Braid—-the Upside and the Downside

[EstevanPoint]

I've been fishing braid for about 10 years now and wouldn't go back. However, I will modify my top shot length depending on the fishery. If I'm heading up north to mooch the central coast or Haida Gwaii, then I'll add about 75ft of 25lbs Maxima, and it fishes essentially like mono, but if the fish gets way out there, then you don't have a ridiculous amount of stretch. If I'm fishing riggers, I usually have 40-50ft of top shot so I can fish plugs farther back, but also fish with flashers closer to the ball.

I think the simplest solution for your concerns would be to add more than 5m of top shot. Bump that up to 10-15m minimum and then any time you may contact the boat in the future, that will almost guarantee you'll have mono to deal with, and not braid.

You can get the best of both worlds by modifying your top shot length.

 

[Sharphooks]

Can you add some JB Weld so it doesn't get snagged so easily?

Worth a try, or maybe a huge bead of 520?

Not much of a surprise that something this big will stop a fish dead in its tracks if he gets under your boat

Def the downside of buying a pre-owned boat….I’ve always installed flush-mounts, mainly for trailering, but now I see the other upside of maintaining a clean profile on the keel

 

[mitch184]

50' 4 strand braid with a ~75' topshot of 30 lb mono. Best of both worlds for me. 4 strand is nice because its rougher and will to some degree cut salad off your line. I never go nuetral, always in gear and trying to keep the fish out to the side. Autopilot is a life saver for solo fishing or with inexerienced people.

 

[Aquaholic]

I never go nuetral, always in gear and trying to keep the fish out to the side.

Yes. steer the fish with a turn and forward momentum.

 

[brutus]

I fish solo, so once out of the way, neutral is the only way for me, net or gaff

 

[Aquaholic]

I fish solo, so once out of the way, neutral is the only way for me, net or gaff

can you slow the kicker right down? Even trying to gaff release, I find the slight forward momentum keeps the salmon aligned alongside the boat for an easy gaff release.

 

[sly_karma]

can you slow the kicker right down? Even trying to gaff release, I find the slight forward momentum keeps the salmon aligned alongside the boat for an easy gaff release.

Agreed. The Idle button on Trollmaster is perfect for this.

 

[brutus]

can you slow the kicker right down? Even trying to gaff release, I find the slight forward momentum keeps the salmon aligned alongside the boat for an easy gaff release.

Then I end up spinning in circles lol,, whatever side my fat butt is makes the boat circle. Bit off topic here but on Friday I watch a guy trying to land a fish in neutral in a smaller boat ( fat guy lol) I taught the swell was going to swamp him

 

[Aquaholic]

Then I end up spinning in circles lol,, whatever side my fat butt is makes the boat circle. Bit off topic here but on Friday I watch a guy trying to land a fish in neutral in a smaller boat ( fat guy lol) I taught the swell was going to swamp him

Yes, I have a very wide 18 foot center console, and I have to add a bit of turn to the opposite side that I’m going to lean over because it will definitely make the boat go in a slow circle.

 

[Samnjoe]

I have used braid with a 30# topshot for 20 years. Never go back. I also troll with an autopilot and always hold my tack when playing fish. Put 20 springs in the box last week and released a couple dozen more. Not one went under the boat or came close to wrapping around a motor.

 

[brutus]

I have used braid with a 30# topshot for 20 years. Never go back. I also troll with an autopilot and always hold my tack when playing fish. Put 20 springs in the box last week and released a couple dozen more. Not one went under the boat or came close to wrapping around a motor.

Not sure where your fishing, but where I fish nobody move out of the way, so autopilot is not that great , 30 plus boats in a small area usually, for my sanity I stay away from those **** show, no fish is worth it to me

 

[Samnjoe]

Not sure where your fishing, but where I fish nobody move out of the way, so autopilot is not that great , 30 plus boats in a small area usually, for my sanity I stay away from those **** show, no fish is worth it to me

We were in Brooke's Bay out at the highway. Hold the tack even in traffic. Nothing worse than guys that abandon the helm when they hook a fish and push everyone off their line.

 

[brutus]

We were in Brooke's Bay out at the highway. Hold the tack even in traffic. Nothing worse than guys that abandon the helm when they hook a fish and push everyone off their line.

Ya well like I said I get out of dodge first, then go to neutral, when fishing surrounded by the guides, it’s easy, everybody knows the gig, it’s the googan show on the beach that’s a bit stupid

 

[Samnjoe]

I do slow down but hold my line. No surprises for those around me. Most guys with experience will alter course slightly to give me a bit of room when needed. There will always be a few googans that troll erratically thru the pack.
Hold the tack!!!

 

[wolf]

I tried braid once and it was a hard NO as its definatlly not for less experienced fisherman. ill stay with mono

 

[Samnjoe]

The things I like about braid with mono topshot.
Braid lasts on the reel way longer than mono. Way better sensitivity when fishing deep to detect small shakers and junk fish. Easier to get a solid hook set. We fish all depths with this combo. Last week we caught fish from 30 feet to 220 feet.
I would never change back.

 

[Aquaholic]

The things I like about braid with mono topshot.
Braid lasts on the reel way longer than mono. Way better sensitivity when fishing deep to detect small shakers and junk fish. Easier to get a solid hook set. We fish all depths with this combo. Last week we caught fish from 30 feet to 220 feet.
I would never change back.

I’ve heard the sensitivity comment many times, although many of us check our lines every 10 to 15 minutes anyway for weeds, slime, etc.

 

[Gong Show]

I’ve heard the sensitivity comment many times, although many of us check our lines every 10 to 15 minutes anyway for weeds, slime, etc.

That sounds like work.
Especially is you are fishing deep.
With braid, I can tell if the plug action has stopped, or something looks hinkey with the rod tip.
Need to keep my arms in shape for playing lunkers.

 

[Marley]

I always run braid with a maxima top shot. I like the sensitivity and don’t have a problem loosing fish. I think it’s important to match your rod to what your fishing. I run a medium for coho and pinks and go to a medium heavy for springs. The top shot is important to have for the rigger clip as it slips on braid.

I also troll out of the pack when I have a fish on or at least do my best two. Never really have an issue with them under the boat. I don’t fish solo though so I have th benefit of a fishing buddy or two to help.

 

[Aquaholic]

That sounds like work.
Especially is you are fishing deep.
With braid, I can tell if the plug action has stopped, or something looks hinkey with the rod tip.
Need to keep my arms in shape for playing lunkers.

Leaving the clip attached, I can still reel foot for foot with the 2100 series Scotty! Depth be damned.