So after losing what I'm almost positive was my PB the other night, I'm switching out my line on my rod that I'm fishing swim jigs with.

 

I'm not exactly sure the brand/type that was on it, but I know it was 20 lb braid.

 

I'm either going to 30lb or 40lb.

 

My main question is do I go with the 4 or 8 strand?

 

From some quick Google searching, it looks like the 4 might cut through weeds better but 8 might cast better and is quieter.

 

Does this sound correct?

 

I've been throwing them in and around weeds and ripping them out with good success.

 

So if the above is true, it sounds like 4 might be the best. However, when it says the 4 is nosier, is it going to make a more noise underwater when I'm snapping it? I'm not too worried about casting distance, I can chuck a 3/8 jig with a 4" trailer pretty far.

 

Just a little confused. 

 

I wish I knew what line (# of strands) I have currently on it. Not sure if you can look and tell.

 

Thoughts?

Thanks! 

 

 

Yes - 4 carrier is 'rougher' and acts more like a knife on the weeds. 8 carrier is smoother, goes through the guides silenter and is limper for better casting.

 

Here too, high-class line is even better - I'm actually going to all Smackdown on my spinning rigs as it's even limper and smoother than my 'beloved' 832 - with one exception. My UL Crappie rig and my 6'10 ML finesse rig with the 1000 size reel have the new Revolve in 6# on them....and I'm really liking it for the lighter presentations

I agree with @MN Fisher on the differences between 4 and 8 carrier.   I would encourage you to ask yourself why the fish broke off.   Did the knot fail?  Was your drag set properly?  Were you fishing around abrasive cover?  The solution is usually not stronger line,  especially when you're breaking off with 22# braid.

I have some max cuatro (4 carrier) in 65lb on my frog rod.  Everything else is 8 carrier.  I love braid to leader when I use the quiet stuff. 
 

scott

24 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I agree with @MN Fisher on the differences between 4 and 8 carrier.   I would encourage you to ask yourself why the fish broke off.   Did the knot fail?  Was your drag set properly.  Were you fishing around abrasive cover?  The solution is usually not stronger line,  especially when you're breaking off with 22# braid.

 

Knot was fine.

 

Abrasive cover? Mostly just weeds. But I snap my rod a good bit trying to get reaction strikes.

 

Drag set properly? Well, that's a great question. I can tell you with almost 100% certainty that zero line was pulled out when the fish ran. I fought him for a good 15 seconds before he turned tail and swam away from my kayak, that's when the line broke.

 

Do I need to let out line though if say I'm using 20 lb line with a 5 lb fish on the other end?

 

BTW, just typing this up makes me think about that night. UGH.

 

A 5 lber to me is BIG.   

 

 

5 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Drag set properly? Well, that's a great question. I can tell you with almost 100% certainty that zero line was pulled out when the fish ran. I fought him for a good 15 seconds before he turned tail and swam away from my kayak, that's when the line broke.

 

Do I need to let out line though if say I'm using 20 lb line with a 5 lb fish on the other end?

You should be able to pull out line by hand even with the high-lb test braids. 

 

And yes, a 5# fish when surging can achieve much more than 5# of tension on that line...so let it have line if it runs....tire it out, don't try to force it in.

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

You should be able to pull out line by hand even with the high-lb test braids. 

 

And yes, a 5# fish when surging can achieve much more than 5# of tension on that line...so let it have line if it runs....tire it out, don't try to force it in.

 

Well darn, I'm pretty sure this reel is locked down as much as possible.

 

I doubt the drag even works very well. It's like a 20 year old Pinnacle that is on it's way out. Very first baitcaster I ever purchased.

 

I've been thinking about replacing it.

Change out the drag washers with Smooth Drags, about $2 plus postage and cost of Carls drag lube.

Always set you drag no higher then the rods lifting strength; MH = 4 lbs, H = 5 lbs using a scale or dead weight.

Tom

 

4 if you'll have to slice through veggies. 8 if you're mostly fishing in open water.

19 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

4 if you'll have to slice through veggies. 8 if you're mostly fishing in open water.

What is the reasoning here?  Data? TIA

You should always set your drag regardless of line.

It's better for the rod and reel AND the fishes mouth.

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Knot was fine.

 

Abrasive cover? Mostly just weeds. But I snap my rod a good bit trying to get reaction strikes.

 

Drag set properly? Well, that's a great question. I can tell you with almost 100% certainty that zero line was pulled out when the fish ran. I fought him for a good 15 seconds before he turned tail and swam away from my kayak, that's when the line broke.

 

Do I need to let out line though if say I'm using 20 lb line with a 5 lb fish on the other end?

 

BTW, just typing this up makes me think about that night. UGH.

 

A 5 lber to me is BIG.   

 

 

If the line broke, how can you determine your knot was fine? Sounds to me like you could invest in a better quality reel which will give you better performance all the way around. Braid can be cut easily and it’s possible that fish was digging for cover. It happens. 

3 hours ago, F14A-B said:

If the line broke, how can you determine your knot was fine? Sounds to me like you could invest in a better quality reel which will give you better performance all the way around. Braid can be cut easily and it’s possible that fish was digging for cover. It happens. 

Good question.

 

It’s almost been a week so it’s hard to replay what happened.

 

I can’t rule it out, but at the time it sure seemed like the line broke above the knot.

 

The knot of choice was the Palomar.

 

If there’s a better for braid I’m willing to make a change.

 

As for the reel, I agree. It’s been on the replacement list since the season started.

When heavier braid breaks due to an overload it sounds like .22 going off.  

A good USDM 20lb braid will break closer to 30lbs.  Its likely the rod or reel will give before the line.

If you didn't have a crazy amount of pressure on the fish or were fishing rocks or bridge pilings heavily, the line lilkey had a weak point where it was frayed or the knot failed.  PE lines are very slick.  Clinch/Improved clinch, can slip fairly easily when tied direct.  Uni and palomar knots work best IME.

Braid is really when it contacts structure under tension.  You can hear it from the boat, so think how loud it is underwater to fish that feel that vibration, which is why I favor FC for pitching and swim jigs.

If you want to stick with PE for swimjigs, I would go with a 4 or 5 carrier braid, especially if you're typing direct, as its texture makes for good knots

 

The tried and true original braid knot is simply a double line clinch knot.

You end up with 3 ends after cutting off the loop end and tag end, no braid not is stronger and easier to tie! Similar to thing a Palomar knot with a loop through the hook eye then tie a standard clinch knot with 5 turns for 15-30 lb braid.

I am sure this knot has several new names, but I learned to tie it in the 50’s!

Tom

5 hours ago, WRB-2.0 said:

 

Always set you drag no higher then the rods lifting strength; MH = 4 lbs, H = 5 lbs using a scale or dead weight.

Tom

 

 

Well regardless of what happened the other night.

 

I’m now determined to adjust all of my drags.

 

Thoughts on this method?

 

Seems a little simpler.

 

Thanks!

 

 

https://youtu.be/Cx-f_H4tPHo?si=exq6NKHLJLXhnS6y

I use a simple method by using 1 pint plastic water bottles in a plastic grocery bag. Each pint of water weighs 1 pound. put 4 water filled plastic bottles in the bag. With your rod-reel-line hook the bad handles and slowly lift the weigh off the floor….don’t high stick lifting over 45 degrees, never 90 degrees to prevent rod breakage. 4 lbs sounds like a light weight but your MH rod will nearly bend and max out. Adjust the dread so it starts to slip at 4 lbs for MHF bass rod or 5 lbs for Heavy.

I guarantee you will be surprised what 4 lbs of drag feels like!

Tom

5 hours ago, MickD said:

What is the reasoning here?  Data? TIA

4 strand slices veggies waaay better than 8. 8 is more silent, smoother and to a much lesser extent, casts a bit better.

I've pulled in 30+ lbs Red Drum on that kind of equipment. I therefore doubt you going up in test is going to help you much. I equally doubt it was your drag setting if we're talking a 5 lbs bass (congrats on hooking one by the way!), but you totally should set that properly. Your reel will thank you.

 

I'm going with abbrasion on your braid. It can come from a lot of sources. Heck, I've even gotten it from knicking the line with a jagged finger nail while picking out wind knots. Check your line routinely for knicks. Cut out bad sections.

 

To directly answer your question, I used eight strand braid when I fished with the stuff. I did that in hopes it wouldn't saw into wood. Emphasis on used to fish braid, I moved off it after several abbrasion related heart aches. 

@WRB-2.0 I just got 2 of my wife’s 2 pound work out weights out. Holy cow 4 pounds of drag seem so loose I’ve been way over tightening my drag!!!!! It feels like a lot lifting the rod tip but once I try to pull line out with my thumb and 2 fingers it’s way lighter than I expected. The drag will slip bad on a good hookset like this though??

11 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

So after losing what I'm almost positive was my PB the other night, I'm switching out my line on my rod that I'm fishing swim jigs with.

 

I'm not exactly sure the brand/type that was on it, but I know it was 20 lb braid.

 

I'm either going to 30lb or 40lb.

 

My main question is do I go with the 4 or 8 strand?

 

From some quick Google searching, it looks like the 4 might cut through weeds better but 8 might cast better and is quieter.

 

Does this sound correct?

 

I've been throwing them in and around weeds and ripping them out with good success.

 

So if the above is true, it sounds like 4 might be the best. However, when it says the 4 is nosier, is it going to make a more noise underwater when I'm snapping it? I'm not too worried about casting distance, I can chuck a 3/8 jig with a 4" trailer pretty far.

 

Just a little confused. 

 

I wish I knew what line (# of strands) I have currently on it. Not sure if you can look and tell.

 

Thoughts?

Thanks! 

 

 

 

On a baitcaster and in modest cover you can throw 30# without worry.  4 vs 8 is a distraction.  Both will do the same things without breaking. 8 is smoother to cast and my preference for all things braid on a baitcaster.  I would say that 20# is a little light, but not crazy so.  So check knots, fray, and other sources. 

4 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

On a baitcaster and in modest cover you can throw 30# without worry.  4 vs 8 is a distraction.  Both will do the same things without breaking. 8 is smoother to cast and my preference for all things braid on a baitcaster.  I would say that 20# is a little light, but not crazy so.  So check knots, fray, and other sources. 

I fish braid and have never given braid count any thought…until now.  In very general terms, wouldn’t 8 strand be compromised less by abrasion? That is to say, wouldn’t 8 strand tolerate ‘losing’ 1 strand better than 4 strand ‘losing’ 1?  

46 minutes ago, OldManLure said:

That is to say, wouldn’t 8 strand tolerate ‘losing’ 1 strand better than 4 strand ‘losing’ 1?  

I think everyone has an opinion but no one has data.   My opinion is that since 8 casts way better than 4, and I've seen no difference in "fragility," I only use 8.  Or more-Hitena Pure Line has 12 in the higher pound tests.  

3 hours ago, OldManLure said:

I fish braid and have never given braid count any thought…until now.  In very general terms, wouldn’t 8 strand be compromised less by abrasion? That is to say, wouldn’t 8 strand tolerate ‘losing’ 1 strand better than 4 strand ‘losing’ 1?  

The things you’re going to cut braid with are going to cut all of the strands at once.  Think rocks, mussels, metal.  You don’t just nick one strand.  And I’m usually not using braid in places where there are ‘cutting’ types.  Braid is for heavy vegetation for me, so I pick the one that handles the best.

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

On a baitcaster and in modest cover you can throw 30# without worry.  4 vs 8 is a distraction.  Both will do the same things without breaking. 8 is smoother to cast and my preference for all things braid on a baitcaster.  I would say that 20# is a little light, but not crazy so.  So check knots, fray, and other sources. 

I ordered 30 lb 832 and also adjusted my drag.

 

I could have upped it to 40 lb but I’d hate to lose some bites due to the fish seeing the line.

 

Line and more swim jigs/trailers arriving Monday.

 

Planning on doing a lot of night fishing here in this heat. PB here we come.