Craiger12 Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 Im thinking about making the switch to braid from p-line floroclear for fishing soft plastics due to the high amount of stretch that the floroclear has. My question is, what is the best braid for this purpose? Im looking at fireline braid, stren sonic braid, and suffix braid. Which would you all suggest? Also, I was thinking about getting 20lb (6lb mono diameter). Is this a good strength/diameter for LMB. I fish mostly weightless plastics. Thanks all. Quote
Uncle Leo Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 I did not find braid manageable until I used Sufix. I would use 20-30 lb for spinning and 50-60 lb for baitcasting. Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted July 30, 2009 Super User Posted July 30, 2009 I only use braid on one setup, my flipping stick, so I'm not one to answer your question because I don't really like it. The responses on what type are gonna be Power Pro, Suffix, and Fireline for the most part and many people will ask you why you would stop at 20lb and not go to 50lb (12lb dia.). Personally I dont understand using anything less than 30lb, what the use in using braid if your not going to use the extra strength. I kind of understand 20lb for spinning but would go higher for baitcasting. Quote
Craiger12 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Posted July 30, 2009 Sorry, I forgot to mention that it will be used on a spinning setup. Also, have you braid users noticed less bites due to the high visibility of braid for a finesse presentaion such as plastics, as this is a concern of mine? Quote
Craiger12 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Posted July 30, 2009 My reason for switching is less stretch for better sensitivity and improved hook sets and my reason for only 20lb is the higher visibility of braid and for better casting. This is my reasoning as a novice with no prior experience with braid. I am open to any suggestions if my logic is off, please feel free to set me straight. Quote
Uncle Leo Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 I use it in clear lakes and get as many bites as floro but in the weeds. Quote
Super User RoLo Posted July 30, 2009 Super User Posted July 30, 2009 Sorry, I forgot to mention that it will be used on a spinning setup. Also, have you braid users noticed less bites due to the high visibility of braid for a finesse presentaion such as plastics, as this is a concern of mine? Spinning gear and braided line is all I use (note the reel in my lap) My latest crush is on Berkley Fireline Tracer (I've tried nearly all of them). Realistically, the difference between polyethylene braids, pales in comparison to the difference between braid and fluoro (you're gonna luvit) Roger Quote
Craiger12 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Posted July 30, 2009 Im leaning toward suffix because you get 150 yards vs. 125 or 110 yards with the stren and fireline for about the same price. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted July 30, 2009 Super User Posted July 30, 2009 I mostly use the high visibility superlines. My favorite is the former Stren Superbraid in the gold color. I can see it better than the green or gray superlines. The Fireline Tracer Braid is also easy for me to see because of the alternating dark green and bright yellow. The bass are not scared of it. Most of my spinning rigs have the 30# and I have a couple with 20# Stren Superbraid in the gold color, but don't use those much. Weightless plastics are my primary bass producers. I use heavier superlines for more heavy presentations on baitcasting equipment. Quote
TheHammer84 Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 Of the braids I've used, Spiderwire Stealth has been my favorite, followed by Power Pro, and least liked Suffix. I have Fireline Tracer Braid that I haven't used yet but I got a spool and will be giving it a try this weekend. I also want to try Spiderwire Ultracast. Quote
infamous512 Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 I've used power pro & spiderwire ultracast invisi-braid lines. I like invisi-braid more b/c (for me) it cast easier, farther, smoother and most importantly; visibility at night. Oh, one more thing, the line absorb less water than power pro. However, i've heard good things about other superlines but couldn't comment on those since I haven't used them. Quote
DINK WHISPERER Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 Nothing comes close to the new FireLine Braid IMO! Quote
infamous512 Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 Nothing comes close to the new FireLine Braid IMO! yeah? that's not what i've heard but i guess there is only one way to find out. (I'll try that on my next new reel) Quote
sweet daddy Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 I don't like the brands you are trying, but welcome to the braid bandwagon. Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted July 30, 2009 Super User Posted July 30, 2009 Sorry, I forgot to mention that it will be used on a spinning setup. Also, have you braid users noticed less bites due to the high visibility of braid for a finesse presentaion such as plastics, as this is a concern of mine? i caught a rainbow trout on a wacky rig senko on 20 lb fireline braid yesterday.trout are far more gunshy than bass.that should answer that question.save yourself a lot of money and go straight to fireline braid. Quote
TheHammer84 Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 Nothing comes close to the new FireLine Braid IMO! yeah? that's not what i've heard but i guess there is only one way to find out. (I'll try that on my next new reel) Have you heard bad things about Fireline or Fireline Braid? I've heard nothing but good things about Fireline Braid. Will find out this weekend! Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted July 30, 2009 Super User Posted July 30, 2009 I have been using braid for years. I started with power pro & have switched to fireline ultracast for less water absorption & smoother casting. Haven't tried the tracer yet but have heard good things about it also. When concerned about line visibility I add a leader of 4-6 feet using maxima ultragreen tied with back to back uni knots. Once you switch to braid the sensitivity will amaze you & hook sets are much easier. I do favor lighter drag settings & longer rod lengths/more moderate actions to add more give to the setup. Quote
Incheon Basser Posted July 30, 2009 Posted July 30, 2009 I use it in clear lakes and get as many bites as floro but in the weeds. That is because you are fishing in dense cover that is the same color (most likely) as your line If you are not fishing in heavy cover or in stained water why would you want to use braid? Use a 100% Floro that is high quality.. (BPS XPS for ex) just as manageable on spinning tackle... but if you wanna go braid.. Power pro and stren are really good. Quote
Craiger12 Posted July 31, 2009 Author Posted July 31, 2009 I keep hearing great things about fireline braid so I think I will give it a shot. Now all I need to figure out is which size, 20lb or 30lb. Anyone have any reason for choosing one size over the other? Quote
dmac14 Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 Go with 20#, its got a really thin diameter and yet strong enough that it will break your rod if you try to break off. Good choice going with fireline braid, I was at gander mountain about to pick some up for my spinning reel and they didnt have what I was looking for. My second choice was suffix, and they were out. So by default I got power pro. Already with no fishing and the line has got me angered. They put jagged edges around the spool so I couldnt just lay the spool flat and reel it straight on. Really frustrating lol Quote
Craiger12 Posted July 31, 2009 Author Posted July 31, 2009 Thanks for the input dmac, and I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunate experience. Hopefully cabelas will have some 20lb fireline in stock when I make the trip this weekend. Quote
Super User RoLo Posted July 31, 2009 Super User Posted July 31, 2009 I keep hearing great things about fireline braid so I think I will give it a shot. Now all I need to figure out is which size, 20lb or 30lb. Anyone have any reason for choosing one size over the other? I'm now using 30-lb Fireline Tracer Braid for all my bass and pike fishing. I used to use 20-lb braid, but prefer the 30-lb because wind knots and burrowing are virtually non-existent. In addition, slightly heavier line can only enhance abrasion-resistance. Incidentally, we're only talking here about 2/1000 of an inch between 20-lb and 30-lb braid. Roger Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted July 31, 2009 Super User Posted July 31, 2009 Im leaning toward suffix because you get 150 yards vs. 125 or 110 yards with the stren and fireline for about the same price. I don't care what line you use, but to base your purchase on the spool size is not the way to go. If you buy a spool with 110 yds, just use some backing. Quote
Uncle Leo Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 I use it in clear lakes and get as many bites as floro but in the weeds. That is because you are fishing in dense cover that is the same color (most likely) as your line If you are not fishing in heavy cover or in stained water why would you want to use braid? Use a 100% Floro that is high quality.. (BPS XPS for ex) just as manageable on spinning tackle... but if you wanna go braid.. Power pro and stren are really good. This is why I pointed out it was in weeds. Quote
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