Braid - crack offs

[ed209]

Been using cheap chinese 20lb braid on my fixed spool, i am finding i quite often get wind knots that cause carck offs when they trap in the rings.

Now is it the cheap braid that causes this? is it because my braid is too thin? are the more expensive braids better for this?

 

[Bushwhacker]

you may be over filling the spool.Leave at least 1/8 inch from the lip of the spool.
Also,if your shock leader is too long this can cause crack offs.4 turns on the spool is enough.
Tapered leaders work best with braid, but can be expensive if your fishing snaggy ground.

 

[codcatcher3000]

k guides.......

 

[CHUKKA]

You will continue to get crackoffs unless you use a braid shockleader!

 

[finseeker]

You will continue to get crackoffs unless you use a braid shockleader!

Whats the reason this happens with mono shocker ???
I've just went back to mono leader as i found the the braid leader a bit harsh to cast. but have had a couple of crack offs with mono

 

[sammy talbot]

Close your bail arm manually After every cast and pull your braid against the drag to ensure the braid stays tight on the spool, and as bushwacker mentioned don't over fill ,

 

[nunthorpe mag]

Only been using braid for about a month now, I use 30lb chinese braid with 60lb mono shock leader never had a problem so far apart from a couple of wind knots first time out......took 30 mtrs off the spool and its been fine ever since

 

[david.northeast]

I had a crack off a few weeks ago on tynemouth but I think the main problem is that I'm just using rings suitable for multis and not fixed spools

 

[CHUKKA]

Have a look at the thread on here.

Ringing for fixed spool with braid

 

[beachbuddy]

Whats the reason this happens with mono shocker ???
I've just went back to mono leader as i found the the braid leader a bit harsh to cast. but have had a couple of crack offs with mono

No stretch in braid leader fin you'll find the rod will load up instantly were as mono has stretch.

 

[kingcod deano]

Sounds like wind knots make sure you keep complete tension when reeling in

 

[CosmicCat]

i use 50lb braid on my fixed spool and have never had to use a shockleader and never had a crack off but it is looking a bit weary now so might have to cut a few meters of before i do get one.

 

[Daysofspeed]

Any wind knot is a potential weak point in line, the braid will more or less cut through itself under tension. If you see them, i'd recommend cutting your line and re tying the leader on else youre just gonna lose the lot again at some point. As already said, avoid them if possible by keeping a tight line or possibly thicker braid.

 

[Lynnzer]

I'm just starting with braid and have seen comments before about wind knots.
The stupid English language is confusing though. I thought it was wind as in

Now I understand. Tight lines eh

 

[ed209]

i use 50lb braid on my fixed spool and have never had to use a shockleader and never had a crack off but it is looking a bit weary now so might have to cut a few meters of before i do get one.

But does using braid so heavy mean you loose the advantage of braid i.e its low diameter?

 

[Lynnzer]

But does using braid so heavy mean you loose the advantage of braid i.e its low diameter?

My perspective on this is that low diameter is certainly an advantage in some situations, though not always.
Remember that braid has little stretch and the bite detection is superb.
I changed so that I could use braid with a greater breaking strain to hopefully allow me to pull out of snags without loss of leads and rigs.

 

[CHUKKA]

Whats the reason this happens with mono shocker ???
I've just went back to mono leader as i found the the braid leader a bit harsh to cast. but have had a couple of crack offs with mono

My understanding and from listening to some very knowledgeable fixed spool casters is that the 2 lines have different properties. Mono is stiff and braid is very limp.

The mono leader bumps the rings causing a slight hesitation, the following softer braid bunches up behind the leader knot and rings causing the crackoff. It's basically not stiff enough to push the leader through the rings.

Reversing the butt ring helps as do tapered or very long leaders but to eliminate the crack offs completely the braid leader is the only way to go.

Since swapping over i haven't had a single crackoff and I now have confidence to hit the rod as hard as i like, im a convert!

For those of you getting away with a braid and mono leader, as soon as you start getting any power into your casts you will get regular crack offs, been there myself and it's very frustrating.

100lb braid is still about as thin as 30lb line so as a leader cuts the tide brilliantly, it just takes some getting used to casting and a finger stool is a must!

 

[tonybax]

what fixed spool you using andy ?

 

[mick dunn]

I use a braid leader 80 lb. My reel braid is 60lb. Nee problems. I have a Penn 8000.
Mick.

 

[CHUKKA]

what fixed spool you using andy ?

Ultegra xsc is my favourite but also got a couple of surfblaster 8000s.