Line conditioner/Braid/Improving Castability

[CRFisher]

Just switched to braid (Suffix Performance Braid) and surprised with the decrease from mono on casting ease, distance.  I just got back into the game so I have a bargain Ugly Stik spinning combo but it  casts very well.  The braid seems to be slowing down going through the guides and coming off the reel with a little bit of stickiness.  I've seen KVD line conditioner heavily recommended here but I only care about castability, not line memory, and won't have a chance to get any for a few weeks.  Anyone know of a homemade/cheap solution to this?  Or should the braid be casting better?  Casting improved as time went on (I think due to line wetness) but still not anywhere near as smooth as I like.  It seems like I should be able to spray the line down with Pam or Crisco the guides to improve casting and it won't pollute like a WD-40, etc.   Any thoughts?  I'm mostly looking for something to get me through the long weekend, but figured if something works it might be a long term, cheap solution.  

[surfer]

surprised with the decrease from mono on casting ease, distance.

 That doesn't sound right unles you went from 8# mono to 50# braid.  Braid should cast better.  What # suffix are you using?

[CRFisher]

I went from 12 pound mono to a 30 lb braid (Suffix performance braid) which is thinner.  I thought it would cast at least the same.  I had some heavy lures on and still not casting much more than 30 - 40 feet.  It got a little better as it got wet.  It's noisy coming off too but I heard braid is that way.  I'm thinking if something just greased the wheels a little it might improve as it improved once it got wet.  I'll probably take it off and respool, see what's up.  However, still thought there must be a cheap homemade solution that would help improve casting.  I figure if people are willing to use WD-40, etc. someone must have tried Pam or spray wax or something that worked some.  If Pam made a garlic spray maybe I'd have a scent and line dressing in one!  Probably better on a salad than on my line.

[SimonSays]

Did ya put any backing on your spool before you put the braid on? or a piece of electrical tape? maybe it's slipping when you cast? How tightly did you spool the braid? another thing braid is infamous for is digging into itself leading to decreased casting distance.

[Tokyo Tony]

surprised with the decrease from mono on casting ease, distance.

That doesn't sound right unles you went from 8# mono to 50# braid. Braid should cast better. What # suffix are you using?

x2 - you might just be using braid that's a lot heavier than the mono you were using, but KVD will probably help castability a bit. You can spray some on a rag and clean up the guides too. Lastly, in my experience, Power Pro is noticeably softer than Sufix, so it casts a little better.

[dodgeguy]

braid doesn't lessen casting distance.did you take the spool out?maybe you put it in misaligned and it's binding.

[CRFisher]

I'm going to respool and try some tape to help with slippage as well as based on what I'm hearing there has to something else amiss.  

Thanks,

[CRFisher]

Respooled starting with 12 pound mono to fill the reel a little, no problems casting in the half an hour I had to fish tonight so problem solved.  I probably should've tried that to begin with but since I couldn't find a problem I thought it might've been just the braid.  Appreciate all the info.  Thanks,

[Jig Man]

I spray braid with Real Magic to make it quieter.  I wouldn't use any cooking spray on it.  You can get some spray silicone and it will work.