, particularly guide inserts.  I've heard is grooves inserts and causes pre-mature guide failure.  

How many people have experienced this?  Is this a legitimate concern?  

I have several rods on which braid would make sense, but if it really does damage equipment I don't want to take a chance with an expensive rod and reel.

I've got a broken-in Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600 C4  and am thinking about mating it to an Ugly Stick Lite 7' MH rod.  The Ugy Stick Lite has stainless steel guide inserts.  Would this make a good jigging and frog outfit with a stout braid line?  

[cpvenom]

guides nowadays have been created to withstand braid. I have had no problem on any of my rods for the past 2+ years of using braid.

[RoLo]

  Quote

I've also heard that braid is very hard on equipment, particularly guide inserts.

In my view, that notion was incepted by old timers who resisted change.  

In truth, "kevlar" was about the only super line that required titanium nitride guides,

but that was never the case with PowerPro Braid.

Roger

[Taliesin]

I have been using Power Pro braid for some time now (mainly for catfishing). I have had good luck with it on spinning reels, but I still keep mono on my baitcasters.

A few things to remember with braids:

1. It is "slippery" compared to mono, so some knots won't work. The line will pull through and untie the knot.

2. It has NO stretch. It's a very good thing for me, but if you are used to really crossing the fish's eye with the hookset you will need to calm down a bit. Unless your line is way out there (such as my catfishing) you won't need to move the rod all that much to set the hook. It takes some getting used to. Some people hate the fact that it doens't stretch, but I like that feature.

3. Many people think that since they are using heavier line they can crank down the drag. I still leave the drag set for mono of the same diameter. This keeps me from damaging the rod or reel. I have also seen people break lures because they had the drag set too tight.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

And you can go to med or med light action rods also with braid BTW i have been using braid on a lightning rod for a good month now prob 4 days a week fishing using small spinnerbaits and i have checked my guides prob a million times since spinnerbaits are always putting pressure on the guides as you reel and i have not seen or felt anything on my tip a good way to check is take a q tip and barley touch your guides if they are cracked or groooved it will pick up the fine cotton on a qtip really good

[Garnet]

Guide damage was from some of the early kevilar based line. Power Pro and all the copies are spectre. It's the same stuff that white plastic grocery bags are made of.

Theres no chance of guide damage and no knot issues inside ever Power Pro box is a knot card and all the popluar knots are there.

Garnet

[Siebert Outdoors]

My theory:

companies that didnt have it in their line up had to find a way to bash it and slow the sales of it.  I've fished braid for about 3-4 years now off and on.  Last 2 years alot.  Never an issue.  The only thing I could see as an issue is if your rod had those cheap plastic or other real cheap guides.

Do make your you lighten your drag if you switch to braid.

[Rob G.]

Several years ago I ruined (or rather wore out) a couple rods using Fireline or Battleline.  Have not had any problems since then.  The tip is what usually goes.

[Guest SkyChimp]

Thanks, I feel better now about using it on my more expensive rods.  

[Fish Chris]

I've used nothing but braid for more than 13 years. BTW, I'm a guy who fishes for anything from Bluegill to Sturgeon, with all different methods. I always kind of trip when I hear people recommend braid for just a few specific situations like frog or jig fishing ??? Braid is WAY better, for just about every type of fishing ! Back in the day I tried all different brands.

I finally settled on TUF-Line Plus and now, TUF-Line XP. Then, after using the stuff for 3 years, I became sponsored  by them.

I've never experienced damaged guides due to braided line....... and this is even in view of the fact that I have had some epic battles with Sturgeon on micro-light, Kokanee trout gear (40 minutes... probably 1000 yards of drag pulled) and a whole bunch of 1 hr plus battles of Bat Rays up to 110 lbs, on the same gear I throw swimbaits for bass, with. Those dudes will flat run 300 yards of drag in one shot, and unless you pick up and start chasing them, your going to get spooled !

But no.... never any guide damage, even under extreme conditions.

Peace,

Fish