braid vs. mono

[mr.mallard]

I have always fished with mono (trilene XL smooth casting)and have always heard all the advantages of braid. I was wondering if it is worth making the switch. I would appreciate all of the help you could offer.

--Mr. Mallard

[dmac14]

Braid is great for heavy cover, strong and diameter is small. Has no stretch which can be a problem for some applications. Mono is a good general line, can be used for almost everything.

[mr.mallard]

thanks so much how does it cast

and can it be used on spinning rods

[DINK WHISPERER]

If the water you fish is dark/stained and your rod has good guides, i would use it. It provides easier hook sets and way better strength. I personally use it only for flippin'/pitchin' cover.

[dmac14]

Sure use it on spinning gear, I would stay under 20# braid. But it will work just fine, no memory

[RandySBreth]

Superline (whether braided or fused) make spinning gear so much better it's ridiculous.  

The main issue is to decide whether or not you use a leader, or tie direct to the lure.

That's another topic, though. You'll have to decide for yourself after you switch.

[mike304]

Braid is the way to go. I've been experimenting with different brands the last 2 years, and i'm still in my evaluation stage. I've got Power Pro, Suffix, fireline crystal and spiderwire.

If you like mono try the suffix elite and siege. I switched to them a few years ago and they are outstanding, and i was a diehard Trilene guy.

[Rangerjoe]

this my 02 on the subject, last year I used braid on all my rods except crank bait and spinnerbait. I didn't like the braid for heavy wood cover, so this year only those rods that I will be using for slop and pads get braid. I am a line watcher and am going to try Original Stren 17Lb in Clear/Blue for worms and jigs.

[Marty]

I use 15# Power Pro on spinning gear and I find myself using it more and more for bass fishing. One of the things I love about it is incredible abrasion resistance to wood and vegetation. I'm sick and tired of mono having frays in it every couple of feet for almost a full cast length.

Some braids cast very well, others don't. There are disadvantages, mainly wind knots and an uncanny ability to get everywhere it shouldn't, like inside split rings and the like, but I'm not going back, the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages for me.

[BenoBreath]

Superline (whether braided or fused) make spinning gear so much better it's ridiculous.

The main issue is to decide whether or not you use a leader, or tie direct to the lure.

That's another topic, though. You'll have to decide for yourself after you switch.

I always use a leader when fishing braid. I'll tie a small Spro power

swivel between the braided line and the leader. (copolomer or

florocarbon) Leader length, 18-24".

BB

[iceintheveins]

Braid is the way to go when using jerkbaits, when you want cranks to go deeper, and when fishing very heavy cover. Use a fluorocarbon leader at all times, unless your fishing a topwater frog, in which case you would use a mono leader.

For all other applications, mono is superior. Power pro is the only braid I really trust. I just now respooled it on my reel after the last spooling of power pro lasted two years through heavy use.

[mrlitetackle]

i made the switch exclusively to braid a while back..... on my spinning gear (its all i use).

i use 40# suffix with no problems... and i absolutely love it!!!!!

in the fresh, no leader....... dont need it!!!! catch tons of fish, they dont care...

in the salt... leader (40# mono)

[Fish Chris]

I've used nothing but braid for the last 15 years (after using mono for the first 25).

I use it for everything from from Bluegill to Bat Rays, and from Smallmouth's to Sturgeon.

I use braid for freshwater, saltwater, and in-between.

I use braid for top water, on the bottom, and in between.

I use braid for artificial lures, and live bait.

Oh, BTW, did I mention that I REALLY like using braided line ?  ;-)

My braid of choice is TUF-Line XP, and TUF-Plus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do almost always use a fluorocarbon, or regular mono leader though, because 1) it gives you a bit of a shock absorber when used in conjunction with virtually zero stretch braid 2) it is more abrasion resistent over rocks, and the teeth of big bass, than braid is, and 3) (probably more important in a fishermans own mind, than it is to the fish) fluorocarbon or clear mono is less visible to the fish, than braid is.

Peace,

Fish