02-16-2013, 03:12 AM
I thought we went through this last year about this time, but... let's do it again.
I fish the Snake River for smallmouth over 125 days each year. I catch 1800-2000 smallies per year. I use only 5-20 pound fluorescent yellow braid. I color the last yard with a black felt tip pen. I don't think that is necessary, but it is a habit.
I have never seen any problem with braid fraying. Even if I did, I'd still use it for its casting edge, sensitivity, strength/diameter ratio, and the fact that it allows me to go one step lower in the power of my rods. I believe I can get equal hook sets with a ML rod and 10 pound braid to what I could get with a M rod and 10 pound mono. The lighter tackle makes fishing more fun and isn't that what we go fishing for.
I should add that it really doesn't matter what I use, or anyone else. You should use whatever you feel confident in, for that's a big part of the "catching".
And this was fun two days ago. A very fat 17" Snake River smallie, on a drop shot L rod, 5 pound yellow braid, and 3" shaker worm in pumpkin. Water temp 39-42 degrees.
![[Image: 20130213-17in-2pb_zps7e8ab99d.jpg]](http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k526/PCW77/The%20River%20-%202013/20130213-17in-2pb_zps7e8ab99d.jpg)
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I fish the Snake River for smallmouth over 125 days each year. I catch 1800-2000 smallies per year. I use only 5-20 pound fluorescent yellow braid. I color the last yard with a black felt tip pen. I don't think that is necessary, but it is a habit.
I have never seen any problem with braid fraying. Even if I did, I'd still use it for its casting edge, sensitivity, strength/diameter ratio, and the fact that it allows me to go one step lower in the power of my rods. I believe I can get equal hook sets with a ML rod and 10 pound braid to what I could get with a M rod and 10 pound mono. The lighter tackle makes fishing more fun and isn't that what we go fishing for.
I should add that it really doesn't matter what I use, or anyone else. You should use whatever you feel confident in, for that's a big part of the "catching".
And this was fun two days ago. A very fat 17" Snake River smallie, on a drop shot L rod, 5 pound yellow braid, and 3" shaker worm in pumpkin. Water temp 39-42 degrees.
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