Saving Old Seagulls

Just going through my fishing gear -- getting rid of old line , rusty hooks etc. Anyone got experience using braid instead of mono.
I guess I have to have a rod to suit braid.

I use braid all the time. They reckon braid can wear grooves in you eyelets but ive never ever had anything like that. The advantage of braid is when a fish can pull you into a snag and try and rub the line up against an oyster shell but cant cut you of, the braid is that strong. You can only cut braid with a pair of nail clippers or very sharp scissors. Braid does not have a streching effect like mono line does, So i always use a bimini twist knot to have a bit of elasticity. Braid does have a big disadvantage (its a lot more expensive) But it does last longer than mono and wont break you of. A braided line that can have the same diameter as 10 pound line, will have a 30 pound breaking strain. There are so many brands on the market now, The usa made Berkely is a pretty good brand to use.

I believe that because there is almost no give in the line , a more whippy rod is needed. I will still use a mono shock lead of 30lb and line to hook of 25lb.
I like to fish light so a 15lb braid rod , maybe a TF Gear braid rod of 6-15lb should do.

Found this very easy knot video for shock leader to braid. simpliest yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUS7rkIo ... embedded#!

What you planning to catch for dinner?

Im a fan of braid, the good points are,

Smaller diameter, meaning a lot less drag in a tide run
Positive feel to your lead and bait


The bad points are,

Nighmare if you get line twist or knots
Can be cut easily if rubbed against rocks, hence why some favour a shock leader
Expensive

Mono is supposed to be replaced every year, especially if left in sunlight (we should be so lucky) . Braid will last much longer.
Coalfish last week - very tasty. Dover sole this week but that will come in the fish van tomorrow.

I have switched from using mono to braid over tyhe last few years. I was expecting it to take a bit of getting used to but in reality its been fine. I am fishing big rivers for large carp (target weight over 40Lb) and recently caught some biggish catfish a few weeks ago to around 90lb, so its been well tested!

The main difference is due to lack of stretch and the feeling of direct contact with the fish, feels odd at first but soon got used to it. You can use finer braid to get similar strength eg 15lb mono is about 0.36mm - same as 50lb braid. BFine braid lacks abrasion resistance though so dont go too fine, or use a shock leader. I always use an albright knot whether attaching braid to braid or braid to nylon, Very, very good knot. If you are using a fixed spool reel, underfill the spools or you can find that braid can spill off the lip and create windknots etc

Braid can be very expensive, most is actually made in china and gthen re-branded. I bought some direct from china on fleabay and it has been excellent. Just under a tenner for 500m or £7 for 300m (which is actually cheaper than a lot of mono line). I have tested this alongside say power pro braid in terms of breaking strain /diameter and abrasion resistance and it has been very comaparable at about quarter of the price.

I took the plunge.15lb Braid from China via fleabay- came last week. Kenzani 6 to 12lb braid rod. Diawa Millionaire 6rm multiplier. Any lighter and it would float.
I used to fish off Cleveleys (2 miles out and 5ft of depth) 35lb cod. Much deeper off Skye