Braided line , who use's it?

[Harry]

I love the stuff for flounder and bay fishing. Zero stretch and you can feel the slightest tap.

I just started using it about 2-3 years ago. I've tried suffix brand, but it seemed to bite into itself on my spinning reel spool & reduced casting distance BIG time. The best I've found and use now, is power pro. 20 Lb test = about a 6 lb mono diameter and it is STRONG stuff.

I tie a 3' fluro leader on the end, becuase the braid doesn't stand up well to nicks and and a simple clip on the end (it looks like a paper clip) and jig heads and bucktails are easily and quickly changed.

Anyone else use Braided line? Like it, or not ?

[Willie]

Yep, the power pro not sure of the lb rating. Also use it on the surf rodds. Is that a breakaway clip you use? They are pretty hand things. I did not have a good year last year. a big fat 0 for keepers. Lots of shorts.... I don't think I put in as much time as I did the previous 2 years though. Looking forward to a good year this year. gotta do a little more exploring I think. See ya Willie

[Harry]

The clip is not a break away clip. It looks like a very tiny paper clip. If I find a link on one I'll show you.

Went zero on what, flounder?

Once you get the boat down, I'll show you some good spots. I KILLED them last year. Need to have a CS owner tournament... ;D

[Fillet1]

Everything I have has power pro on it. I used to use fireline as well but the PP handles better IMO. My lighter spinning setups have 10 lb pp, most else 15-20.

I usually tie in a piece of 15 lb ande or quatttro mono at the end of the PP. I use a uni to uni knot. The mono lets me tie on lures easier and provides some abrasion protection.

[Willie]

Yep, a big 0 on the flounder keepers.. :'(..I need lots of help..............please

[Fillet1]

Willie,

I didnt find many keepers in OC last year either. All the throwbacks you want though. DE bay is a different story though.

[Willie]

We didn't get there for stipers, maybe for fluke. more later

[Harry]

Willie,
Here is a picture of those clips. I picked up two more packs in OC today at fin-addicts.

They ARE made by Breakaway. These are great and you can change rigs, or bucktails real fast with no snap involved. Plus they don't grab that snot grass as easy as the regular snap swivles.

Like I said for rigs, and bucktails thet can't be beat. However they're no good for top & bottom rig and any other thing with a mono looped eye. I have had the whole rig somehow slide off the thing. ::)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/spinfastlinks.jpg

There website is www.breakawayusa.com

[bushwacker]

I use it offshore on a couple of rigs. Power Pro 65 lbs. Great for tuna, red snapper, king, big grouper and AJ's.

[Loki]

I use power pro on every pole I own, from 20-80lb test. Would like to try the red color they just came out with. Anyone try this yet?

[Mark27284]

I use power pro on every pole I own, from 20-80lb test. Would like to try the red color they just came out with. Anyone try this yet?


Have not tried the red yet, but I have 6 rods spooled up with 20# power pro, and I have 2 different colors of green, and have not noticed any difference in either color.

[mbi777]

Been using 10lb test power pro for just a few months now and absolutely love it! The distance that I can now cast has been quadrupled. Use about a 3ft leader and tie with a reverse albright. Eric Mannino has a simpler way to tie it in here http://www.inshorefishingtv.com/tips.htm (tying fluorocarbon to braid). I have been using the green. And as far as the red I have seen it bleed badly when new on another website. With some finess and the right drag settings on my US Reels (230SX) I have been able to catch even the biggest reds up to 36" so far in the flats. The only thing that I am careful of is when I get a wind knot. I take my time to get it out. Otherwise you'll have a mess. Had a pretty good size black tip hit my mirrodine lure up in Steinhatchee, but when I realized what it was I immediately cut my line before he spooled me.

MBI777
Orlando

[Loki]

I used the red power pro for a full week down in keys this month, the dye didn't run at all. Looks like they might have fixed that messy little problem.


Mike

[Slim to None]

i use power pro on everything! my light action trout rod has 4lb diameter/ 12lbs test, my redfish rod has 10/30lbs and my grouper rods have 17/65lbs. it really helps when you are trolling to have the braid as it will help get your lipped plugs deeper. my trout setup is a 7' ultra light action and i can toss a 1/8oz jighead a mile i swear!

[chumhead]

PowerPro is the only stuff I use, and has been for the last 5 or 6 years. Love it and have no plans on changing.

chumhead

[Fayetteguy]

I have used it on and off for bass fishing, never had the wallet to buy 1000 yards of it for 2 saltwater reels, but if i did i would use it. I have been using cajun red with pretty good success, its some good and tough line but it is a little too thick in my opinion. if you go with braid , as everyone has said, you will probly love it! (I was thankful i had braid when an 8lb 2oz bass ran me around 2 pilings!, it will hole up alot better than mono.)

-matt

[chumhead]

When I buy the 1000 yd spools (thru a person with a wholesale license), it runs about $59 a spool, much cheaper than what you pay for the 150 or 300 yd spools, even at Wally World, and there is no waste (that last little bit that won't fit on the spool).

Check into it, and I think you will find that while the initial outlay of money is higher, you will save quite a bit by buying in bulk.....specially if you plan to spool up 3 or 4 reels.

chumhead

[Familymanof5]

When you go into Wal-mart in Bradenton area Power Pro is the only line that they keep behind the counter. I have used it for about 4 years now and I absolutely love it.

TOM 011

[Ed&Brenda]

I would like to dig this up and see if there is any new iput on this.

Any fireline users?

[cap1196]

When I was in FL, I used both Fireline and Power pro. I still use Power Pro because its easier for me to get. I was happy with both and slowly found myself having it on almost everything I own. I was intoduced to it kingfishing in FL using planers to replace s.s. or monel. It let you use lighter tackle. I used powerpro on my kite reels and found you can recover the dropback alot faster once the line popped out of the clip.
I used it deep jiggin for grouper and amberjack on deep wrecks. It will almost rip the jaws off an aj, well almost.
Now in VA I still use it for flounder fishing as well and continue using it while "wirelining".
If it hasn't been addressed already, when used on spinning reels its recommended to close your bail manually to prevent those nasty loops.
I guess what i'm trying to say is I love that stuff!

Thanks,

Alex

[Fillet1]

Since this post has been brought back from the past, I will add that I tried the Fireline "Clear" stuff and it is bad news. It has crazy line memory and casts like sh%T.

[tpurvis]

I went back to the mono on my bait casters and spining reels, still use it on the 320's and 330's gt's. What are the limit sizes now on the Deleware bay?

here are the NC keeper sizes.

Flounder: 14 or 15-1/2" depending on catch location.
Red Drum: Slot 18-27"
Speckled Trout: 12"

[Harry]

Hummm, did you mean to post this in the fishing section ? *006*

[tpurvis]

Nope went a little bigger than I though. I through I had the flounder, spec. and reds hi- lited.

sorry about that.

[MartyJ16]

If you fish ultralight, there is a lot of difference in the cast of braid and mono. The stiff attributes of braid are felt more with the small stuff - not bad, but different. I find that 4 and 6lb mono flexes a bunch - a very fluid feel like a rubber band - and the braid is as stiff as brick. But, with a different rod, and technique, it is a different kind of fun.

Now, the big stuff is way different, I defer to the pros on this site.

[MaGoo]

I'm with Fillet1. I am a big Fireline advocate. It casts great and ties rock solid knots. I use a slim beauty knot to attach a couple feet of flourocarbon leader and I very rarely have any problems with 20lb line on spinning outfits.

I do use power pro on my bigger spinning rod for tuna and it has been good, but I wouldn't use braid ever again on a rod that is getting more than 200 casts/day-it always seems to foul right when the fish are storming the castle.

[Dave]

Nope went a little bigger than I though. I through I had the flounder, spec. and reds hi- lited.

sorry about that.

Took care of it for ya. *thumbsup* If you'd like to edit or change your post, you can do so yourself by clicking on the "Edit" button at the bottom right corner of each post you make, then make the changes and click "Save".

Dave

[bigfish3]

I missed this thread the first time around...

I have been using PowerPro 30 for several years, I am especialy fond of it in deeper water when Tog or Black Sea Bass fishing. I can drop deep with much less weight than my buddies, great sensitivity in deep water and it is clearly easier to set the hook.

The only real drawback comes when fishing shallow. because this stuff has very little stretch you feel more than you should and tend to set up early.

The entire first year I used this stuff, my friends called me the "Long Island @$$ Hooker"

Before you all jump on that statement, let me explain!

I would consistently hook fish near the tail as they were swimming by my baits...

[Ed&Brenda]

Are you Power Pro users backing it with Mono first? If so, how much?

[justaddwater]

Are you Power Pro users backing it with Mono first? If so, how much?

I use a drop of Crazy Glue, it doesn't take up as much room on my small reels. On my bait casters and surf rods I just back it with mono cause it has more line capacity than it needs anyhow.

I use Power Pro on all my reels, 15/20 on the small ones and change the leader for the target fishing I'm doing, and 30# on my surf rods with leaders for target fishing I need at the time also.

[justaddwater]

Sorry Ed, I failed to answer your question. Use enough to wrap several times at least, to hold the braid from slipping on the spool. On my larger reel, like surf reels you put all you want to. I leave enough room for a couple hundred yards of braid, if he pulls off more than that I figure I've lost that battle anyhow.

[Dave]

Are you Power Pro users backing it with Mono first? If so, how much?

I put no more than 150 yards of braid on my reels no matter what size the reel, and back it with mono of equal or greater strength. Reason: I spool my own reels and I can usually buy 150 or 300 yard spools of braid and I don't need more than that and could probably get by with 50 yards just fine... I bottom fish in 60 to 110 feet of water and I rarely can or need to cast more than 150 feet. A good uni-uni knot will secure the braid to mono. I'm cheap, and these super lines are too expensive for me to let most of it go (unused) on the spool until I change the line next year. ;D

Dave

[Ed&Brenda]

Great point Dave

[justaddwater]

"I'm cheap, and these super lines are too expensive for me to let most of it go (unused) on the spool until I change the line next year. "


I'm cheap(er) :cool: I don't respool braid every year, I reverse after one year on another reel to use the unused half of the braid for the second year, then replace the third year with new. *016* We use small spinning reels 10's and 15's and we need all the room on those spools we can get, therefore I just spot the braid on the spool with a drop of Super Glue and wipe it off before it dries so as not to leave a knob sticking up for the line to get hung on. *014*

[Dave]

"I'm cheap, and these super lines are too expensive for me to let most of it go (unused) on the spool until I change the line next year. "


I'm cheap(er) :cool: ... I reverse after one year on another reel to use the unused half of the braid for the second year, then replace the third year with new. *016*

That'll work, but you still have double the initial investment... I keep my money and put it in the stock market where it will help pay for the outgoing CEO's bonus package, bankruptcy lawyer fees, and such ;D

Dave

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I've been using power pro (the red one), and i don't remember changing lines. I never had a problem of a bad or weak braided line, what i always do though is spray a lot of fresh water at the end of the day.
As a matter of fact, couple of weeks ago i went cod fishing using my saltiga reel filled with braid back in 2005 with green power pro. Color has changed a little but still going strong (40lbs test)

[RB]

Power Pro is what I use. My tackle shop guy suggested to put a layer of painters tape (I used blue) before putting on the line. Damn it worked Great. :)

[MartyJ16]

Power Pro is what I use. My tackle shop guy suggested to put a layer of painters tape (I used blue) before putting on the line. Damn it worked Great. :)

I have to tell you the first time I loaded a light braid on the Quantum Micro, I snagged something and thought, "my drag is broke" cause it was pulling off - took me a while to realize the line was just sliding around and spooling off!!

Dang newfangled line!!;D

[Bayster]

Bill Dance had a thing on Braided,Flouro and Mono on the Versus channel last weekend.. According to all the makers they all stretch. Actually ,and I may be wrong here according to the percentages the braided had a slightly bigger stretch than Mono but it rebounded to its original position better for a longer period of time. I watched it and did not believe it. So I guess what their saying is Braided stretches not on a bite or landing of a fish but it rebounds to its original line strength quicker and longer.

[Eel]

I would like to dig this up and see if there is any new iput on this.

Any fireline users?

I'm a Fireline guy. I've used many of the braids on the market and I keep coming back to Fireline. I have 10lb-20lb spooled on six spinning reels. I like PowerPro on my baitcasters (don't get the twist with it and backlashes are fairly easy to pick out), but have experienced some awful wind knots on my spinning reels with it. I've had 2 windknots in 3 years using Fireline.

My go-to Fireline is 14lb in the warmer months and I switch out to 10lb in the winter.

The joke around my friends is:
Q. "What's the best knot for PowerPro?"
A. "A windknot."

[cap1196]

I totally eliminated my wind knots by closing my bails manually instead of turning the handle forward on my spinners, maybe its just luck.
When using it for heavier applications I found it does stretch a tiny bit compared to wireline but definetly not as much as mono. I am still able to trip planers without a problem like I did with wire. While trolling, you did want to stay aware while using it. A wrap around your thumb or finger and its over.

[chumhead]

Cap hit the nail on the head. Once I started manually flipping the bail my wind knots stopped being a problem. When I spool up, I use 2 wraps of electrical tape as backing, and use a slip-loop knot (hangmans noose) to secure to the spool.....but be careful, one way will grab and the other way will spin, if you get it wrong the first time (I always do) just remove the noose and reverse it.

As for longevity, I have had PowerPro on a couple of my reels for 3 to 4 years with no problems....sunlight and saltwater have no effect on the stuff. I would have spent more money re-spooling mono....

Not sure about the other braids, but PowerPro has near-zero stretch. Trim-Tab and I have pulled over 20 lbs on 10 lb test PP using a smooth straight pull and a digital scale, there was no detectable stretch with 50+ feet of line out to the scale. After fishing with nothing but PowerPro for about 6 years, fishing mono line feels like I have a rubber band for a leader when twitching lures. I'm pretty sure most braided lines are similar, they do stretch, but NOTHING like mono stretches.

chumhead

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I don't think power pro stretches at all, tell you the truth never noticed any stretch. Like Chamhead said, two wraps of electrical tape would do it.

[chumhead]

I don't think power pro stretches at all, tell you the truth never noticed any stretch. Like Chamhead said, two wraps of electrical tape would do it.

I don't think it stretches either, but they say "Near Zero Stretch" in their advertising, so I am guessing there may be an undetectable amount, but for legal reasons they prefer to say near zero. I have never noticed any, and I "catch" a lot of docks, rocks, reefs and bridges (you've gotta fish where they live)....so I think I would have noticed, lol......

chumhead

[Harry]

As for longevity, I have had PowerPro on a couple of my reels for 3 to 4 years with no problems....sunlight and saltwater have no effect on the stuff. I would have spent more money re-spooling mono....


I use power pro too.

Here's a tip and It works for any line, braid or mono, but with the cost of braid it save's you more $$

Like Chumhead said, after 3-4 years it fades, and starts to fry. At least on the part geeting all the salt, sun and use.

Open your bail if using a spinner, and load the line onto another reel. The frayed sun beat stuff will now be on the bottom of the new reel and the line coming off the reel will be like new !!!!


Because braids diameter is smaller, pound for pound vs mono, which means you must use more line to fill the reel, Here's another trick.

You can load the bottom half or 1/3 with mono, join them with a uni knot and fill the top shot with your expensive braided line. Plus you don't have to worry about your line slipping around the spool or fooling withtape. If you have a big boy stripping line and you start to see the mono, you better fire up that engine and git after'em ..... ;D

[Slim to None]

I use power pro too.

Here's a tip and It works for any line, braid or mono, but with the cost of braid it save's you more $$

Like Chumhead said, after 3-4 years it fades, and starts to fry. At least on the part geeting all the salt, sun and use.

Open your bail if using a spinner, and load the line onto another reel. The frayed sun beat stuff will now be on the bottom of the new reel and the line coming off the reel will be like new !!!!


Because braids diameter is smaller, pound for pound vs mono, which means you must use more line to fill the reel, Here's another trick.

You can load the bottom half or 1/3 with mono, join them with a uni knot and fill the top shot with your expensive braided line. Plus you don't have to worry about your line slipping around the spool or fooling withtape. If you have a big boy stripping line and you start to see the mono, you better fire up that engine and git after'em ..... ;D

these are both excellent tips! i use both these methods on all my reels with braid, except my ultra light and that is only b/c the reel is too small of a diameter for mono and braid.*thumbsup*

p.s. also to help with wind knots, close your bail manually not with the reel and NEVER reel when drag is going out b/c of a fish or when you are hung as this will bury the top wrap of line deep into the spool and then the next time you cast that burried line will pull more line out, thus forming a wind knot.

[Familymanof5]

POWER PRO HERE


FM5

[Javy]

Inshore fishing:

I use to be a power pro man, but in the last 2 years I revisited Fireline when they came out with the new Crystal stuff. This IMHO hands down the best braid I have ever used. It has a waxy feel to it and once broken in glides right off the reel. Much smoother than power pro. You have to make sure you spool it on right (yes you can spool it on wrong) and it takes a little time to break in (a couple of solid days of fishing). It is fine brand new off the spool, but I feel it really gets the edge after using it a couple of day over power pro.

I almost always use 14 pound test year round down here in Tampa bay. I have some 20 in case there are some fat Linesiders, bull reds, or baby Tarps lying in wait :D Always use 2-3 20ish flourcarbon leader that stuff is great. No hardware uni-to-uni tie, smallest hook possible, and a loop knot XD

Offshore:

I use mostly power pro with around 1/3 mono backer. I haven't seen Crystal in the heavier weights and to be honest I really dont think it matters once you get up there in the 65+ lbs lines.

Wind Knots and Birds Nests:
For those complaining about wind knots or who are new to braid, loosen up your drag!! That will eliminate most of you knots. Keep enough drag where it does it thing. Most usually have it cranked down which causes the braid to cut under line further down in the spool, especially when trying to cast it to infinite. Which leads to the next point casting finesse. Braid is like a golf swing, you really don't have to whip it hard, just have to have the right casting whip motion. Once you have learned how to cast then you can put more force into it, get a little further distance, with out getting a nest.

Tight lines,
Javy

[Ed&Brenda]

Anyone use suffix braid.

[Gunnar]

Anyone use suffix braid.


I put some suffix braid on my light spinning rods this past Fall. All I have to compare it to is power pro and I like it better than the PP.

Gregg

[Ed&Brenda]

I put some suffix braid on my light spinning rods this past Fall. All I have to compare it to is power pro and I like it better than the PP.

Gregg


What Lb Gregg?

[Gunnar]

What Lb Gregg?

Sorry, it's 20lb test which is the same diameter as 8 lb. mono. I bought a 300 yd. spool and divided it onto three spools with 10 lb. mono backer attached with a uni to uni knot.

Gregg

[islandtackleskiff]

I've done some experimenting with about every brand of braid now and some of the things I've noticed may be helpful. I found that suffix and pp are quite similar in cast ability but wear time I would give the edge to suffix. fireline casts extremely well but there is alot of memory in the line and you must use a palomar knot to prevent your knots from slipping. the best braid in my opinion is made by diawa. its called diawa samurai, and its a little bit more expensive than suffix or pp but it is well worth it. very strong, casts like fireline, minimal memory, and very element resistant. another note to add is that PP was just purchased by shimano so I would expect the quality of their braid to increase in the next couple years. hope this helps.