Anyone use straight braid for their spinnerbaits? Is a Fluorocarbon leader neccessary if my lakes in CT are relatively clear? I can rip the Spinnerbait free from grass so much easier with braid. And I have much better feel and better control when popping / stroking. If I'm slow-rollin deep, I usually use 1/2 oz or greater which means it shouldn't have much trouble staying low even with braid, right? I'm not sure how much the buoyancy of braid affects baits. All the umbrella rigs use braid and they get fish to bite, Spinnerbait is the same reaction type bait. Anyone else use Straight braid? Should I be using fluorocarbon instead?

My buddy uses 50# braid (I use 12# CXX) and we catch them just the same. No leader necessary for a moving bait.

i use 20# braid no problem

I use 30-65 braid and have had no issues catching fish. Being able to rip a bait is huge for me since I am always looking for vegetation or any thing nasty to throw a lure in. It's just more fun having to really work a bait through some thick stuff, well that is till I get annoyed from getting fouled up 10x in a row and not being able to fix it but the trade off is worth it.

Why aren't more people using straight braid for this? Higher sensitivity, stronger hooks sets, thinner line diameters, cuts vegetation easier. I feel like I'm missing something important about fluorocarbon for spinnerbaits.

No give, to protect against slack line. "Spinnerbait" rods are usually X-Fast, and offer little protection against this, and were designed with mono/fluoro/copoly in mind. Hooks can and will tear out with braid. You need to use a rod with a bit slower taper, like Fast.

Thanks. That makes sense

I've gone back and forth between braid/mono for spinnerbaits and I like where I'm at right now....7'0" medium/X fast rod with 50lb braid. The braid is great for ripping thru vegetation and for feeling vibration. With this setup, I can easily tell if I'm fouled up and can usually clear it with a good snap. The medium action rod has enough compliance that the fish stays buttoned up.

OK, good to hear that - same principal as my med/x-fast topwater rod. Usually don't want to use x-fast with trebles, but the give in mid section of a medium power rod is plenty to keep them on.

Why aren't more people using straight braid for this? I feel like I'm missing something important about fluorocarbon for spinnerbaits.

when i used braid with spinnerbaits, the softness of it caused it to wrap around the upper arm and/or the blades often. i hated it and use a 20lb. fluoro leader with it now.

I prefer mono or fluoro, just has more give. I also prefer a crankbait style rod for spinnerbaits, I miss fewer fish and lose fewer fish with one. A MH graphite rod that isn't Xtra fast works well IMO too. I can see using braid in the heavy vegetation though.

My spinnerbait set up is a medium heavy, fast action rod and with 12# or 14# copoly I have no trouble ripping spinnerbaits through grass. I target cast to cover using a spinnerbait and if I was going to use braid I would have to use a crankbait rod.

As a non boater who can't bring his whole arsenal with him, I use my 12lb mono top water setup for spinnerbaits after the morning top water bite fizzles. But I like the feel of braid better. Just needed to consult, because I don't catch the majority of my fish on spinnerbaits.

Yes, I spinner bait with braid, 20, 30, or 50 lb. Med or MH power rods, with fast actions. No issues.

50lb braid, MH rod, fast tip, zero problems. I'm always anticipating a strike and rarely lose a fish...not on the strike...not on the fight. I also ALWAYS use a trailer hook.

. I also ALWAYS use a trailer hook.

Forgot that....same here. I would say a large % of my spinnerbait fish are hooked on the trailer. I'd have a lot less confidence with out one.

Forgot that....same here. I would say a large % of my spinnerbait fish are hooked on the trailer. I'd have a lot less confidence with out one.

Ditto

I use a MH/F Compre with 17# invisix.

Works for me.

Mike

the problem I had with braid on a spinnerbait was straightening out the wire it was tied to, I would keep having to bend it back, and this was on quality spinnerbaits, not walmart specials.

I use 40 lb braid with a 5-6 ft leader of 14 lb CXX copoly for shock and abrasion around rocks and zebra muscles.

30lb Suffix Neon Orange.

15# Mono for me

Maxima makes great mono

But I got a bulk spool of Big Game on sale so throwing it this year

I've never used braid b/c I like the stretch of the mono to absorb the impact.

But bass don't care what line you use when a spinnerbait goes by their face so use whatever you prefer the "feel" of.

I fish a lot of lakes some clear some stained, some no pressure some heavy pressure, I hve found gin clear lakes with heavy fishing pressure usually benefit from the stealthier approach. I catch bigger fish on these water when I use fluorocarbon, I catch about the same number of fish without fluoro but for me SIZE MATTERS. I don't even change my approach anymore as I haven proven I don't catch smaller, or fewer fish, using a fluorocarbon leader. I guess I just aint much of a gambler. I definitely use a moderate forgiving action for spinners and cranks.

For me personally I do not use braid with spinner baits. I use either fluorocarbon or copolymer line. I prefer a MH/XF action rod for fishing spinner baits and always use a trailer hook, its a confidence thing.

Yes, I spinner bait with braid, 20, 30, or 50 lb. Med or MH power rods, with fast actions. No issues.

Forgot that....same here. I would say a large % of my spinnerbait fish are hooked on the trailer. I'd have a lot less confidence with out one.

ww2farmer have you tried using a little slower action, I don't fish heavy weed but do use a AVC70MM, I think the moderate action over my fast action 7' medium Avids gives me better hookups, and only use a trailer sometimes, most days I get by without the trailer on the Moderate action, but usually have a lot more misses on the fast action??? just a thought!