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I've always used mono from 6lbs. up to 12lbs. for vertical jigging deeper water, but I've thought about trying braid simply for the sensitivity. Does anyone have an opinion on braid vs. mono and also I'd like to hear some recommendations on size, brand, etc. This is simply for vertical jigging 10' + water. Thanks.
prwer pro braid for everything for me, 15lb test
I use PowerPro 10/2 hi-vis on one of my heavier action casting rods, and always tie direct to the bait (no leader). I'm a line watcher when casting jigs, so I use hi-vis 6# test Vicious line on my regular casting rods. I happened to have a spot where there were several large brushpiles in close proximity to each other, and wanted to drag my jig across them, so I decided to use the rod with braid. I had to get down to around 15' to get to the brush, so not wanting to wait for the jig to drag the braid down that deep, I added a 1/8oz split shot sinker about 8-10" above the jig.
After doing that .... every tic/tap/thump that I felt seemed 10x's harder than I'd been used to, even when using braid/jig w/o the sinker.
So, anytime I use the braid outfit for casting/jigging with a jig ... that sinker is on the line :ThumbsUp
I've used PowerPro 10/2 braid for many, many years, and have only lost ONE bait to a snag.
But, I will caution you .... you'll need a couple of things if you use braid : a pair of Fiskar Child Size Scissors (to cut the line blunt, so you can thread the small eyeholes of small jigs) and a piece of wood dowel rod (to wrap the braid around, when pulling a bait free from a snag). Believe me when I say that braid will cut you and/or a cork or foam rod handle, should you use them to wrap braid around to pull a snagged lure free. (been there, done that) The Fiskar scissors are cheap, small enough to fit in a tackle tray, and work great for cutting braid clean & blunt. Other cutting tools may work just as good, but some leave ragged tag ends that make it hard & time consuming to get the tag end of the limp braid to go through a jighook eye. (been there, done that, too) So, for 2 or 3 dollars, you'll save time & effort ... and not jeopardize your fingers/hand or rod handle to cuts.
Put (or leave) some old mono on your reel spool & tie the braid to that mono .... then finish filling the reel spool. This not only lessens the amount of braid needed to fill the spool, it also keeps the wrapped braid from sliding around the spool (by digging into the mono at the point of connection). Braids are slicker than mono, and don't stretch, so the whole reel spool of "just" braid can slide around en masse when the drag slips.
... cp :kewl
Thanks CrappiePappy. You are one lucky guy to only lose one bait over years of fishing. I need you to go with me just for good luck!;)
CrappiePappy has given some great advice! Remember to retie often, since you will loose way less jigs it really becomes important.
I recently made the switch from 8lb mono to PowerPro 10/2 braid for many reasons, but one of those reasons being the same reason you mentioned, I wanted increased sensitivity. I went with the low-vis moss green. I hate that I cannot see my line very well, that possibly has already and likely will continue to cost me fish now and then. I also dislike needing scissors available if and when I want to make a jig head/lure change. Other than those 2 things, I absolutely love everything else about it. It has been exactly what I personally was looking for. Give it a try.
Braid is the same as buying a car...there are old cheap models with no frills and some problems, middle priced models, and models with all the bells and whistles that cost more.
First you have to decide how serious you are, what you want, and how much you are willing to spend.
Old braid is normally 3 strands of fiber braided together, it is not round, and uses a stiff waxy coating to help it go through the guides...when the wax wears off (quickly) it begins to get sticky and becomes harder to cast and manage. It normally is the largest diameter of all the braids, and overall performance can be low.
Middle priced braid, can be from 3 strands to 8 strands, you normally get a little better product but can have some of the same issues with wax or coatings, size and poundage ratings can be way off, along with durability and abrasion resistance.
Then you have the Premium braid...this is normally 8 strands or more, it is the thinnest and strongest, it has no coating, is soft and supple, with high performance, and no issues....it has the longest casting distance and is the smallest threads when you compare it against other same pound lines.
Each manufacturer uses different testing techniques and tests their line to give it the smallest poundage and size, Tourney braids are certified for all recognized fishing records...it is the size and pound strength that is stated.
I only use Seaguar Smackdown Tourney Braid on everything but have been trialing a couple even newer brands.
My reels are made for braid, so I don't need backing...I put the braid on tight and just cut off any line that is BADLY worn...the next year I wind it on another reel and use the "Fresh" end.
I used Gorilla Tape on reels that weren't made for braid to stop slippage, but I always filled the reel...most all of my reels with EASILY Spool 150 yards of 20lb braid that has a 4 pound Mono diameter....this way, it will last me an entire season and I never have to worry about getting to the Mono.
CP is right, don't ever wrap it around your hand and try to pull a lure free...you can end up with a stub!
My reels are HD so normally I can set the drag and pull the jig free...the sickle will bend and it comes loose, just re-bend the hook and go!
I always carry a towel with me, or use a sweatshirt sleeve, or use a glove to wrap the braid around to pull free when I'm using lighter tackle.
You can easily carry a multi-tool with a sharp knife to cut braid...that way you also have pliers/etc.
Braid is all about how you want to fish, then choose what's best for you!
Good Fishing!
I use the power pro braid for 2 yrs and have only list 2 jigs in the brush.
It is such a plus for crappie fishermen and some of my friends have changed to it as well.
Pepper
Highly recommend
I used power pro 10/2 hi-vis yellow for years and went up a size last time around. I use it primarily when I was fishing river channel trees with brushguard heads in 55 fow, and I can say that there's nothing like it. Tied direct to the jig and caught many large fish, and the thump is off the charts.
I use Power Pro Slick 8 for everything. Has great sensitivity and no stretch. Once I got used to fishing braid I haven't used mono for anything but backing. I use my rods for everything from Dock Shooting to lighting jigs
I appreciate all the help and info. I've used braid for catfishing and some saltwater, but never for crappie. I thought most folks would use a mono leader but looks like tying direct to jig head is the way to go? Seems like they could detect that hi-vis line easier. I've always used the theory of the smaller the line, the better, for more hits.
With the PowerPro 10/2 you're getting 10lb test in 2lb diameter. Hence the name 10/2... There's been countless ongoing banters on this forum on the hi-vis vs low-vis that you can sort through using the search tool above and draw your own conclusions. I've spent many hours on this site reading and learning and questioning and then testing. The testing part is where the rubber meets the road, but this site has really helped shorten the learning curve for me ! Best wishes, good luck !Quote:
Originally Posted by blue-jig
I use braid with a flurocarbon leader. I do this because I use high-vis line. I only use braid when fishing deeper than 8ft. The sensitivity of the line is simply amazing. You can also get your jigs back 90% of the time if you get hung. I use mono when fishing shallow water.
Reggie
I have been tying a leader to my braid, but after reading this Im not so sure I need to. Been using Power pro Slick 8 and Nanofil just to decide which is best for me.I will try without a leader and see if I really need it.
I use 10/2 braid with a 6lb mono leader because I don't want to pull out the brush or tree limbs I fishing in. Braid is good and VERY strong and it takes a lot to bend a hook out so you'll pull up limbs and disturb the brush JMO
Just read this again for the first time since I posted it. Realized it could be misinterpreted as persnickety.... Don't read any negative tone into it, it was meant to be helpful. What I was saying is that search tool has been great tool for me to narrow down what I want to try but testing for myself after reading has been what has made up my mind up one way or the other.Quote:
Originally Posted by Minners N Jigs
I think that's what I'm going to try. I always have a spool or two of 6lbs. mono in my boat. I'll just tie that on a barrel swivel and go for it with a leader. Picked up some Super Slick 8 at Wally World. I couldn't tell the difference between it and 10/2. Anyone ever used Aqua Green?
I refuse to use braid while fishing my brushpiles. They do more damage than good. I'd rather lose a 10 cent jig than tear apart my brush while trying to get a snag loose. I'll use braid when i fish Lake Erie for deepwater yellow perch. we're usually in 55ft fishing tight line over mud or sand bottoms. i can feel the bite much better than mono there. we're using 1/2 ounce perch spreaders, not jigs tho.
I hear ya. I have hung a log or big stump with braid and torn my hands up while breaking the hook off. That's why I figured I would go with a little 6lbs. leader and just pop it before I tear up brushpiles etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by chaunc
Just curious as to what knot y'all use when you tie directly to a jig?
For vertical jigging I tie a loop knot. For casting I tie palomar knot.Quote:
Originally Posted by pescador
Same knot I use for mono ... Improved Clinch. If I happen to be using "brand new" braid, I'll tie a double overhand knot in the tag and slowly cinch the Improved Clinch knot down, letting the line slide through the knot until the overhand knot snugs up to it ... then trim off the excess tag line. No further slippage, then.Quote:
Originally Posted by pescador
... cp :kewl
Aight just restrung my poles. One with power pro slick 8 10/2 and one with spider wire 8 lb glow braid. If I fish in the AM ill get an idea how they compare to my mono hi vis..
Sounds good Bama. I'm going to try to go in the morning or Fri. Not sure yet. Let us know how they compare. Good luck.
For mono to braid I use a double uni knot. I tie directly to the jig with no leader with hi vis and had a leader on the rod on the other side of the boat. Deep water in cold conditions. No difference in catch ratio from one to the other. Can't argue with the brushpile damage, I was fishing trees. Hope yo get it figured out soon, the fish are biting.
I normally only fish in the winter and use Power Pro Super Slick 8. Not only is the feel great there is no stretch so the hook set is not a problem like it is sometimes in deep water with mono.
Interesting discussion. I'm curious as to why so many select a woven braid, such as PowerPro. I find that it "sings" through the guides (especially when retrieving). And even though the "10/2" is supposedly the diameter of 2# test line, it's larger than what they advertise. Not a big deal though, if it's what you like and have confidence in.
Personally, I much prefer Fireline Crystal in 2# test size. It's about the size of 1# test mono (micrometer compared measurement) and is just as strong as most 4 - 6 pound test lines. Just as sensitive as any of the woven braids as well. The fused nature of this product allows it to flow very smoothly through the guides - coming or going - with no noise.
I religiously use (and highly recommend) a 4# test fluorocarbon leader with this main line and have experienced no ill effects having used this combination over the last 1/2 dozen seasons. Of course, I'm not pulling my jigs off snags very often up here, but the 2# test rating certainly would not disrupt a planted brush pile if you had to break off - another reason for the fluoro leader material, along with it's superior abrasion resistance.
The joint I've used, very successfully, is the Alberto knot. Which is not actually a knot per say; rather a braid of it's own accord. Works well for me. I can only suggest that anyone in the market for a braided line, give this set-up a try and see how it works for you. You might be pleasantly surprised. :)
Sufix 832 in 20# tied to a fluorocarbon leader with the Alberto knot. I know you don't need 20# braid but it's the same diameter as 6# mono and in the 832 it handles better than the 10#. The leader is either 8# or 10# depending on what's handy.
I use 20lb with my Smackdown Tourney braid also...it is about the size of 4 lb mono or less....The reason I use 20lb, is because where I fish for Crappie, you may also catch a Trophy Walleye on the same swimbait. I'm not taking any chances on losing a 30+ incher!:):):)lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Mike Andrews
I used power pro braid for awhile and I switched back to mono for two reason. First i did not get as many bites with it not sure why but it just seamed like I wasn't getting as many and it may just be the type and color I was using. Also For me it was too sensitive at times I would feel a fish bump it and set the hook before it was in his mouth. When I use mono when I feel the fish the hook was in his mouth. I will say that it is great for jigging trees when you get hung up a lot of times you will straiten the hook before you break off. Best advice I can give is try several brands and colors to see what works best with where you are fishing I think it matters.