Another braided line question

[Reel_Big_Fish]

Thanks for the input guys!

Jeff-
How's it been? Have you been down at Frenchman's lately? I've been spending the weekend mornings up at Woodland Bar where I can keep warm in the truck. The guy next to me caught a nice buck last Sunday, but that was the only thing in the 4-5 hours I was there. I'm hitting Woodland the next two mornings.

Gary

50-65lb Spectra with 10' of lighter (35-50lb) mono tied to the end.

If you do get hung up the lighter mono breaks and you don't leave the floating, prop shaft eating, Spectra in the water.

PS:
This stuff will cut you clear to the bone and maybe even into the bone. Wear gloves when you have to handle the Spectra line (like if you get hung up).

[ 03-05-2004, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[PharmDoc]

I have three 6501s and two5501s all with braid of 50, 65, and 80 on them. The 80 really seems a bit excessive to me. It takes up more space and in the event that you lock up your slider under a rock, its a real pain to break off. Both the 50 and 65 work well, but the 65 is less fickle when tying knots. I decided to use the 65 for kings and the 50 for steeljaw. Braid has tons of advantages over mono and any disadvantages probably aren't worth mentioning. oh, the 80 seems to be a great sturgeon line.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

I run braid on all my salmon reels now. I use Tuff Line XP, in 50#. Its probably a little smaller in dia. than the 20 you are using. Just use mono leaders and you don't have to worry about cutting line. Good luck!

[Reel_Big_Fish]

Ok, I've done searches and read most of the posts on this subject. But I still have some novice questions . I'm debating about switching to braided line on my Abu 5501 that I use at Frenchman's and Woodland bar. Currently I have 20# mono, which I'm thinking isn't all that great for the upcoming salmon season's.

So, my questions are...
1. What pound test would be the best?
2. Do you use the braided line for the leader also or just the main line?
3. What about snags, do you end up having to cut the line?
4. Anything and everything else that I may not have asked :grin:

Thanks...RBFish

[WheresMyBobber]

20lb mono would be fine for springers, but I have switched to 50lb "braided" on all my salmon reels so I'm good for spring and fall seasons. I use 50 instead of 80 because in my mind 50lb is plenty strong enough for salmon.

I use mono for leader.

I don't remember ever having to cut the line when snagged.

One thing to keep in mind with the braided lines is when you get it tangled with another braided line, it really gets tangled. But if you tangle with a mono line, the braided line will sometimes cut right through the mono line.

[Fisherfield]

Hey Gary~

I'm thinking you should be just fine with your 20# mono. I've never had to cut braided line due to a snag. It seems to never get too snagged...and with the strength of the line...the question is whether or not the rod can handle the snag. Frenchmans doesn't really have too many snags....mostly sandy beaches there from what I've seen. There is a nice benefit to putting on braided...you can put it on there and not worry about it. You can fish with a bobber (braids float) which is really nice for mending the line. I'm running 65# on my abu 5500C and just love the way it casts and mends. You should learn a good braid knot...I didn't know the knot and had a few take downs just strip my gear off...now I know the knots and haven't had those problems....but setting the hook is a little different. It's a straight connection without the give that mono has...so set the hook a little lighter. My .04 We've gotta get out there and fish some in the next few weeks...things are starting to heat up again!!

[Fish-n-Fever]

My son and I use Power Pro 65# main on the reels we have spooled with braided line and 17# to 40# mono leader depending on the fish we are after. Power Pro maintains It's round shape and doesn't flatten out on your reel as some braided lines do which causes the line to dig into itself and bind in the reel. It is a small diameter line and thus causing less "drag" in the water and doesn't "loop" out on you as bad in current as mono will. When you fill your reel with braided line keep it as tight as you can on the spool as you are filling it to avoid a loose fill resulting in overlap and the line digging in on the spool.
Sometimes in crowded conditions anglers might get on you about using braided if they are using mono because of the tangle and cut that has been talked about already. Good luck and enjoy the braided line.
Ron

[Full Freezer]

Wow, most of you use some preety heavy poundage! For springers I run 30# PowerPro with 25# Maxima UG leaders & Fall/Ocean Chinook at 50# with whatever maxima UG leader# I need for the type of fishing I'm doing.

I've never had a break off -line has performed wonderful.

I wanted to try the Stren Product in 30# but could not find it anywhere. So I will stick to my PP!

Oh Ya, use Owner's too!

I use 65lb because of its diameter not breaking strength. I also got it in a 1500yd spool for my tuna/halibut reels and had extra.