new riggers, Braid vs Cable
- Thread starter demco99
- Start date
SerengetiGuide
Well-Known Member
BRAIDDDDDDDDDDDD Million times better, doesn't even compare. No fraying, don't have to worry about having a hot boat, and no climping of wire etc etc. If you used 10lbs balls for the wire, use 12lb balls for braid as it has more drag.
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Island Fish Lifter
Well-Known Member
Ill NEVER use cable again, even if it was free..
Fill the dam tub!
Charlie
Well-Known Member
Remember, if you tie a “knot” in braid… you just reduced its strength by about 50%! [:0]
Here are some “advantages” of “Braid”, as previously posted on this forum and these are "quotes"… You decide?
• more drag than cable
• ITs expensive
• no more crimps (crimps- are actually stronger than knots)
• broken twice, when the autostop bead slipped and the ball/snubber hit the downrigger retrieve hard
• too much drag for fishing deep (150-200').
• using knots or superglue
• I had my power pro snap a couple of times when my auto stop slipped and the line was jammed at the pulley. After that I put in 6-8' of experienced SS line joined with a swivel.
• 200lb test. I had no problem off Victoria, HOWEVER, when I was dragging 15 pounders through the swell at 5knts off Renfrew, the stuff just didn't hold up
• I have also lost a few cannonballs in mysterious circumstances which I would attribute to abrasions or nicks on the braid.
• You may also run into slippage or breaking of the plastic stoppers they use on the braid. IMO the SS is bullet proof but the braid is nicer to fish with.
• X2 - I use just 130lb braid to a 20' section of cod line. The swivel acts as the stopper and the cod line is easy on the hand when you grab it.
• I notice the bottom foot or two gets minor abrasions after a few trips, so a good idea to cut off bottom foot or two and re-tie every once in a while.
• the same problems as mr wood with unexplained brakage
• had a fish on and before we could move out of the way it did a wrap aroung the braided stuff and cut it off
• use the red ones but put two back to back and this locks them solid.
• Ganyon is a green cord available in rolls from tackle stores.
What is the rot factor on ganyon, a buddy had some problems with it this summer
• thinner diameter of the 130 - 150 p/pro screwing up there counter
• Yes on the counter issue, seems wire shows pretty accurately
but the thinner braid does show a higher number on the counter
than wire at the same depth.
• 4th season with Power Pro 200, lost a few balls this summer due to a bad run of ganyon
• Line twist is not an issue. I pull off two full arms lengths of the chord, approx 12'. I double it and tie the loose ends together.
• I tie a loop in the DR braided line then loop the braid and the chord together, then loop the chord through the cannonball eyelet. The "knot" that joins the braid and the chord together acts as a stopper and works every time. Making it that length allows you to extend your boom and still stops before contacting the release clip
• 150 lb Power Pro as well and have had trouble with the release clips abrading the power pro to the point that it breaks after only 4 days fishing.
• Needs to be 200lb. 150 lb is to light. Scotty new Lighter braid has the same breakage
• With dacron or spectra you very often get the ball off by backing up...so long as you have time to stop before you rub the rocks.
• Crimps will abrade Spectra, if you want those red beads to stay put take two short pieces of Spectra and tie a 4 turn uniknot above and below the bead tighten well and secure with a drop or two of superglue
Here are some “advantages” of “Braid”, as previously posted on this forum and these are "quotes"… You decide?
• more drag than cable
• ITs expensive
• no more crimps (crimps- are actually stronger than knots)
• broken twice, when the autostop bead slipped and the ball/snubber hit the downrigger retrieve hard
• too much drag for fishing deep (150-200').
• using knots or superglue
• I had my power pro snap a couple of times when my auto stop slipped and the line was jammed at the pulley. After that I put in 6-8' of experienced SS line joined with a swivel.
• 200lb test. I had no problem off Victoria, HOWEVER, when I was dragging 15 pounders through the swell at 5knts off Renfrew, the stuff just didn't hold up
• I have also lost a few cannonballs in mysterious circumstances which I would attribute to abrasions or nicks on the braid.
• You may also run into slippage or breaking of the plastic stoppers they use on the braid. IMO the SS is bullet proof but the braid is nicer to fish with.
• X2 - I use just 130lb braid to a 20' section of cod line. The swivel acts as the stopper and the cod line is easy on the hand when you grab it.
• I notice the bottom foot or two gets minor abrasions after a few trips, so a good idea to cut off bottom foot or two and re-tie every once in a while.
• the same problems as mr wood with unexplained brakage
• had a fish on and before we could move out of the way it did a wrap aroung the braided stuff and cut it off
• use the red ones but put two back to back and this locks them solid.
• Ganyon is a green cord available in rolls from tackle stores.
What is the rot factor on ganyon, a buddy had some problems with it this summer
• thinner diameter of the 130 - 150 p/pro screwing up there counter
• Yes on the counter issue, seems wire shows pretty accurately
but the thinner braid does show a higher number on the counter
than wire at the same depth.
• 4th season with Power Pro 200, lost a few balls this summer due to a bad run of ganyon
• Line twist is not an issue. I pull off two full arms lengths of the chord, approx 12'. I double it and tie the loose ends together.
• I tie a loop in the DR braided line then loop the braid and the chord together, then loop the chord through the cannonball eyelet. The "knot" that joins the braid and the chord together acts as a stopper and works every time. Making it that length allows you to extend your boom and still stops before contacting the release clip
• 150 lb Power Pro as well and have had trouble with the release clips abrading the power pro to the point that it breaks after only 4 days fishing.
• Needs to be 200lb. 150 lb is to light. Scotty new Lighter braid has the same breakage
• With dacron or spectra you very often get the ball off by backing up...so long as you have time to stop before you rub the rocks.
• Crimps will abrade Spectra, if you want those red beads to stay put take two short pieces of Spectra and tie a 4 turn uniknot above and below the bead tighten well and secure with a drop or two of superglue
Island Fish Lifter
Well-Known Member
I tie knots in my braided line all the time.. never had a break.
I use no hardware attaching my balls etc..
When I first went to braided, I used it on one side, cable on the other and guess what? No noticeable drag difference, fishing all depths.
I use 12', doubled up, of ganyon chord between the ball and braided line, where they meet activates the downrigger stopper every time.
You can cut it with a knife.
I have used the same braided line the last two seasons and have no plans on changing it this season, Ill still pack spares though.
I fish hard for about 30 to 40 days a season.
This is my all personal experience, there is no quotes from other people.
Fill the dam tub!
I use no hardware attaching my balls etc..
When I first went to braided, I used it on one side, cable on the other and guess what? No noticeable drag difference, fishing all depths.
I use 12', doubled up, of ganyon chord between the ball and braided line, where they meet activates the downrigger stopper every time.
You can cut it with a knife.
I have used the same braided line the last two seasons and have no plans on changing it this season, Ill still pack spares though.
I fish hard for about 30 to 40 days a season.
This is my all personal experience, there is no quotes from other people.
Fill the dam tub!
SerengetiGuide
Well-Known Member
scott craven
Well-Known Member
Braid for me too, a palomar knot and you're good to go...
150-200 lb power pro is awesome stuff.
4' of ganyon and a swivel to the mainline and no worries over
sliding stoppers.
150-200 lb power pro is awesome stuff.
4' of ganyon and a swivel to the mainline and no worries over
sliding stoppers.
Tailspin
Active Member
I still like the pro 200 with Gangion on the sides and wire on my third rigger just to mix it up a bit.
www.tailspincharters.com
www.tailspincharters.com
Braid for me. I've hung downriggers up and stopped the boat. Let's assume wire may give you a tiny edge if you want to fart around wtih voltage, it can also bite you in the butt when your bilge pump wire shorts and gives your boat a "charge".
I run 15's, and can pound bottom up to 200 feet.
Last Chance Fishing Adventures
www.lastchancefishingadventures.com
www.swiftsurebank.com
I run 15's, and can pound bottom up to 200 feet.
Last Chance Fishing Adventures
www.lastchancefishingadventures.com
www.swiftsurebank.com
P
phnapa
Guest
Black box wont work with braid, ill stick with my cable
drhook
Active Member
Oh, how the tide has turned. Two years ago braid was the HOT ticket. Now it seems it's split 50/50. As stated, both have their pros and cons. I was one of the ones who switched to braid last year (150 lb power pro) and although I'm not regretting the decision, I'm not exactly pleased with the stuff either. My advice is as follows:
Look at what depths you normally fish. If you are only a summer fisher and fish in the top 50', then I would suggest going with a heavy braid such as scotty's 275# stuff in the 300 foot roll. Seems to be bombproof and will last forever. If you normally fish deep in excess of 100-150' then cable might be better for you or a moderate weight braid such as 200# power pro. If you like to fish 4 rods and stack lines, forget the braid! Stay with cable!
Personally, I would not buy as light as 150# but would probably go with a 200# power pro when my next purchase comes around. Oh, and if you fish deep and go with the power pro, pay the extra and purchase the 450' spool thereby filling up the spool enough to eliminate any counter discrepancies. Also, rig with a swivel as a stopper and ganyon (or something similar) to the ball. Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.
Look at what depths you normally fish. If you are only a summer fisher and fish in the top 50', then I would suggest going with a heavy braid such as scotty's 275# stuff in the 300 foot roll. Seems to be bombproof and will last forever. If you normally fish deep in excess of 100-150' then cable might be better for you or a moderate weight braid such as 200# power pro. If you like to fish 4 rods and stack lines, forget the braid! Stay with cable!
Personally, I would not buy as light as 150# but would probably go with a 200# power pro when my next purchase comes around. Oh, and if you fish deep and go with the power pro, pay the extra and purchase the 450' spool thereby filling up the spool enough to eliminate any counter discrepancies. Also, rig with a swivel as a stopper and ganyon (or something similar) to the ball. Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.
Island Fish Lifter
Well-Known Member
Black box wont make any difference no matter what you do. If your not catching fish, its you, not your voltage. I always love it when this one comes up. I have buddies (who arent guides) who couldnt catch fish and swore it was a voltage issue. They bought into the black box idea and they still dont catch fish! I see this all the time. I have customers who want me to install black boxes thinking it will make them better fishermen but I refuse and send them to someone else that will do it just for the $.
Like Charlie said, If your boat's hot, you should be worrying about your components being damaged.
Fill the dam tub!
gamechanger
Well-Known Member
Braid all the way, just don't go low diameter because that shyte breaks easier than it should and after you plunge a lot of lead to the bottom you'll be cursing yourself. Dyneema from Scotty, 300lb test is good stuff, this is my 3rd season on one of them and very few losses. Being able to watch knuckleheads wrap lines on the downriggers and getting those fish back is a blessing. IFL's right, you can tie knots in the stuff it's not a big deal. If your boat is hot or you have electrolysis issues than might want to stick with cable, but there are other ways of dealing with hot boats using zincs. One of my boats is aluminum and with cable and with Dyneema it fished just the same, maybe just lucky...that boat has always caught fish. Drag isn't an issue, just up your balls to 15 if you haven't already and go balls deep (everyone likes that right?)
mr killer
Active Member
funny I just stripped my two downriggers yesterday, took off 250 feet of brand new cable and it's sitting on my lawn if anyone wants it, put on some of the new low drag scotty dynema it's 175lb test, kind of wishing I had of stayed with the old 300lb test dynema, if your having a big drag issue your fishing against the current! turn the boat around
abbyfireguy
Well-Known Member
Power pro braid. Cost efficient and long lasting.
Caught more fish after switching to braid on one rigger. Did second one after trial period.
If you tie the right knot there is not 1 50% reduction in line strength.
IAFF Local #18 (Vancouver Fire Rescue)
Caught more fish after switching to braid on one rigger. Did second one after trial period.
If you tie the right knot there is not 1 50% reduction in line strength.
IAFF Local #18 (Vancouver Fire Rescue)
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