LINE v BRAID

[Stevie Robertson]

Planning a spot of barbel fishing,got the rod shimano hyperloop, the reel i will be using is a bait runner which has 20lb braid on will that be ok or should i load it with nylon if so any recommendations on type and breaking strain..........cheers

 

[njb51]

Braid has a lower abrasion resistance than mono so bear that in mind if fishing close to snags or over sharp things.

Braid is good on the reel if you are touch legering or rolling meat / bait around the swim.

 

[Stevie Robertson]

Would you say 20lb braid is too heavy for the ledgering..............

 

[njb51]

For barbel, yes. Unless it meant definitely landing the fish as opposed to maybe landing it from a snaggy swim. I'd use lower breaking strain mono, purely for abrasion reasons.

 

[Stevie Robertson]

What breaking strain, any type..

 

[Geoff Cowen]

I have been using 20lb braid for the last four years for all my Barbel fishing with no problem at all.

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

Horses for courses.

Advantages
Low diameter for breaking strain

Cant think of any others Geoff?

Disadvantages
Low stretch if fishing at short range
Low abrasion resistance
Potential damage to fish(though perhaps overstated)

On balance I would go for a tough mono of about 10lb but dependent on swim ie clear or snaggy.If snaggy go for a stronger BS.

 

[Geoff Cowen]

Lots of snag on the Swale; just hit and hold. Low diameter is also good in flood condition. I have had very few problems with abrasion using Fox Graitron and the knot strength also very good.
I keep thinking of giving mono a go again but I think it's only because I have forgotten all the problems I had with it when I started Barbel fishing again.

 

[njb51]

What problems did you have with mono?

 

[Geoff Cowen]

Mainly stopping fish heading for snags a fish a 30m can stretch mono to an unbelievable amount. You think you have them under control and suddenly they make a lung and into a snag they go. This has been much less of a problem since I started using braid and even in the event of a fish finding a snag I have been able to work them free. The mono just stretches and you cannot get any pressure on to what ever the fish has hung it self on.

 

[fred hall]

I would NOT use braid for mainline, 10lb mono for me, but I am happy to use it (Kryston silkworm) for hooklengths.

 

[Stevie Robertson]

Thanks lads i will try both........

 

[chris 2]

Use 10/12lb mono but set your cluth tight so it only just gives line at the last moment.

 

[Graham Whatmore]

The proper way to set your clutch is to first find out the breaking strain with a knot in it(whichever knot you use to tie the swivel on is best). You may be surprised just how much more it breaks at compared to the stated breaking strain, anything from 25% to 50% and more in some cases, very few specialist lines break at their given BS, nearly always more.

Once you have established the breaking strain it is a simple job to fill a bucket with correct BS less 5% at which point the clutch should start to slip, this has to be done at home of course. Always set it at the BS of the weakest part of the set up, either main line or hooklink that way you will not have a problem with breakages.

 

[alex laurie]

Stevie,

If I was fishing a weedy, gravelly river like say the Hants. Avon I would have no hesitation in using braid as it a great weedcutter. If on the other hand I knew I would be fishing over rock, like on some areas of the Ribble or the Severn there is no way I would use braid as rock is a great braidcutter.