Can someone please tell me if braid is ok for surf casting, and if the experience is worth the cost of a surf reel full?
Re: Braid
Posted by Neil on 23/12/2012, 10:04 pm, in reply to "Braid"
Braid is one of those love it of hate it things. It casts well due to its low diameter and you can feel every tap on the bait.
However it will tangle like a demon if the line gets slack in the water or if you dont put it back onto the spool under tension.
Also if there's a bit of swell running despite it being thinner the sinkers pull out more often due there being no give in the line to absorb the drag of the water on the line.
Try a 125 m spool out first before spending $$ on a big spool.
Avoid the cheap trade me stuff its fairly average .
Re: Braid
Posted by GaryK on 23/12/2012, 10:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Braid"
Agree with Neil. I dont like it due to the fact that it is forever pulling sinkers in any sort of surf. You can feel the bites OK but the fish can pull hooks that are not well in during the fight. You need to try it to see if it suits your situation.The snapper don't know where the car park is! Sometimes it is better to travel than to arrive.
Re: Braid
Posted by Hangler on 24/12/2012, 9:18 am, in reply to "Re: Braid"
I gave braid a fair trial when surfcasting in the Bay of Plenty. On the whole it behaved quite well but it lacked the 'feel' of mono, especially with a reasonable fish in the back wash of the surf. The only give was in the rod, the braid was very unforgiving, and this led to the occasional pulled hook.
In the end I followed most other surfcasters in the area, I switched back to light mono (4kg)but maintained braid as the shock leader, a decision I don't regret. Others will tell a different story regarding braid leaders, I can only write from my own experience, which has been one of success.
Good subject.
Re: Braid
Posted by The druid on 24/12/2012, 2:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Braid"
Thanks for that men. I kind of thought that might be the response but it's always good to hear it from those with experience. Merry Christmas.
PS. I've read that braid as a shock leader can make a mess of your fingers?
Re: Braid
Posted by GaryK on 24/12/2012, 4:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Braid"
Yes if you are a powerful caster. You need a casting aid like a cannon or letago. Have a look on the TT website for those.The snapper don't know where the car park is! Sometimes it is better to travel than to arrive.
Re: Braid
Posted by James HB on 24/12/2012, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Braid"
That is a myth druid put about by people who don't use braid shockleaders. The only time a braid (or nylon for that matter) shockleader will cut you is if you don't tighten your drag fully up when casting. I used braid shockleaders for years and never once got cut. I've gone back to mono as a 1000m spool of 15kg line is way cheaper than decent braid as a shockleader. No excuses, just get out there!!