Braided Line Question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Superduper · 07-25-2015, 06:31 PM

Been fishing braided line on both reels this summer and losing every hook up to kelp. I've had the line on my reel for years and it appears to still be good. No breaks or tattered looking line. Wondering if it's too old and losing its "saw" action ? Or maybe I'm letting the fish get too deep in kelp and regardless of what I do it's too deep to cut out ? Anyone have any thoughts on this ?

Matt_Magnone · 07-25-2015, 07:28 PM

In the tackle shop I have a lot of guys ask me that question. Braid isn't going to lose it's "saw effect". The line by nature is very abrasive and even worn out braid will still cut.

If you're losing fish to the kelp it could be from any number of reasons. Your connection knot, line diameter, age of leader or even how much pressure you're applying.

If you get a fish that heads for it and wraps you up, a lot of times i'll back off the drag even dumping the reel into free spool allowing the fish to hopefully swim out. As soon as you imagine your leader clearing the kelp apply some pressure and short pump the fish. Often times the braid will cut the kelp. Sometimes it requires a few tries.

Hope this helps buddy!

tacmik · 07-25-2015, 07:31 PM

Now. When you say every hookup lost. How many is that? One hookup? That could be just a bad knot. If it is a lot of hookups, may be bad or old braid. It's been on your reel for years and probably needs to be changed out.
If there are no breaks or tattered line, how are the fish getting off?

Superduper · 07-25-2015, 08:46 PM

I'm using 30 lb leader with 4.0 circle hook. I always get my hook back. When the fish goes in the kelp I try and horse him out thinking he can't break my set up and I don't want him to go too far into the kelp. I feel kelp pop (I think) then it seems like he keeps going further into kelp. Then it's full bendo-stuck. Finally "pop" and up comes the hook ????

ful-rac · 07-25-2015, 08:58 PM

Well first of all your hook is not 4.0...it's a 4/0!

You can't win'em all....pull harder next time try to keep it outta the kelp as much as you can. If it does get buried again....then try sawing back and forth, if that doesn't work try free spool'n it a little....check the length of your leader, make sure it's not too long. If it is....your mono/floro will not cut the kelp.

jruiz · 07-25-2015, 10:20 PM

One thing to consider is not all braid are made alike. Super slick powerpro will not cut as well as plain original powerpro. I had a real life demonstration of this today when I unintentionally almost spooled myself on a reel that I bought used from someone. I already knew that there were two different braids on the reel but after this incident I discovered there was actually three. When drawing in the line the first one felt like yarn, not very abrasive at all. The second was perhaps a little more. The last which I'm pretty sure is the original powerpro left a cut on my thumb.

07-25-2015, 06:31 PM	#1
Superduper Junior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 19	Braided Line Question Been fishing braided line on both reels this summer and losing every hook up to kelp. I've had the line on my reel for years and it appears to still be good. No breaks or tattered looking line. Wondering if it's too old and losing its "saw" action ? Or maybe I'm letting the fish get too deep in kelp and regardless of what I do it's too deep to cut out ? Anyone have any thoughts on this ?

07-25-2015, 07:28 PM	#2
Matt_Magnone Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Winchester, Ca Posts: 21	In the tackle shop I have a lot of guys ask me that question. Braid isn't going to lose it's "saw effect". The line by nature is very abrasive and even worn out braid will still cut. If you're losing fish to the kelp it could be from any number of reasons. Your connection knot, line diameter, age of leader or even how much pressure you're applying. If you get a fish that heads for it and wraps you up, a lot of times i'll back off the drag even dumping the reel into free spool allowing the fish to hopefully swim out. As soon as you imagine your leader clearing the kelp apply some pressure and short pump the fish. Often times the braid will cut the kelp. Sometimes it requires a few tries. Hope this helps buddy! __________________ Last Chance Bait and Tackle 3356 Wentworth Dr Hemet, CA 92545 (951) 658-7410

07-25-2015, 07:31 PM	#3
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Now. When you say every hookup lost. How many is that? One hookup? That could be just a bad knot. If it is a lot of hookups, may be bad or old braid. It's been on your reel for years and probably needs to be changed out. If there are no breaks or tattered line, how are the fish getting off? __________________

07-25-2015, 08:58 PM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Well first of all your hook is not 4.0...it's a 4/0! You can't win'em all....pull harder next time try to keep it outta the kelp as much as you can. If it does get buried again....then try sawing back and forth, if that doesn't work try free spool'n it a little....check the length of your leader, make sure it's not too long. If it is....your mono/floro will not cut the kelp. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

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07-25-2015, 08:46 PM	#4
Superduper Junior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 19	I'm using 30 lb leader with 4.0 circle hook. I always get my hook back. When the fish goes in the kelp I try and horse him out thinking he can't break my set up and I don't want him to go too far into the kelp. I feel kelp pop (I think) then it seems like he keeps going further into kelp. Then it's full bendo-stuck. Finally "pop" and up comes the hook ????

07-25-2015, 10:20 PM	#6
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	One thing to consider is not all braid are made alike. Super slick powerpro will not cut as well as plain original powerpro. I had a real life demonstration of this today when I unintentionally almost spooled myself on a reel that I bought used from someone. I already knew that there were two different braids on the reel but after this incident I discovered there was actually three. When drawing in the line the first one felt like yarn, not very abrasive at all. The second was perhaps a little more. The last which I'm pretty sure is the original powerpro left a cut on my thumb.