Mono or Braided??

[njdevil]

Have not yet decided what to use yet mono or braided. I have to make a decision soon, I am going to the hook sunday morning. What pound test would you veterans suggest with either mono or braided? Leaning towards mono because of the price. Thanks for the help!!


Skip work and fish

[ped579]

Hi njdevil,

I use momo as I use it for a number of reasons first being the cost factor and second is I have been using it for so long like the saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  One thing though don't use the cheapest mono out there use a brand name I like Trilene either XL or XT, in the 12 oz or 15 oz range.  The smaller the diameter the less drag on the line from the waves the less weight you have to use to hold bottom.  I average from 2 - 4oz max, anything more and you probably would not want to be out there anyway. If you do get a good size fish that is over the line weight let the waves help you bring the fish in in other words don't horse it in. 

Braid is great but there are a number of drawbacks 1) cost,  an average 300yd spool will cost in the area of 32 - 35 dollars as opposed to 7-8 dollars for mono. 2) braid is very abrasive both to the guys and to your hands.  If you are a cast and wait type of guy it is OK but I like to throw plugs as well and braid will rip up your fingers after a while. 3) Braid is good in the weight class to diameter size ratio.  It is thinner as an example on average, the braid line of 30# test has the diameter of a 12# mono line.

Braid will allow you to cast further and is more plyable than mono making it easier for tying knots.

The choice is yours.  Just remember 90% of the fish caught in the surf are caught fairly close to the shoreline. Look for a good trough with a good cut in the bars and make yourself at home.  The bait and fish will be in the trough more than out by the outer bars.

I hope this helped I get a little long winded sometimes but these are some of the major reasons you should use in your thought process in choosing a line.

Good Luck!!!

Paul

[IrishAyes]

NJDevel,
I don't know where you are in NJ but...if you are close to anyone on this site, or have a friend who surf fishes and uses braid, perhaps you can borrow a reel spooled with braid and a reel spooled with mono.  I can probably hook you up with a braid filled spool.  Use them both and make a decision from that. 

Ped likes mono, I like braid.  It is a matter of personal preference.  We can probably give you as many reasons to use or not use one over the other and your head will be spinning.  There is no easy answer or right line to use.  It will be the one you are more confortable with.

Now...no matter what one you choose, get out there and catch em up.   

[ped579]

Good points especially the get out and fish part

Paul

[Great Bay Junky]

Once you fish braid you will never look back. You can feel every hit like there is no tomorrow. Fishing w/ mono in deep water w/ 6 or more ounces is like have sex with 6 condums on 
you wont feel abything.

[ped579]

Thats just it, I don't fish deep water I surf fish.  All my equipment is geared for close in fishing from a 6' spinning to a 10' spinning to a 9' fly rod all set up to fish the surf.  With the new circle hook design I haven't lost a fish that hit the bait yet. 

Thats just me.  I have to agree with IrishAyes though.  If you have the opportunity to try both by all means do it.  Especially if this sport is new to you.

Again, just for me, I can't justify the added expense for my use I maybe go out once a week maybe twice fishing.  I would rather put that money into lures I would like to try.  I love plugging and some lures are up there.

Good Fishing...

Paul

[NJetty]

braid is very abrasive to your hands

I've learned that a decent pair of batting gloves work well to protect your hands, especially while playing with decent sized blue fish, they protect you hands from the fish, leader, & line; plus you don't loose any sensitivity with them.