Skip to content

10 vs 15lb braid

Featured Replies

Any real noticeable difference? Deciding between 10 or 15 lb power pro mainly for senkos and ned rigs on a 2500 spinning reel. 

  • Super User

 

The difference between 10 & 15-lb braid is 0.001" (1/1000"). 

That's 1/3 the diameter of an average human hair  ? 

 

Roger

  • Author
21 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

The difference between 10 & 15-lb braid is 0.001" (1/1000"). 

That's 1/3 the diameter of an average human hair  ? 

 

Roger

I’ve read casting difference actually suffers quite a bit with 15 vs 10. I’m always skeptical on how accurate like diameter ratings are 

I've been using both lately (PP SS V2) on Stradic 2500's. I do lose a bit of distance with the 15 but gain some confidence dragging fish through shoreline vegetation. (I bank fish) If you're in a boat 10 should be adequate.

Those baits cast like a bullet so I doubt it with that small of a diameter jump...Ive noticed a small difference using 6lb Power pro over 15lb for casting ultralight lures like 1/32 ouce shad darts. But thats also a dramatic diameter jump.

I suspect there are greater thickness variations in the line itself than the difference between the two advertised thicknesses.  Hard to believe that .0001 would create enough real world variance in casting distance to be appreciably different.  Especially when you add in the drag from entrapped sediment in the line ,the swelling of the line from being wet and inconsistent thickness from mfg practices.  All anecdotal but seem logical. 

All I know is the fish have never cared about the difference between 10# and 15# braid as a mainline and my casting distance hasn't been noticably different between the two. But fingers get cut a lot less with 15#.

#10 does cast a lot farther and a lot more effortlessly than #15 does on a 2500 size spinning reel. 

  • Super User
5 hours ago, Jcj90 said:

I’ve read casting difference actually suffers quite a bit with 15 vs 10. I’m always skeptical on how accurate like diameter ratings are 

 

Can't say I blame you for being skeptical, the profit motive doesn't inspire the most moral venues.

I measure line diameter myself using a tenths micrometer. If you're interested in the diameter of a line,

and I have that line, I'll give you an accurate line diameter (To the tenth if necessary).

 

Roger

 

I use both lines and the 10 definitely out casts the 15. Big jump in diameter, I don’t care what the diameter on the package says 

I agree with the comments regarding castability of 10 vs 15.  To me, 10 lb fishes very limp, almost to the point of being too light, so I prefer 15.  Power Pro being the poorboy's gold standard.

  • Super User

 

We're talking here about the difference in .006" and .007" line (real world diameter, not advertised).

I'd go with the 15-lb braid for its better abrasion-resistance alone, not to mention line-burrowing.

 

Roger

Was using 10lb but went up to 15 in my newest spool as I was hoping it would help with random knots I get.  The 10lb is just so flimsy. We'll see if it makes a difference.

I use 8lbs suffix 832 on both of my finesse spinning rods. It is noticeably thinner and better casting than even 10lbs pp, has less drag in the water so it doesn’t make baits pendulum back to the boat as much when your casting at a specific target, and I get better distance casting light baits like hair jigs. I never have had an issue with it being weak and breaking on a fish, even when using a 12lbs leader I will always break off at the lure when I get snagged not at the leader knot or the braid. If I’m fishing a finesse rod like that I’m never locking my drag and horsing a fish in so I’m not worried about my braid breaking, I’ve landed a 47” musky and a couple channel cats in the 20lbs range on it and never was worried.

  • Super User

I run 10 lb braid because it seems to cast a bit farther & I never use more than a 8 lb FC leader. It's also a fun challenge to tie 10 lb braid in the wind.

  • Super User

I have two identical reels, except one is loaded with 15# braid, and the other 30#.  I can't really tell you which is which unless I hold them right next to each other and carefully examine them, and even then, I'm never 100% sure.  They both act pretty much the same on my rod.

 

My point being, I don't think there's a huge difference between the thinner braids.  If you compare 10# to 30#, you'll probably notice a difference.  But between 10# and 15#, I doubt there will be enough of a difference to tell them apart, unless you closely scrutinize them for the tiniest differences.  It's not like mono or fluoro where the difference between two pounds can be pretty obvious sometimes.  To me, the bigger difference in those thin braids lies between brands.

I started out with 10# Power Pro and went to 15# on my main spinning setup. I haven't noticed a big difference...maybe fewer wind knots, but that's not much of an issue anyway with braid. I think you're fine with either. I'll probably stick with 15#.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.