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

Bluewater Jon · 05-13-2008, 10:25 PM

Guys-I have been using Power Pro in Hawaii. I was using it on a TLD-30II, straight 80#, all the way to the 8 foot 200# mono leader. The spectra was breaking not infrequently, and I guess I will have to bump up to 100. It was about dropping down big baits and waiting for the big Aj's and ulua & shark to hit, they are really deep on this one ledge, like 400 feet down there. You know how long you have to wait for a 4# bait to swim down that far, even with 8-10oz of weight? Anyway, I am not so fond of Power Pro, it seems to flake a lot. Why they coat it with that, I dunno. I am looking for another brand- maybe even something that is multicolored so that I can track the movement of line. Thanks in advance for the advice fellas,
Jon Schwartz
http://www.bluewaterjon.com/
Ps If you wanna read a story re: bottom fishing for biggies in Hawaii, here's a story you might find interesting:
http://www.bluewaterjon.com/story/story6.html

Dave I. · 05-13-2008, 10:47 PM

I am slowly switching my braid from power pro to Suffix Preformance braid for saltwater or Big game braid for fresh.

The suffix line is almost a perfect circle and stay that way, the big game is thinner than power pro for the same lb/test.

Hope this helps.

Dave

steveooo · 05-14-2008, 08:18 AM

I'm interested in the results of this. I have not had the powerpro ever break on me, not even once. I either use the 65 or the 80 lb, straight to the flouro leader. My leaders and other knots though...

I have heard that there is a few bad batches of older power pro floating around out there, but i haven't seen this discussion in a while.
BTW John, great first shot in Field and Stream this month.

nmbrinkman · 05-14-2008, 08:49 AM

JB or the expensive Japanese stuff seem to be the way to go.

steamroll · 05-14-2008, 09:13 AM

I used power pro the last couple years, but recently have been using Spiderwire Ultracast braided line. It the best casting spectra I've used.
All my reels are filled with 65 or 80.

TheSherThang · 05-14-2008, 09:39 AM

I use JB. I like the hollow because its really easy to do a loop or splice mono into it.

Also, Izorline is really good.

Both are uncoated which reduces the diameter, thus increasing the capacity.

Siebler · 05-14-2008, 10:21 AM

Izorline Spectra and Dacron. I fish spectra to a short length of hollow dacron which I splice my mono in to. A Dacron loop splice takes all of about 2 minutes and is super strong.

tylerdurden · 05-14-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboyc

Izorline Spectra and Dacron. I fish spectra to a short length of hollow dacron which I splice my mono in to. A Dacron loop splice takes all of about 2 minutes and is super strong.

CJ, can you make a Dacron loop splice for spectra to spectra too? Does it hold well?

uni-uni when connecting spectra to spectra doesn't seem to hold well.

TheSherThang · 05-14-2008, 12:51 PM

A uni to uni is usually used for spectra to mono. Definitely go loop to loop for spectra to spectra. You can also use hollow spectra instead of dacron to form the loop. For my leaders, I use hollow spectra to form the loop and insert the mono up into it, forming a double chinese finger trap. Then you can serve or crimp with a sato kit. Allows super fast changes of your leader.

Bluewater Jon · 05-14-2008, 01:07 PM

Tx for the input thus far guys. Yeah I never thought the 80# would break either, but it happened over and over, maybe 6 times in a total # of 20 fights with fish, and it seemed to be on the ones that were the hardest pulling fish- I am imagining the biggest ones. I guess the whole "weak point in the line" thing was happening. I was using white Power Pro line and a guy said I should switch over to non-white line so that if there is an abrasion on the line, I could notice it sooner.
Tx
Jon
http://www.bluewaterjon.com/

Siebler · 05-14-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdurden

CJ, can you make a Dacron loop splice for spectra to spectra too? Does it hold well?

uni-uni when connecting spectra to spectra doesn't seem to hold well.

Im not sure how it would hold however i bet threading the spectra into the dacron would not be an easy task. I will try it and see what kind of strength it has and get back to you.

tylerdurden · 05-14-2008, 05:30 PM

I am redoing my connections tonight. I saw a couple knots pop this weekend, neither were tied by me. The good news is the failures were on a seal and T shark and both would have been released anyways. Both spectra to spectra. I was just wondering what options other than uni-uni there were.

I am going with loop to loop. Since I am using solid spectra, and the bimini twist is easy to tie, and very strong in my tests. I just was curious about what the other options were.

threadjack over. I don't like power pro either because of the coating, but I have never had it break. I only use 65# around the kelp.

Daiwa makes a nice multicolored line that might work good for you.

Siebler · 05-14-2008, 05:40 PM

Daiwa metered spectra is pretty good, Kind of expensive as I remember though.

Dave I. · 05-14-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdurden

I was just wondering what options other than uni-uni there were.

I have heard that the albright knot works good for spectra to spectra. I know for fact it is good for spectra to mono/floro.

Dave

Bluewater Jon · 05-14-2008, 10:15 PM

Is the Daiwa stuff the one with the blue, red, orange, green, and yellow? I'll have to look that up. What are the Angler's Yak Shark hours? I have to stop by there. Steveooo, where did you see that issue? Is it out yet?
Tx guys
Jon

steveooo · 05-15-2008, 09:01 AM

John,
I got my copy in the mail a week ago.

OEX · 05-15-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave I.

I have heard that the albright knot works good for spectra to spectra. I know for fact it is good for spectra to mono/floro.

Dave

Second on the Albirght for spectra to fluoro.

Siebler · 05-15-2008, 10:12 AM

Anglers is open 10-6 tuesday-friday and 10-5 on saturday.

The Daiwa Metered spectra is 5 or 6 colors that change in intervals like lead core so you know how much line is out. Its made for rock codding. For other fishing I would go Izorline.

metalbob · 05-15-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OEX

Second on the Albirght for spectra to fluoro.

Third...

so far so good for me on spectra to flouro

Adam · 05-16-2008, 09:10 AM

Okay, I'll reveal my ignorance, and probably destroy the thread with a stupid question.

I have always just fished mono. Recently I put spectra on one of my reels. So far I like the way it fishes. I haven't been using a leader. Is this completely stupid? Is there a reason to always use a mono or other leader? Is it to add some stretch in the end of the line, or to have less visible line?

Thanks! Adam

05-13-2008, 10:25 PM	#1
Bluewater Jon Author & yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 34	Braided Line Input Needed Guys-I have been using Power Pro in Hawaii. I was using it on a TLD-30II, straight 80#, all the way to the 8 foot 200# mono leader. The spectra was breaking not infrequently, and I guess I will have to bump up to 100. It was about dropping down big baits and waiting for the big Aj's and ulua & shark to hit, they are really deep on this one ledge, like 400 feet down there. You know how long you have to wait for a 4# bait to swim down that far, even with 8-10oz of weight? Anyway, I am not so fond of Power Pro, it seems to flake a lot. Why they coat it with that, I dunno. I am looking for another brand- maybe even something that is multicolored so that I can track the movement of line. Thanks in advance for the advice fellas, Jon Schwartz http://www.bluewaterjon.com/ Ps If you wanna read a story re: bottom fishing for biggies in Hawaii, here's a story you might find interesting: http://www.bluewaterjon.com/story/story6.html

05-14-2008, 09:13 AM	#5
steamroll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 385	I used power pro the last couple years, but recently have been using Spiderwire Ultracast braided line. It the best casting spectra I've used. All my reels are filled with 65 or 80. __________________

05-14-2008, 10:21 AM	#7
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Izorline Spectra and Dacron. I fish spectra to a short length of hollow dacron which I splice my mono in to. A Dacron loop splice takes all of about 2 minutes and is super strong. __________________ CJ Siebler

05-14-2008, 01:07 PM	#10
Bluewater Jon Author & yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 34	re: braid Tx for the input thus far guys. Yeah I never thought the 80# would break either, but it happened over and over, maybe 6 times in a total # of 20 fights with fish, and it seemed to be on the ones that were the hardest pulling fish- I am imagining the biggest ones. I guess the whole "weak point in the line" thing was happening. I was using white Power Pro line and a guy said I should switch over to non-white line so that if there is an abrasion on the line, I could notice it sooner. Tx Jon http://www.bluewaterjon.com/

05-14-2008, 05:30 PM	#12
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	I am redoing my connections tonight. I saw a couple knots pop this weekend, neither were tied by me. The good news is the failures were on a seal and T shark and both would have been released anyways. Both spectra to spectra. I was just wondering what options other than uni-uni there were. I am going with loop to loop. Since I am using solid spectra, and the bimini twist is easy to tie, and very strong in my tests. I just was curious about what the other options were. threadjack over. I don't like power pro either because of the coating, but I have never had it break. I only use 65# around the kelp. Daiwa makes a nice multicolored line that might work good for you. __________________ MLPA, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Let the Fish and Game Commission know what you think about the proposed maps. Be ready for December 9th and 10th. Last edited by tylerdurden; 05-14-2008 at 09:04 PM.

05-13-2008, 10:47 PM	#2
Dave I. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 51	I am slowly switching my braid from power pro to Suffix Preformance braid for saltwater or Big game braid for fresh. The suffix line is almost a perfect circle and stay that way, the big game is thinner than power pro for the same lb/test. Hope this helps. Dave

05-14-2008, 08:18 AM	#3
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	I'm interested in the results of this. I have not had the powerpro ever break on me, not even once. I either use the 65 or the 80 lb, straight to the flouro leader. My leaders and other knots though... I have heard that there is a few bad batches of older power pro floating around out there, but i haven't seen this discussion in a while. BTW John, great first shot in Field and Stream this month.

05-14-2008, 08:49 AM	#4
nmbrinkman Work Sucks! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 559	JB or the expensive Japanese stuff seem to be the way to go.

05-14-2008, 09:39 AM	#6
TheSherThang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 82	I use JB. I like the hollow because its really easy to do a loop or splice mono into it. Also, Izorline is really good. Both are uncoated which reduces the diameter, thus increasing the capacity.

05-14-2008, 12:51 PM	#9
TheSherThang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 82	A uni to uni is usually used for spectra to mono. Definitely go loop to loop for spectra to spectra. You can also use hollow spectra instead of dacron to form the loop. For my leaders, I use hollow spectra to form the loop and insert the mono up into it, forming a double chinese finger trap. Then you can serve or crimp with a sato kit. Allows super fast changes of your leader.

05-14-2008, 05:40 PM	#13
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Daiwa metered spectra is pretty good, Kind of expensive as I remember though. __________________ CJ Siebler

05-14-2008, 10:15 PM	#15
Bluewater Jon Author & yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 34	re: Braid Is the Daiwa stuff the one with the blue, red, orange, green, and yellow? I'll have to look that up. What are the Angler's Yak Shark hours? I have to stop by there. Steveooo, where did you see that issue? Is it out yet? Tx guys Jon

05-15-2008, 09:01 AM	#16
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	John, I got my copy in the mail a week ago.

05-15-2008, 10:12 AM	#18
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Anglers is open 10-6 tuesday-friday and 10-5 on saturday. The Daiwa Metered spectra is 5 or 6 colors that change in intervals like lead core so you know how much line is out. Its made for rock codding. For other fishing I would go Izorline. __________________ CJ Siebler

05-16-2008, 09:10 AM	#20
Adam Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 27	Okay, I'll reveal my ignorance, and probably destroy the thread with a stupid question. I have always just fished mono. Recently I put spectra on one of my reels. So far I like the way it fishes. I haven't been using a leader. Is this completely stupid? Is there a reason to always use a mono or other leader? Is it to add some stretch in the end of the line, or to have less visible line? Thanks! Adam