9 replies to this topic

[Bluecrewbass]

I have just bought a baitcaster reel and it is my first one. I decided i want to upgrade to some higher test line and some braid. I was wondering if the braid effects the way my senkos or other soft plastics fall in the water. Also, i bought 20 lb. test and i didnt know if i should go higher or not.

[dR. HerbLove]

Hey BlueCrew,

I fish senkos using braid as well. Really, I don't think the use of braid makes a huge difference. I prefer wacky-rigging my senkos, which means I tend to fish them in lighter cover, so I like the lighter test lines. I also use a FC leader because I feel that with the slow drop of the senko, the fish get a better look at the lure.

The city ponds that I fish in are never really deep (10-15 max in the center) so the theoretical slowing of the lure has never impacted me, although I suppose in deeper water it could. Also, with 20# being so thin, I don't think it offers significant resistance to slow the lure's decent noticeably, although I think that higher test (e.g., 30, 40, 50, etc) could start to add up. The real beauty in fishing is that sometimes that's the ticket, and so using braid because of the effects could be the key to catching fish (e.g., darker lighter conditions, colder water, night fishing, etc.).

If I were you, I would decide on the line test by the conditions (i.e., the level of cover). I have pitched senkos (t-rigged) into heavy cover on 65# braid with success.

Does braid effect the way soft plastics fall? In theory, yes, it slows it down. Noticeably? Probably not, especially if weights and short depths are involved. However, I could easily imagine a weightless senko thrown on 80# spiderwire to fall noticeably slower than on 10# FL.

Hope this helps.

[xxjoker122]

8 LB flurocarbon is the way to go. All i do is fish wacky rigged senkos, and the fluro helps in many ways.One bieng that it sinks, two bieng that its super light and you can cast it just about anywhere, and three bieng that is stretches so you can get a better hook set and its virtualy invisible to the fish,plus you can feel the fish hitting alot better then braid... i never use braid ever unless im fishing for 200 pound snapping turtles in my lake, and since i wacky rig my senkos i really dont find any use for it. I prefer to use the lightest setup possible for wacky rigging it gives me the best feel for that style of fishing

[Georgia Jeff]

Braid doesn't sink as well as mono or floro but you shouldn't see any negative affects fishing a senko because they are pretty heavy baits. I have been fishing braid exclusively for around 3 years and have not see any ill effects on lure action or diminished catches. Some people don't like the smaller diameter braid because they say it digs into your spool when you set the hook and can cause backlashes on future casts. I personally fish 30 test. It does dig in every now and then but it isn't bad or that often.

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with xxjoker122. Braid has no stretch which leads to a better hookset because all the energy you put into the sweep of the rod is put into the sinking of the hook. With floro and mono the line stretches and it takes more effort to get as good of a hookset. This lack of stretch also helps you to feel every little bite, tap, rock, or bottom contour.

[hatrix]

8 LB flurocarbon is the way to go. All i do is fish wacky rigged senkos, and the fluro helps in many ways.One bieng that it sinks, two bieng that its super light and you can cast it just about anywhere, and three bieng that is stretches so you can get a better hook set and its virtualy invisible to the fish,plus you can feel the fish hitting alot better then braid... i never use braid ever unless im fishing for 200 pound snapping turtles in my lake, and since i wacky rig my senkos i really dont find any use for it. I prefer to use the lightest setup possible for wacky rigging it gives me the best feel for that style of fishing

Fluro is more sensitive then braid? What fluro/braid do you use? I would be interested in a line that is more sensitive.

[xxjoker122]

i meant to say a cleaner hook set like it doesnt rip a gapping hole in the fishes mouth from the strength of the braid. but its really whats best for you the state record bass in my state is under 11 pounds so theres no need to use super strong line in my eyes. but i have also never really used braid so im just really giving my opinion on what i think is best for me

[Diggy]

The only negative Ive had is when I use rings wacky rigging. The braid may slice into the senko when going up the line.

[bigbassctchr101]

Fluro is more sensitive then braid? What fluro/braid do you use? I would be interested in a line that is more sensitive.

I think the general saying on this is...on a slack line flouro can transmit a bite better than braid. But on a tight line, braid (having 0-low stretch and its other physical properties) should transmit a more sensitive feeling to the rod. It would depend on the way you use your set up most and personal preference.

[Stasher1]

i meant to say a cleaner hook set like it doesnt rip a gapping hole in the fishes mouth from the strength of the braid. but its really whats best for you the state record bass in my state is under 11 pounds so theres no need to use super strong line in my eyes. but i have also never really used braid so im just really giving my opinion on what i think is best for me

If you use braid exclusively, you'll learn to set your drag a little lighter and do more of a wrist-snap hookset than the huge bionic hookset that mono/fluoro users typically use. I honestly don't remember the last time I ripped a huge hole in a bass' mouth while using braid.

[SirSnookalot]

I use braid just about all the time where ever I fish. I haven't used fluro line but have used fluro leaders many times, I don't any more as I saw little or no appreciable difference in my catch. That said fluro line has never been a consideration for me. I don't feel as I miss too many bites when using ordinary mono or braid that is slack, I do believe the issue of line or rod sensitivity is a bit blown out of proportion. I also have not been bothered by my braid floating, in fact most of my fishing is saltwater and saltwater is more buoyant than fresh, depth control does not appear to be an issue, if so a simple adoption of a small split shot will cure that. I do prefer the hookset with braid, it's much easier without the need to contort myself.
Are there negatives to braid?.............you bet, but nothing is perfect.