Is it Really Necessary?

[BoxMN]

Okay, makes more sense. Any particular brands? Or brands that you'd never buy for braided line?

For me, I do like Fireline. It is kinda "square" and can absorb some water with use after it gets a few years old, but I just kind of like it. I like it in white or smoke or black, for no particular reason. Hi vis yellow/chart. is not bad if you like to see it.

I have PowerPro on a couple, and honestly I won't buy this again. It is round, and casts nice, and works fine, but for reason it is very supple (probably why people like it) and for that reason when I hold rod straight up (i.e. to take weeds off lure, check lure, etc.) the line wraps tighter around the rodtip (much more than fireline or Suffix) and it is just a pita - and by wrapping around I mean much more and tighter and stickier to the tip than other brands. That is the only reason I do not prefer it. I will say that the PPro I have is in the 20# size, and I know the much heavier muskie sized doesn't do this.

I have Suffix 832 on two rods, but only for a year so far so can only say so far so good.

I have only used the Spider products early on when they first came out, and I did not like them, so I just haven't tried them again - but they have changed much since then. My stepson uses one of the types and likes it, not sure which style.

My main lake is very clear, and I usually do tie on a 6-8' or so tippet of mono or flouro for jig or worm rods, except the heavy cover rods. But that is another debate

[20lbSloughShark]

I think the best three are cortland masterbraid, suffix 832, and powerpro. I have no problems with powerpro, so I run that. I have not had much experience with fireline. Really the only one to avoid would be spiderwire. Some might like it, but I find it weaker than the rest, as well as I've found it wears out faster, and is flat like a tape.

[delcecchi]

Soo..if I used the reel I have now(a shakespear that came with 10#line) and tied 50 yards of 30# braid on the end of the 10# mono, would that work? Also I have really cheap rods so I'm not worried about ruining them.. If y'all can't tell I don't like spending much money..

That would work. Be sure that you don't over fill the reel when adding the braid. (spinning reel, right?). That's what I do.

I'm cheap too.

[ukefish]

Thanks box and slough. I guess I'll be looking into powerpro or fireline. I'm glad I asked because I was going to get spider wire!

Delecchi: closed faced..so I guess spinning? I'm not sure if spinning just applies to open faced or not..nice to see someone else is cheap on here, I was beginning to think I was alone:p

[20lbSloughShark]

A closed face reel is a spincast reel. Fishing is only as expensive as you make it.

[BoxMN]

FYI - that doesn't mean Spiderwire is bad though, just not my preference.

Also, I cannot attest to how braid works on a spincast reel. All mine are baitcast or spinning. I am not sure I would put braid on spincast, honestly, but not sure.

Good luck!

[20lbSloughShark]

I've seen braid on a spincast before, but never tried it myself. It looked like it was just fine. The only thing I can imagine is you wont know if the line is wound down tight which might cause snags, and short casts. Just make sure you use mono backing, and wind it on tight.

[delcecchi]

Thanks box and slough. I guess I'll be looking into powerpro or fireline. I'm glad I asked because I was going to get spider wire!

Delecchi: closed faced..so I guess spinning? I'm not sure if spinning just applies to open faced or not..nice to see someone else is cheap on here, I was beginning to think I was alone:p

I generally think of an open faced reel when using spinning. I have never tried braid on a closed face spincast reel. Heck, give it a try. At the worst you are out a few bucks. Cheapest place to get the line is at some store where they wind line on reels from bulk spools. Get them to put the 50 yards on, should only cost a few dollars even for braid.

[CAMAN]

Most spincast reels are not made for braid. They have a small plastic pin the line runs against, and that will get cut up quickly by the braid. Some spincasts have a stainless steel pin that can hold up to braids, but they are not as common and are more money.

[Wanderer]

Most spincast reels are not made for braid. They have a small plastic pin the line runs against, and that will get cut up quickly by the braid. Some spincasts have a stainless steel pin that can hold up to braids, but they are not as common and are more money.

+1

[ukefish]

Most spincast reels are not made for braid. They have a small plastic pin the line runs against, and that will get cut up quickly by the braid. Some spincasts have a stainless steel pin that can hold up to braids, but they are not as common and are more money.

Dang..so my cheap walmart reel will get broke pretty quick, eh? Should I try it with one of my worse off reels and see what happens, or just not mess with it?

[20lbSloughShark]

I think what they are talking about is if you take the cover off, the pin that guides the line can get worn. Check and see if you have a metal pin. All of my spincast reels were metal, but they are old. If none are, I would not try it. Braid is expensive. I think powerpro is about $17 for 150 yards.

[delcecchi]

Some of those pins are ceramic. But that is on the high end $30 reels.

[ukefish]

Ok, well all my reels are packed..so I'll get to them after I get settled in at the new place. I bet it will be plastic though..hey could i get some wire and glue it on to the plastic pin where the line runs against it..would that work?

[20lbSloughShark]

I think you would be better off buying a cheap MH spinning reel combo, or just using mono.

[Ufatz]

Well, if a guy really wants to get serious about saving money he should just quit fishing altogether. Even trying to glue a paper clip in that quality spin reels is gonna cost the price of the paper clip and the glue.

Or a guy could do "spin" fishing the original way, grab a Coke bottle, wrap some cheap line around it and then toss the lure out, pointing the small end of Coke bottle in direction of throw.

Of course the bottle would be one you found in a ditch. Nobody that cheap is going to want to spend the price of a Coke just to build a reel.

[ukefish]

Well, if a guy really wants to get serious about saving money he should just quit fishing altogether. Even trying to glue a paper clip in that quality spin reels is gonna cost the price of the paper clip and the glue.

Or a guy could do "spin" fishing the original way, grab a Coke bottle, wrap some cheap line around it and then toss the lure out, pointing the small end of Coke bottle in direction of throw.

Of course the bottle would be one you found in a ditch. Nobody that cheap is going to want to spend the price of a Coke just to build a reel.

Well, I'm only 17 years old and I don't have a job until I'm a senior, and even then all the money will go towards college. I only get paid for mowing the lawn for my parents so I really do have to be cheap. Very rarely will I buy a name brand lure. And every reel I have bought is either a Zebco(will never do again, break every time.) or a Shakespeare(great cheap reel!).

Slough: $50 dollars ain't cheap for me..ugh..maybe I should just stick to fly fishing for thick cover..and use my mono reels for the edge of the weeds.

[grab the net]

I think you caught your limit.

[Wanderer]

Yah, ukefish, it's hard to comprehend another's life situation over the forums until one has been around awhile. If you have no funds for fishing, those are the breaks. You'll get them some day.

Usually if someone were to inquire about performance products and their necessity, it's assumed the person has the intent (and means) to make the change. Maybe down the road when you get more established it'll make sense to change gear. For now, I really think a fresh spool of mono would be your best investment. 10#, maybe 12#, but don't go above the rating on your reel; it just won't work well.

Good luck with school and good fishin! We'll be glad to help with your questions.

[delcecchi]

Ok, well all my reels are packed..so I'll get to them after I get settled in at the new place. I bet it will be plastic though..hey could i get some wire and glue it on to the plastic pin where the line runs against it..would that work?

No. The pin has to be able to retract so you can cast

[20lbSloughShark]

I know the feeling, I'm in college now. Go out with 10# mono and fish. You'll have plenty of fun. If you end up loosing half your fish, look into finding a different set up. The list of craig and e.bay can help you out if you look enough.

[MN Shutterbug]

All I ever use is 10-12 lb Stren clear blue monofilament. If I have to, I'll just carefully go in and retrieve a fish, or a lure. No problemo.

This makes the most sense to me and has always worked except I use 12# Trilene.