Braid or not to use Braid

EatMyPilchard · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject:

That outfit should be able to knock over lots of those fish. However if you are targeting big cod near snags you may come unstuck. Cod will be the main exception. A few here in the freshwater section will be your best source of info on the cod. Not my thing, but you'll probably be advised on heavier line for the cod and retrieving lures jammed on logs.

I like the FG knot. Check it out on youtube, or an albright. 8-10 lb mono or fluro. FG better knot for casting. Perfection loop is ok on hard bodies. You may need a swivel if you use some other types of lures that may twist line.
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Gwynnie · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:10 pm Post subject:

Both the uni knot and Palomar are also good knots but not sure how good they are with a direct braid knot. We use a Palomar with Nanofil and it is brilliant but for braid the generally accepted method is to make a bimini twist double and then join a leader using the doubled loop. You could take a short cut and do a simple cats paw loop of teh double to a swivel then tie a leader to this to get you started.

bwana · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:23 pm Post subject:

6 turn uni knot for braid is ample.

Regards John

Guss · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:52 pm Post subject:

Braided type lines are not a one answer / solution to successful fishing. Everything that you engage beyond you hand is important.

Braid style lines are outstanding due to durability , strength , zero stretch , no memory and longevity.

The first most important aspect is to use a soft rod to counter act absence of line stretch. Loomis Crankbaits were purpose invented. Have a look at one to understand the needed rod attributes .Strong in the butt whilst having a soft tip to follow the fish.

The second factor is is have a reel with strong and progressive drag. These characteristics , combined with the rod , allow you to put load on the fish without pulling hooks or , over stressing the fish or , saying goodbye in early course.

The last but , at least of equal importance , is a low visibility mono leader. Flouro Carbon is ideal to maximise strength and minimise sighting. Also there is a shock absorption not occurring with braid direct.

In Eildon 14lb braid and a 14lb fluro carbon leader is a good combination. Even so , you may still need to back up on fish to avoid what you do not want to happen

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An open mind beats an open tackle box

The Weapon is on... · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:54 am Post subject:

How big are these fish in Eildon..?? IMO 14lb braid seems a bit much, unless you just want to rip them in...

I fish a fair bit in fresh and mostly for Bass, which can pull harder than a 14yr old... I use 4lb braid and have stopped 50cm Bass in Tallowa... Have also used the same flick stick off the beach in Jervis Bay and landed 4kg Salmon...

Lighter line makes for a crapload for fun, and you generally hook more fish and can cast further with more accuracy...

Cheers,
Nath...
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Back by popular demand...... Just a day out fishing with my mum...

Guss · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:08 am Post subject:

Nath , hear you but :-

The most likely causes of failure when engaging a fish are line failure or , a knot giving way. When mono was the only option I found that 6lb was a significant significant barrier. Fishing impoundments with 6lb or less found a high catch rate but , many cases of being dusted with lack of abrasion resistance often being a cause. So , out came the 8lb which was sourced with the thinnest diameter and maximum strength. The catch rate dropped off and fish were still lost albeit in smaller numbers.

The combination now used , which may go down to 10lb leader , finds an excellent catch rate and very few missed fish. An elevated softer rod and progressive reel drag are probably vital . The rod and reel do the work with the security of strong line.

When casting , only a rod length leader is used so that only the braid has to leave the spool . Also the join knot does not have to encounter either the bail arm or level wind. When trolling a 9m leader is used.
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An open mind beats an open tackle box

JTeam · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject:

@Guss "When casting , only a rod length leader is used so that only the braid has to leave the spool . Also the join knot does not have to encounter either the bail arm or level wind. When trolling a 9m leader is used."

I understand that when casting a short leader is used, but why 9m of leader when trolling ?

Thanks

Guss · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:06 pm Post subject:

G'day Les , I like your questions.

There are two reasons. Firstly , zero visibility a long way between the braid and the terminal tackle end. Secondly , increased shock absorption with a lot of line out.

A silent reason is that it works based on experimentation. Only a suspicion . there may be an affect on lure action. Stretch in a long fluro carbon leader may impart a lure action that does not occur with braid type lines and / or a short leader

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An open mind beats an open tackle box

JABBARAY · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

Thought i would send through an update on how i went using braid for my first time on lake eildon.

Wow was my first impression, casting lures and SP was great, however i knotted up a fair few times due to inexperience with it.

Used 15lb with a 15lb fluro leader tied using a slim beauty knot.

I only used this weight as i had never used braid before, but i can understand with such light gear that i could drop down with this kit to a 4 - 8lb setup and fish quite well.

In the future i might put the 15lb braid onto my other rod/reel (slighty bigger) and get some lighter gear for my smallest rod/reel setup.

Thanks for the info and look forward to reading more of your thoughts on braid and its use.

Jabba
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Umm....... where are the fish???????

JABBARAY · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:53 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Went out and brought some 4lb braid to put on my smallest reel, but i have a question. Should i be tying the braid directly on to the spool or should i be running some Mono as backing?

The guy at the shop said that i should run mono connected to the braid.

I have loaded it up with braid only and the spool is full with 150yrd on it so not sure how the mono will go. I suppose i would have to only put 100yrd on braid on after some mono.

Look forward to your advise.

Jabba
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Umm....... where are the fish???????