Really sorry if this has been brought up before but haven't quite found an up to date answer. Haven't used a spod or marker for around 15 years and now I'm getting back into it, I was wondering if any of you could recommend a decent braid for spodding and another for marker work.
I've seen a lot of recommendations for Korda, ESP and J Braid but wanted to know if 20lb really is suitable for spodding in particular. It just looks so thin (0.16) from my observations and I'm thinking perhaps I should get something a bit heavier if I'm starting out again (to avoid snap offs).
I'll probably be attaching a tapered leader to around 50 to 60lb on the spod braid so if someone can recommend a decent leader too, that would be appreciated. I've also seen a few people use mono or flour as a leader for there marker rod. What would the advantages be of using this as a leader over a braided leader?
Rods are Harrison Torrix with Ultegra XTD spod reels if this helps and I'm confident I'd get 120 to 130 yards from them.
I've seen a lot of recommendations for Korda, ESP and J Braid but wanted to know if 20lb really is suitable for spodding in particular. It just looks so thin (0.16) from my observations and I'm thinking perhaps I should get something a bit heavier if I'm starting out again (to avoid snap offs).
I'll probably be attaching a tapered leader to around 50 to 60lb on the spod braid so if someone can recommend a decent leader too, that would be appreciated. I've also seen a few people use mono or flour as a leader for there marker rod. What would the advantages be of using this as a leader over a braided leader?
Rods are Harrison Torrix with Ultegra XTD spod reels if this helps and I'm confident I'd get 120 to 130 yards from them.
In reply to Post #1
I use .2 j braid x8 multicolur with a .29 leader of the same. On both my rods. Wit the multicolur you can count it back and work out the distance roughly. Then clip up to get accurate distance.
Long as you dont overload the reel and wet it before use it's fine never had any problems with it.
I use .2 j braid x8 multicolur with a .29 leader of the same. On both my rods. Wit the multicolur you can count it back and work out the distance roughly. Then clip up to get accurate distance.
Long as you dont overload the reel and wet it before use it's fine never had any problems with it.
In reply to Post #1
I use the ESP braid on the same set up and use 30lb armacord leader.
Works great for me, i did use the 50lb but think the balance is better with the thinner leader material and had issues with it like this.
I use the ESP braid on the same set up and use 30lb armacord leader.
Works great for me, i did use the 50lb but think the balance is better with the thinner leader material and had issues with it like this.
I use the fox Exocet spod / marker braids always been good for me
In reply to Post #1
I only have the one rod which I use for spodding/spoppering and just leading around. The mainline is some cheap Spectra braid of eBay, but I use a leader of Korda armakord for casting off.
I only have the one rod which I use for spodding/spoppering and just leading around. The mainline is some cheap Spectra braid of eBay, but I use a leader of Korda armakord for casting off.
In reply to Post #1
The choice of braid comes down to quite a few variables, one of which is how far your fishing to. The thicker the braid, obviously you won't be able to cast as far as the thin stuff. Apologies for stating the blindingly obvious.
Some bods will recommend brand X to you and swear by their recommendation, you'll use it and have nightmares with it. Take Fox Exorcet, good for long range, utterly pony for strength (won't last a season of decent usage). With a pair of gloves on, I'd say you could snap Fox Exorcet between your hands...like cotton. A good strong all rounder was TF Gear Banana braid in 50 or 30lb...strong as f..k but limited your long distance range fishing.
Try and find out how far you can possibly cast and work back from there. Try and find a happy ballance between range/strength/longevity. You'll get blokes tell you they've been using such and such braid for years and have had it on their spools for 20 years without a hitch, what they have failed to tell you is they cast a maximum of 50yds tops and never put that braid to any serious abuse.
Trying to find a decent leader is another one of those great mysteries of life. I've gone down the road of using Korra Armakore and had nothing but nightmares when fishing at very long ranges. Crack off after crack off, and when speaking to other guys fishing long distance they've had the same problems. Tried switching over to a nylon leader knowing it would reduce range...well crap, switched to Kyston Quicksilver and the problem solved.
In a nutshell, what I'm saying is you're going to have to try different brands and through experience find that golden nugget that suits your fishing.
The choice of braid comes down to quite a few variables, one of which is how far your fishing to. The thicker the braid, obviously you won't be able to cast as far as the thin stuff. Apologies for stating the blindingly obvious.
Some bods will recommend brand X to you and swear by their recommendation, you'll use it and have nightmares with it. Take Fox Exorcet, good for long range, utterly pony for strength (won't last a season of decent usage). With a pair of gloves on, I'd say you could snap Fox Exorcet between your hands...like cotton. A good strong all rounder was TF Gear Banana braid in 50 or 30lb...strong as f..k but limited your long distance range fishing.
Try and find out how far you can possibly cast and work back from there. Try and find a happy ballance between range/strength/longevity. You'll get blokes tell you they've been using such and such braid for years and have had it on their spools for 20 years without a hitch, what they have failed to tell you is they cast a maximum of 50yds tops and never put that braid to any serious abuse.
Trying to find a decent leader is another one of those great mysteries of life. I've gone down the road of using Korra Armakore and had nothing but nightmares when fishing at very long ranges. Crack off after crack off, and when speaking to other guys fishing long distance they've had the same problems. Tried switching over to a nylon leader knowing it would reduce range...well crap, switched to Kyston Quicksilver and the problem solved.
In a nutshell, what I'm saying is you're going to have to try different brands and through experience find that golden nugget that suits your fishing.
In reply to Post #3
Thanks. At what sort of distances are you realistically using this setup please mate. Is it still good at 120 to 130 yards aswell as medium range work.
Thanks. At what sort of distances are you realistically using this setup please mate. Is it still good at 120 to 130 yards aswell as medium range work.
In reply to Post #6
Thanks for this response. Don't know how far I can cast at the moment as my rods are still in the process of being built. On my old Chimeras, I used to be able to get 120 to 130 yards so I'm expecting to get roughly the same from the Torrix. The spod and marker rods are Torrix too. Although the pit I'm going back to is 36 acres, I'd say 95% of it is reachable at 90 yards.
I originally bought kordas spod braid but took it back. Glad I did as a couple of guys in Angling direct said they found it crap. I've been recommended Gardner Kinetic by a couple of guys also but haven't seen any close up to make my own opinion.
I'm liking the idea of Kryston Quicksilver. Would you recommend the uncoated or the Gold as I've been reading up on it and apparently both are suitable as a shock leader.
With the information I've provided, what would you recommend and would it be suitable for medium range aswell as longer distances.
Thanks for this response. Don't know how far I can cast at the moment as my rods are still in the process of being built. On my old Chimeras, I used to be able to get 120 to 130 yards so I'm expecting to get roughly the same from the Torrix. The spod and marker rods are Torrix too. Although the pit I'm going back to is 36 acres, I'd say 95% of it is reachable at 90 yards.
I originally bought kordas spod braid but took it back. Glad I did as a couple of guys in Angling direct said they found it crap. I've been recommended Gardner Kinetic by a couple of guys also but haven't seen any close up to make my own opinion.
I'm liking the idea of Kryston Quicksilver. Would you recommend the uncoated or the Gold as I've been reading up on it and apparently both are suitable as a shock leader.
With the information I've provided, what would you recommend and would it be suitable for medium range aswell as longer distances.
In reply to Post #1
TF Banana braid in 30lb is what I've used for years for spodding and marker work without and problems .
TF Banana braid in 30lb is what I've used for years for spodding and marker work without and problems .
In reply to Post #9
What sort of distances are you comfortably able to spod out to with Banana Braid please mate.
What sort of distances are you comfortably able to spod out to with Banana Braid please mate.
In reply to Post #10
ebay, spectra brad
ebay, spectra brad
In reply to Post #8
Hi ya Ork 👍
I'd give the Whiplash 8 a go at the fatter diameters side of things, say like the 30/35lb plus mark as they're decent. Go up higher if you're having it go all snappy on you. With one of those midi spombs you should be good for the ranges you were hitting previously.
Yeah, the Quicksilver I like is the uncoated brown one they do. Had used the Korda braided leader for years without too many problems, it was only when I was really hitting the rod hard I had problems. Had some guy reason the crackoffs down to the coating Korda add to their leader braid that makes it stiff and cause the crackoffs. Who knows.
Hi ya Ork 👍
I'd give the Whiplash 8 a go at the fatter diameters side of things, say like the 30/35lb plus mark as they're decent. Go up higher if you're having it go all snappy on you. With one of those midi spombs you should be good for the ranges you were hitting previously.
Yeah, the Quicksilver I like is the uncoated brown one they do. Had used the Korda braided leader for years without too many problems, it was only when I was really hitting the rod hard I had problems. Had some guy reason the crackoffs down to the coating Korda add to their leader braid that makes it stiff and cause the crackoffs. Who knows.
In reply to Post #10
I don't think you'll be able to get it now mate as TF Gear went belly up. Worth a look about on Amazon and elsewhere I'd guess.
I don't think you'll be able to get it now mate as TF Gear went belly up. Worth a look about on Amazon and elsewhere I'd guess.
In reply to Post #1
As mentioned already J Braid x8, same as the Korda stuff and doesn't need constantly wetting
As mentioned already J Braid x8, same as the Korda stuff and doesn't need constantly wetting
In reply to Post #12
Thanks for going into a bit more detail and explaining things Teehee. It's frustrating trying to gain the information at times and as you've said, it's very dependent on how far people are actually using the braid at. I will take a look at the whiplash again but reading through some previous threads, some people found they were getting frap ups etc. Mind you, this could be caused by any manner of issues, technique or failure to wet the line being a couple.
I'll definitely be using a leader as I think this makes a world of difference, particularly in preventing snap offs and improving distance.
Thanks for going into a bit more detail and explaining things Teehee. It's frustrating trying to gain the information at times and as you've said, it's very dependent on how far people are actually using the braid at. I will take a look at the whiplash again but reading through some previous threads, some people found they were getting frap ups etc. Mind you, this could be caused by any manner of issues, technique or failure to wet the line being a couple.
I'll definitely be using a leader as I think this makes a world of difference, particularly in preventing snap offs and improving distance.
In reply to Post #15
You could give that J braid a go that Chuffy mentions. Not used it myself, so I just don't know on that score.
I don't know what hat other people's experiences are, I can only say what has happened to me with frap ups, that being having slack in the line as you're reeling back in. The braid has to always be brought back under tension, like cupping your hand over the line and pinning it to the rod on retrieve. Also, when your adjusting for the drop before casting out, that line can't have any slack in it at all, otherwise your spomb will go sailing into the drink and you'll be buying yet another spomb at £15...again and starts getting well lumpy on you 5th plus spomb of the day. The joys of spombing.
You could give that J braid a go that Chuffy mentions. Not used it myself, so I just don't know on that score.
I don't know what hat other people's experiences are, I can only say what has happened to me with frap ups, that being having slack in the line as you're reeling back in. The braid has to always be brought back under tension, like cupping your hand over the line and pinning it to the rod on retrieve. Also, when your adjusting for the drop before casting out, that line can't have any slack in it at all, otherwise your spomb will go sailing into the drink and you'll be buying yet another spomb at £15...again and starts getting well lumpy on you 5th plus spomb of the day. The joys of spombing.
In reply to Post #13
Go outdoors still have stock
Go outdoors still have stock
I use Angry Fish 50lb 0.37mm for spod and marker. (Yes, I have finally bitten the bullet, or more correctly now only take a hybrid spod and marker rod), so I do use a mono leader, 30lb Amnesia currently.
One thing I have noticed, if you hit the clip with a Spomb on braid quite hard, it levels off rather than dives in, so doesn't always open.
Casting distance is no more than 100metres for me, if I need to cast further I can go round the other side of the lake.
One thing I have noticed, if you hit the clip with a Spomb on braid quite hard, it levels off rather than dives in, so doesn't always open.
Casting distance is no more than 100metres for me, if I need to cast further I can go round the other side of the lake.
I just use 50lb Berkeley whiplash straight through never had a problem with it and works brilliantly
In reply to Post #18
out of interest, why do you use a leader if you're fishing 50lb braid straight through?
out of interest, why do you use a leader if you're fishing 50lb braid straight through?
In reply to Post #19
What sort of distances are you realistically getting using 50lb braid though mate?
What sort of distances are you realistically getting using 50lb braid though mate?
In reply to Post #21
Think about diameter rather than BS. 50lb whiplash is only 0.18, so will go miles in the right hands.
Think about diameter rather than BS. 50lb whiplash is only 0.18, so will go miles in the right hands.
In reply to Post #22
Tackle Box tests actually found it to be 0.33 rather than 0.18 and it's average breaking strain was at 33lb. From what I've seen so far on their tests, Gardner and ESP are the only two that give a true breaking strain figure or as near as damn it.
Tackle Box tests actually found it to be 0.33 rather than 0.18 and it's average breaking strain was at 33lb. From what I've seen so far on their tests, Gardner and ESP are the only two that give a true breaking strain figure or as near as damn it.
I don't use a leader with the 50lb braid mate
The maximum I can fish on the lakes I can do is around 120/130 yards I can do that relatively easy tbh mate I reckon I could go 140/150 with my setup BUT I do use the dot spod which isn't that heavy or big really compared to others like the full size spomb
The maximum I can fish on the lakes I can do is around 120/130 yards I can do that relatively easy tbh mate I reckon I could go 140/150 with my setup BUT I do use the dot spod which isn't that heavy or big really compared to others like the full size spomb
In reply to Post #23
There is another thread on here with a bit of debate on how braid diameter is measured and how it can change depending on whether it's crushed/under tension.
You really just need to find out what works for you, I think most of us will admit to trying a few different braids at a decent cost before finding what works for us.
If you have a separate spod and marker rod don't overlook a thin mono with a braided leader on your spod rod. Absolutely flies and no wind knots so less of the crack off issues with braid. Only issue is twist but you can manage that.
There is another thread on here with a bit of debate on how braid diameter is measured and how it can change depending on whether it's crushed/under tension.
You really just need to find out what works for you, I think most of us will admit to trying a few different braids at a decent cost before finding what works for us.
If you have a separate spod and marker rod don't overlook a thin mono with a braided leader on your spod rod. Absolutely flies and no wind knots so less of the crack off issues with braid. Only issue is twist but you can manage that.
In reply to Post #20
out of interest, why do you use a leader if you're fishing 50lb braid straight through?
Me personally, because there is no stretch in braid and I have cracked off with it, on both hitting the clip and on the wind up.
Even though the Amnesia is not as high as breaking strain, the elasticity or stretch prevents crack-offs.
out of interest, why do you use a leader if you're fishing 50lb braid straight through?
Me personally, because there is no stretch in braid and I have cracked off with it, on both hitting the clip and on the wind up.
Even though the Amnesia is not as high as breaking strain, the elasticity or stretch prevents crack-offs.
J Braid x8 with a 50lb armakorda shock leader for me.
In reply to Post #27
What breaking strain?
I'm trying to decide what to buy for my spod rod.
What breaking strain?
I'm trying to decide what to buy for my spod rod.
In reply to Post #28
I'm using the 0.22mm 37.5lb braid x8 for spodding. I use armakord 50lb as shock leader. Have had no issues with it.
I'm using the 0.22mm 37.5lb braid x8 for spodding. I use armakord 50lb as shock leader. Have had no issues with it.
Hi,
I'm going to spool up my marker/spod reel with braid this weekend.
Based on the reel capacity and the diameter of the braid about 365m will fill the spool.
(Spool takes 390m of 0.3mm and the braid is 0.32mm)
I have 300m of braid, would you use some backing line or will the 65m deficit be about right to avoid wind knots etc?
Thanks
I'm going to spool up my marker/spod reel with braid this weekend.
Based on the reel capacity and the diameter of the braid about 365m will fill the spool.
(Spool takes 390m of 0.3mm and the braid is 0.32mm)
I have 300m of braid, would you use some backing line or will the 65m deficit be about right to avoid wind knots etc?
Thanks
In reply to Post #30
I have 300m of braid, would you use some backing line or will the 65m deficit be about right to avoid wind knots etc?
IMO defo not any backing, you may even have to load a little less braid.
I have 300m of braid, would you use some backing line or will the 65m deficit be about right to avoid wind knots etc?
IMO defo not any backing, you may even have to load a little less braid.
In reply to Post #30
I would say you only need about 230/240m of braid on it.
I would say you only need about 230/240m of braid on it.
Not sure why as most use braid but only 1 reel I've seen gives a braid loading. The new spomb reel states 300m of .18 braid.
Wtf have none of the others done this after all these years.
Wtf have none of the others done this after all these years.
In reply to Post #33
I didn't think about that, i'm guessing the meterage stated is based on mono.
I won't add any backing then, i'll load the full 300m and see how it looks. I can always remove some after if its looking too full.
I didn't think about that, i'm guessing the meterage stated is based on mono.
I won't add any backing then, i'll load the full 300m and see how it looks. I can always remove some after if its looking too full.
In reply to Post #33
Because not all braids have the same profile. Some give the diameter under tension, some loose. The capacity wouldn't mean anything unless relating to a specific braid. The Spomb reel can do this because they will rate to their own braid.
Because not all braids have the same profile. Some give the diameter under tension, some loose. The capacity wouldn't mean anything unless relating to a specific braid. The Spomb reel can do this because they will rate to their own braid.
In reply to Post #35
So why even with mono?
I can't remember the name of the online shop that's tests the mono and has a results table. The last time I looked at it 80% of the diameter were wrong under or over. It's a rough guide is all.
But 300 mtr of .18 is a better starting point than a reel that says 350mtr of .36 or whatever. Then your guessing what you put on is right.
So why even with mono?
I can't remember the name of the online shop that's tests the mono and has a results table. The last time I looked at it 80% of the diameter were wrong under or over. It's a rough guide is all.
But 300 mtr of .18 is a better starting point than a reel that says 350mtr of .36 or whatever. Then your guessing what you put on is right.
In reply to Post #36
Tackle Box Line Test.
Tackle Box Line Test.
In reply to Post #37
As i have previously mentioned
Don't take stated braid diameters as gospel...
I got some china braid, stated diameter of 0.286, but seemed quite thick on the spools.
Measured it with a micrometer and it was 0.35...
Some of the variations on the tackle box line tests are very noticeable.
As i have previously mentioned
Don't take stated braid diameters as gospel...
I got some china braid, stated diameter of 0.286, but seemed quite thick on the spools.
Measured it with a micrometer and it was 0.35...
Some of the variations on the tackle box line tests are very noticeable.
In reply to Post #37
That's the one cheers.
So having had a quick look most BS are understated and Dia overstated.
From what I've just seen nothing on the chart is correct to the stated B/S and Dia.
That's the one cheers.
So having had a quick look most BS are understated and Dia overstated.
From what I've just seen nothing on the chart is correct to the stated B/S and Dia.
In reply to Post #9
amazing stuff that banana barid used it for about a decade , shame its been discontinued
amazing stuff that banana barid used it for about a decade , shame its been discontinued
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