mono vs braid and which rod
 

I know this has been discussed numerous times in the past and I did a search and read many of the posts, but just looking for latest info. Circumstances are: I have decided to try changing over from my Curados bait cast reels to spinning reels aka open face reels. My reasons for doing this is that two of my buds use spinning reels and they always out cast me by many yards and never backlash. I have used spinning reels before and they are not bad UNTIL a loop falls off the spool, then it's a b**ch to straighten it out.

Anyway, I recently ordered the new Shimano Stradic FK because the drag is rated at 20# vs. the CI4+ that many here use and I want to see if I can use this reel as an all around reel, i.e. specks to big reds without having to worry about being over or under powered. Now that I'm going to have a super reel, I'm trying to decide two other things (naturally): what rod to use and what line to use? I'm thinking power pro 10-15, but maybe mono is best? Also, I'm not sure about the rod because I've heard that braid will cut into the eyes on most rods. Is there a brand that doesn't happen with? I'm thinking medium so I can still horse in a 2-5 lb. fish without breaking the rod tip? Price range is negotiable cuz I just came into a little "mad money" and it's burning a hole in my pocket.

Any advice will be appreciated. Let the games begin!

You can ask and ask about what is better but you will always get a bunch of opinions that may or may not mean something to you. I'm not even going to bother giving you my preferences because it about what you like and what you prefer. The only way to find out what's best (for you) is to just try different types of equipment.

CB, i use 20 lb power pro on some older allstar rods. I haven't had the braid cut into any of my eyelets. I use the spinning when its windy or if i am fishing a double rig under a cork. Other than that I am using a baitcaster.

there is a casting technique i use and can cast a mile with the spinning rig and not have the double rig wrap up around the cork.

the looped line will be a problem no matter what size braid you use on a spinning reel. it happens when you reel slack line. If you hold tension on the line when reeling slack it will not happen. it also helps to occasionally make a long cast, hold tension and reel in.

a novice with a spinning reel and braid will eventually loop.

I like the braid because of durability and fish for reds and specs with the same rig. it just takes a bit longer to get a bull red or a 25 lb drum in. The braid coupled with the leaders I make, I don't have to worry about the line breaking.

Dental floss and a cane pole...

I don't have a boat.. yet.. but I just run Mono on all my reels. It is so cheap I just change it probably more than I need to.

I do a lot of charters, most are using Fins windtamer, and it is nice. Honestly, I probably never try to cast as far as I possibly can, I usually aim for a spot so not sure what goes farther.

Rods and line are subjective. I used to only fish Carrot sticks but they are no longer made and I've broken all I had. I now have Falcon, Cast away, H2O and a few customs. I really like the H2O's and my customs. It's surprising how nice a $50 H2O fishes. I now have 3 and will get more to keep as spares. For line I usually spool up 20# Power Pro. I change it when it begins to get frayed or wind knots. I think next time I'm going to try the wind tamer just to help with the wind knots issue.

I've never had a problem with braid cutting into my eyes. But I also never go below #30, so I can't speak for anything with a smaller diameter. But I do know the power pro "slick" has a coating on it to make it a little more manageable, and add some casting distance (a few feet rather than a few yards, but this is with light bass tackle, I'm sure chunking a popping cork or 1/4 oz jig head you might get some more distance out of the slick vs the regular braid). As far as rods go, I always tie a fluoro leader to my braid main line (usually long enough to reel up through a few eyes) so the spinning rods with the "micro guides" aren't optional here since the knot gets reeled up so much. Not sure if a leader is even necessary for the salt water stuff though. As far as the line jumping off the spool the braid will help out on that by itself. As long as you don't spool it "slap full a braid" (remember the diameter on the braid is much smaller than mono, so you can fit the same amount/distance of braid on a spool with more room left on your spool). Another big no no for spinning tackle is to close the bell with the reel handle itself, this throws a little slack in your line every time. ALWAYS use your hand to close it back.

anything with Fuji eyes will not be affected with the braid. Stick to 20-30# power pro and you'll be fine. Allstar, Falcon, Castaway (medium 7' length) are the three rod makes you want to look at($50-120 range). Those H2O rods are light and sensitive but you'll break them easily just like what happen to "I make oil" with the carrot stix. The three makes I gave you are by far the sturdiest, I've accidentally slammed them into the trolling motor several times and they didn't break. Do that with an H20, carrot, skeet reese, or abu Garcia and you're down a rod, trust me

Of all the rods I've broken every single one was user error. Most under a dang rope cleat after unhooking a fish. My son is the worst at that. I'm sure he will pay more attention when he is paying for them. My next boat will have drop down cleats without a doubt. A few rod tips here and there. I absolutely agree on the 7' length. Since I began fishing longer rods I'll never go back. The lightness and sensitivity of the rods is the reason I like the H2O's. They fish a lot like the carrot sticks.

Thirty pound braid. Ugly Stik Elite. Seven foot. One piece.

I use 20lb power pro with a spinning rig. With braid, you can get more power in your line with a smaller diameter. I used to use 50lb, and it snapped several eyes when I hooked sharks. The sharks pull really hard, and the line doesn't break, so it just eats through the eyes and breaks your $100 or $200 pole. Better to stick to 20lb or 30lb at the most, since that won't wreck a medium to heavy rod.

Don't let anybody tell you that 20lb isn't enough. I hauled in a personal best this weekend, a 48lb bull red, on that 20lb power pro with no problem.

I just asked this same question a few months back about braid and I was reluctant to change but finally did. I was breaking off too many fish with mono in tournaments. Made the swap to Power Pro super slick and won't go back now. More feel on bite and control of fish once it's on I love it. That's just my feedback of the recent change

thanks to all for your input. will take under advisement and see what Academy offers today. Still waiting for Amazon to deliver my Stradic FK.

I'm guessing I'll go with the Falcon Coastal rod, Super Slick 20# braid tied to a flouro leader with a uni knot.

By the way, I just got my Curados back from a young man in N.I. who cleans rods "on the side" for $15/reel. Haven't fished with them yet but they look and feel good. If interested call Kenny Adams at 337-967-0692.

A word of advice on spooling braid on a regular spinning rod spool. Some will tell you to lay a backing of mono. I didn't do that at first and had issues with the line spinning on the spool on my Shimanos. It's difficult to get a good knot tied in braid that will tighten to the spool and not allow the knot slide off the line. I've made multiple loops tried every knot I know or could find online and still experienced these problems. The only way I was able to prevent it was by laying around 5 or 6 layers of mono as a backer then tying the braid to the mono and spooling the rest of the way up. This keeps the braid from spinning on the spool. I've since switched to mainly Penn Battles and they are designed for braid. They have a rubber strip built into the spool to prevent the braid from spinning on the spool. Just a word of advice. Good luck. I'm sure you will be happy with the switch.

I've actually just used a strip of electrical tape on the spool then put braid. Hasn't spun on my reels since.


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x2

I'll have to give that a try.

Good advice. That's what my brother did, but I think he did it to save on the cost of braid. Bought some super slick Power Pro 20# today with a H2O Express Ethos rod. Now, all I need is for the reel to come in.

x3

X4

Yeah, but it get's gummy done there. Nothing wrong with it and it'll do for sure. A short backing of mono will grip wht spool and out last the tape. I use about 20 yards of PLine mono to back it then uni to uni to the braid to fill the spool.

I like Suffix Performance (not 832), FINS Windtamer is also a very good line.
I haven't had any trouble with the braid cutting it, if an eye gets damaged it may start to cut into that.

I don't use spinning rods all that often but keep a few on my boat for people to use. I have been though a few poles but now I stick to H20 Express and Falcon. You can return either brand to academy and they will exchange it. The same goes for Allstar but I don't care for them. The 100$ blue H20 Express Nano and the Falcon Med Popper are the two best rods for the money. Have a Mojo Bass med that is really heavy but a good rod as well. You can toss braid a lot further so I would stick to braid if you are worried about casting distance. I think you can get away with a lighter braid with a spinning rod because it doesn't backlash like a bait caster. Suffix is good stuff but a little more than power pro. Sometimes you can find you can find a 300 yard role for the same as power pro. I use both. I have tried Finns and found it brittle.

100% agree on the blue H2O nano. Last time I was at Academy I saw them on sale for $50.00 I bought 2.

Am I the only one who doesn't even think about putting an entire spool of braid on a reel? I go about 80 yards - enough for even the most heroic downhill cast with mono backing with a uni to uni knot. Doesn't affect casting, get three fillups on 250 yd spools.

I use 30 lb braid because anything less I end up with cuts all over my hands at the end of the day. I have a mix of powerpro and fins windtamer on my spools and after a few trips I can't really tell the difference performance wise as all the coatings wear off after a while.

You don't have to worry about braid cutting into guides as long as they have a ceramic insert. Incidentally most medium priced rods have ceramic inserts nowadays.

Everytime I spend money on a rod I ignore the price tag and look for how well it balances and how light the entire setup is. I fish with artificials except for 3 months out of the year. That's a lot of casting to be done. Every ounce counts.

Color
 

What color Fireline do you use?

Crystal (white)

Been too busy to fish, Sorry but no advice on rods, but if you need a prop. I'm your guy.

Got my reel in and spooled it with about 20 yds. of mono, then about 100 yds. of PP Super Slick then a two ft. leader of flouro. Love the way it casts, even with a small jighead, at least twice as far as I could throw with my Curado.

Thanks for all the input. I'm guessing I'll be adding more spinning reels and storing my bait casters. I'm sure there are many on here that can cast well with bait casters, I'm just not one of them.

leader
 

I'm sorry, I should have added "and how long a leader do you generally use?"

Thanks

12" to 18". I tie directly to the Fireline and also to my jig or top water, no swivels.

I find to get any distance into the wind with a bait caster you have to be able to whip the hell out of it. Tighten down the spool tension and try and throw your bait about eye level below the teeth of the wind. Having too many breaks out on your reel will really kill distance. I like to kick one out and just go tight on the spool. Med Light rods work best for me. Just make sure there is nothing behind you.