Mono VS Braid

[NJ Guy]

I have still not converted to braid and i kinda like the ease of mono so i decided to launch a poll to see where the majority chooses braid or mono.

Add any food for thoughts on the topic im sure this will be a interesting topic  


Thanks For Participating  

[Kenny]

I was a mono guys for a long time....finally and reluctantly I might ad, I switched and never looked back....can't beat the sensitivity.

From what I have read here from the surf guys it casts farther but I think they have some wind knot issues....I'll let the surf guys speak to that.

Fluking it can't be beat....you can hold bottom with far less weight and or a smaller bucktail.

But I will say that a lot of the black fishing guys still swear by the mono...


Should make for an interesting topic........

[IrishAyes]

As Kenny said, much better sensitivity, less weight to hold bottom. Once you use braid you will think mono is like fishing with a rubber band.

As far as cost...yeah, the initial outlay is more, but braid does not have to be changed as often as mono, thus saving in the long run. 

[Jeffish]

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=14793.0

Quite a bit of information in that thread.

[Noworries2009]

I use braid almost exclusively. Canyon/tuna is the exception. I do use fluro-carbon leaders and other mono for top shots. I only use 30-65# braid.I find the lighter stuff drives me nuts cause I can hardly see it and any tangles are almost impossible. Lasts for years !  

[Bucktail]

I bet you used to fish with a fiberglass rod at one time.  Now you probably fish with graphite (or graphite composite).  Right?

It's a similar story with mono and braid.  Sure, there are applications where mono may be a better choice.  I use it much more in freshwater, though.  Just like there is still a place for fiberglass rods in certain situations, there will always be a place for monofilament.  But, day in, day out braid is what I want on my saltwater reels.

[ped579]

Braid is my choice of line by far.  And I will not go into a lot of detail and beat this horse up again.  Yes it is expensive but it will out last mono in the long run.  Mono is effected by UV where as braided line is not so there is no replacing old cracked line.  Yes braid will dull in time but that is only cosmetic.

A little squirt of WD40 makes the line slippery than snot going through the guides and I use it every few outings.

The diameter to weight test is remarkable, a 20# braid it equal in size to 8# mono, fantastic for casting distance.

There are a couple of drawbacks and one that could hurt you.  Braid being strong, slick, and abrasive will cut you right down to the bone and has to be treated with care.  I carry a thick dowel with me if I know I have to lift a fish up.  Or I simply use a Boga Grip to lift the fish.

Wind knots can be a problem but if you understand what caused them they can be controlled for the most part.  I manually flip my bail all the time, this has become a habit and I have notices the wind knots have dropped considerably.  By letting the bail flip automatically it gives the line a slight twist, added up your line has a twist to it and wants to straighten out by doing so during a cast it forms knots.

Do not over fill your spool either.  But this is not a big problem as the spool will seek its own perfect capacity.  Once it does your wind knots will be far and few in between.  You will probably not like the loss of line in doing this but once it seeks its level remember it and when you go to refill the spool again do not go past that mark. 

Plus if you are still getting wind knots put on a slightly heavier weight to keep the line taught while casting.  This goes also if you do not think your casting far enough.  If your rod is marked up to 8 to 10 oz lure weight it probably will not load right till you have at least 6 oz on not counting the bait.

Remember, braid is strong and has a tendency to wear things away fast even your skin on your casting finger.  The best thing I found is to put 2 strips of Curad band-aids on it the fabric one which is water proof.  Put it on before going out and it will last you all day.  the slip on protectors can be a pain especially when they slip off all the time.

Sorry for the long post but I hope this helps.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Luna Sea 5]

yes.. don't let the faded color of the braid fool you... It is still good..

[NJ Guy]

so where is the cheapest to get a large quanity of braid i mean i have to fill my spools as well as my wifes ...

[Noworries2009]

I sometimes buy a bulk spool but most times a 150 yd spool does it for me with proper backing on the reel. shop all you want , it should be about $15. or maybe less at the big discount stores. 1500 yd. bulk spools can be purchased to save maybe $5 per reel. My tackle shop here at the shore does it for me and I'm happy to give him the business considering everything he does for me. 

[brian8980]

I have only one rig with braid and just getting used to the sensitivity.  I can see the pros and cons each way but will keep one of each until I get used to the braid.  by far though i think for casting mono is better for me.  I have a habit of cutting myself with the line......

[blynch]

maybe it's habit and maybe it's ignorance, but i find mono to have enough adavantages over braid to keep it on my reels.  I am consideering making the switch on some of my deeper water and bucktailing setups though.   

[Stray Cat]

I'm a mono guy for inshore fishing 100ft or less, but when your bottom fishing deeper water 100ft or better I think  braid is the way to go.