I changed to braid several years ago and I would never go back either. However, you should know that although braid does not rot nor rust, it is not as abrasion resistant. Make sure you check your boom pulley wheel at the beginning of each season to make sure it rotates freely as the braid will cut grooves into the wheel if not, and with multiple grooves, that surface becomes like sand paper and the braid is at risk of being cut. Also, with braid, the usual Scotty stoppers will not stay on very well, even the orange stoppers will need to be super glued to stay. The other option is to tie swivels on as stoppers. Use the Palomar knot to tie on the swivels and snubber/bungee. If you decide to make the switch, I suggest you get at least 200# test and when you wind on the braid, run the braid through a pulley hooked to a downrigger ball. As you load the braid, apply enough pressure on the spool to lift the downrigger ball off the ground. Braid needs to be loaded with pressure or else it can cut into itself. Braid is expensive, but you only need about 100 to 125 yards per downrigger.I'm thinking about changing out my downrigger from steel cable to braid. I was wondering what people think of braid vs the conventional steel cable. Thought I'd get sodback before I make the change.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
x2Take a 5' piece of Gangion cord and tie a loop knot at one end.
(the other end goes to the cannonball)
Then tie the braid into the loop. The knot becomes a stopper and you never have to worry about beads.
Steel for me..I like the singing wire and the tone changes when a fish hit.
X3 for me.Singing wire, ya, I like that too. That sound makes me all edgy and excited for some reason. LOL
Never switching to braid. I get donkey's years out of good quality stainless.
YupPeople still use stainless wire?
X 4X3 for me.