Hi all,

I've joined a lake where braid is allowed.

Do I put braid on one set of reels or do I stick to using the fluro coated mono I'm already using?

The lakes quite small, no casts over 100yards. Bait boats are allowed so most people use them. It is very weedy most of the year and in certain swims fishing the snags locked up is a necessity.

I've fished it and my friend has been on for a year and isn't using braid mainly because he has to use his reels on other lakes. I'm fortunate enough to have multiple reels so can change one set over to braid if needed.

Rods are 3lb tc so nice and forgiving.

What are your opinions? Should I put braid on or am I just doing it because I can?

Thanks.

In reply to Post #1
The later. Braided mainline has its uses, but mono is still the best option IMO. I use braid only in certain situations as a main line. I've been using braided lines since the mid 90's, they aren't the be all and end all. I still prefer mono for most carp fishing situations. It's only when lure fishing that it's all I use. It's all about what using braid will give you over mono - it's less abrasion resistant, expensive, lacks stretch... but is thinner, casts further and has no memory. Horses for courses, but from what you have said, it sounds like you want to use it because you can, not because you need to. Tight lines mate.

Definitely don't use braid. If something goes wrong, like you get cut off or something snaps, any fish is going to struggle to get free of braid given its nature. Although similar can be said of any line, mono is far safer than braid would be in the situation you describe.

Use a helicopter rig also for fish safety.

I loved using braid but not the damage it caused. Ruined the new delkim alarms. Cut through the sensor and the case, can even see rear on the ceramics on the rods. That was using 22lb Gardner hydro sink. Brillaint braid apart from that but then any braid may have done the same

In reply to Post #4
What the hell were you doing with it?

I have used that braid for a couple of years now, bait boating rigs out with the rods sat on the Delkims with no issues whatsoever, I even made a point of checking with Lee at Delkim that this would be ok and he said there is no way it will damage the sensors and it hasn't.

Personally having used braid I find it a game changer and would only go back to mono if lake rules dictated it.

Braid for me. Using mono nowadays feels like a retrograde step in terms of feel, indication and in dealing with weed.

It's always braid for me now. Takes a bit of getting used to and you have to be sensible, but for the feel of what you're fishing on it's hard to go back to mono.

In reply to Post #7
Lol, lots of mixed reviews. Is it really less abrasion resistant than mono? I'm not interested in casting distance. I'm interested in the low/zero stretch and abrasion resistance because of the weed. The line I use now is low stretch so really I'm looking for abrasion resistance I suppose and the no stretch would just be a bonus.

In reply to Post #5
Wish I knew 😂😂 I do a lot of snag fishing and not sure if this has been the issue. I had to send them back to delkim. Was like cheese wire through the case

In reply to Post #8
If you go by diameter then most decent braid will be more abrasion resistant than the equivalent diameter mono. If you go by BS then some braids are mega thin in diameter compared to the equivalent BS in mono. Like I said, a bit of common sense and you will be fine.

In reply to Post #10
. . .agree with this. I was on a very weed choked syndicate for years and switched to Nash bullet braid which was like tow rope. Made a massive difference in terms of actually landing fish and sliced through the weed much more easily than the Pro gold that all of us were on at the time . . .absolute sh*te to cast however if you can use boats then the switch is a no brainer IMO, use a decent diameter and not a super thin casting braid. Also use soft / through action rods if you've got them to alleviate the lack of stretch and save bumping them off . . .the fight on braid is awesome and you can feel every twist and turn . . .

In reply to Post #11
Ok so any braid recommendations?

In reply to Post #12
If you want it to sink well then I like the Korda sub braid. If not then the Daiwa J Braid X8. Be mindful of the diameter of the Daiwa if you want the abrasion resistance, it's thin for the BS.

In reply to Post #12
. . .have 'heard' Fox Submerge is good - would go for a heavier bs - 55lbs 0.30mm - £65 but should do 3x spools with mono backer . . .

In reply to Post #12
Gardner Hydrosink gets good reviews - not a casting braid - its quite high diameter for the BS and sinks well.