Thread: How strong is braided line?

Originally Posted by Ms. catfish

Thanks, Pete. I've been trying out braid because four pound and six pound mono break on snags when I'm fishing for crappie and hit a largemouth or catfish. So I just thought I'd try braid to see if it was stronger.

Braid is stronger for the diameter, but it is not very abrasion-resistant. Rocks, logs, and other snags will shred it. Most people who use braid tie a mono or fluoro leader on the braid to make it more abrasion-proof.

Originally Posted by cwright

One issue with braid is no stretch so if you have 20 foot of mono out and a crappie makes quick jerk or run it will absorb some of the initial shock. Braid has zero stretch. I switched to 12 lb braid on all my crappie outfits and love it. Get same depths as 4 to 6 lb mono and can still horse in a cat or striper if I need to. I only pull cranks and jigs so best line for me.

I pull crankbaits most of the time too and love the no stretch properties of braid, though I also use a 3'-5' fluorocarbon leader just because. I was wondering which manufacturer makes a 12 pound braid? I haven't searched for it much, but all I see stocked around here is 10 or 15 pound test with nothing in between. I went with 15 lb. because I use shorter medium action rods for crankbaits from my kayak and I run into good size catfish that can snap lighter line, especially of there's cover nearby. I want greater depth by running thinner main line if I can get it. Thanks for any replies. My apologies for hijacking this thread off the original topic.

Jim