Braided vrs. Mono

[patindaytona]

Ok, I know I'll recieve alot of criticism on this subject, but I have a spinning reel that is not rated(like most)for the heavy duty of braided. If I use the action of my rod(rated up to 40lbs.which is the strength of my PP), can I absorb alot of that pull and prevent drag on my reel? I guess it's all about the drag, right? If a fish runs just a short distance, I'm fine as long as the drag is not set all the way. That's what I believe.

[RuddeDogg]

Of reel are ya using? I use braid on my lighter set ups and the reels I am using are, Okuma, Penn, Shimano and Fin-Nor. Even if your reel is (not rated) for braid you can still use it. if you are not using a bait runner then it is all about the drag. when I am not using a bait runner I set the drag loose enough to let out line but not too loose. If you set the drag real loose and you get a run start by increasing the drag a half to a full turn until you feel the drag and the fish turns and you should be ok.

[patindaytona]

Using a Penn 450ssg reel. How heavy is your braid? If you use the bend of the rod and keep it up, that should decrease the amount of drag needed, right?Of reel are ya using? I use braid on my lighter set ups and the reels I am using are, Okuma, Penn, Shimano and Fin-Nor. Even if your reel is (not rated) for braid you can still use it. if you are not using a bait runner then it is all about the drag. when I am not using a bait runner I set the drag loose enough to let out line but not too loose. If you set the drag real loose and you get a run start by increasing the drag a half to a full turn until you feel the drag and the fish turns and you should be ok.

[patindaytona]

What I've been doing is fishing very close to the rocks and I have to turn the fish right away...no run, or he'll go into the rocks, so I have to set my drag pretty hard from the start. So far, I've been able to turn the fish without it running but a few feet. So, I guess as long as there's not alot of long lasting friction on my drag, that is ok. Talking about a slot red. I guess something like that(and not much bigger)is ok to set my drag hard and turn it right away because I CAN, and it does take out my drag much at all. What do you think?Using a Penn 450ssg reel. How heavy is your braid? If you use the bend of the rod and keep it up, that should decrease the amount of drag needed, right?

[RuddeDogg]

I use 10lb, 15lb and 50lb Power pro. I also use 30lb suffix which is a little thicker than the porwer pro. You are correct, Keep the tip up and let the rod and reel do the work. That Penn spinfisher should handle the braid just fine.

[Digger]

Wether a reel is rated for braid has more to do with how the reel lays the braid down on the reel. Different pattens are formed(I don't remember which ones are better). Don't high stick the fish and you should be ok.

[patindaytona]

What if I put my hand on my reel handle...does that stop the drag from being activated? I mean if I do that BEFORE the drag is activated. That way, if I feel that i cannot turn the fish doing that, i can then let go of the handle to let the drag take over. Will this work?

[Digger]

Holding a reel handle has nothing to do with the drag.(now there is the anti reverse switch on most reels, which stops the reel from spinning backwards). Now a finger on the spool will add pressure be careful. Drags do have a max(unless they stick) which they continue to slip.

[patindaytona]

I have a Penn. My reel does not spin backwards. When you say nothing to do with the drag, do you mean that if I started to reel just a little BEFORE the drag started happening, the drag will STILL happen? or not?Holding a reel handle has nothing to do with the drag.(now there is the anti reverse switch on most reels, which stops the reel from spinning backwards). Now a finger on the spool will add pressure be careful. Drags do have a max(unless they stick) which they continue to slip.

[Digger]

The answer is yes it will(Unless the drag is sticking IE broken) it is not a good idea to crank the reel while line is going out; since it will twist your line(not a good thing).

[patindaytona]

What do you mean by "high stick"?Wether a reel is rated for braid has more to do with how the reel lays the braid down on the reel. Different pattens are formed(I don't remember which ones are better). Don't high stick the fish and you should be ok.

[Digger]

The angle of the rod that force a very sharpe bend in it that is where rods get broken fighting fish. Most common whentrying to land a fish and you point the rod away and the pressure from the fish pulls the tip toward the butt of the rod. Not a good thing. Oh remmeber those uglystick addds were fiberglass rods and not the modern graphite.