Braid and VS question
 

Every once in a while I notice that my braid gets wrapped upon itself on the spool of my VS and twice now I have snapped off a plug when casting...happen to anyone? And suggestions?

braid needs some tension on the retrieve

So you think it's this big surf that has slack then tense line that is the issue...kind of makes sense although it has not happened before...
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probly he means on the retrieve, like walking the dog for instance people will put their finger up inbetween the reel and the first guide so the line goes on tight. also when you use lighter lures the line doesnt go on tight and when you cast, a loose loop will come up and cause problems. also when casting into the wind, the first few cranks the same happens, the line goes on the reel to loose and loops will come out on the next cast. good luck!

I don't walk the dog that way. But any opportunity that allows some loose coiling of the braid may lead to some annoying knot issues.
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There is no knot-just line being burried under line
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I shouldn't have put the word knot in there. Some reels do a better job than others at laying the braid on the spool with no resistance . Thinner the braid the more it may apply. The line may overlap itself and when you cast the loose coils it may seize up on itself. I fish 3 different size vs's, for many years and a few times when not paying attention I've had that happen. Like when I'm reeling in with the current. Haven't snapped any off from it yet.
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Sounds like line was too loose. When reeling in without tension stick out index finger and let the line hit it as you reel. Usually provides enough resistance to avoid issues.
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Sounds right...thanks!
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What kind of braid are you using and was it put on properly? I had the same issue with 40# Berkley.

The shop where I bought my 250 spooled it for me originally and it was not done properly. Not only did I have the issues that you mentioned but I had drag issues too.

Two things, because the way the VS lays line on the spool, they need to be loaded "fat" in the middle of the spool to start with. After a few nights, you'll notice that the spool evens out.

obviously, the thicker the line, the less problems you should have with the on and off action. I bumped up to 55# tsunami. It's thicker than the 40# Berkley but it's a lot more "limp" and acts like the lighter # test lines. Now it's sweet and smooth.

You do still have to pay attention to wrapping line with no tension. Some like to pinch the line between the rod and hand just under the first guide to add necessary tension. What ever works for you there. I do that when taking up slack after a cast into the wind but opt for contact with the "rig" after that.

good luck

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...i'm re-spooling...lost another plug last night...uggh...this has never happened to me before...same reel and same 50lb pp...

I've only had it happen a couple of times after working a pencil popper a few times.....line doesn't go on consistently tight.

also the fact that it has been windy the past few days may add to that effect.

PP sucks on a VS IMO. I switched to suffix years ago and would never go back.

get it re-packed by your local tackle shop.

:uhuh:

yeah, i think i am done with pp...will try suffix...thanks!

I find the opposite to be true.
Been using 40# PP off and on for 15 years without issue.
Suffix was a headache and a 1 and done item.

what is the problem/'headache' with suffix?

I had more problems with suffix in 1 year than any other braid on the market.

The wind knots were unreal. Had multiple on several occasions.

I've been going with daiwa samurai and haven't looked back. super super smooth.

Suffix is a waste of money IMHO.

When stren super braid ended, I switched to #65 Suffix on conventional gear ...I luuuv it. I also use 65# suffix to spool up a 250/7'spinner for tuna, although I haven't been tight, it casts great. I use PP on every thing else. IMO.....PP is the old school .,Berkly Big Game in green.

:cheers:

Ditto!
PP sucks period. I also went to Suffix and will never go back. I even had PP problems a Newell 229 which is an extremely forgiving conventional

Out of curiosity, those having problems with the Suffix, what reels are you using it on?

I've been using it for 3 years now on my VS and love it.....

55# Samurai braid is my new favorite, behind that 30# fireline. I had lots of issues with wind knots when I tried suffix on a VX 200. PP was fine, no real issues with knots of anything, it's just not as tough in the rocks IMO as samurai or fireline.

Repack it!
 

I agree with this. At intervals the whole mass of braid tends to loosen. I regularly wind it off with a home drill system, and respool it under tension. Doesn't take long if you devise a little system and some tool tinkering to make adaptors.

Otherwise, have your friendly tackle dealer do it for you on his expensive machine...approach when he's not busy.

VS200

I'm 90% with you on that! Only because I haven't used fireline in years.

Some will argue I'm old fashioned, but try MONO. I still think it is easier to use, much more abrasion resistant, especially if you fish in boulder fields.

I use both, but I have much less problems with mono.

Big reels 65# samurai.
Middle reels 50# samurai.
Small reels 30 # samurai.

Anything smaller is like trying to deal with smoke.

You are right on point with the mono. The only problem with mono is it floats. If you are fishing deep water with a lot of current (read Canal) you will not get down to the fish. 2 years ago I fished right next to 2 guys from this Board and they caught fish after fish with braid. I was using the same lures but had mono instead. I NEVER touched a fish that day.