I use mono for bait fishing with conventional reels from the surf (15#, 17# or 20#) with 40-50# shock leaders. On my spinning reels, 95% braid. Fireline & whiplash are my favorites. Spectra is more fickle on my spinners, but I use PP on my fw reels. I hate line twist on spinners, so I pretty much stoppped using mono except for spooling up back up spools or to use mono on UL trout reels.

As for all lures including jigs, wood, metal, etc., it's plain awesome. Once I learned how to manage my line better (e.g. howling wind, pencil popping), wind knots disappeared, even with spectra.

I use 50 or 65 lb PowerPro on my conventionals. I could use lighter stuff, but I like the thickness as I have to level the line with my thumb. I fish around a lot of rocks and current and haven't lost a lot of plugs except for obvious user error. I have tried a couple of times to go back to mono but the lack of any feel out there always brings me back to braid.
On the rare occasion when I chunk, I use 25 or 30 lb IronSilk on my squidders, just because it seems right to use it. IronSilk is very smooth on the thumb.

I guess I'm just an ol' fashion guy, I've tried braid a couple of times, went back to mono. The only rig I have braid on now is a conventional jigging rig. With my stiff old hands conquering the braid to leader knots was hard for me.

Al

This subject comes up every now and then. I learn something every time. I use conventional reels only and have settled on braid. The first line I ever used was linen and if I remember correctly it was made by Assinippi line. Used on a squidder, it would out cast any line at the time. Mono was introduced, but was a bear to use as it was stiff and had memory like nothing out today. I like power pro on my 7000 series abu's 65 or 50 lb test. On my 6500 series I use 30 or 40 lb. test. I tried suffix last season and really liked the line, it is soft and smooth, unlike power pro. I used it plugging all last year and the only problem was I found it susceptible to weakening after a backlash. (we all get em!) I lost a good fish due to a break off because of that and I didn't want to stop and check it.
The one thing I do is use a long leader (16 to 20 ft.) of mono. For that leader I use ande back country or any mono that will tie well using a crazy Alberto knot for smooth running through guides etc. Usually after a night of fishing I end up with a 5 or 6 ft leader. The long leader gives me back some degree of stretch allowing a cast without the snap of braid. Especially eeling or using floating plugs.
Great thread guys..............

I personally can't stand braid.I've tried several brands and just don't like it.

I love Ande Backcountry and its the only line I use.

After using braid (suffix- 50lb.) again for about 21/2 mos at the end of last season, I liked it alot but just have no confidence in it after some terrible experiences with dropped(big) fish a few years ago when I tried PP. After reading this thread , I will continue to have one rig spooled w/ Suffix 50 and hope I don't drop a monster in the rocks. I to , like Mike , fish a light drag even with mono.

Steve, with 50lb your just stressing your gear. The confidence factor that you get out of 50lb braid (which actually breaks more like 75lbs ) may cause you to put a touch more hurt on a bigger fish than you normally would with less drag pressure and lighter line. That translates into pulled hooks, at least in my experience. I use 50lb on my conventional tackle at the canal but for plugging the Elizabeths I use 30lb and on the beach 20 and 14 no matter how big the fish are (or aren't more so these days). 30lb braid will land a small whale if you had enough line and you can put a lot of strain on it.

The lighter lines make me use a lighter touch. Just because you can get a fifty pound line with a very small diameter and pack it on a reel, I have found that it isn't always a good thing.

Another of my hair brained theories!:eek5:

Have switched almost completely to braid when surf fishing. Fish mostly rocky areas and often need the extra strenght of braid to keep the fish out of the rocks. Being able to stop them has increased the number of fish I land. When eeling and jigging you just can't beat the stuff. Have had no problems using 50# Sufix.

While the braid on my cod rod is 5-years old and still in great shape I normally have to change out the line on my surf reels at least ones during the season.

Tried braid a few years ago. Found that I didn't gain any advantage using it except for distance which is not important in 90% of my casting. Went back to mono.

DZ

Another good thread.

Alot has been said on this subject, but each year we see improved MONOs and improved BRAIDS so opinions change.

for me, it really depends on a case-by-case basis.

Boats- I prefer braid.
Light tackle - I prefer braid
Sandy beaches- braid
Rocky areas (Block Island, Beavertail, Cutty,etc.)- MONO:read:
convention reels (ABUS)- MONO on all
My VS 150- I tend to lean towards braid due to the size of the spool, but prefer 20lb backcounty...so I'm experimenting with both.

Big fish Generally-MONO !!! (I have more confidence in my knots and abbrassion resistance)

50 lb suffix is the line for me. Not for strength, because I think 20 or 30 would be plenty (although I do trust knots more with 50 - but that's probably in my head), but because I just find 50 easier to work with. Fewer knots and easier to work with when I do get a knot or tangled up with someone else. A little tip, if you fish with the same person alot in relatively tight quarters and both use braid, use different colors. Eventually you'll end up tangled and it'll be much easier to work out.

I use Fireline on my 650ss spinner for the longer casts with light plugs; I'm trying PowerPro for a while on a 525 Mag, seems to cast well, I use Berkely Bigame & Ande mono on my 970 & 980 mags and my 704 & 706 spinners. It's funny, but the older reels seem to handle the mono much better, probably because they're designed for it. I like the Fireline for the strike feel when plugging at night, and I always use mono for eeling. I allways use a 40 lb. mono shock leader thats twice the length of the rod, that way I'm usually safe in the rocks and I know the strength of my line when my fish is in close.

Steve(Flap), Thanks for the info. What brand braid do you use for spinniing in the surf?

I've tried almost every braid there is, and outside of the original Whiplash, which Berkley discontinued for reasons unknown :doh:, I've found that Berkley Big Game Braid in 50# test gives you the best bang for the buck. It's thin, strong and very abrasion resistant as braids go. And it costs about the same as Power Pro (between $25 and $30 for a 300 yard spool depending on where you buy it).

Sufix is good but overpriced IMO.

Go to the sufix web site for a 10.00 off coupon for a 300 yd spool of braid. Ends up costing me $22 for a 300 yd 50# spool. Plus a lot my relatives buy spools.

My personal braid alternative? (that's been working great for me for many years now...)


FOR those rocky/ craggy spots that make you scared to throw your Habs & BMs (yet you know that's where the biggest Bass prowl? :drool: )


VS300 w/ 25 lb. mono. (I choose a 10' Arra, but most go 11') :fishin: :musc: (Big Game for me...)



As DZ said... distance matters little in most spots at night (yes always certain exceptions notably the Ditch or big inlets)...

When I want (daytime) distance, I'll break out the "lighter" VS250 w/ 20 or 17 lb. mono., & metals or heavy Needles or Johns' (rip) N. & Gales! :smokin:

Of course... the point to be clear is a Spinner with enough mono. holding capacity (& cranking power) to comfortably fish 25 lb. test mono... ;)


The expense of a VS for this not necessary (just a ref. for size & what I use): same could be accomplished with the right Penn or Crack (or Shimano if you don't mind holding an anchor while you fish :) or certain others! (or for those adept enough of course Conventionals) :kewl: