what braided line casts the best?

grumman16 · 12-17-2003, 12:29 PM

I recently tried using powerpro on my drift fishing setup (casting rod). I realy like the sensitivity of the line, can really feel what my gear is doing. I did have a few mishaps casting though. What I was wondering was is their a braided line that casts better than most and is easier to untagle than most.

So lets hear it. What brand and lb test would you recommend for drift fishing for winter steelhead? Also, do most guys run the braided line right down to the swivel where the leader ties on, or do you tie on a short stretch of mono to the mainline then down to the swivel (so the fish don't see the braided line)?

The Bloodletter · 12-17-2003, 12:41 PM

Generally, I wouldn't recomend drift fishins w/ braided line for a number of reasons.

First, as you have obviously experienced, it can be difficult to manage. It is so soft that it tangles and knots easily. This is especially true when using spinning rods. Second, it is highly visible in the water. Though most salmon and steelhead are not overly leader shy, when the water is clear, it probably will not increase your chances of a hook up. Third, if you were ever to hang your swivel on the bottom, your only choice is often to cut the line, leaving who knows how many yards dangling in the current for the next 100 guys to hang up on. Spectra always beats mono in a tug of war.

If you want to use superlines for drift fishing, use the hybrids. Fusion is a good choice in 14lb. These lines are stiffer which makes them more managable and tend not to tangle as easily. They also float which makes them good for bobber fishing too.
Hope this helps.

skrimmy · 12-17-2003, 01:48 PM

If you're going to insist on drifting with braided line, my experience is that the PowerPro is the best for casting.

I went back to mono this year....Ultra Green, the best way to go.

Fishin Magician · 12-17-2003, 02:00 PM

My opinion is that 20# Fireline works best for me driftfishing. I use lead and a short mono bumper so I lose maybe 1 total rig a day. 99 percent of the time I lose lead or a leader. I can put 200 yards on a spool and not change it all year. As far as fish being shy to it, never had a problem. I have tied a jig directly to my mainline and had summers inhale it many,many times........If a fish is going to bite, it will bite. If not move on to one that will and dont waste your time trying to figure out what will make that 1 fish bite. Actually do stay there and try and make it bite........It will leave lots of water for me to fish....... :grin: :grin: :grin:

JB

flatbottomboy · 12-17-2003, 02:10 PM

Try the new stren super line. IT IS GREAT!

bulldog · 12-17-2003, 02:11 PM

The Bloodletter
DO you prefer the fusion line over monofilament?For drift fishing.

eggbouncer · 12-17-2003, 02:21 PM

Tuff Line XP....It is the best less expensive than power pro harder coating than power pro, better abrasion resistance,been fishing it for a while now and had no problems with it. available in yellow or green. Also a round line like power pro but better coatings and abrasion resistance.

float2ber · 12-17-2003, 02:23 PM

Try Power Pro in a heavier test. I use 50# and have no problems. The extra body helps reduce the tangles and it also will not dig into itself on the reel. With a 2-3' mono leader I've taken steelhead in gin clear water. Doesn't seem to spook them.

Reno Reeler · 12-17-2003, 02:26 PM

A second vote for Strens new super braid!

Arima17Ryan · 12-17-2003, 02:27 PM

I've fished all season with braided lines(though not drift fishing). I've tried tuffline and spiderwire stealth. I also tried another(coated) braided line that I didn't like at all. I must say I like the stealth the best so far. I feel it casts better and is more manageable because it's smoother and just a little stiff. Acts a little more like mono(that's it's claim to fame). My $.02

Also, I wouldn't worry about hanging up the swivel and having to cut the line. If it's going to fail, it's going to fail at the knot(the weakest point). No knot I know of has a 100% line strength. I run anywhere from 30lb to 60lb on my different rigs and have never had a snag that I couldn't just put the tip down and pull on. Although sometimes you have to give it a good pull, it always fails at the knot or just above it if you're around a sharp rock.

The Bloodletter · 12-17-2003, 02:34 PM

Bulldog,
I have to admit I am a mono junky. I have used the braids and hybrids but prefer the managability and stretch (yes, I like the stretch)of momo. My favorite is Trilene XT. No tangles and its tough as nails. I'm sure some will laugh but I've been using it for years and have never had any problem detecting strikes or losing fish.

12-17-2003, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eggbouncer:
Tuff Line XP....It is the best less expensive than power pro harder coating than power pro, better abrasion resistance,been fishing it for a while now and had no problems with it. available in yellow or green. Also a round line like power pro but better coatings and abrasion resistance.

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

blacktail519 · 12-17-2003, 02:50 PM

I have never used braided line for drift fishing.
Braided line is not the most wear resistent line to abrasive rocks while drifting im sure. I prefer a good mono. It is going to hold up a whole lot better then braided. Just my opinion.....
Good luck!

BuKuBass · 12-17-2003, 03:14 PM

I've been using Tufline XP 6/20# for the past few years with good results. However I incorporate a fluoro leader for both abrasion and visibilty issues.
Fusion frays too easily for my liking.

Mark Vickers · 12-17-2003, 03:35 PM

30# PowerPro. I run it straight to the swivel and then tie the leader on to that. No problems whatsoever. Casts like a charm and is amazingly sensitive.

I actually had far less "professional overlap" problems with the braid than I do with mono. But when I get one with braid, its usually a real mess.

Tilla · 12-17-2003, 03:48 PM

I just tried 20# spiderwire with about 9 feet of 20# of monofilament tied with a surgeons knot then to my leader. The surgeons knot is just above the reel.Took the formula from the last issue of STS. It works real smooth so far, almost like a flyfishing shooting head. The 20 lb test mono can be replaced before each trip.
The surgeons knot is a little tricky.

Fishing Maniac · 12-17-2003, 03:51 PM

For those of you who aren't using braided spectra lines you are missing out big time. Here are the advantages:

The biggest advantage of using this is that is has very little stretch and is extremely sensitive. Try using it then switch back to mono and you'll see what I mean.

Wade Deep · 12-17-2003, 03:52 PM

Been fishing 20lb Fireline hivis green with an 8' 15lb Ultra green bumper. Have tried Tuff and Power pro but find Fireline to have some of the traits of mono.(stiffer than other braids,easy to clear,doesn't "sing" thru the guides)

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-17-2003, 03:52 PM

20# toughline is working well for me...Just started using it...

Very nice & sensitive...

Silver Hilton · 12-17-2003, 04:18 PM

Personally, I think using a sensitive line like these braids is unsportsmanlike and unmanly. Good only for metrosexuals and posers. Real men can handle a little stretching (that's what extra belt notches are for), and sensitivity is for our wives and daughters. Give me the brute force strength, combined with just a bit of ambiguity, of Maxima.

We fished the runs into near extinction with mono, that's good enough for me.

:grin:

Fishing Maniac · 12-17-2003, 04:24 PM

For those of you who aren't using braided spectra lines for drift fishing you are missing out big time. Here are the advantages:

1. Up to 1/3 the diameter of mono. Smaller diameter means using less weight to make your casts and provides for considerably less drag allowing you to feel the takes better not to mention going through less tackle.
2. Little to no stretch. This is probably the biggest advantage of all as it allows you to feel the take much better and drive the hook in past the barb often on the first hook set.
3. Much easier to see than mono. Being able to see where you line is can be a huge advantage particularly when you are making a pin point case where you are targeting a holding area. If you can't see where your line is you simple can't tell if you are in "the zone" where the fish are holding.

I attach a mono bumper to my braided main line of about 2 poles lengths using a UNI knot. The pound test of the bumper is generally way below what the braided line is. I typically run 30 or 40 pound braided with a 12 or 15 pound bumper and a 10 or 12 pound leader. That way if my hook hangs up I usually get my swivel and or bumber back. The bumber serves as a cushion to keep from snapping my line on the hook set and also keeps the fish from seeing the main line. Also, when I get snagged up 90% of the time I break off at the swivel or I just lose my weight. Either way I just tie on a new rig or weight and I'm good to go. I can generally fish with the same bumper the whole day. I've been using braided lines for drift fishing over 20 years now starting with braided dacron and upgrading to the spectra lines and have yet to switch back over to mono for drift fishing. There are simply too many advantages to go back. My favorite braided line is probably spider wire but it is so expensive I have migrated to tuff line power pro. The tuff line seems to work just fine. I do like the tighter weave and smaller diameter of the spider line though. A word of caution, make damn sure you bring a spare reel or spool with you filled with mono during the winter time. The reason for this is the braided lines don't perform very well when it's freezing out and can be a real ***** when your guides freeze up making it difficult to impossible to cast. Good luck!

salmurai · 12-17-2003, 04:25 PM

Wade Deep, Amen on the singing. I use Fireline also.....

grumman16 · 12-17-2003, 04:36 PM

Thanks everyone for their input. I think I'm going to give fireline a try. I'm already convinced of using braids such as tuffline for other types of fishing (won't use anything but for sturgeon fishing).

SilverHilton, let me guess you also don't bother with that new fancy-shmancy graphite stuff for a pole. Just a good ol whittled down 2x4 does the trick, right? :grin: :grin:

-G16

Silver Hilton · 12-17-2003, 04:44 PM

Aw, hell, son, I use graphite poles. To stake my tomatoes with after I break them over my knee in frustration when the mono breaks.

12-17-2003, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ******:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by eggbouncer:
Tuff Line XP....It is the best less expensive than power pro harder coating than power pro, better abrasion resistance,been fishing it for a while now and had no problems with it. available in yellow or green. Also a round line like power pro but better coatings and abrasion resistance.

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] <hr /></blockquote>I use it for everything but don't and would not steelhead drift or jig fish with it.

First Light Bite · 12-17-2003, 05:58 PM

Not to be disrepectful to anyone but if this thread is talking about drift fishing winter Steelhead what is up with 20,30,40,and 50 or 60 lb test line in the previous posts? This makes it easy to understand why some will not catch too many fish if any. (Your line is too heavy causing a unnatural drift & and yes fish are line shy when the water clears) These are small fish guys probably 8-10 lbs. average. The sport is in the fight if you do hook up good on 40lb test and land one whats the sport in that? Maybe 20# on some rivers when Chinook can still be kept is understandable but 30-60# for Steelhead get real. I will stick to 6-12lb. test mono for Steelhead. If they beat me then they earned their freedom. Lets keep it sporting. My .02.

Fishin Magician · 12-17-2003, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by First Light Bite:
Not to be disrepectful to anyone but if this thread is talking about drift fishing winter Steelhead what is up with 20,30,40,and 50 or 60 lb test line in the previous posts? This makes it easy to understand why some will not catch too many fish if any. (Your line is too heavy causing a unnatural drift & and yes fish are line shy when the water clears) These are small fish guys probably 8-10 lbs. average. The sport is in the fight if you do hook up good on 40lb test and land one whats the sport in that? Maybe 20# on some rivers when Chinook can still be kept is understandable but 30-60# for Steelhead get real. I will stick to 6-12lb. test mono for Steelhead. If they beat me then they earned their freedom. Lets keep it sporting. My .02.

State facts not fiction........... [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

1) braided is 1/3 the diameter of mono, thus less drag than mono.
2)You are ony fishing the strength of your weakest link, which is your 10# leader not 30#main.
3)Biters arent leader shy, If they dont bite move on to others that will.If you want me to prove it to you lets rock....you will be shamed.... :grin: .

Thats my .02

John

12-17-2003, 11:55 PM

Using braided for bobber/Jig fishing for steelhead with a spinning reel is a pleasure to fish with. No memory coils to deal with and it floats! Hey if you want to deal with dressing your line with Mucillin then be my guest but why bother just use braided. I use the mono leader but have never lost a fish due to having too many knots or whatever that excuse is. Tie good knots and it won't be a problem.
As for drift fishing with braided? Forget it! It stacks on the spool in such a way that it will hang up and abruptly end your cast. Backlash with it and you might as well start cutting.
The myth that it's increased sensitivity will make you feel the bite better is just that! a myth!
So my vote goes with braided for spinning bobber/jig and sticking with Maxima UG for drift fishing.

SciGuy · 12-18-2003, 05:05 AM

Its a toss up bt/wn PowerPro and Fireline. Both have all the avantages of braided line and cast well. I've switched to hi-vis (yellow) line braids for both b-cast and float fishing and have been VERY happy.

Fishin Magician · 12-18-2003, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stew:The myth that it's increased sensitivity will make you feel the bite better is just that! a myth!
[/QB]

Stew- I would have to disagree here. Although some people prefer mono over braided for some reason. It is a total preference thing. Me for example I absolutley can detect a bite better, but I grew up fishing lead, most fish slinkies which have a totally differerent feel than lead. I have a couple friends that are better drift fisherman than me ( I think ) and one fishes mono/slinkie and the other fishes fireline/slinkie, so it is a preference. To each his own. Oh Fireline is different than most braided line in the fact it has properties of mono ( memory, stiffness , abraision resistance) the best part is it never stacks on your reel and I have way less proplems than mono in regards to birdsnests...........I will have to show you Stew , I suppose.....

Tghe rivers are coming int prime shape.......(Hint:hint)

JB

Siwash · 12-18-2003, 07:31 PM

Here's another vote for Fireline. I generally use fairly light spinning gear, and just this season I decided to fit one reel with a spool of Fireline to check it out. So far, I'd say its benefits (casts great, less drag in the water, outstanding strength) outweigh the drawbacks (up front cost, more trouble to cut or intentionally break off).