Yet Another Thread On Braid

Tricky Tree

Tricky Tree

Well-known member
I realise there have been a number of threads on this issue but due to mixed messages I'm seeking advice on the best option when it comes to Braid. I was initially advised whilst on the Warlord last year that 20LB braid would suffice and then on the Sarah JFK I was advised that 40 - 50LB would be the better option - is it best to use braid all the way through rather than use half mono.

I did purchase some 20LB Ultima braid but that's still sitting on the garage shelf.

As for brands I've been looking at Penn International, Whiplash, Climax; Any advice on the best value for money would be great.

Cheers

Mike
 
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Didn't think there was anything else ............ Dynon 3000 55lb .. the only line I use.

Have tried lower breaking strains but find that although they are fine on strength they do not have the abrasion resistance that 55lb has and eaisly break on the rocks and wrecks.

I'm sure there are eqivalents around but I don't have any problem with Dynon so have no need to try anything else, at least it's one variable in the set-up that does not vary .. :)

norm
 
Hello Mike, You simply have to use braid for wrecking , it makes a huge difference to your fishing , I use either 30lb or 50lb powerpro , it's what all the pike anglers use and I just used the same for sea fishing when I started sea fishing , there are plenty other braids to choose from , but I can vouch for pwerpro.
20lb braid is as good as 20lb mono , but I wouldn't use either on wrecks , I do fish with 30lb sometimes and get away with it , but the best bet is 50lb , it's still thin enough to take lighter leads and cause less drag and you still get the benefits of no stretch , but it's strong enough that when you do snag up on the wreck it's usually the trace that snaps and not your expensive braid leaving 30mtrs or more in the sea.
I'm not sure what you mean about using half mono, you can back up the reel with mono and then fill it up with braid to save money , but you want to be fishing with just braid straight to a snap swivel and then your nylon rigs attached to that , this means you never need to tie braid directly to nylon , I find any snags and a pull out usually breaks at one of the rig knots.

Ray
 
Just read your post on reels , if you are going to the states have alook in walmart and get a 1500mtr bulk spool of powerpro 50lb , it's far cheaper over there , if you don't like it when you use it , I'll buy the spool off you :D

Ray
 
Fully agree with Ray on the straight through, there was a view that it was better to use 6ft mono on the end between braid and trace to soften the blow of a snap off and cause a weak link but as ray quite rightly says if you have a snap link on the end of the braid, simply hook the trace to it ... no knots needed and any break usually leaves all the braid, the snap link and 2 or 3 inches of mono from the trace.

norm
 
braid

braid

i do hope tricky tree :)that it was wasnt a crew member that advised you to use 20 lb braid.its not something jeff or i would ever suggest:)
 
I use Birkley fireline 50lb have done for years, infact my penn reel has had it on since 2005 and still great, i wont use anything else.

As above 20lb is a no no for wrecking as its not upto the job full stop.
Mono at the start...thats what a drag is for, last thing you wnat is to keep putting mono on when you get snagged and the last think every other wrecking angler needs is yards of lost mono leaders on the wrecks to snag onto....we do that with the wreck :)

Bit backing and pick a braid and your away.

Only braid i have tried and would say its total pants was the Berkley whiplash...if you want something that snaps when the wind blows on it go for that :)
 
20lb will be good for your spinning reel...:)

Like what has been said already (and for all the same reasons) 50lb all the way...purely for the sustainability...20lb just won't cut the mustard- even if you only ever fish rough ground

Currently got my reel loaded with Ultima Power Braid in 50lb to try for the season ahead - before now it's been Dynon 55lb like what Norman says
 
Spiderwire stealth code red. I use 30lb with no problems, but it is available in different breaking strains, fairly cheap aswell:)
 
I have used Berkley whiplash 45lb for the last 2 years mainly because of its tiny diameter and liked it. I dont fish anywhere near as often as some on here though so maybe its not very resistant to abrasion.

Anyone seen any good prices for Dynon 55lb or Ultima Power Braid in 50lb or similar

Cheers

Jonny:)
 
Jonny

Veals do the Dynon 55lb at 24.98 (incl postage)

Lewis Tackle in Whitley Bay do the Ultima Power Braid 50lb (red) for 24.99

The Ultima Power Braid is a 300 yard spool Vs the Dynon which is a 180
 
Cheers tony, probably go for the 300yard spool as I like more for my cash :D

Last time I bought 300 yards I shared it with my Dad and it didnt really cover the mono backing, not really a problem i suppose but looked odd.

Jonny :)
 
I’ve used several different types ann come to settle wither on Whiplash or Stren. Dynon is OK but a bit thick for the breaking strain. Spider wire – I’ll never buy again after the batch I had snapped like cotton and a friend suffered so many wind knots spinning with it (other braids had always been OK), we both binned the stuff.
I like fireline for spinning, it’s as stiff as wire to start with and softens over time, this makes it castable and it is also very durable. As you don’t need castability for the wrecks and as it is pretty thick compared to other braids I don’t use it on wrecks.
I’ve not fished with ultima power braid but that too looks a bit thick so I bought the Stren instead.

I also use whiplash, after a few teething troubles with it. After a wrecking trip where the line kept parting too easily I was about to move it from the reel to the bin. Instead I tied the usual loop and pulled it to see how hard it was to snap the line. Each time, the know slipped so it wasn’t a problem with weak line but the type of knot used. The thin braids like Stren and Whiplash which I rate equally well need a robust knot; I use a figure of eight but with half a dozen passes through the loop instead of only one.

50lb main line to a quick link enables quick changes of end tackle when you can clip on traces of 30 to 40lb as the weak link. This saves losing much gear and leaving yards of line littering the seabed.
 
Thanks for the info lads; lingking reading in ~ I can confirm that it was just two lads I got talking to on board and not Jeff, he had already answered enough of my queries and was very helpful as it was my first time out and I was using mono - still got a canny catch though but I soon realised that braid was the way to go, hopefully I'll do a few trips on the Warlord this year and also the Sarah JFK and most likely the Upholder too.

Cheers

Mike
 
One thing always shows with these braid threads....everyone likes diffo things.

I hate whiplash for snapping to easy (when new also) and also think dynon is way to thick but others love it.

I love fire line and others think its to much like mono.

Guess its pick one try it and see what does it for you kind of thing
 
Each To Their Own As They Say.
I Prefer The One That Lasts The Longest On The Spool.
Richy with regards to Fireline and peeps thinking its like mono is that not because the braid has a thin coat of mono on top which in time wears of leaving just the braid or have I got my lines mixed uo and in a tangle.
 

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