A story of a fool and his money being soon parted

[Questor]

I can't believe I wasted $40 on Sufix Performance Braid 30#. I tried casting it for distance with baits of 1.5 to 2 ounces and the line snapped every time. I never had that problem with 12# monofilament on the same baitcasting outfit. Very disappointing.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Something doesn't sound right. I know plenty of people who are very pleased with that line.

Are you backlashing? Have you used other superlines without problems?

[slipperybob]

Maybe you burned your knot while tying it? I know that Fused and Braid lines generally break at the knot, when under a sudden jerk tension, unlike mono that stretches. The 30lb braids I've used, Berkly Whiplash break off so much easier than 14 lb Fireline, maybe about the same as 10 lb Fireline.

Where is your line breaking?

[Dave B]

Also, wet the line before tying the knot.

[Questor]

It's because I was casting for distance. I used a surf caster's two-handed cast and that's what did it. This is an unusual cast for most fishermen, but not so unusual for people who fish from banks. I have had no trouble with 12# monofilament using this rig. I have been using Power Pro 30# for a couple of years but have not done this style of casting with it. The cast is like that of a surfcaster, with very rapid accelleration. The line breaks as soon as the accelleration begins. I used both Palomar and Uni knots. The breaks were in the line, not at the knot.

I posted a question on a couple of other forums and the consensus is that for a 2 ounce weight, I need to go to 80 pound braid to prevent line breakage. That rather defeats the purpose for going to braid-- I wanted thinner line for longer casts and for deeper trolling.

[mpester]

Try using a mono shock leader. When I surf fish, I use a shock leader two or three times heavier than my running line. This should keep you from breaking the line on the cast. I do not use braid so I am not sure what knot you would use to attach braid to mono. Be sure to lay whatever knot you use away from your thumb on the spool. You will cut the heck out of your thumb when you cast if the knot is under your thumb.

[hanson]

We cast 3, 4, and even 5 oz weights quite often from shore while catfishing on 80lb PP, and even 50lb PP. Some of these casts are quite long rockets as well and the PP has always handled it. A bad backlash will stop you dead in your tracks though.

I honestly see no reason why you'd need 80lb braid for a 2 ounce weight, even if you are snap casting it out hard. 2 ounce is pretty dang light.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, if you're going to toss heavy weights long distances, you should bump up in line weight. I regularity throw 3+ ounces a long, long ways with 80lb PP, but I think 65 or even 50 would be fine.

[Questor]

hanson, mpester:

Thanks for the good advice. I'll try a shock leader for this kind of casting.

I don't see why a 2 ounce weight would be a problem either. The tackle is otherwise balanced for it. I'm not truly snapping the cast, it's more of a rapid but smooth accelleration. The line breaks several degrees into the cast. The line is tight on the spool and it's not digging in. There's no sign of backlash or other interference that would cause the problem. If there were a backlash I would expect rod damage or some other obvious sign. My application is catfishing style fishing from the bank. The difference is that I'm not using live bait so I don't have to lob it out there gently.

30# Power Pro has given me good results with other trolling and with casting lighter lures. I haven't tried it with lures this heavy cast for distance. I'll have to give it a try to see if the problem is inherent to Sufix.

[LOTWSvirgin]

Slipperybob I am with you on that whiplash I bought it the other day went fishing for about 5 minutes came home and respooled [Note from admin: please read forum policy before posting again]

[hanson]

Quote:

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My application is catfishing style fishing from the bank. The difference is that I'm not using live bait so I don't have to lob it out there gently.

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I know what you mean. I fish a few spots where a good chunk of cutbait, a 3 oz weight, and a pole vaulter style cast are the way to go. I've never had a problem with any kind of Power Pro snapping on me.

It is possible you got a bad spool of Sufix. I think I had a bad spool of 50lb PP at one time as well.

[Questor]

What is whiplash in a braided line? Thanks.

[mpester]

After all these years fishing conventional gear on the beach, I can say for sure...You WILL know it when you get a backlash with a heavy sinker. I have never had any damage to a rod or reel from a backlash but I have hurt my arm and back a couple of times when I have had trouble with eight ounces and a bad backlash. I always carry a 1000-yard spool of mono in the truck to respool with when I am fishing on the beach in NC. I think the name of the knot I use for the shock leader is either a blood or surgeons knot.

[slipperybob]

Quote:

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What is whiplash in a braided line? Thanks.

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One of the first braided superline sold under Berkley. I remember it was 30/06 can't remember what the 50 or 65 lbs were equivalent too. The braids are not fused. I believe it is no longer made or just not sold under Berkley anymore.

Superlines do not absorb shock and the line break because of that. I've got 65 lb Whiplash on my Shimano Cardiff and if I cast really hard for distance, with a 1 oz weight the line will snap. It's because the initial tension is a shock that's greater then what it can withstand. To avoid that prob, I had to increase the brake. At first I reduced the VBS to nothing, but it bird nest so fast I felt stupid. Problem was also fixed with a mono to absorb the shock. I'm thinking that I might just not use the superline at all, or continue but just be ease off on the cast for distance. I'll use spinning reels for that.

[Questor]

SlipperyBob:

Thank you for the insight. The picture has formed in my mind: I can continue to use braid for its good qualities, but need to use a mono shock leader if I want to cast for distance.