pluggin/ braid

[Saltheart]

Braids are best used on conventional. On a conventional you can use the heavier true braids. On a spinner you need thin or fused type "braids " and thos are less abrasion resistant and also very prone to cutting people. There is a science andf learning curve to using braids. don't get fooled into thinking its just a mater of putting a diffent line on the reels. You got to learn how to use them or you'll be stepping backwards in performance , not forward.

[gone fishin]

Fishing braid with heavy jigs in fast running water is a pleasure. I fish the ditch regularly and can get to the bottom with braid in less time than mono. The braid doesn't bow as does mono in current and allows for a better feel when the fish strikes. You also gain a lot of control when fishing plugs with braid. I like to say you can feel the fish fart with PP.

There is a couple of tips that I would pass on to those who are starting out using braid. This applies to both conventional and spinning Use a long shock leader and bring the leader back into the reel. There is no give to braid and when casting or loading your rod, you can actually damage a good rod. I tie either a Alberto or double uni when joining the lines and don't have any problems with a knot running through the guides. The mono leader also eliminates the chaffing of rocks and barnicles, allowing braid at all times. When the mono gets chaffed, it is a simple matter of just replacing a leader and keeping the PP at the proper level on your reel.

The second is to stop at a cvs store and buy a roll of adhesive tape. The old cloth style and tape your thumb where you guide the line into the reel. especially those who fish non - levelwind reels. Guiding a line in with a sizeable fish on can really take the skin and flesh to the bone. A little experimenting with the tape can save the thumb! Also, don't grab the braid when a fish is finally in. A quick thrashing of a blue or any fish can cause quite a cut hand. Another reason for a mono leader !!

[CANAL RAT]

i heard powerpro tends to cut into your guides more so than other braids

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by CANAL RAT

i heard powerpro tends to cut into your guides more so than other braids

You heard wrong.

[ridler72]

Power Pro will make a rubbing noise on the seats. Same concern I had. With magnifiying glass could not see any damage to the seats. The only braid that I bought that cut guides was the Remington brand. You might find it at a discount, leave it!

Someone mentioned getting into the habit of closing your spinning rod bail manually. I second that. Every now and then, especially power pro, I will find a loop that gets on top of the spool. If you miss it and cast you will shoot out 10 yards of knots, or worse lose your plug. Having your line put on tight at home or a shop will help but still every once in a while from the wind you will get that excess on top of the spool.

[chief10]

I heard that also. how much damage will it do to hardaloy/ceramic guides ??

[gone fishin]

I have been fishing PP on more than one rod and there isn't any wear on the guides. Normal wear on the tip. The tip takes most of the strain.

[Roop]

Spiderwire Stealth is the way to go.

All good info posted so far, eeling is great too 'cause you can "feel the bass breathe" on the eel

[sportsman]

I prefer PP to spider wire because the green part of spider wire has a tendency to slip off the white part. Power pro will not have this problem. Also I think pp gets less wind knots and it's more supple.
just my.02
Sport

[Mike P]

I've been using braid almost exclusively now for 6 seasons and haven't noticed a single case of guide damage on any rod I own. Most have Fuji Hardaloy guides. One or two have Pac Bays. Tips are split between hardaloy and SiC. I've used Power Pro, Whiplash, Spiderwire Stealth, Rip Cord and Fireline. I used the old rough finished Spectron braid on my Canal jigging rod (Arra 126 1MH). If any rod was going to suffer guide damage, it would be the one I use to hump 5 oz jigs out of 40'+ depths with a line that'll cut your thumb like a bandsaw if you don't use a level wind. Not a trace of guide damage.

Carboloy guides are made for wire line, and braid will not hurt them either.

Braid will groove plated wire guides. So will mono.