"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers.com" wrote in message
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"Steve W." wrote in message
...
OK new question...

Been sitting here going through the gear. Cleaning and lubing the reels,
checking poles for problems.

Now for the fun part.
Re-spool time.

Line wise I will probably be reloading a few with braid. Those will be
15-50 pound gear. The spinning reels will probably get good mono line
4-20# range)

So what have you used and how did you like it. And NO I don't want to
hear how I should ONLY use line made by XXXXX because it rocks..
I'd like to hear the real stories, warts and all.

Now maybe if you managed to snag a bikini off some 20 year old blond
using a particular line and hook....


What are you using for leader material? Do you use a leader all the
time? When you do how long are they? One guy I talked to recently was
saying that he uses a leader that is able to wrap at least 4 times
around the spool when the line is in.


--
Steve W.

Hey Steve,

I'm a little different than Bob. I use braided line on ALL my reels with
the exception of the rod/reel that I crappie fish with.

I tried that based on some of Steve's past advice and I can see the benefit.
It give really nice feedback for lots of applications. It's a really nice
feel for blades, and for that being able to feel the blades turn can be
critical. Often a large chaser will engulf the bait and keep swimming. If
you can't feel the blades stop turning it may spit the bait before you know
to speed up and sweep the rod.

My problem is that except for the heaviest braids I just didn't seem to get
very good life out of my braid. I broke off freshly tied 30lb on hooksets.
I launched spinnerbaits into orbit on the tiniest little bind during a cast
etc. I also used PowerPro for a long time, and its great initially, but it
would start to get rotten on me. Perhaps it the dry air or the harsh
natural radiation in Arizona, but it was really only good for a few trips on
deck or maybe half a season if stored below deck. I store my boat indoors.
I get the same life out of mono and good quality mono is still cheaper.

In the 65# line I use for flipping and frogging I've found I can use Stren
Super Braid all season until it starts to get short from cutting off and
retying. I have had a few that seemed to get "rotten," but those were
spooled up on rods I use every single time I go out. Rods that were on deck
and exposed to the Arizona sun 50-60 days a year or more.

I don't disagree with Steve, and I definitely see the appeal of using all
braid for all except a few of the most severe clear water finesse
presentations. I even know guys who fish cranks and popper on braid, but
you better have the right rod for the job if you do. Its really easy to
straighten out those light hooks and rip them out of the fish. (The pros I
know who do this also usually swap out all the hooks on those baits too.)

Ultimately you have to take all this information and figure out what works
best FOR YOU.