How to make Braid SINK

[DeadlyDan]

Looking for ideas about how to make braid line sink. I have tungsten putty on order. Plan to rub it on 4 strand braid. Choosing 4 strand because I think it will have a rougher texture to receive the putty.

Has anyone tried this?

Any other ideas?

[DockShootinJack]

I look forward to how well this works

[DeadlyDan]

I look forward to how well this works

Jack, I’ll let you know. I think getting braid to sink will really help when fishing deep.

I read n a forum that rubbing tungsten putty and on braid will add weight. We’ll see…

[Bert]

You can buy braid that sinks.

[ultraslab]

Varvias Double cross. Sinking braid and a good one. Scott

[wannabe fisherman]

Varvias Double cross. Sinking braid and a good one. Scott

AAND a site sponsor!!!

[DeadlyDan]

I ordered some Tungsten Putty and also some sinking braid. Will reply with the results.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com : XBRAID Sinking SS 112 Braid 10LB 165Y Yellow : Sports & Outdoors

I am almost certain that fishing in deep water has been problematic because the braid didn’t want to sink. It was difficult to drop on a target. I could always see a bow in the line on Livescope.

[DeadlyDan]

I tried Tungsten Putty on braid and saw no changes in the float characteristics. I hope the sinking braid actually sinks at a reasonable rate. Will post back when it comes in and has been tested.

The Tungsten Putty should come in handle when I need a heavier jig for a particular circumstance. Those times when I don’t want to change out jigs. A little atop the lead on the jig head should work well for a quick change in sink rate.

It seems the specific gravity of sinking braid is only 1.12 and fluorocarbon is 1.78. Even sinking braid may be disappointing.

”Monofilament fishing line typically has a specific gravity slightly higher than water, around 1.11-1.14, according to SUNLINE America Co., Ltd. This means it's denser than water but still floats, making it ideal for dry fly leaders and general fishing applications where a bit of buoyancy is desired. Fluorocarbon lines, on the other hand, have a much higher specific gravity (around 1.78), making them sink quickly according to Spey Pages, and braided lines are typically the least dense (around 0.97), causing them to float.”

Looks like a spool of Fluorocarbon will required to fish deeper water most efficiently in my situation.

[DeadlyDan]

Update to my quest for sinking line for vertical jigging.

I have yet to try any of the following in fishing conditions, but I have looked at 3 variations in my outdoor pond.

1 - Typical floating braid that was rubbed with tungsten putty.
Looks like a waste of time. No noticeable increase in sink rate. Specific Gravity is ~0.98.
2 - XBraid Sinking SS 112. This sinking braid does sink, but not by much. Specific Gravity is 1.12.
3 - InVisX fluorocarbon. This seems to sink the best by far. Specific Gravity 1.78

In all 3 cases when pond testing all lines failed to break the surface tension of the water. Once pushed under the water surface lines #2 & 3 basically suspended under the water.

Plan to post my findings after I get some fishing time on the water with these lines. Livescope should give me an accurate view of the lines in the water with jigs attached. Hopefully one or both of the sinking lines will no produce the bow in the line that floating braid made. It is my thought that the line bow, caused by light current and possible wind is making deeper vertical jigging difficult. Even pitching the jig out from the boat, using floating braid, with no wind or current causes large bows because the line wants to float. I use 1/32 and 1/16 oz jigs and often add a 1/10 or 1/8 egg sinker pegged above the jig.

[DeadlyDan]

As thought, fluoro sinks best by far. My main issue is that it is hard to see on Livescope. Braid shows up much better. Plan to keep a spare spool filled with fluoro for special occasions when conditions make it necessary to use.

For me, the sinking braid fits the bill when current and wind are not a major problem.