Braid on a CASTER???!!!!! Me???!!!!

[Railroader]

I'm big enough to admit when I MAY have made a mistake....

I got the 5500 Pro Rocket from KillerB in the mail today, and after a few mods and some tuning I decided to fill it with braid and try it out in the yard. I had some 20# Fireline on a backup spinner, so I loaded the Rocket, put it on a 7' Star Stellar and went outside....

I threw weights ranging from 1/4 oz. to 1 oz. and found it to be very easy to manage, not at all like I remember the old "spiderwire" that came out ten or so years ago. It casted nice, and didn't seem to "dig in" or knot up at all. I even induced a few minor backlashes, and found them easy to get out. I do still believe that a bad nest would put the reel out of commission for the day, and require a bunch of cutting.

I tested the drag by wrapping the weight in the chain link fence, and pulling as though a fish was ripping drag....I tightened the drag to the point of being scared for the rod, with NO digging in problems.

Braid's definitely got my attention, and I'm gonna give it a second chance on a caster. I bleeve it'll work pretty good as long as I use a tippet of mono or flouro, to give it a place to break on hang ups.

Just wanted to publicly say I MAY have changed my mind, and that doesn't happen often.:rolleyes:

[skiffisher]

Still havent found a rod for that ABU 5000 and still havent spooled it are you saying braid might be the way to go or is the reel your useing different.
Let me know something ..
thanks MATT

[eklutna]

Just say no to brade

[Railroader]

Still havent found a rod for that ABU 5000 and still havent spooled it are you saying braid might be the way to go or is the reel your useing different.
Let me know something ..
thanks MATT

I'm saying that braid IS the way to go on a light spinner.....As for the caster, playing in the yard has told me it'll be worth a try. I'll have to take it fishing a time or two before I make up my mind.

Eklutna....

I've ALWAYS said NO,NO,NO.....It's only been in the last month that I decided to try it on a little flounder spinner, I hate to admit it....but for that purpose, it "SO rocks" to borrow a line from the kid......

[Railroader]

Update....6-19

Matt, I'm now saying that braid IS the way to go on light inshore equipment, be it casting or spinning.

Fished with my 5500 Pro Rocket and the 20# fireline today, and I HAVE TO ADMIT, It performed FLAWLESSLY!

I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT BRAID!!!!

There I said it!!!!

[bigjim5589]

Railroader, it's a big man who admits he may have been mistaken, but an even bigger man who keeps an open mind about it! Kudo's to you! :D

I've been using Power Pro, can't say for sure it's the best available, but for me it works fine on some of my baitcasters. I also use Yozuri Hybrid, and for some applications it works fine too.

I've read that Suffix has a new braid that is supposed to be better than all others currently available, time will tell.

You're right about the old braids, they don't even compare to some produced today. ;)

[GMinPA]

I've read that Suffix has a new braid that is supposed to be better than all others currently available, time will tell.

You're right about the old braids, they don't even compare to some produced today. ;)Bigjim -I recently (mid-May, some 15 outings ago) started using 30# Suffix braid on a spinning set-up. I use a 50# mono leader (connected by a modified Albright knot) and it is backed with 17# mono. I fish the surf. Wind has been from all directions when I've used this line. I've hooked into 2 cow-nose rays and an assortment of blues, kings, weakfish, etc. Thus far, I have not experienced the problems ("windknots", leader-to-main line knot slipping, "ticking" the guides with the leader-main line knot) I've had with other braids (and knots) I used.

[bigjim5589]

GM, thanks! Good to hear some first hand info. If you would be so kind as to let us know how it holds up, maybe thru the end of this season.

I'd be interested to know more about how durable the Suffix is, and I'm sure others here would also. :)

GM, are you seeing any signs of fraying with it?

[derekxec]

glad you changed your mind about braid...ive been using power pro for a year or 2 and ill never use anything else

every reel gets it....i dont use a shock leader either ive heard people say yeah itll get caught and not break just come back and hit you but in the time ive used it everytime it has done that it broke

its super strong pulling but a quick snap on the line will break it decently easy

[GMinPA]

I'd be interested to know more about how durable the Suffix is, and I'm sure others here would also. :)

GM, are you seeing any signs of fraying with it?Bigjim - Obviously, the durability issue can't be adressed yet, but I will keep that in mind. As for fraying, I do not recall seeing/feeling any. I can't check it right now, as I am here and the reel is not. :)

I have not used this around jetties, groins, pilings, etc. I have the line on an outfit I use for fishing long. I am comparing it to 30# Calcutta braid on a same brand but smaller (by 2 sizes) reel and a similar rod.