Hi everyone. I’m making the switch over to braid and have a complete lack of knowledge on it. I was hoping that I could get pointers on anything and everything (leaders?, problems with wind knots, etc.) about it as it pertains to use in the surf. Thanks!
My first question would be why switch to braid?
My experience is that braid is not worth the money unless bottom fishing in 150+ deep water or bass fishing plastics around cover.
Braid tangles extremely easily, has no “forgiveness” (no stretch), lower knot strength and is expensive. I haven’t found the extra line capacity to be a worthwhile advantage when surf, pier or inshore fishing.
Do you not find with braid that casting distance is better, and its smaller diameter gives less resistance in the surf when a ripping left to right current won’t let you keep your mono line out in front of you?
quote:
Originally posted by CarlFMy first question would be why switch to braid?
My experience is that braid is not worth the money unless bottom fishing in 150+ deep water or bass fishing plastics around cover.
Braid tangles extremely easily, has no “forgiveness” (no stretch), lower knot strength and is expensive. I haven’t found the extra line capacity to be a worthwhile advantage when surf, pier or inshore fishing.
Keep it Awesome!!!
The braid was free and I am curious. Still have my other rods spun with mono. So I guess its a trial run more than a complete switch at this point. Just like ■■■■■■■ said I heard that it adds to casting distance and will sit in the water better than mono. Extra line on the spool isn’t a plus but not the main reason I’d say.
I love braid and will never go back to mono except for the 10yr old stuff on my 4’ ultralight that gets used once a month to catch sunfish with the kids.
Braid throws farther and less surface area so is less effected by wind and tide. With that said, the wind will take your line a good bit when casting but no biggie!
Braid is way more durable than mono too. It’s more abrasion resistant and does not develop memory like mono. I replace mine when I get spooled or when it starts getting low on the spool, it rarely wears out. It costs me about $25 a reel and I’m using 400, 3000, 4000 size reels with either 10 or 20lb Power Pro.
I can also toss baits into places I would never try to fish with mono. Doesn’t mono break if it see’s a barnacle encrusted piling or dock or even just smells an oyster bed?
So while it is more expensive than mono you’ll get more meat in the cooler, spend less money on terminal tackle and more time with the business end of your gear in the water.
Matt
15’ War Eagle w/60 Evin.
Braid is fine for spinning gear in the surf as long as you use a shock leader (when distance casting) but I stick with mono on my baitcasting gear.
All Day I Dream About Fishing
Malibu eXtreme
Hobie Pro Angler
I tried braid in the surf but had problems with the surf tangling up my leader some with my line so I went back to mono.
When I’m in the surf it’s usually fishing rocks and I’m using a fishfinder rig and I’m keeping it moving or at least moving it regularly and keeping the slack out of the line.
Braid can be a mess to untangle but once you get used to untangling the wind knots and start manually flipping the bail and guiding the braid in place after casting it’s not a big issue. For spinning reels as Adidaf mentioned, I can turn an baitcaster into a birds nest with mono, I’d hate the think of the money I’d waste on braided nests!
Also when floating a cork if you cast upcurrent or upwind and you don’t keep up with the slack you can get a nice little mess to untangle but I’d imagine mono would do the same.
Matt
15’ War Eagle w/60 Evin.
all my gear is spinning and i find it a great advantage for line capacity especially paddling/swimming baits a bit past the breakers. i can fit around 400 yards of 65lb braid on my surf reels and try give them a beating with sharks whenever i can and it holds up fine. ive had no trouble with knot strength (tied properly) and overall seems pretty durable although like any line its not bulletproof.
I use braid on all my spinners except a live bait rod. I am just lazy with that one, don’t even use a leader. For surf I put 80lb braid on an Battle 8000. I stop using braid on my conventionals because it would dig in to itself. Of course i wouldn’t notice until my next cast when the lure would slam to to a halt mid air. Most of my bigger winches have 40lb mono.
Chris
Wilderness Systems Ride 135 “Sauer Trout”
Hobie Adventure Island “Rogue Wave”</font id=“size1”>