This is my first year of using braid on some of my rods.  When is it time to cut a couple of feet off and get to the not so used line in the reel. Do you cut some back with a little fraying or a lot fraying.  What about discoloration?  When it starts turning white is it time to cut back?  I only spool about 40-50 yards of braid the rest is backing.

Cut it off above where it frayed regardless of how much.

Discoloration has no bearing on the integrity of the line. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

16 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Cut it off above where it frayed regardless of how much.

Discoloration has no bearing on the integrity of the line. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

This...and usually it's only a few inches. I usually don't re-tie often with braid. Usually just tie on before going out and that's it. I did finally lose my first jig on braid for the year. With mono or fluoro, I'd be down a dozen by now.

I think I am going to have to cut about 2-3 feet off but, I need to look it over better to see if I need to go farther.  I’ve only been fishing about once a week but, it’s been in a big river with a lot of snags.  Plus I  have been practicing flipping, pitching, and casting about three times a week in the yard. I’ve only lost one jig on braid and it was my fault.  I screwed somthing up on a Palomar Knot and when I went to lift a nice smallie in the knot gave out ( bye bye smallie and jig).  Since than I have fixed the knot issue. 

Also remember when your braid gets a little age to it, you can spool it backwards to put your fresh braid which was once nearest the spool to the front.  Might not be as big of an issue if you are only spooling a small amount.  

For me it depends on the size of braid I’m using. 30lb I’ll cut line off and retie as soon as I see fraying. With 50lb I’ll let it slide a little longer. Don’t be lazy about having to retie, you’ll regret it when you lose that nice fish. 

1 hour ago, Kidflex said:

For me it depends on the size of braid I’m using. 30lb I’ll cut line off and retie as soon as I see fraying. With 50lb I’ll let it slide a little longer. Don’t be lazy about having to retie, you’ll regret it when you lose that nice fish. 

I’m only using 30 lbs braid. 

Recolor your faded braid with a Sharpie, choice of color.