trying to make up my mind if i want to go with 30 or 40# braid most of the stuff is scattered pads and weeds, whats everyones thoughts
trying to make up my mind if i want to go with 30 or 40# braid most of the stuff is scattered pads and weeds, whats everyones thoughts
I'm a 30 guy until the weeds/pads get thick, then 50-65.
I primarily fish 30lb braid for swim jigs.
30lb braid for my swim jigs. I like the FINS Pitch Black braid.
I go 40lb braid. I had too many issues with 30lb braid cutting into itself on the spool after setting the hook or getting a snag. Could have been the braid and not the pound test, but I've just had better luck with the 40lb.
Keep in mind that 30 lb braid in one brand may be 50 lb braid in another. It's all over the map to where the lb test ratings mean absolutely zero. You've got to compare diameters to really know whether what you think is 30 or 40 lb is what someone else thinks is 30 or 40 lb.
I like a little less than 0.30 mm diameter which is basically 30 lb in J-braid Grand (0.28mm...compare to something like Berkley X9 where 50 lb is 0.30 mm, and Berkley Fireline where 20lb is 0.30 mm, just as a couple examples). I also almost always tack on a 16 lb fluoro leader, not because I feel like fish see the line, but because I think it cuts down on noise sawing on vegetation and wood, isn't as likely to dig into wood, and holds up better to pike teeth and metal dock posts. I go straight braid if I'm fishing pads or other heavy cover.
2011 Skeeter ZX225
225 Yamaha HPDI Series 2
Minn Kota Ultrex 112 52"
Console: HDS 16 Carbon
Bow: HDS 12 Carbon, Solix 12 G2, Mega 360, Garmin 106 SV, LVS 34
I use Sufix 832 for braid. My swim jig rod varies between 40 & 50lb. I use 40 on almost everything but a thinner braid can dig into the spool on a baitcaster. If 40 lets your drag work smoothly, use it! I’ve had to go up to 50 and haven’t seen any real difference but 40 just felt right to me....it just dug into my spool one too many times.
2006 Triton SP-185, 2006 Evinrude Etec 90, PowerTech NRS3, Garmin Echomap Plus 73CV & 93SV
If I’m fishing braid on a swim jig in the mess it’s 50-65# otherwise 16# Gamma Fluorocarbon for me. For me in the pads and heavy veg I want to be able to lean on it and winch them to the boat almost like a frog.
2019 Ford F-150 Platinum (3.5EcoBoost/10spd)
**Listed FOR SALE**2014 Ranger Z119C w/ Evinrude ETEC 225HO Running Croxton’s Razor 4XL 25P
Helix 12 Mega G2N’s with Ultrex
Think like a fish, no matter how weird it gets
I've thrown 50lb Power Pro for as long as I can remember. Been working for me.
Straight 15 lb invisix for as long as I can remember. I use it for swim jigs and chatter baits
2007 Ranger188vs, Mercury optimax 150
Suffix 832 in #40 for braid. #18 FC Sniper for fluorocarbon
I use 50 pound test green Izorline Brutally Strong Spectra. If the fish gets hung up, I want the line to be able to cut the weeds and pad stems and still get the fish out. You can find it at Tackle Warehouse.
Last edited by Jeff Hahn; 03-24-2021 at 10:25 PM.
"The man of system is apt to be very wise in his own conceit; and is often so enamored with the supposed beauty of his own ideal plan of government that he cannot suffer the smallest deviation from any part of it…He seems to imagine that he can arrange the different members of a great society with as much ease as the hand arranges the different pieces upon a chessboard.” Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
I use 50# Sufix 852 around cover. It's only .01mm thicker than the 40# (0.34 vs 0.33). In clear open water, usually 14# FC Sniper.
2013 Ranger Z520c, 2013 Yamaha 250 SHO
2018 Ranger RT198p, 2013 Mercury 150 Optimax
30-50# braid or 15-17# fluoro
How is skipping swim jigs when using braid? Will it mess up in the reel easier or us it actually less likely to back lash when skipping?
It's probably a little more likely to backlash due to its thinner diameter compared to fluoro. But you can pick out a backlash, aggressively if you want to, and not worry about sending your jig off to oblivion with your next cast.Originally Posted by z520brewer
2011 Skeeter ZX225
225 Yamaha HPDI Series 2
Minn Kota Ultrex 112 52"
Console: HDS 16 Carbon
Bow: HDS 12 Carbon, Solix 12 G2, Mega 360, Garmin 106 SV, LVS 34
Also use 50 lb. Power Pro. Can throw it a country mile and comes through grass without any problems.
Same for me in heavy cover.
i use 12lb. fluorocarbon in lighter cover. Sparse weeds hard bottom. i actually like the fluorocarbon better. Seem to get more bites
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