Braid

[luke56000]

Hi everyone, Was just after some recommendations on what you use as far as braid for whiting/snapper
I'm looking at trying to use braid for bait fishing on them (although I'm trying my hand at soft plastics) and have searched the internet but found very generalised information rather then specifics.

Right now I have a Shimano sedona 2500rb with one spool containing 6lb fireline with a 9lb mono leader, and the other spool containing straight 9lb mono which I use with a slistar powertip and recently I went to the jetty and used this reel with the braid teamed up with my tcurve revolution inshore series, snapper 702 (rated 3-6kg) for some squid and tommies and I'm actually incredibly surprised by how much the tommies actually pulled on the rod. I could feel every little kick, nibble and pull with relative ease.

I normally use the powertip off the beach, although I'm going to start using this reel out of the boat for a few whiting so I was wondering whether I should take the power tip or whether this rod would suffice (the powertip tends to take up a bit of room being so long and the tcurve is very easy to travel with) or should I look at purchasing a new rod?
I was also looking at changing from the fireline because it seems to have a very bad memory to the line, even when I try and pull my line tight the memory tends to make it quite loose. I have a few friends who use power pro and they seem to enjoy it but I was wondering what people find their favourite braid is? also if I should change how heavy the line is/consider switching to a flourocarbon leader.

for my other outfit (normally used soft plastics for snapper) I have a shimano mexican fire II snapper raider 762 rated to 5-8kgs with a shimano symetre 4000fj spooled up with 20lb fireline, unsure on the leader as I spooled it up quite a while ago but I think its around a 30lb mono. Could I use this rod to bait fish for the snapper out of the boat or should I look at purchasing a new outfit? the current one I use is a custom sabre rod with an ambassador 7000c but I was looking at getting a different outfit as I'm not a big fan of the overhead reels.

Any recommendations on different outfits for bait fishing for snapper?

Sorry if the post is a bit over the place, I'm heading back to work shortly and wanted to get this out there to get a few replies before I finish.

Thanks everyone

[Moonlighter]

I use Powerpro and like it a lot. Good genero purpose braid, and softens up more after youve used it a couple of times. Sunline in the green is very nice, but a fair bit more expensive. It is also rated to break at the stated limit.

I think you will be happy with the Powerpro.

Yes, definitely use a flourocabron leader. Berkley Vanish is OK in the lighter sizes, and black magic in the 20lb or bigger sizes. I always start the day with about 2 x the rod length in leader on my spin rods up to 20lb line. If it gets down to less that 0.5m long, i tie a new one on.

The Raider combo will be perfectly fine for snapper from the boat. I have caught snaps to 7 or 8 kg on a similar setup. It will work just as well with bait as it will with SPs.

My current favorite offshore snapper SP rod is a Shimano Jewel 6-10kg spin rod with a Saragossa 4000 reel, spooled with 20lb Powerpro braid. Usually run a 30lb leader, but sometimes go down to 20lb or up to 40lb depending n the area i am fishing on.

In the last 6 months, using SPs, that combo has accounted for a 11kg snapper and a 22kg spanish mackerel!

Hope that helps

[Mossy247]

Hey Bud agree with old mate above with power pro, look towards some of the us stores might find a 300 meter spool cheap enough.

Different braids perform differently some try what suits you best. As for line I run 10lb power pro 10lb FC leader in the bay and 20lb power pro 20lb FC leader outside the bay for plastics.

I hate paying big bucks for some diawa tournament and I do something stupid and lose half my spool... not cheap, power pro performs well and hasn't failed me.

Most of my losses of braid is caused by an ID.10.T error :-p

[tunaticer]

I would agree with the powerpro on the Sedona, I would not be putting high end true braids on it.
FC leaders are good but have the downside in that they are not overly abrasion resistant.
Schneider Klear mono has better abrasion resistance than FC leaders and is cheaper by a long shot.
I would be using FC for the whiting and Klear for the reefies.

Fireline will lose its springiness with use. It does not tie very well either when newish.
True braids are very limp and knot extremely well, they also have a much higher tendency to develop wind knots or tangle guides until you perfect your techniques.

[Floating Rib]

Guy on Gumtree in Brissy selling power pro at reasonable prices, looks legit and has a fair range.
Cheers
Mick

[Angryant]

Another vote for Power Pro - haven't had any issues on my 8 reels

[chris69]

And another vote for powerpro,i ues 5lb to 65lb on my outfits and fly reel backing great all round braid for the price if you get it online from Ebay.

[aus2045]

It's good if the power pro softens up with use, as I've always avoided it as to the touch it felt like stiff wire rope. Might have to try it, the price is tempting.

[kingcray]

i use powerpro too but i cant give enough raps on the berkley nanofil. i use 4,6 &8lb on nearly all my rods for every type of fishing and its awesome stuff

[tunaticer]

The thing about braid is there is no real guide to what is good and bad braid outside of personal recommendations. Some of the best braids I have used was dirt cheap Hawk brand braid....unfortunately no longer available. An uncoated true braid that knotted very well and was very limp with zero memory.
From there i went through a dozen or more brands before I found what I believe is the best braid on the market. Not overly expensive but certianly not dirt cheap either. In the past year I have upgraded many of my reels to this new braid in about 8 different line weights.
If I was you I would be opting for the Powerpro because it is a good line and it is well recommended. Once you have mastered that and are wanting to try something different give me a holler. Powerpro is about 15 bills cheaper than my preferred line per 300m spool.

[Horse]

I use Powerpro for most of my fishing but prefer something a bit more along the fused line style for really light stuff say 6lb and under