A stupid / newbie braided line question - HELP

[PTocko]

Well I went and did it - I bought a bait caster. An Abu Garcia Revo Pro Max and a Cabelas Fishmark II rod (6' 6" mh). I filled with Suffix braid (30#) because I will be targeting pike / bass and wanted something strong. I have been "practicing" in the yard and have managed to get pretty good at casting 1/4 oz weight a good distance with no/minimal backlash. Now I'm reading that braids will cut the guides on the rod and the spool of the reel - is that right? I don't want to destroy my new toy. The suffux feels pretty soft but I'm sure it will cut you if you get up against it but then so will mono. If any braid experts could chime in I would appreciate it. I am very psyched to actually go after pike / bass with the "right" equipment. Thanks, Paul

[BigWadeS]

I have the exact same rod and have used superlines and braids and I think they may wear down eyes sooner then say mono, I have not noticed any grooving or performance issues.

[DTro]

I'm pretty sure most rods and reels today are designed to work with braided line.

You should be fine.

[PerchJerker]

I use braid on all or almost all my casting and trolling reels. I don't think you need to worry at all about it destroying your gear.

[PTocko]

Thanks for the (re)encouragement - as I said I am looking forward to giving it a go. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something stupid. Paul

[Deitz Dittrich]

PT- There was a problem years ago when many line guides were made of plastic.. Your rod I believe has hardeloy.. you should be fine.. Congrats on the new rod, enjoy it!

[delmuts]

also if you want to check the guides once in a while. take a cotton ball. or a Q tip ; run it along the inside edges of the guides. if the cotton catches/hooks on anything, then there is a problem.( a crack,or chip),but as the guys have said. with most rods now, you shouldn't have a problem.

[Shack]

The abrasive qualities will start once you start bringing in big fish or large wood and weeds, bit more so with big fish.

I have been running braid on some cheap poles for the last years or so on some on my channels setups. The braid cost more than poles. I just ran the test that delmuts said and no cotton fibers what so ever.

Have fun, catch some big fish and let us know when you change/wear out the rod

[slipperybob]

The braid fibers itself is not abrasive at all, it's actually self lubricating.

When your braid wears/fluffs it can carry dirt and that dirt is usually the culprit to line guide groove. This is because braid stays strong even when it is worn out, and most people don't strip that off - braid can be expensive.

It also takes a loaded rod and winching the braid through the line guides. Heat from friction will also groove your guides, but your line is usally wet.

At the moment the line guides to avoid using braids are stainless steel and titanium recoil line guides without ceramic inserts.