conventional + braid digging issue

[MrHunters]

Im about ready to respool some conventional reels this weekend and want to stick with braid however the last spools were 30# fireline and it really dug into itself. This is a pretty annoying problem id like to correct for this year.

Is there a way to prevent this or is this a typical problem with braid and conventional?

[ThrowingTimber]

Spool it on as tight as you can get it, overspool it slightly.

Go to a big field tie off your line off to a tree bench etc. Walk out til youre in your backing. Put a bend in the rod by pulling the line taught. Start reeling keeping your rod tip bent.

Or

If you've got a brave assistant have them hold the braid spool. While you crank the line on with the rod bent under load its always fun when you speed up the braid spool gets hot and they drop it.

[striperman36]

I upped to 50# to get a little more thickness in the braid to try and avoid the digging
I also will be going to the Football field after every outing to retighten that first several hundred yards.

[t.orlando]

Braids too thin. Try 50# or 65#, depending on the braid.

[MrHunters]

what do you guys use for braid in the 50 + range?

[t.orlando]

All my conv have 65PP. Tried to go down to 50 a few years ago, but it kept digging in.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by t.orlando

All my conv have 65PP. Tried to go down to 50 a few years ago, but it kept digging in.

65 PP. You need nothing else, no football fields, assistants, nothing.

40 or 50 is for spinning.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by t.orlando

Braids too thin. Try 50# or 65#, depending on the braid.

It's 30 pound Fireline, Tony--it's already thicker than most 65# spun braids

Tension is the key. I use one of those $30 Berkley portable line spoolers, and I put extra tension on the side of the line spool with my hand. My reels are wound as tight as most shops can do it on a machine.

[riverrat2]

Never had that problem and fished 65# power pro on the boat and from the surf for the past 3 or 4 seasons, I rarely use spinning and have never encountered the "internet famous" line digging.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by Mike P

It's 30 pound Fireline, Tony--it's already thicker than most 65# spun braids

[MrHunters]

geesh, wasnt asking anyone to put the hate on for fireline

it was actually pretty good for my spinning stuff.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by MrHunters

geesh, wasnt asking anyone to put the hate on for fireline

it was actually pretty good for my spinning stuff.

Fireline for spinning is great. Tried it on conventional, but like the pp better.

[stripermagnet]

i think the problem is a lack of backing. Are you backing the braid with mono?

[plankton]

Originally Posted by Mike P

It's 30 pound Fireline, Tony--it's already thicker than most 65# spun braids

Tension is the key. I use one of those $30 Berkley portable line spoolers, and I put extra tension on the side of the line spool with my hand. My reels are wound as tight as most shops can do it on a machine.

Same method I use, those are a great little tool for the money. I think the problem with Fireline is that it's flat, makes it easier to dig into itself. I love the stuff on my spinners, but on conventional I prefer a nice round braid like Cortland or Power Pro, which I believe both come from the same factory. Diameter of the braid only becomes an issue if you're trying to throw too much weight for the pound test you're using. I use 15# Stealth on an Abu 4600 for schoolies and it works fine, but the most I'm throwing is about an ounce. If you want to toss 3 ounces or more then you have to upsize the braid to at least 50#.

[thefishingfreak]

spool it up tight then let it ALL out behind the boat at about 5 knots and wind it on there again with the drag from the water. problem solved