It was only a few short years ago that I believed braid was only good for frog fishing. Oh how the tides have turned. Today you will find that every rod I own is spooled with braided line. From the smallest of dropshot rigs, to the heaviest of swimbaits its all braid of varying brands. Obviously making a switch of this magnitude is not simple. It requires quite a few changes to how you fish but more importantly, to the gear you use. However, there is good news! You don’t need to spend a fortune to make the transition to braided line. This video will explain how to do it with the equipment you already have. If you haven’t made the switch yet, its time.
One of the key differences between fishing braided lines as opposed to straight monofilament or flourocarbon is the need for leaders. I’ve actually already filmed a video describing how to tie the necessary knots. If you look to the upper right you’ll see a window highlighting the most popular posts. It is called, “Four Essential Knots for Bass Fishing.”
In the next few days I will do an additional post that discusses the different brands of braided lines. Not all brands are created equal. I’ll show you some of the differences and even show the specific braided lines that I choose to use for my day to day fishing. Stay tuned!
27. April 2012 at 6:20 PM
Bill,
What you would like to see is actually already on the site. Here is the video on knots. http://tacticalbassin.com/133/
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hopefully some of the more recent videos were a little less dry.
27. April 2012 at 5:53 PM
Hi Matt,
Really enjoy your videos, maybe a little “dry” but your tips are excellent. I’ve had some elbow issues so have been hesitant to go heavy duty with the braid and really liked fluoro. Anyway, Wondering if you could show how you tie the bloodknot or provide a link to that. THANKS!
25. April 2012 at 10:28 PM
Brad, braid may have some resistance but its also extremely thin diameter. The braids with higher carrier counts (smoother) do an even better job.
Don, that is one of the downsides of braid. You will have more “bite” with your line on the spool. Experiment with brands though. Some are terrible, others are much better.
24. April 2012 at 7:22 PM
I tried your theory of using braid with a mono leader on a baitcaster, but when something goes wrong with a cast the braid digs deep into the line on the reel and it is a reel mess. Never had that kind of problem with all monofilament. What say you?
4. February 2012 at 3:28 PM
Hey Matt,quick question you say your using braid on all your rods including crankbait rods,how do you get that depth using brain on such as DD22s or any other DEEP diving crank, because tomy knowlage mono gets you best depth.
thanks again!
25. January 2012 at 7:41 PM
Nick, because of the large double-hook I always tie direct to braid. It has nothing to do with visibility, rather I believe it makes a big difference with hook penetration. I’ve experimented with a leader a few times and have never been happy with the results.
25. January 2012 at 8:43 AM
Matt
Do you ever use a mono leader when fishing a hollow body frog? Or is it always direct tie with braid?
I don’t fish too much heavy cover and so usually try to use a mono leader with my frogs and just wondered your thoughts.
Thanks
23. January 2012 at 11:47 AM
Adam, you aren’t crazy. It can be tough to tie a good blood knot in flourocarbon. Take your time, wet the knot and do your best to tension it slowly. If it kinks, cut it and start again. Even though its tough I still tie them because when you get the knot right, its really strong.
6. January 2012 at 5:38 PM
Matt, I’m setting up a spinning rod with 12lb Seaguar for finesse fishing in the cold winter water temps. I previously had it set up w/ 30lb Power Pro braid and 10lb mono leader. I was going to leave the braid backing and just tie on 100yds of fluorocarbon. I’m concerned b/c my blood knot keeps slipping. If I get it to take successfully the floro is slightly kinked/compromised above the knot. Am I crazy or is hard to tie a floro blood knot? Do you recommend it? or against it b/c the foro is too brittle? Tks and Happy New Year! Adam
1. January 2012 at 11:04 AM
After reviewing your post on all braid, I have also made the switch and have not been sorry. That being said, when Nanofil came out I decided to give it a try on some spinning tackle for finesse fishing and it blew my mind. First is how small in diameter the line is. To me, it looks like flimsy thread. My Shimano Saros 2500F reel holds 140 yards of 8# line. I put more than 200 yards of the Nanofil 8# test on my reel, and did not even fill up half of the spool. I really had my doubts after this but I took it out on a clear day with extremely windy conditions. Strong gusty winds of more than 30 mph all day long, and this stuff casts a country mile. It is also very sensitive – just like braid. The water was very cold and the bite very tough, but when they did bite, it was very easy to feel. I’ve got to say that initially, I am sold. It appears to be a wonderful product although it is extremely expensive. Hopefully it is durable.
1. January 2012 at 12:55 AM
Brett, I honestly don’t have any experience with it and I’d hate to lend an opinion based on assumptions. While I don’t talk much about finesse fishing it is something that i do from time to time when conditions require it. What are your thoughts on the line?