Best Braid - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

The Dad Fisherman · 02-09-2004, 01:15 PM

I'm in the process of gearing up for the season and I'm thinking about giving braid a shot. What would you guys recommend I use or Stay away from? Also any other tackle recommendations would be appreciated.

I've got my Rod, Reel, Waders, Boots, and I'm going to grab some Korkers at either the NE Saltwater show or the MSBA show. Also joined the Plum Island Surfcasters to get involved w/ an organization to learn the proper etiquette and techniques, as well as the safe way to do it (Wifes pretty much ready to kill me).

So if you guys can think of anything I'm missing let me know....thanx

striprman · 02-09-2004, 01:20 PM

Sign your wife up too,and get her some gear so she can fish with you

The Dad Fisherman · 02-09-2004, 01:24 PM

She is all signed up....Its a Family Membership

Moose Nuckle · 02-09-2004, 01:24 PM

Power Pro!!

Saltheart · 02-09-2004, 01:36 PM

what reel?

The Dad Fisherman · 02-09-2004, 01:49 PM

Reel is a Mitchell Nautil 7500 Pro Gv on a Tsunami 9' Surf rod (I know you purists are going to give me crap but it was in my budget)

redcrbbr · 02-09-2004, 02:02 PM

second the power pro!!!!

RIROCKHOUND · 02-09-2004, 02:03 PM

Third the PP...

It rocks...

tlapinski · 02-09-2004, 02:04 PM

Spiderwire stealth in 50# test works great on that reel. but, you will find as many opinions regarding what braid to use as there are companies making it. your best bet is to go to a shop near you and have them spool you up. braid needs to be put on a spinning reel properly (mono backing and wound on tight and even) or it will become very frustrating and expensive!

tlapinski · 02-09-2004, 02:06 PM

oh yeah, power pro =

RIROCKHOUND · 02-09-2004, 02:11 PM

I agree braid on a spin can be a pain... I love PP on convench, but use AN-40 on my spin gear, but what do I know, half my fishing is done in a boat..

'hound

Goose · 02-09-2004, 02:15 PM

Toby, wasn't it not long ago you promoted PP?...

RIROCKHOUND · 02-09-2004, 02:20 PM

What does toby know anyways... he lives on a river not the ocean.....

tlapinski · 02-09-2004, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Goose
Toby, wasn't it not long ago you promoted PP?...

only promotion i gave it was that it breaks easier than any other braid of equal strength and it flies nicely into the garbage can! lost a lot of fish on it one night. never again for me! only braid i use is stealth now. i used to use whiplash, but that has gone the way of most every other good surf product.

Goose · 02-09-2004, 02:39 PM

OK T it wasn't you...ooops

Rappin Mikey · 02-09-2004, 02:46 PM

Power Pro. It is the most forgiving on your guides. And like most braids, almost doubles your casting distance.

Fungus · 02-09-2004, 06:41 PM

I have found Tuf Line XP to be a very good line. I have had no mystery break-offs in the 2 seasons that I have been using it.
I like using the 50 or 65lb line and a 40 or 50 leader so that if I get hung up I get my running line back.
I fish on and around Plum Island most of the time and it works well for me.

Mark

goosefish · 02-09-2004, 06:47 PM

Fungus--just got back from Plum Island--that's some nice looking water you got up there. Surfland is a cool store as well.

I like braid, but i like the feel of a big fish on mono.

Fungus · 02-09-2004, 07:46 PM

Goosefish,

Not to hijack this thread, but, Plum Island has a great diversity of water to fish. From the mudflats, mussle beds, sandbar or jetty in the river to the oceanfront on the island there is always something going on from May to October. I know of at least one 50# taken last year.

Only downside is the restricted access due to the plovers in the summer.

Oh yea, since I live 2.5 miles from Surfland it is convienant as well.

Surfland is a good shop, pretty much anything you need is in there, people are nice as well.

Mark

goosefish · 02-09-2004, 07:55 PM

Fungus--welcome to the site

My sister-in-law (or soon to be???) lives in the north end of Newburyport, right by the Starboard Galley.

You ever bump into the great ballplayer Yaz up there. I here he likes to fish the rivers.

maddog2020 · 02-10-2004, 09:57 AM

Problem lots of folks have (spinning reel wise) is they don't have a qualified shop wind on the braid - EXTRA tight. Here is an example: I wound on 300 yds of 30 lb stealth on a spinner spool and it was as tight as I could holding the spool on a line winder with the tightest setting and pulling the line thru a piece of leather wrapped around a couple of fingers. I could still pinch an indentation to the line.

I brought it down to a local shop and they took it off and rewound it for me. Well, guess what?! My spool still needed about 50 yds of backing.

Bring your spinning reel down to a shop and have them wind the stuff one. You pay a little more for the line, BUT you get the braid installed on correctly.

On conventional reels I haven't had any problems getting it on EXTRA tight. Crank down the drag and winch away. The gearing advantage/power to a convention is considerably MORE than a spinning reel.

Whiplash was awesome stuff. I miss the 30 lb for distance casting.

I use both 30 lb Stealth and 50 lb PP on most of my reels. 65 lb PP on cod jiggin sticks.

I used the Tuf-line XP in 14 lb last season on a Penn 360 slammer - got some wicked wind knots, but that was due to user error.

Gotta pull the line to set it to the spool before you crank.

Close the bail manually is a MUST. Otherwise you introduce MORE line twist with each cast.

Krispy · 02-10-2004, 10:08 AM

Once you cast it or do a couple long drifts, what good will having a shop putting it on tight do?
I dont bother, reel it on and throw it out

Right now Ive been using 50lb PP for the past couple of years and I like it. I tried a bunch of others, which didnt work as well for me. Ill be trying out some new lines and larger lb tests this coming season

Mr. Sandman · 02-10-2004, 11:14 AM

You guys that have used both PP and Stealth...what are the differences. Does it have a coating that wears off over time like PP? Is it the same DIA per # test? How does it cast?

Below are my experiences/stories with PP braid...

Having fished mono for my whole life, I started testing braid about 3 years ago, just trying it out on convential bottom fishing reels and last year really fell in love with PP on everthing. I had it on several surf spinners last year and all conv except my 50W's. I always have the shop load my reels. They simply do it better then I can and I know I am getting fresh stuff.

Last season I got a kick-ass ARRA Surf rod (made by SEAWOLF) and put a new stella 6000 on it loaded with 20# BigGame mono. (my ultimate surf rod) Well that line didn't last long because while fishing one night I noticed an odd feeling towards the end of each cast, a pulling feeling....with that rod/reel/line/wind/habs combo I was able to cast all the line off the reel...right to the friggin knot. This happend several times before I turned on my light to check the spool...no sh*t!! at the knot (I have never done that before and yes there was a breeze at my back (10-15)) So feeling pretty macho, the next day I had them strip off the big game (it measured 137yards, not a ton but pretty far for me) put on 30# PP ...knowing the dia was so small I would never be able to unload that much on a cast. My fear was more hooking a fish soon after the plug hit the water then casting too far. There is a lot more line on that reel now and it casts incredably smooth. I love that stuff...just tape your finger! The stellas have a setting on the reel to lay line down differently for braid. This must work because I have never had a wind knot or tangle of anykind. I have it also on a 3 baitrunners (2 shimano and one penn) they work very well but I have had a couple times where I have had a wind knot with them. But not often and no more then any mono. Over all I was very pleased the PP and plan on using it for nearly everthing this comming year...then I heard about mystery break-offs.

Several Montauk guys I know of switched from PP to stealth last season because of mystery breakoffs with new PP line. Only once has this happend to me and I found what was causing it. On my lighter st croix/penn BR set up there was a hairline crack in one of the guides near the tip...it was really hard to see but when I tied the line to the bumper of the car and leaned back hard on the rod and started walking backwards taking out drag...the line snaped at the guide...when loaded, a tiny edge from the crack poped up like a mini razor inside the guide and sliced the moving line, when you relaxed the the rod, the edge disappeared and the hairline crack was almost not noticable. I replace that guide and the problem went away. But I am still concerned about mystery breakoffs of others. They seem to like the stealth in favor of PP. What are your thoughts having used both?

tlapinski · 02-10-2004, 11:30 AM

mystery break offs....

i fully inspected the rod/reel after i had problems with PP. there was nothing wrong with the gear. since then, there have been no problems with stealth on the same outfit. stealth is a little larger diameter for equal test. not a huge problem for me though. i can still get a full 300yds of 65# on an abu 7000 with plenty of backing. on a VS it isn't even an issue. the spools are huge! i really think it is a matter of confidence. if you have no problems with PP, stick with it. i know more guys that love PP than have had problems with it, but the problems have always been mystery break offs. just not worth the risk for me.

oh yeah, Seawolf rods are sweeeeeeet!

Mr. Sandman · 02-10-2004, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by t.lapinski
mystery break offs....

... but the problems have always been mystery break offs. just not worth the risk for me.

Me neither, that is why I thinking of trying the some stealth this season on a couple spools.

tlapinski · 02-10-2004, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krispy
Once you cast it or do a couple long drifts, what good will having a shop putting it on tight do?

it is the base that stays tight. the top layers can dig in under the run of a good fish. but you wouldn't know anything about that......

Krispy · 02-10-2004, 12:42 PM

Lines not going to dig all the way thru the spool, maybe a couple layers at most and rarely nothing you cant cast out.

Quote:

the top layers can dig in under the run of a good fish. but you wouldn't know anything about that......

This year Im actually gonna fish once or twice, and when I get my keeper your gonna be so jealous

Mr. Sandman · 02-10-2004, 01:50 PM

I see now everyone is getting into the braid business...Cabela's has their own line, stren, berkley...the list is endless It is hard to choose. I guess the thing to do is find the one that works for you and stick with it.

Many of the newer lines sound like they are more cast friendly.

There is not enough time to test them all, we need a "consumer's report" for super lines and a lot of fishing tackle if you ask me...
Hey...another idea....

fishweewee · 02-10-2004, 02:07 PM

My favorite on spinners is Berkley Fireline. 20 or 30 lb. It's not a true braid, but works well enough for me.

If you use Power Pro, make sure you WET PACK IT ONTO THE SPOOL TIGHT! Get a bucket of water, let the power pro soak in it for a while. Have a friend hold onto the line spool (with a pencil) while submerged undertension while you wind line onto reel.

I personally like Power Pro better for conventional applications, like deep water jigging.

Oh yeah, one more thing about power pro...every few trips trim 5-6 feet off your line. This section is usually weakened/frayed by repeated casting.

Just my experience...

-WW

rwilhelm · 02-10-2004, 02:09 PM

On this topic is the Spiderwire Fusion considered a braid? It is quite a bit cheaper than the stealth, does anyone know the difference?