I recently borrowed a friend's setup for a day because mine was too heavy to use with the small spinners we used for trout. He had on braid and I really liked it and I'm cnsidering switching to braid from mono. One thing I noticed was that the line was like a sponge, it soaks up water on the spool and if you squeeze the line on the spool, the water will ooze out. Will the water absorption hurt the reel after a while?

 Really no different than fishing in the rain. I've used braid for years without issue. Along with many others on here. 

It is my opinion that braid casts a little differently on baitcasters in the back yard than it does when wet.  I believe it tends to spin off the spool more when wet  (and heavier), sometimes contacting the reel posts (within the reel).  This can cause loss of distance compared to dry.  So I keep it a little farther down (not as full) on the spool as compared to my mono fill point.  I also find myself having to do "softer-gentler-smoother" casts with braid than mono, which can be really "whipped" on the cast.

Some braids do this more than others.  I look for braids with what feels like a harder, smoother, finish thinking they may not absorb as much water.  But I have to admit that my whole idea on this subject is not backed by hard data, just by what I think I've observed.   

I would say the same as Mick. I do find that treating braid with L&L helps with this. It also helps braid hold its color. I don't think actual casting is improved. 

I didn't answer the original question-"Will it hurt the reel?"  Never has with me, but I fish mostly fresh water. In salt the rod and  reel should be rinsed every day.  I've never done more than this after fishing salt water and I've never had an indication of reel corrosion. (with aluminum spools, spin and cast)

 

8 hours ago, Largemouth21 said:

I recently borrowed a friend's setup for a day because mine was too heavy to use with the small spinners we used for trout. He had on braid and I really liked it and I'm cnsidering switching to braid from mono. One thing I noticed was that the line was like a sponge, it soaks up water on the spool and if you squeeze the line on the spool, the water will ooze out. Will the water absorption hurt the reel after a while?

sounds like you were using power pro !

10 hours ago, MickD said:

I didn't answer the original question-"Will it hurt the reel?"  Never has with me, but I fish mostly fresh water. In salt the rod and  reel should be rinsed every day.  I've never done more than this after fishing salt water and I've never had an indication of reel corrosion. (with aluminum spools, spin and cast)

 

thanks, I'm sure it will be fine then especially since I would be putting it on a pretty nice reel