Casting 25# Braid - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Bliz · 06-20-2003, 06:12 AM

I was out testing my ProRocket reel yesterday using 25# test Power Pro Braid, and lost two Tattoo lures due to break offs in mid cast.

I noticed that the line was getting caught inside the gap at the edge of the spool... and subsequently breaking off with the momentum of the cast.

Does anyone else experience similar problems with the Pro Rocket?...

Or am I simply misadjusting the tension on the spool?

I thought I had it set just right...

I am considering going to a heavier line for more diameter, but I don't want to sacrifice too much on the distance for casts...

Does monofilament work any better on these?

Or should I consider going to heavier braid?

I prefer to stick with the braid, but cannot afford to intermittently lose lures when the line decides to ride up into the edge of the spool!

I'm hoping the larger diameter line would prevent this from happening...

Bliz · 06-20-2003, 07:45 AM

In reviewing prior posts on this subject, I am led to believe that it must be the Power Pro Braid!

I'm thinking that the diameter of the lower # test braids may be too thin to cast on most conventional outfits...

Has anyone had similar problems with the larger diameter braids?

Say the 50# test braid?...

Has anyone out there had problems with Break Offs on it?

I don't want to buy another spool to run into the same difficulties!

bloocrab · 06-20-2003, 12:14 PM

..Bliz

I've only used braid on spinners so I can't help ya -

...but maybe you can help me...

Quote:

...and lost two Tattoo lures...

...where-abouts did you lose them?

I love walking the beach and finding lost plugs with no home

tlapinski · 06-20-2003, 03:54 PM

Bliz- i would stay away from a braid as small as 25# in the surf. the diameter causes nothing but problems. i would suggest minimum 50#, and i only use 65# stealth. also, i will NEVER again use power pro. way to many break offs, both personally and by another guy i fish with. between it mysteriously breaking on casts, to just simply falling apart on small fish, i am all done with it! i use stealth exclusively, now, on reels such as VS250, VS150, abu 7500c3, abu 6500 mag, and several other reels. that stuff is simply awesome!

Stewie · 06-20-2003, 04:09 PM

Bliz... Try fireline, I use 30 lb on both my 7000c3 and 6500csrocket. Ive tried 35 lb cortland blackspot, 65 lb whiplash. For some reason the fireline doesn't cut into itself on the spool. all the others did. After a few casts you hear
a ticking on the cast as the line snaps out of the spool. Fireline feels rough to the fingers but I have not noticed any wear to my line guides. I cast hard and am able to get a couple of seasons out of a spool of fireline. I fish mostly sand beaches, I've heard that fireline doesn't do well around rocks. Keep oil in your bearings, the rocket oil doesn't last long, maybe two fishing trips?.........Seeyou on the beach...longshot

redcrbbr · 06-20-2003, 04:28 PM

i went back to mono, amazing how much stretch it has after using superbraids

backlasher · 06-20-2003, 11:48 PM

Of braid, fireline, and miscellaneous thin diameters...me have best luck with regular diameter stren at 25 to 30 pound. Casts far and limited backlash. Though need snap if heavy metal lures like kastmasters.

Fireline is just plain scary. Too much technology. Great line, but too good for me!

Why would you use braid anyway? Heard it was easier to cast, but did not find that to be true. Limited distance. Good backing though.

Backlasher

Mr. Sandman · 06-21-2003, 09:19 AM

It does cast further....after that line snaps that baby really flies eh?

Tattoo · 06-21-2003, 02:15 PM

Keep casting......

....I'll make more.

Stewie · 06-21-2003, 05:11 PM

I use 40lb ande leader(3ft)tied to a swivel and fireline.Never snap off unless I do something real stupid. I throw up to 3 1/2 oz. And I throw hard. I do run the line under my thumb on the retrieve to keep even tension on the spool. I switched back to Ande leader spool today. Seaguar=$18 for 25 yds Ande 4.25 for fifty yards. I put a piece of each in a glass of water. They look the same to me...........See you on the beach...longshot

Fishpart · 06-22-2003, 06:53 AM

Bliz,
I got started using 35# Cortland Spectron. I haven't had any trouble with breakoffs, think it happened twice in 5 years and both times I was reaching and got sloppy. Spectron is a little fatter than other braids, so it doesn't dig in like the others.

I noticed that the 30# Stealth really digs in a lot more and I have "issues" casting that line.........

I like the feel of braid and plan to stick with it.

Fisherwoman · 06-22-2003, 11:35 AM

Hey Bliz, ya just need to go a little heavier. Go to 50 Lb test power pro, it is the diameter of 12 lb mono and you shouldn't have that problem anymore. BC uses 50lb test on his Calcutta 400 and hasn;t had a problem since he went to 50, before when he went lighter he had the same problem.

Notaro · 06-22-2003, 08:29 PM

damn, FW, you sound like a good teacher. are you still running the shore fishing business? i think that i might need a teacher to teach me how to fish better. i got the basic skills.

yes, i have noticed that the spiderwire stealth braid has limited casting distance. i used it for my south bend's mr. bigfish combo for boat. it's rated for 10 lbs- 25 lbs and 1/2-3 oz lures. i liked using it for fluke because of senstivity. i use snaps on the line and add leaders on it. i feel comfortable with big game for baitfishing.

Fly Rod · 06-22-2003, 08:56 PM

MONO and FLOROUCARBS is all that I need

What ever happened to the old white piece of rag and hook and 1/4" braid called a hand line.

And believe me I fall into the trap of buying things that I don't need.

All this 21st centurey stuff and big bucks. I tried spider wire 300-350' and couldn't cast it on my short neck Penn spinning reel,set me back about $18.00 big ones. Could have bought a tote of herring with that

The only braid line that I use is for deep sea fishing. And I find that Braid is good for backing on fly reels and tuna gear.
40-50lb test with 20lb. diameter it is all a selling tool. What next 100lb test with 4lb diameter

Fish must have gone to fishing school

TheSpecialist · 06-22-2003, 09:13 PM

Don I picked up the spectronat mikes on saturday. This was at the suggestionof Saltheart. It is on my 7000bg and it casts well. The sensitivity with braids is unbelievable. Mono still has it's applications though

PNG · 06-22-2003, 10:01 PM

I use 50lb pp with no problems. As with any braid you must put it back on the spool with tension. I have issues with stealth

Plugging - my leader is 50lb mono

Bliz · 06-23-2003, 05:35 AM

Thanks to everyone for chiming in on this.

I'm definitely going to go with a heavier braid!

I'm not going to go with the Power Pro though... I heard from others on Saturday, that they had similar problems with the heavier # tests as well...

Finding the right braid can be an expensive lesson for many!...

I hope that others in the future will pull up this thread on the search engine so that they don't have to go through the same headaches!

I will consider the Spectron & other true braids in addition to trying out some of the different types of coated braids as well.

I think that many out there achieve various results with the line digging into their spools because of the way they are casting & retrieving lures... I would imagine that the weight of the lures used & the force used in casting has a great effect on the performance on most braids in relation to how various brands sit on the spool, but I do agree that the smaller diameter presents universal problems when using the Power Pro.

Glad to hear you're still making them plugs Mike!

You need to put a Lo-Jack chip into them so we can locate them when they're lost!

Wouldn't a GPS for lost lures be a beautiful thing?...

I think we should have a Power Pro burning party at the next SB event!...

Roop · 06-23-2003, 06:04 AM

Loaded 20# Spiderline Stealth on my Stradics after having no problems with a mystery braid last year - took it off 2 days later.

Concerned about the 50# I'm putting on my 9500 - any suggestions?

Bliz · 06-23-2003, 01:45 PM

Bill,

I tried the Power Pro per the advice of Saltheart, but should have gone heavier...

I may consider trying the Spectron Braid!

Let me know how it performs for you!

I'll be testing out the whiplash I got with the mag elite that I got off of Russ later this evening...

Ill be tossing some 3oz weights around before I go back to the plug bag though...!

Bliz · 06-23-2003, 02:03 PM

A tear came to my eye as I watched my 3oz Yellow Tattoo Darter

leave home for the last time!...

and then, it was one of My tattoo poppers!

Sweetieface · 06-23-2003, 02:07 PM

What's the benefit of braids?

Bliz · 06-23-2003, 02:13 PM

On braids there is no stretch to the line, so you have far greater sensitivity when the fish hit your lures.

Also, the braid cuts through the water quicker, and also you get better hook setting power without having the stretch that you get when using monofilament.

The thinner diameter of the braids at heavier pound tests help on castability versus that of a monofilament line...

I like the feel of braid much better!

you can actually the action of your lures much better using braids as well.

Bliz · 06-23-2003, 02:14 PM

SF,
How did your Charter trip go for you on Sunday?

Sweetieface · 06-23-2003, 02:18 PM

Hey thanks Bliz.
The fishing was great, the boat -very cool. But I was sick sick sick. Spent 90% of the time either dizzy, sleepy (no sleep the night before didn't help) or feeling like I had been drinking. Had I eaten lunch, I might have ended up re-visiting it over the side of the boat!!!
But I think it would be a great time if I had slept more and then drugged myself on the boat.....I'm heading out again possibly next weekend. Fingers crossed...I'll let you know!

Bliz · 06-24-2003, 06:00 AM

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for you!

I went out last night & broke off two more times! This time with Whiplash Braid! Two more plugs for the fish gods....

It lives up to it's name!...

I've never had the problems I am experiencing when I used mono on my conventionals!

I feel as though I am learning all over again!

BigBo · 06-24-2003, 06:18 AM

Bliz, I'm using 30# Spiderwire Stealth on my ABU6500 and to be honest, I haven't had any problems with it. So far, I can't say anything bad about it. Knots seem to hold up well (better than past experience with PP) and casts like a dream.

Bliz · 06-24-2003, 06:23 AM

I'll have to give it a shot...

I'm also going to try the Spectron Braid & hope for the best...

Otherwise, I'll be going back to monofilament line