Favorite braid in the rocks - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Steve K · 06-02-2021, 05:30 PM

I finally pulled the trigger and bought a VS 250. I can’t keep up with the maintenance on my 706zs. I am looking for suggestions on what braid to use in the rocks. I’ve been using fireline forever because I had many break offs. I’m sure that there is better abrasion resistant braid out there than the old PP. Thanks

Nebe · 06-02-2021, 06:35 PM

20 lb fire line
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numbskull · 06-02-2021, 06:41 PM

I've used Diawa Samurai 55# test and have been happy with it. I attach a 8-9 ft shock leader of 50# fluoro with an FG knot positioned between the first two collector guides. The shock leader handles most of the abrasion if I try to muscle a fish out. If this fails then I back off the drag and hope the fish will swim itself out. Maybe 1/2 the time it does. No braid is going to be abrasion resistant when it touchs a sharp surface under tension although often rocks are covered in enough seaweed that there is some cushioning. All that said I lose more large fish than I land, more often to getting rubbed off than cut off.

Linesider82 · 06-03-2021, 08:18 AM

Steve if fire line works for you use it. The 30lb fireline is the same diameter of 65 braid ... It breaks at close to 90lbs. I don't understand how they rated it at 30lb.

I get wind knots with it so don't care for it personally. I use 65 suffix 832 and do the same as numbskull but use 60# Berkely Big game mono over floro for leader material.
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Steve K · 06-03-2021, 11:17 AM

Thanks for the replies. I have been using the 30lb fireline and it basically lasts forever if I cut back several feet whenever I retie. I am not up on the latest fishing technology anymore.
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nightfighter · 06-03-2021, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve K

I am not up on the latest fishing technology anymore.
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I can absolutely relate to this with you, Steve.

beamie · 06-03-2021, 12:36 PM

Technology??

Have you guys upgraded the software in your reel to iOS 12.4.2
I heard it make for less Wind knots.
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Someday this will be a thing.

piemma · 06-03-2021, 12:38 PM

I was throwing PP Slick 50#. It was fine when I was fishin' Narr Bay in the rocks. I am told that Suffix 832 ( the new version) is said to be the "balls"

tlapinski · 06-03-2021, 01:15 PM

In and around rocks there is simply nothing better than 30# Fireline original.

Higgie · 06-03-2021, 02:38 PM

Been using 50lb suffix 832 with no issues since it came out. But I did put the new pp v2 line in 50lb on one of my vs’s. Tried it on my Stradic last fall for albies and it casts a mile and held up really well so looking forward to testing both lines side by side. To me line is a personal preference. I usually prefer a rougher textured line but to each his own
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Mike P · 06-03-2021, 04:26 PM

I found Cortland Master Braid to be very abrasion resistant, if they still make it. But it's pretty rough finished and will be hell on your thumb, if you're using a non level wind conventional, unless it has been changed.

zimmy · 06-03-2021, 09:13 PM

I still have one spool of original 80lb whiplash.i will likely never use it. I sleep with it under my pillow, dreaming of the good old days. That stuff was my favorite. Other than that... Fireline and master braid are as good as I have found.
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zimmy · 06-03-2021, 09:14 PM

I am pretty sure I reported someone's post trying to send my reply to this thread. How bizarre.
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t_man7 · 06-03-2021, 10:23 PM

I like the Diawa Samurai Braid, 40-55lb.

Steve K · 06-04-2021, 10:38 AM

I haven’t bought any fishing gear in well over 5 years. Finding the time with a new house and young son has been difficult. Now that my son is older and I’ve fixed a bunch of stuff on my house it is time to fish more even though the striper stocks are way down. I didn’t even know that I had a 1000 yd spool of 30 lb Fireline with about half left. I will go with that. Thanks
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Steve K · 06-04-2021, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmy

I still have one spool of original 80lb whiplash.i will likely never use it. I sleep with it under my pillow, dreaming of the good old days. That stuff was my favorite. Other than that... Fireline and master braid are as good as I have found.
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.

I remember whiplash.
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piemma · 06-04-2021, 02:44 PM

I loved Master braid. I haven't seen it for sale in a long time.

zimmy · 06-04-2021, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

I loved Master braid. I haven't seen it for sale in a long time.

I hadn't looked in years as I still have some on a big spool and don't really use it since my separation from the canal, but Google shows it for sale several places. Not sure how much it has changed over time.
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Mike P · 06-05-2021, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

I loved Master braid. I haven't seen it for sale in a long time.

I checked Cortland's web site. They still list it.

piemma · 06-06-2021, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

I checked Cortland's web site. They still list it.

Thanks Mike.

JohnR · 06-09-2021, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmy

I am pretty sure I reported someone's post trying to send my reply to this thread. How bizarre.
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You did. Hahaha

. No Biggie, dude ! Enjoy your day.

Mike P · 06-09-2021, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnR

You did. Hahaha

. No Biggie, dude ! Enjoy your day.

And it looks like one of them was mine.

zimmy · 06-09-2021, 08:35 PM

I only noticed it happened when my post didn't show up. Maybe I was subliminally offended by the master braid talk.
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Mike P · 06-10-2021, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmy

I only noticed it happened when my post didn't show up. Maybe I was subliminally offended by the master braid talk.
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I needed a reminder that we have a moderators forum here anyway.

Pretty soon, I'll probably need a reminder that I'm a moderator, too.

bart · 06-10-2021, 04:49 PM

If I had to pick only one it would be 30# Fireline, but I still mostly fish original 50-65# PP. I guess I’m lucky in that I’ve never experienced the mystery break-offs that others have. I don’t think some well-respected anglers on this site who helped me out immensely along the way had any issues either. I’ll never sniff the size of the fish those guys were catching at the time - using PP - in the rocks...
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