Braided line

[slim]

Just curious to see what kind of braid you all use for bottom fishing. I have a couple of new reels I have to spool and want to know what you all use.

[stevelikes2fish]

I have used Jerry Brown for about 3 years and I liked the way it lay on the reel. I just recently changed a few reels over to Diamond Braid after stumbling onto the their website. Have fished this line 1/2 dozen times already with no problems. Happy with it.

[SaltLife1980]

Im a Power Pro man!

[Garone Custom Rods]

I like JB, Tuf Line, Suffix 832, and I will be trying the Seaguar Smackdown this spring. The Smackdown is the smoothest and tightest woven braid I have seen yet and it is super thin diameter. Only drawback I see with it right now is that it is only available is 150yard spools currently so for deep dropping you have to tie knots, which is not ideal.

[Skolmann]

Been using Power pro for years and really have no complaints with it. Bought several spools of Suffix 832 recently because I had several buy one get one coupons so will be giving that a try this season.

[JerseyCoast]

FINS has a braid made especially for bottom fishing. It has all of the thinner diameters associated with braid, BUT...... it also offers just a lil more in the way of stretch, so your not ripping the hook out like we do with braid.

Biggest issue with braid is the "zero stretch" thing. The smallest move is pulling the hook and when your getting all excited, to swing the rod, many times the hook set is missed.
FINS Shock Absorber Braid offers a lil in the way of stretch, making for a better hook set. We have several guys using it now. Its not bad at all.

[frugalfisherman]

Whatever you get the best price on. The most important thing when using braid for bottom fishing is to have your shocker piece of line weaker than the braid. If you are using 40 lb braid use 30 lb shocker. That way if you snag and have to break off you don't loose any braid. You only need 6-8 ft of shocker and you'll be able to feel a ling nibbling at 240 feet deep.

[rvr2c]

As Frugalfisherman says, 20-30lb mono leader, weakest link of YOUR line.
Check out this site, tons of info on braid, mono and fluorocarbon.
Lots of good spectra out there, I use Jb, Tufline and Seaguars new threadlock hollow.

Paulusjustfishing.com

[JerseyCoast]

As Frugalfisherman says, 20-30lb mono leader, weakest link of YOUR line.
Check out this site, tons of info on braid, mono and fluorocarbon.
Lots of good spectra out there, I use Jb, Tufline and Seaguras new threadlock hollow.

Paulusjustfishing.com


How do you like the Thread lock vs JB? Just curious.

[rvr2c]

How do you like the Thread lock vs JB? Just curious.

Haven't fished it yet, just spooled up with 80lb t/s to 100lb hollow, in my opinion it spliced extremely better than jb, check out BHP tackle, Basil had some good reviews on it, that's why I went with threadlock, Spooled a Makaira 30 ll SE

[Poseidon]

Been using Power pro for years and really have no complaints with it. Bought several spools of Suffix 832 recently because I had several buy one get one coupons so will be giving that a try this season.

What's with this Power Pro Super 8 slick?

I used to use the original stuff. When I spooled two reels with the Super 8, I noticed it feels "lumpy" in spots. I looked to see if maybe they spliced it or something...?

Think I'll go back to the original...

[JerseyCoast]

JB has a name because everybody talks about it online. It's good line... no doubt about that but I really feel some of these more recent brands are much better. I like a few other lines when compared to JB.
JB 80# is popular because of the make up. Having 16 strands vs 8 strands will make it much easier to work with. I hate using 100 or 60 # JB because it's a bitch to work with. The new Thread lock seems to be pretty good. Just spooled up a couple reels with it. If we see no defects I am sure it will quickly become more popular.

[MrAC1980]

I've always been a Power Pro fan from the start. Why fix what isn't broken. Trick is not to be tempted to buy the knock off PP crap from China. Get the real stuff from US suppliers only.

[JerseyCoast]

I've always been a Power Pro fan from the start. Why fix what isn't broken. Trick is not to be tempted to buy the knock off PP crap from China. Get the real stuff from US suppliers only.

There is a ton of it on Ebay and Amazon. The biggest issue between braid and hollow core is the length of time it can be used. The way braided lines have evolved here in The USA, I am one of the guys who really likes the rounder, softer stuff.

HC can be used for years. If you lose 130 yds, you can splice in another 130 yds without a knot and the splice is 2X the strength, compared to a knot that is weaker than the line rating.
Braid gets beat up by UV waves and will fade, weaken over time. Hollow Core does not have this same issue. Little more on initial cost, but you save a ton in the end.

There are 2 ways that all braid is made. Fins is a company that uses the better option.

[Gerry Zagorski]

FINS has a braid made especially for bottom fishing. It has all of the thinner diameters associated with braid, BUT...... it also offers just a lil more in the way of stretch, so your not ripping the hook out like we do with braid.

Biggest issue with braid is the "zero stretch" thing. The smallest move is pulling the hook and when your getting all excited, to swing the rod, many times the hook set is missed.
FINS Shock Absorber Braid offers a lil in the way of stretch, making for a better hook set. We have several guys using it now. Its not bad at all.

I've used the FINS Windtamer and like it too... Might try the Shock Absorber stuff as well ... I get kinda crazy when I feel a bite and missed a lot of Stripers live lining with braid. I think it's a combo of my fishing/hookset style and the no stretch braid that is the issue.

Thanks