Braided/Super line

[One_Duck_Limit]

I was thinking about rigging up my bass rod with a braided/super line. I did a search but couldn't find much information, and I wanted to find out what worked for the local guys. What brand would you recommend and why?
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[fishinfool]

I like fireline over braided lines,10lb test is 4lb diameter.and it holds up good,
JMOA.Later,fnf
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[BearLakeFishGuy]

I use Spiderwire original braid for vertical jigging on Bear Lake in deep water. It has the smallest line diameter compared to rated strength of any of the so-called superlines. (I specifically use the 6lb. diameter for 30lb rated strengh). However, this stuff casts terrible and loops around the tip of your rod too easily. Plus, it is expensive (~$20 for 150 yards of line) However, you said you were interested in fishing for bass. For this same type of fishing I like to use Spiderwire Fusion. This stuff is still made by Spiderwire, but it is made for casting and it works great. I use the 12lb diameter 24 lb rated strength for casting crankbaits/spinner baits. It lasts me an entire year and doesn't cost an-arm-and-a-leg like the orginal braid mentioned above.
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[mdmaurer]

I tried fireline, but don't like the way it frays. Most recently I tried some off-brand braided stuff I got at Sportsmans Warehouse. Can't remember the name, but it is a light cream color, and didn't cost very much. It casts great and is very strong (like 20 lb test but has the diameter of 4 lb mono). I love it. The only challenge is tying knots. You can't use your standard mono knots. It comes with a little booklet on tying the right knots. The 'Palomar' is the one I use. Very easy to tie, and you can't break it. Also, if it ever gets tangled then forget trying to pick it out. Just cut it off and re-tie.
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[Fishry]

I've done well with the Power Pro. I've used it for both casting and vertical jigging for about 3 years now. The Fireline is horrible IMHO. It frays, flattens, binds on the reel, and bleeds its color very fast. I use the 8 lb diameter, 30 lb test line.
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[fishinfool]

I will have to agree with you guys on that it frays a little and discolors a bit,but its been a good line for me,I will have to look for the power pro,next time I respool.I usally strip off the first ten feet when I tie on to get reed of the fraid looking line you guy described.If power pro doesn't do that I will buy it for all my poles.
Thanks for the info.
FNF[cool]
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[tomegun]

You won't find many tournament and club bass fishermen around here using braided or superline.

Here is the reason, its not needed. Superlines are made to fish tough cover that is ususally in the southern states. Utah Lake is the closes thing to their types of structure problems. Flurocarbon and mono are the choice for most bass folks out west.

Experiment. Tryout various types of lines and findout what suits your style.

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[d-mack]

I'll agree with fishry on the power-pro. I tried most of the other lines (super-style) and found that for the price you pay power-pro is every bit as good as original spider wire and actually seems to cast a little better. I will say however, don't bother trying to "finesse" fish with this stuff it just tangles and gives you headaches. It works best when casting or pitching heavier lures and be mindfull of your spool on your reel because when you get a backlash with braided line you'll end up cutting it out and wasting a lot of money.

Honestly, I have reverted back to the standard old monofilament lines because I figure when I'm burning spinnerbaits and cranks in heavy cover the fish don't get a chance to really see the line anyway. They either slam the bait or let it go on by. I doubt the line is part of the decision for the fish.
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[ibefshn]

I have to say power-pro if your going to cast with it a lot. I do like fireline but I've had better luck casting with power pro.
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[mdmaurer]

That's the name I couldn't remember, Power Pro. Great product!

One good reason for using it over mono is for SENSITIVITY. I use it on my St. Croix spinning rod when jigging or bottom bouncing for walleye, or whenever I'm bottom fishing and need to really be able to "stay in touch" with what's going on down there. This line has zero stretch, and transmits all the vibrations from lure to rod, much like kids stretching a string tightly between two soup cans for a homade "telephone". I love the sensitivity of this setup. I can actually feel the blade of a small spinner rotating on a walleye rig, and can feel every little rock, twig, and fish nibble on my jig head or bouncer. I can determine what kind of bottom it is. For this kind of fishing nothing can beat these no strech lines. One other small divantage, besides the easy tangling, is the fact that there is no give. Hook sets must be made more gently, and the drag on your reel should be set lighter or you can more easily tear hooks out of a fish. You have to play them in with a softer hand. Some guys tie on a few feet of mono leader to act as a shock absorber, and also to be less visible at the lure.

My Power Pro has never frayed or shown signs of wear, and it casts way farther than any mono I've ever had. I love the stuff.

[Hopper]

I've used the braids for many years, but have delegated them to trolling only. They are no fun to cast unless they are brand new, and they can get pulled down into previous wraps and stick during a cast and break the line. I love them for pulling bottom bouncers. Thin diameter allows them to go deep with less line out and the sensitivity is awesome. They don't handle shock well, don't jerk on snags. Just wrap some line around a PVC pipe and pull steady. The stuff is so strong it freqently pulls up the snag. The other thing with superlines is to back off on your drag. There is no stretch in the line so hooks rip out easily. I probably tripled my catch rate once I figured this out.

Trolling, loose drag, and no jerking. That's it.

Hopper.
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[One_Duck_Limit]

Thanks for the advise. I've been searching for info about braided/super lines on the internet and some writers mention braided lines cutting in to the rod guides. Have any of you experienced this?
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[mdmaurer]

I have had no problem with the braided line cutting into the guides, yet. I suppose you would have to use the line for a very long time before this might happen. But I guess it could eventually. I still like it enough that I will keep using it though. If my guides wear out I will hav them replaced or buy a new rod. Oh that I could fish that much!

[cat_man]

it doesn't necessarily have to take very long. One big fish pulling on your line, dragging out line from your drag will "saw" right through it in no time, or at least leave a nick in the guides that will fray the line later. The non-braided superlines can do the same thing. Just gotta keep an eye on the guides.
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[maniac]

The only thing I use braided line for is spinnerbait fishing,in heavy cover. I use fire line there is probably better braided lines out there but I haven't used my fire line enough to need to re spool. If you use braided line it's harder on your reels and rods, there is almost no stretch with that stuff,wich makes it easier to break rods. And it sucks for trolling. you will find that you have more lost fish with the braids trolling, because there is no give in your line it's especially bad trolling for kokes and trout. I fish mostly with mono for everything, and won't buy nothing but clear, no flourescent line for me ever again! except maybe catfishing in muddy water. Good luck!
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[tubeN2]

Braided line and super lines are fine if your guides permit the constant abraision on them.

Fireline, spiderline, spiderwire and others all wear grooves in your guides and can cause your mono or even your hybrid lines to break at a much lower weight of fish caught once you have changed back.

Out here on the west coast, we use Spectra $$$$ and use flourocarbon lines as well as flourocarbon coated hybrid lines. They have less impact on the ceramic guides and are extremely gentle on carbide or metal guides.

If you would like to try an all around good line without all the extra cost, muss and fuss as the more expensive lines, there is alwasy the alternative. Silverthread Excalibur.

TubeDude introduce me to this line a couple of years ago and it has found it's way onto my reels for both fresh and saltwater applications.

It really meets the extreme tests and is low memory, high strength and has an excellen abrasion resistance.

You can get the Silverthread through Cabelas. There is a link for Cabelas on the top right hand corner of this web page.[cool]
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[One_Duck_Limit]

Thanks for all the advise, I picked up a spool of 20 lb Power Pro and a spool of 12lb Vanish flourocarbon. I'm going to try them both to see which one I like.
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