Braids/Superlines

[Amarok]

There's been a bit of talk on other threads, but I figured I'd start a dedicated one.

I started using one of the early braids, fireline, when it became available in the early 90's. It was a lot more expensive than monofilament(still is), but as I was almost exclusively fishing the snaggy river it proved its worth on the first spool. It was so much stronger than similarly rated mono, so much thinner, and had no stretch. It also lasted a lot longer. The colour might fade, but it didn't rot and snap like mono after a few seasons.

Stronger meant fewer break-offs. The hook would often straighten out before the line broke. The thinner line was longer casting, which meant I could reach the deep, mid-river holes. No stretch provided two significant benefits. First, when a snag came loose, your weight didn't come shooting back at your head. Second, the increased sensitivity is very useful in detecting the tiniest bites. I would suggest using braid on a mid-range rod provides far better sensitivity than mono on a top-end one.

I may add a length of mono as a bit of a shock absorber in certain cases. For example my 5-1/2' jigging rod with extra-fast action usually has less than 25 feet of line out and often as little as 7 or 8. I put a yard or so of 20# trilene xt above the fluoro and still can feel the smallest tap or rub. The x-fast action gives me lightning-quick hook-sets and the bit of stretch from the mono keeps me from ripping the hook out if I get over-zealous (4 hyphens in one sentence, should I be proud or ashamed? )

Some anglers have mono rods and braid rods, but for me, everything is spooled with braid. Matching the rod action to the type of fishing means I never need anything else. I can add mono or fluorocarbon leaders of varying tests and lengths as required by the needs of the day. Chasing pike? 50 or 60# fluoro leader. Walleye in dirty water or aggressively feeding? Maybe a 15# leader. Clear water or finicky fish? 10, 8 or even lighter.
A reel spooled with 15-20 pound braid and a few spools of leader material in the tackle box gives me a lot of flexibility.

Thoughts?
Any other braid fans? Mono die-hards? Straight fluoro users?

 

[nugzonfriar]

All 3, they all have a time and place.. I just strung up the spinning rod with some 6lb floro, it’s gonna be a seal team finesse season!

Braid on my medium heavy runs ; jigs, punch rigs, topwater, and I love taking a shaker head and dragging a shaker head / trick worm on the bottom, feel each rock and get a feel for the bottom.

Floro on my medium heavy is Texas rig / soft plastics and crank baits .

Mono — top water (not a huge fan) but Big Game mono is 🔥🔥🤘🏼

 

[Amarok]

I just strung up the spinning rod with some 6lb floro

I realized I mis-spoke. I do have a perch rod with 4# fluoro.
I rarely target perch or trout and we don't have crappie/bluegill etc here, so my light and ultra-light gear mostly collects dust. I find fluoro above 4-6# to be too stiff for my liking for anything but leaders. I tried a couple ice-rods with 10 and 15# and hated how the loops fell off the spool. I presume cold temps only make the stiffness worse.

I love how tough fluoro is, and how it disappears under water. I carry 50#, 25#, 15#, 10# and sometimes 8 and 4.

Do you buy seperate "leader" and "line" fluoro? Some folks say you need the way more expensive leader material, but I've was told by people who should know(and my tests agree) that it's all the same stuff.

 

[Psychobilly]

I'm a Mono guy all the way myself. But I do like this video for showing some of the difference:



I've seen side by side videos using sand paper covered wooden dowels to test abrasive resistance between mono and fluorocarbon, and the mono held longer, but a different brand could have easily changed those results, and of course, fluorocarbon should actually dissappear under water.

 

[Frimpong]

Yeah they all have their place , I use 10lb powerpro for bass . Sometimes I'll add a mono leader If I'm fishing from the top or bottom with live bait or fishing a species with sharp teeth. Also, when I'm in saltwater, I like a good mono leader as it can take a lot of impact. But when you're throwing bait as far as you can, there's a big difference. The thin diameter of the braid sure helps with that. Plus there's zero memory so less bird's nests

 

[Mim Towls]

I am a hillbilly. I've used braid ever since spiderwire came out back in the day. I tried flouro a year ago, but couldn't get a feel for it. I always had trouble tying the right knot or something. Then I tried using Flouro leaders, but just kinda gave up on that all together. I only have 3 fishing rods, and they all have braid tied to a quick clip. I only direct tie topwaters.

I fish mostly dirty rivers so like amarok said, it's nice to have the ability to bend out the jig heads from a snag, or reel in an electric scooter that's been dumped.

15-20 Lb braid on my bass rod, 80lb powerpro on the musky rod. Quick palomar knot and call it a day.

 

[Psychobilly]

I am a hillbilly. I've used braid ever since spiderwire came out back in the day. I tried flouro a year ago, but couldn't get a feel for it. I always had trouble tying the right knot or something. Then I tried using Flouro leaders, but just kinda gave up on that all together. I only have 3 fishing rods, and they all have braid tied to a quick clip. I only direct tie topwaters.

I fish mostly dirty rivers so like amarok said, it's nice to have the ability to bend out the jig heads from a snag, or reel in an electric scooter that's been dumped.

15-20 Lb braid on my bass rod, 80lb powerpro on the musky rod. Quick palomar knot and call it a day.

Fluorocarbon is known for knots slipping; I think Berkley fishing has a video on how to tie specific knots for that, but it's been a while since I watched their series on line.

 

[Orion]

Cortland Braid to Daiwa or Cortland floro for Small mouth, and powershoting Largies... straight floro for pitching, largemouth bass mostly, I like 16lb P line floro....50 or 60lb Cortland braid depending if I'm in Fla. or not for flipping and punching heavy mats or cover.

 

[Orion]

I'm a Mono guy all the way myself. But I do like this video for showing some of the difference:



I've seen side by side videos using sand paper covered wooden dowels to test abrasive resistance between mono and fluorocarbon, and the mono held longer, but a different brand could have easily changed those results, and of course, fluorocarbon should actually dissappear under water.

Also, Less strech with floro vs. Mono = better hooksets!

 

[Psychobilly]

Also, Less strech with floro vs. Mono = better hooksets!

Unless you're using a Circle Hook; less stretch can equal popping the hook out before it pivots in the mouth. For me personally, line types are as much personal preference as strains we all love; you use what works for you personally, and there's no wrong answer.

Me not using braid comes down to the sheer number of snags in the river here, and me seeing lost fish from it. But if I was fishing a deep lake or ocean? And no snags ? I'd be using the braid personally, just for the pulling power it gives you, it's worth it.

Fluorocarbon and Mono stretch at about the same levels, but the Fluorocarbon takes more pressure to begin stretching than mono does, which can stretch easily. I use a Palomar Knot on every connection, so I can switch line types pretty easy, as that knot works on all line types, unlike a clinch knot for example, where Fluorocarbon can come untied.

The main reasons I like mono so much, are simply the cheaper price for ones like Big Game, and the abrasive resistance it offers me, though I do have a favorite; Slime Line. I use that on all my bigger gear, and I did my own abrasion tests involving a machete, and man that is some lovely line! I literally haven't snapped it yet, despite it only being 50 pound test. I do have the leader version which is 100 pound test, but I've not had a chance to try it yet.

I actually looked into some braid for my smaller Fathom Lever Drag, because it's got machined holes on the spool, so I can tie it directly without slipping, which is sweet, but I haven't tried any yet. My thought process there was "I can use 200 pound braid on this, and go for a big Sturgeon, and have a real chance at landing it!" Which from shore isn't easy. I'd still use a different leader line though.

I know there's a way; I saw Jeremy Wade use a braid topper for Wels Catfish in Spain, so I know it CAN work, I just haven't had a chance to try yet.

I do plan on trying the braid at some point; I've got not as big of Reels that would work nicely with it, and I'd like to play with that a bit.

Have you guys ever had a fish "split / peel" line before? I kept my leader from a bigger Catfish one day, because it literally peeled the line like a banana. Blew my mind honestly. I've got it still around here somewhere, and there's literally strings of mono that were coming apart when I landed the fish. Fucker bent the Circle Hook too lol. He was mad. Tried to barb me right in the knee cap! Like, how many fish still try to fight you once they're on land?? Lol.

 

[Psychobilly]

Cortland Braid to Daiwa or Cortland floro for Small mouth, and powershoting Largies... straight floro for pitching, largemouth bass mostly, I like 16lb P line floro....50 or 60lb Cortland braid depending if I'm in Fla. or not for flipping and punching heavy mats or cover.

How's that Cortland?? Have you used it long?

 

[Orion]

How's that Cortland?? Have you used it long?

Cortland Master Braid is great product and made right here in NY, USA.
I like to go super finnese sometimes when the Smallies get line shy...5lb braid and 6lb floro from courtland works well for me and have landed smallie's to 6lb 9oz for one of my personal bests on lake Ontario with that thread!

 

[Orion]

Unless you're using a Circle Hook; less stretch can equal popping the hook out before it pivots in the mouth. For me personally, line types are as much personal preference as strains we all love; you use what works for you personally, and there's no wrong answer.

Me not using braid comes down to the sheer number of snags in the river here, and me seeing lost fish from it. But if I was fishing a deep lake or ocean? And no snags ? I'd be using the braid personally, just for the pulling power it gives you, it's worth it.

Fluorocarbon and Mono stretch at about the same levels, but the Fluorocarbon takes more pressure to begin stretching than mono does, which can stretch easily. I use a Palomar Knot on every connection, so I can switch line types pretty easy, as that knot works on all line types, unlike a clinch knot for example, where Fluorocarbon can come untied.

The main reasons I like mono so much, are simply the cheaper price for ones like Big Game, and the abrasive resistance it offers me, though I do have a favorite; Slime Line. I use that on all my bigger gear, and I did my own abrasion tests involving a machete, and man that is some lovely line! I literally haven't snapped it yet, despite it only being 50 pound test. I do have the leader version which is 100 pound test, but I've not had a chance to try it yet.

I actually looked into some braid for my smaller Fathom Lever Drag, because it's got machined holes on the spool, so I can tie it directly without slipping, which is sweet, but I haven't tried any yet. My thought process there was "I can use 200 pound braid on this, and go for a big Sturgeon, and have a real chance at landing it!" Which from shore isn't easy. I'd still use a different leader line though.

I know there's a way; I saw Jeremy Wade use a braid topper for Wels Catfish in Spain, so I know it CAN work, I just haven't had a chance to try yet.

I do plan on trying the braid at some point; I've got not as big of Reels that would work nicely with it, and I'd like to play with that a bit.

Have you guys ever had a fish "split / peel" line before? I kept my leader from a bigger Catfish one day, because it literally peeled the line like a banana. Blew my mind honestly. I've got it still around here somewhere, and there's literally strings of mono that were coming apart when I landed the fish. Fucker bent the Circle Hook too lol. He was mad. Tried to barb me right in the knee cap! Like, how many fish still try to fight you once they're on land?? Lol.

Big Game has never failed me and has landed everything I've hooked with it including a 235 lb Bigeye I hooked on the troll with 80lb Big Game!

Bigeye's when they smash an Islander/balyhoo, look like some one dropped an engine block out of the sky....awesome fish to catch!

 

[Psychobilly]

Cortland Master Braid is great product and made right here in NY, USA.
I like to go super finnese sometimes when the Smallies get line shy...5lb braid and 6lb floro from courtland works well for me and have landed smallie's to 6lb 9oz for one of my personal bests on lake Ontario with that thread!

Yeah that sounds nice The Great Lakes are full of those too, and I've seen some huge ones come up before. That's funny you're just on the other side between Ontario haha, I imagine sometimes when the wind is blowing from the west, that parts of Ontario have crews looking around for a gas leak

Big Game has never failed me and has landed everything I've hooked with it including a 235 lb Bigeye I hooked on the troll with 80lb Big Game!

Bigeye's when they smash an Islander/balyhoo, look like some one dropped an engine block out of the sky....awesome fish to catch!

Yeah, I like Big Game bro; It's Cheap, readily available almost everywhere, and does the job! I do love that Slime Line I was talking about, but I still have spools of Big Game for all my other gear. I haven't ever had a problem with it, or lost a fish because of it, and I keep it for that very reason. A buddy of mine bought up all the 60 pound test a few seasons ago, because there's a spot here in the woods where Salmon come flying in at certain points, and he'd hook into a Salmon with 60 pound Big Game, and just thumb the spool and walk up the bank to drag it out LOL.

Big Eye ? Megalops Atlanticus ? The Tarpon ? Or something else ? The idea of an engine block being dropped reminds me of a Blue Cat taking off in videos I've seen, where all of a sudden you'll just see line peeling off the spool out of no where, like a freight train grabbed hold and started going LOL.

I saw a dude reeling in a Blue Cat on a video once, and when it took off, it literally started towing his boat around.

 

[Orion]

Yeah that sounds nice The Great Lakes are full of those too, and I've seen some huge ones come up before. That's funny you're just on the other side between Ontario haha, I imagine sometimes when the wind is blowing from the west, that parts of Ontario have crews looking around for a gas leak



Yeah, I like Big Game bro; It's Cheap, readily available almost everywhere, and does the job! I do love that Slime Line I was talking about, but I still have spools of Big Game for all my other gear. I haven't ever had a problem with it, or lost a fish because of it, and I keep it for that very reason. A buddy of mine bought up all the 60 pound test a few seasons ago, because there's a spot here in the woods where Salmon come flying in at certain points, and he'd hook into a Salmon with 60 pound Big Game, and just thumb the spool and walk up the bank to drag it out LOL.

Big Eye ? Megalops Atlanticus ? The Tarpon ? Or something else ? The idea of an engine block being dropped reminds me of a Blue Cat taking off in videos I've seen, where all of a sudden you'll just see line peeling off the spool out of no where, like a freight train grabbed hold and started going LOL.

I saw a dude reeling in a Blue Cat on a video once, and when it took off, it literally started towing his boat around.

Bigeye Tuna, the fish I use to love to chase and kill 30 years ago...they are like having a Rhino on the end of your line...

 

[Psychobilly]

View attachment 181070
Bigeye Tuna, the fish I use to love to chase and kill 30 years ago...they are like having a Rhino on the end of your line...
View attachment 181071

Broooooo.... I've never fished the ocean, but I've seen how those are reeled in.... which did you use?? I've seen the Shimano Tiagra 130 used, and the Penn International.... I forgot the letters, but the one with 100 pounds of drag in it. Man you weren't kidding about an engine block either! I've seen those bend hooks you could hang a deer from.

Edit:

^sorry I'm stoned and thought that was a Blue Fin, lol. But my questions remain the same lol. I'm not good at IDs on Tuna at all

 

[Orion]

I use to run all 80 wides with mostly 100lb Big Game, sometimes I would have a 50 out with 80lb big game,fishing for smaller species and of course that would sometimes get bit by a bigun! 😂 ✌️ 🎣

 

[Psychobilly]

I use to run all 80 wides with mostly 100lb Big Game, sometimes I would have a 50 out with 80lb big game,fishing for smaller species and of course that would sometimes get bit by a bigun! 😂 ✌️ 🎣

The International size 50? Oh man.... those are sweeeeeet! They have that look my Fathoms have; no level wind, Dura-Drag system, and of course, that lovely Lever Drag I love so much

With 100 pound, did you ever do a drag pressure check? I know that's some beefy gear you'd be using with Reels and line like that!

 

[Orion]

The International size 50? Oh man.... those are sweeeeeet! They have that look my Fathoms have; no level wind, Dura-Drag system, and of course, that lovely Lever Drag I love so much

With 100 pound, did you ever do a drag pressure check? I know that's some beefy gear you'd be using with Reels and line like that!

I use to try for 40lb drag on 50's with 80lb Big Game and 60lb drag on 80's with 100lb Big Game.
When I fished alot I would put new drag componets in during the winter months...fresh line and drags ready every June when it was time to start going. It all depent on the hot water, when it came, how the eddies came to the edge, where the bait was and when the fish showed up.

 

[Orion]

With todays new products I would be using hollow core with a topshot of the best floro $ could buy. So much easier splicing a new top shot in so changing line size would be quick and you can put a hella lot of strong hollow core on reels you would not even have to entertain being spooled like the days with straight mono.