W
Willerman
DrTheopolis;n597443 said:If I live out my days (hopefully lots of them left) without fishing braid again, Id be fine with that. Very strong, and lasts forever (my trolling/anchor rod is due for new mono after several years), but with braid... bring extra setups. When something goes wrong with braid (knot/ birdsnest, aka "vistit from Uncle Nester," which is wayyyy more common with braid), you're in a bad way, and it's not going to be fixed anytime soon... which equals less time with line in the water.
Heck, I fish the Columbia and the bays with 30# mono... how big do you need?
Just my overvalued $0.02.
Billamicasr;n597514 said:All but a couple of my reels are loaded with mono as a backing then Power Pro "Spectra" braid in 30 to 65 pound depending upon usage. To tie on a shock tippet of mono I commonly use the Albright knot or if I'm adding a swivel I use the Palomar; neither have come loose or broken in my use so far.
One of my past targets were Striped Bass in the surf near Pacifica, CA. I used a Newell 229. That reel is a long distance machine (no longer available) without any kind of magnetic brake. In use it is recommended to cut a thumb tab of leather to ride the spool as the line comes off. I disregarded that advice on my first few trips and ended up with a blistered thumb. Using your thumb to ride the spool may cost you a little distance at times, but in many cases saves you from cutting out a nest. Back then braid was just beginning to be used. I used Izorline sold primarily for the long ranger fisherman. Izorline was made by Western Filament which was located in SoCal now located in Colorado.
When I started with braid there was a bit of a learning curve as it slips off the reel and through the guides much easier than mono, meaning it is easier, in my opinion, to get a backlash. At times it may seem not worth relearning how to use your level wind reel, but the benefits outweigh the trouble and once you become proficient with braid it is tough to use mono as it seems so sluggish in comparison.
I haven't yet tried the Hollow Ace Power Pro which used a "Finger Trap" method (no knot) of line splice to connect mono to the braid. Like those Chinese finger traps my wicked older sister used on me when I was young, I hear it is better in use than any knot and line strength is maintained at 100%. Anyone tried it?
Willerman;n597427 said:Hey great, thanks for the advice. What would be the best (strongest & easiest to tie) line to line knot that people use?