Thread: What do you guys think about braided lines for crappie fishing?

Fins wind tamer braid helps on the wind knots.

Originally Posted by FIN

What do you do about wind knots?
FIN

Actually for last season and this season so far, I've only had it happen twice. It may be unusual, so maybe I've been lucky. Mostly for shooting I use a 1/8th oz. Roadrunner head with a 2" Go Go Minnow. I superglue the minnow to the jig head because fish like to try and pull the minnows off. It doesn't take a lot to put it under the dock far enough.

I use Power Pro Hi-Vis 15lb braid which is 4 lb equivalent. Use it to dislodge my hung hooks without breaking line. Can feel the slightest bump too! I have used for dock shooting, bobber fishing, vertical jigging, casting and anything else you can think of and it lasts!! I do use 6 lb mono on two of my jigging rods for more sensitivity.

I just ordered enough 20/6 spiderwire glow-vis to outfit my longline spinning rods for trolling cranks. I've suffered a left wrist injury and can't handle a rod with my left hand required for my baitcasters right now. I have small spinning reels and needed a higher lb test line for cranks so I didn't really have a choice at this point. We'll see how it goes.

Originally Posted by That'sABingo

i have noticed that crappie and even bluegills hit lures/bait with monofilament more than braid. i had one pole with 4lb mono and one with 10lb braid (diameter of 2lb mono) and the one with mono outfished braid about 3-1. could have been a fluke but im sticking with mono.

I use a small ball Bering swivel then about 3 ft or mono leader. Best of both

Originally Posted by FIN

What do you do about wind knots?
FIN

After putting any line on a spinning reel i free spool 90% of the line out with out tying and lure or weight on it. I pull it behind the boat at low speed about 5mph for a minute or 2. Then reel it in. This removes any twist in the line. I have 20# power pro on my spinning reels going on 2 years and not a wind knot yet. I prefer braid over mono. I found the braid does get better the more its used. With mono on my spinning reels I get wind knots every other trip. When I do I just do the free spool trick again and am good for a few more fishing trips. I use it on bait casters and spinning reels. On spin casts I use mono. I also free spool a spin cast reel. It helps to spool it out every few trips also to remove line twists. I have heard braid doesnt do well on a bait caster.

I'm curious about why you folks use such a heavy pound test braid? I've caught 5 lb. smallies on my 4# test Fireline rig, with never a loss due to line failure. Caught an 8 lb. Northern on the same rig several years ago. You have to admit, that casting with a 4# braid is much better (for distance) than 10# braid in any case. I use a 4' leader of 4# test XL put on the main line with an Alberto knot. Have used this set-up for many years with no problems.

Just ordered a SHSS 9' rod & matching Pflueger President. Going to be filling it with 2# Fireline to try out! First time with this light a braid. (I did try 2# Nanofil, which was a total disaster.) Should be an interesting experiment. I'll let you know how it turns out. I have several spool of 2# test XL which I know works just fine for casting light jigs.

Two words... straightening hooks.