Braid question

[Oblickta]

I'm thinking of loading my spinning reels with braid for the summer season. I'm used to braid for boat fishing but haven't used it for casting and wondered if anyone has tried it, what is the best kind of braid and do you need a mono leader etc. and any other related advice. I'll be casting 2-3oz

[kingfisher]

i used to use braid all the time when carp fishing on fixed spool reels with no mono leader and it was good to use you should have no bother at all but a softer rod may help stop some hook pulls at short range

[Ian Alexander]

Braid for spinning.

Hello mate I use braid for spinning, plugging and some bottom fishing and I prefer it to mono now that I'm used to it, here are some suggestions.

Use some mono as backing first or else the braid will just slip around the spool under pressure.

I don't use a leader and have no problems but some anglers use fluoro leaders in clear water.

Because braid is so thin you can underfill the spool more than you would with mono, this is usefull in preventing wind knots and tangles which are a nightmare in braid.

Take it easy with a fish on because of the directness of the braid.

A reel with a good line lay helps prevent the braid from bedding in on itself, I use baitrunner gte's.

With the heavier lures, 2 or 3 oz, you might like to use a fingerstall as continually casting can give your finger some stick.

Watch your hands when pulling for a break, use a rag or stick.

My braid goes a bit white and fury as it gets older but it stll performs well, it just looks a bit crap.

I use fireline and find it ok.

Having used braid before on the boat you will be aware of most of this, but I hope I have been of some help, good fishing mate.

[Davyred]

I'm the same as Ian. I've been using 20lb fireline for a couple of years now for spinning, plugging and fishing for flatties with light gear - its fantastic. Just remember not to give it the old heave ho when you strike as there is absolutely no stretch in braid.

[alan]

"Because braid is so thin you can underfill the spool more than you would with mono, this is usefull in preventing wind knots and tangles which are a nightmare in braid."
I gave up on the Braid as I was having a nightmare with it and just could'nt get used to it I could see the potential and it felt good in the water,I guess i may have been overfilling the spool as wind knots were the problems that i was suffering,I might give it another shot over the summer and be less generous with the fill up
Cheers Ian

[kensr27sz]

use braid on river & spinning reels , good quality braid 20 30 lb no probs so far tight lines and best of luck .

[Oblickta]

thanks lads, some good advice there, especially overfilling the spool cos I would have. I've decided to use mono on one reel and braid on the other and alternate, for now.

[sless]

make sure the reel has a good drag system on it
as braid has no stretch what so ever
and the hook will be pulled out of the fishes mouth