I decided to try braid at the beginning of the season. I fish spinning gear and wanted to see how it performed.

At first I HATED it. I went with Sufix 20# (6# dia.) I couldn't get past the noise and the way it felt, so I went back to mono for most of the year. A few weeks ago I put the braid spool back on but this time added a 12# mono leader.

The addition of a leader made a huge difference! Also it seems the more I fish with it, the quieter it gets. This is where I wonder if it's breaking in. I still use mono for a lot of applications, but the braid is working nicely for my jigs and soft plastics.

One more question - Most of the waters I fish have very little in the way of rocks and wood, so abrasion is not really a factor. What kind of lifespan can I expect out of it ?

braid softens as it gets older.braid can last 10 years or longer.as far as less noise i think you are just getting used to it.try fireline braid.it's better than sufix.

That break in period is the time period I dubbed the time it takes for the wany coat that's on to wear off.

I too used to "hate" that sound until I started hooking into some strong fish. Then that noise became music to my ears.

As for life span, it's as dodge said. So long as the line doesn't show signs of wear, it is good to go. Some braid I have is going on its 3rd year.

Oh yeah... The braid will eventually lose its color. Don't let it bother you. I don't, and I don't care to recolor it either.

I agree about the FireLine Braid as well. What dodgeguy, no picture!

After a few hours of use a layer of coating/color falls off and it becomes a lot softer!

I have some Stren Superbraid on one of my spinning reels (about 50 yards) that was installed in February 2004 that is still in good shape with minumum color loss. It is the gold color. I use that rig a lot and have reversed it once a couple of years ago.

I agree about the FireLine Braid as well. What dodgeguy, no picture!

After a few hours of use a layer of coating/color falls off and it becomes a lot softer!

SORRY DUDE!!!

My PowerPro faded colors really fast but it's been the same since it's first few uses and it still works great.

The more I see that Fireline pic, the less I want to buy it. I use PP on spinning 100% of the time, I fish daily with 10# fresh, 15# saltwater, it does everything I need it to do with no issues and I can buy it anywhere. For the last year or 2 I seldom do a full respool, I just add fresh line when needed.

My target fish usually run 24-28", many way bigger especially in the summer. My standard set up is 4000 spinner, 7'6 med rod, 15#PP and I cut my own 30# leaders from Ande mono.

The more I see that Fireline pic, the less I want to buy it. I use PP on spinning 100% of the time, I fish daily with 10# fresh, 15# saltwater, it does everything I need it to do with no issues and I can buy it anywhere. For the last year or 2 I seldom do a full respool, I just add fresh line when needed.

My target fish usually run 24-28", many way bigger especially in the summer. My standard set up is 4000 spinner, 7'6 med rod, 15#PP and I cut my own 30# leaders from Ande mono.

you don't know what you are missing!!! ;D

I just can't get over the waxy/gummy coating enough to try it.

I just can't get over the waxy/gummy coating enough to try it.

That comes off in a few casts and than your are left with pure perfection................................................

I'm fine with my PP so far but maybe I'll give it a shot when I run out. If I don't like it, I'll send you the bill.  ;D

They need to make the Fireline-Braid in hi-vis green or yellow and forget the 'camo'.

I just can't get over the waxy/gummy coating enough to try it.

what waxy gummy coating are you talking about?powerpro has the worst coating in the world.to me that's a waxy gummy coating.the new fireline braid loses some color and softens a bit but i would hardly call it a waxy gummy coating.

Bob Dole, the Fireline Tracer Braid is not camo. It is alternating bright yellow and dark green. Each section is 2 1/2' in length.

I just can't get over the waxy/gummy coating enough to try it.

what waxy gummy coating are you talking about?powerpro has the worst coating in the world.to me that's a waxy gummy coating.the new fireline braid loses some color and softens a bit but i would hardly call it a waxy gummy coating.

It almost felt like wax-coated dental floss or something. I don't see anything wrong with PowerPro's coating, it changes color but other than that there's nothing wrong with it.

Bob Dole, the Fireline Tracer Braid is not camo. It is alternating bright yellow and dark green. Each section is 2 1/2' in length.

Regardless, seems silly, just make it hi-vis green, if I want a section to be dark green I can color it with a magic marker.