To braid or not to braid

[fish whisperer]

Are many of you fishermen using braid. What is the advantage or disadvantage.

[Postman]

Ive experimented with all different types of line over the years. However, my loyalty is with Berkeley. I will use Berkeleys Fireline Crystal 10lb - 4lb diameter while ice fishing. I like the strength, no stretch and sensitivity this line has. Also, the line is white which makes it easy to mark the line with a black marker for easy reference to get back down in the zone quicker. Just my 2 cents

[Fish Taxi]

Yes to braid for dippin' and trolling. You get your lure back from snags a lot more often and the fish don't care a bit. On the trolling, make sure your rods have a lot of 'give' to make up for the no stretch line.

Mono for casting, especially slip bobbers.

That's my "expert" advice.

I use a Stren braid that comes in chartreuse, but I don't think the brand matters much. I used to use PowerPro yellow, and it worked just as well. Lots of guys on here use the power pro.

[kc outdoorsman]

I have used spiderwire Stealth for several years. I use 4lb diameter but it is 15 lb test! never break off. Also it may cost more initially but the line lasts a good year or more (I fish a lot). No stretch so hookset are easy even with lots of line out. I have been pretty pleased with it for crappie fishing (casting) BE ADVISED do not attempt to pull directly on the line with bare hands as it will cut faster and deeper than mono thru skin! You also need scissors to cut it - no clipper will work

[wheels70]

You also need scissors to cut it - no clipper will work

I used to use scissors as well but I was forever losing them. I always have my needle nose pliers for removing hooks and I found that the cutter on most needle nose pliers works great! It actually works better than scissors especially for cutting the line off of a hook or jig. With scissors I could never get the last little part of line off of the eye. With needle nose you can get right down on the eye and cut the line off of the eye. Plus I always have several pair of needle nose in the boat so I am never without a way to cut the line.
I think needle nose pliers work much better than any other method I have tried for cutting fireline anyway.

Keith

[Postman]

Hey Keith,

I didnt have any problems with my scissors (from Rapala) until this year (2 years old). I'll give the needle nose a shot though. Also, Cabelas has something out from Berkeley that looked interesting. I havent made it up there yet. I live 10 minutes from Bass Pro and they dont carry it. I've attached the link so you can see what I'm referring to.
Cabela's: Berkley® Hot Line Cutter

Jeff

[wheels70]

Hey Keith,

I didnt have any problems with my scissors (from Rapala) until this year (2 years old). I'll give the needle nose a shot though. Also, Cabelas has something out from Berkeley that looked interesting. I havent made it up there yet. I live 10 minutes from Bass Pro and they dont carry it. I've attached the link so you can see what I'm referring to.
Cabela's: Berkley® Hot Line Cutter

Jeff

Jeff,
That looks like a nifty little line cutter for sure! I will have to get one of those next time I am up at Cabelas. The pliers work great but they do leave a frayed end which normally I just wet it in my mouth and it holds the frayed end together. If that heat cutter from Berkeley really works it would be worth the $10.
On a side note, I have tried 3 of the Berkeley electric hook sharpeners and you might was well throw that $12 into the fire! I have yet to either figure out how to use it or find one that works,, not sure which is the case.
I am a big Berkeley fan but their hook sharpener does not work at all.

Thanks for the link!

Keith

[Postman]

Keith - Im a big Berkeley fan too. I have the line remover with a hook sharpener. I use the line remover all the time but can only think of one time using the sharpener. Umm, that explains a lot. Im sure you have the line remover too. If you dont, its a must need item for changing out line.

[Fish Taxi]

Has anybody tried that new, "castable" mono-braid line that Berkley came out with? Nanofil, or something like that. Is that stuff worth the price tag?

[Chadku]

I haven't tried it but the reviews I have read are really good for spinning reels. It casts a mile and doesn't dig into your spool like braid can. But if I remember right the reviews on baitcasters were not good.