Should you use BRAIDED line? On a BAITCASTER? On a SPINNING REEL?

Some anglers use straight braid...
Some anglers use braid to a leader...
Some anglers despise braid...
Let's discuss the usage of braid. Braid has benefits and drawbacks for baitcasters and spinning reels. I think there are some real world applications that may cloud the view on braid. We'll discuss all that an more in this video. More importantly...PLEASE COMMENT. We need input from everyone that watches so we can all learn and grow as anglers.

Thanks for watching!!!!
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The Braid I Use:
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My Froggin Setup:
Rod:
My Spinning Setup:
Rod:

[richardrebro]

Hi Debo. I personally am a huge fan of using braided line. As a younger angler, i grew up using 6-10lb mono on the few rods i had. Now that I fish on a regular basis, i can say with certainty that the difference in sensitivity between braided line and mono/floro is uncanny. I'm well aware that other factors such as better equipment, the action of the rod, etc. can also effect the sensitivity but the proof is in the pudding. My hook up ratio increased 3 fold when i switched over to braid. I rarely throw mono or floro as main line anymore but I certainly see the advantages of each in specific applications. One thing I couldn't help but touch base on is the discussion of whether bass can see braided line. I also have read many studies in which claim that bass absorb 5 times as much light as the human eye. But is this relevant? Largemouth bass often use monocular vision as opposed to binocular vision, meaning only one eye is focused on a given object. In order to truly focus on an object, the bass would have to use its binocular sight. Because of the way its eyes are placed on its head, this is only possible when an object is directly in front or above the fish. Even so, the object would have to be within a 18 inch or less proximity. Only in certain finesse techniques does a bass truly strike a lure because it was hungry. As you had mentioned, I believe it has a lot more to do with the action of the bait you are throwing rather than its appearance I don't believe that Bass truly understand what they are seeing until they position themselves so that both eyes are peering in the same direction. The strike is instead, a result of the motion its detects on either side of its body. This would make the visibility of braid negligible. Just some food for thought. Great video!

[shawnbeck]

10-28-19. Fishing Runoff pond. Houses on one side. PARK on the other. 8 feet of water. 12 pd mono with a 3/0 hook Green pumpkin color Senko. Texas rigged 5 pounder caught. Reeled up to shore and knot broke again! Came home and put on 20 pd low vis green braid. Not losing big fish again! Still fishing late October. 64 degrees and cloudy. Fish not hitting anything but Senkos. 40"s at night here in Indianapolis. Will fish till I can't go anymore. Its been a great year for fishing. Thanks, Debo for all your great video's. CAN'T wait for spring to get back in the fishing game. Shawn

[BadBeetsTCG]

Best summary on this subject I've probably ever seen.

Straight 20lb braid on my crank and jerkbait set up. - Straight 50lb braid for pitching, flipping and heavier bait set ups. and 50lb braid backing to 15lb Flurokote on my finesse, weightless set up!

[gabedeleon]

Straight braid for punching/flipping and frogging...braid to leader mono/fluoro for most everything else except my cranking set up, which is straight up mono. The monofilament helps the rod absorb a lot of the shock and force from the fish. Good vid Debo

[jeffreykwasnaza]

Great video as usual. I personally fish a florescent yellow braid to help see those light bites and color with sharpie the first 10' of line to hide it.

[bdcustoms]

Great video! I agree completely with you on application. I primarily use braid but I always have flouro and mono on hand if my presentation with the braid isn't correct or I'm fishing clear or pressured waters. I think people blame braid for things that are mainly user error or lack of knowledge on what it's doing to thier bait/lure action. Keep up the great videos, great topics!

[jaybailleaux]

I learned a hard lesson with braid bass fishing . In clear water bass will often not bite your bait. Went back with clear CX P line mono.

[brucegilbert]

Debo great features you have. I live in southeastern PA and I haven't seen clear water in 10 years unless I'm in the Caribbean. I loaded mono and fluorocarbon on my bait casters and bird nest galore. I use braid and it will still happen but very seldom. Any reason why the plastic line does this for me? Same reels same Bruce different line
Thanks

[chris_vargas]

Great video, love the info! I was just wondering how long should my leader be when using 30lb braid as my main line

[craigfisher]

I use braid on every rod in my boat, I usually take anywhere from 3 to 5 rods ready with different lures/softs ect. All with 10 to 15lb braid.

[joenegrete]

do you have a chart or list of braid tests and what application they are fished for? thanks

[donausmus]

Always run braid with either a mono or flouro leader (depending on bait) except straight braid on topwaters. Always treat the braid, running the line through a soft cloth soaked in reel snot, while spooling. If I ever have to replace the braid, I simply remove the leader and run it directly to another reel so the "newer" braid is on top again.

[mattarmstrong]

I use a braided main line on almost everything. On my casting reels I've found it gives me more options. I'll decide what I'm throwing and tie an appropriate leader. Then I'm only using shorter segments of leader material instead of spooling whole reels- I don't always want 8# flourocarbon, and 15# isn't always best, and sometimes I want mono- but there's really never a time in my experience where it hurts to have the braided main line. Plus, braid offers some real advantages, mainly in the sensitivity department, but I've also found it do be very drag-free and castable (which helps my casting distance) as well as being better behaved (I backlash less).

On my spinning reels, I use 10# PowerPro and usually tie on an 8# flourocarbon or copolymer leader. Braid on a spinning reel eliminates all the problems a person might have with a spinning reel- namely line twist and tangles, etc. Braid makes it so easy even a caveman can do it. It's a load off to not have to worry about any of that or spend time trying to unfudge your reel when you could be actively fishing.

As for the extra knot, I can see that. I have broken off at the leader knot, but not moreso than I break off at the hook. I tie leaders using the double uni, which is a relatively small and smooth knot that doesn't cut into itself. I also don't have problems casting it, though I also use rods with standard diameter line guides. If I had microguides I'd have to pick a line and use it straight, and I feel like that would be limiting. Knot strength is one of those discussions I hear a lot, but at some point you're going to exceed the strength of your line, and then it doesn't matter. I've had more fish lost cutting themselves off in rocks than I have due to failed line. I had a big blue catfish the other day put his nose right up to the concrete steps at the local dam and thrash until he'd sawed through 40# mono before I could get my hands on him. Could they be smarter than we give them credit for?

You know Roland Martin throws a ton of stuff on straight braid? He colors it black with a Sharpie. I guess if your fishing bottom baits and the line is down in the muck and rocks it doesn't matter much either.

[erred-bloodedpatriot]

Straight braid on spinning and baitcaster for everything, never noticed a decline in fish, and no need for leader in my honest opinion, I fish ponds rivers and lakes in ga and water clarity isn't terrible but isn't clear either idk I have wonderful experience with braid I love it .

[seizedcarcass]

Hey DEBO. I don’t know if you will see this but I have a new Abu Garcia black max coming in the mail and was wondering what braid you recommend for overall top water lures. Frogs, poppers, Ect. Thanks again.

[BigKeithDog]

I like the diawa J braid. For those days where the bite is finicky, I'll tie a flouro leader on.

[bobbygeneperry]

nice video. youre right about applications. i have 3 rod and reel set ups. i run braid for frogging and top water but i back it witb ultra cheap mono to save braid. i have one set up backed with cheap braid and fc mainline. and the third set is strait mono.

[retflo]

Just spooled up braid on my spinning reel added copolymer leader. Heading to Clear Lake next week, let you know how it works out...

[michaelsnelgrove]

Love braid backing on all spinning reels with a 10 foot floro leader tied with a double uni.

[laurz]

Still new to this and ty for the info. Tried all the lines but braid. Any good cheap braid for baitcaster and spinning reel for a beginner.