Superslim, braid and BS.

[REEFMAN]

So, long story short, I bought myself a BM Superslim 13'6 rod, rated 5-6oz, and had it pimped to the max by Fishatic with the latest Fugi KR Concept guides etc. - decided to bite the bullet and join the grinder revolution. Went casting and was so flippin disappointed at the distances achieved... could get 115m max, giving it horns! Can cast 50m past that with a multiplier!?
So Fishatic asks some questions, what braid are you using on your Ultegra 5500? Sufix 832 50lb.
Did some research after Brandon posed some interesting facts...
Look I always knew that braid breaking strains are under stated, so are braid diameters, but some of them are just ridiculous.\
Sufix 832 50lb stated diameter = 0.34mm. Actual breaking strain = 75lb ( ); actual diameter 0.47mm!! WTH!? No wonder I'm battling to get distance!!

If you want to fish 50lb breaking strain, then use Sufix 20lb, breaks at 42lb, and is 0.31mm! That's a massive difference!
30lb Sufix breaks at 51lb and has a diameter of 0.39mm...
So it's back to the drawing board...!!
All stats from paulusjustfishing.com

Just by the way, I have an Amia with Microguides. Always thought it was highly over-rated in the distance dept. So, Fishatic gets rid of the Microguide and puts Low riders?? on and WOW!! You can't believe the difference! At least 15-20m increase in distance. Amazing stuff! So if you've got an Amia with that silly over choking Microguide, and the even sillier tiny tip guides, contact Brandon - he will transform your rod... no BS.

[j.s.smith]

Also had that experience with the 832 from my tiger fishing days at Tete the 30lb on 4000 spool simply wont cast an effzet 18g spoon more than 30m. The 20lb is .20 in thickness according to manufacturer but way more casting distance. Although one of the stronger braids on the market it still doesnt beat power pro's 20lb in casting distance or breaking strain imo I would pay that 300 more for power pro but going to experiment with the new gosen just for casting distance.

[Vandit]

Have a look at Suffix Performance Pro 8.
Rigged my setup with this newish range and was amazed.
This coming after using Daiwa Tournament 8, which was already on the thin side.
Would bet on it outperforming the Goosen Jigging braid, no alternating or hi viz colours though.


Good to hear about the Amia KR Conversion!
How did you measure casting distance? Any before and after measurements?


Seriously considering booting those Microwaves.

[fishatic]

The Performance Pro 8 is not sold in the USA so its packaging is accurate.
American packaging reflects knotted strength, based on the assumption you can't tie decent knots😂

[REEFMAN]

Don't get me wrong about the Sufix 832... superb braid! I have it spooled on most of my spinning reels. Just never thought the diameter was so badly underestimated. Will be scaling down dramatically now.

Measuring Casting distance - we use a line counter. Haven't done any measurements with the Amia yet, my rod is still getting done, but casting another without the Microwave guides was like chalk and cheese. No sound whatsoever of braid getting choked, and sooo smooooth in the cast! Just very pleasurable casting.

[Half-Pint]

Reefz I have to chuckle, I recall at the last social mentioning that I had found the diameter and casting distance of Gosen braid to be much better. I seem to recall a particular dentist telling me I was talking k*K and the top anglers are all using 30lb 832

[Plugger]

Don't get me wrong about the Sufix 832... superb braid! I have it spooled on most of my spinning reels. Just never thought the diameter was so badly underestimated. Will be scaling down dramatically now.

Measuring Casting distance - we use a line counter. Haven't done any measurements with the Amia yet, my rod is still getting done, but casting another without the Microwave guides was like chalk and cheese. No sound whatsoever of braid getting choked, and sooo smooooth in the cast! Just very pleasurable casting.

Reef is there anyone in Durban who does the conversion ? Rough idea of price.

[SAfish]

I have loaded my Sustain 5000 with 20lb Suffix 832 because I was worried about line capacity. Reading about the over estimating of the breaking strain gives me a bit more confidence it the braid. I first wanted to load it with 30lb but now I am glad I did not do it.

[Lenny]

I have loaded my Sustain 5000 with 20lb Suffix 832 because I was worried about line capacity. Reading about the over estimating of the breaking strain gives me a bit more confidence it the braid. I first wanted to load it with 30lb but now I am glad I did not do it.

I think I have a whole spool of suffix 30 lbs ( the thin brown ) but wow , too thin for my liking .


The braid comparison threads interest me a lot .


I do love my power pro I have 6 lbs 10, and 20 on my light stuff , the 20 lbs are a winner .


I have also , seen what the proper guides can achieve with regards to distance ,
I also want to good n klip in die bos ,
We can pose the q, does " the size of the grinder matter  "
I prefer my grinder larger , for instance , I like a 5000 on my 9 foot rods , IMO you can fish 4000 size grinder on a 9 foot stick , but here's  what I have experienced , I get better distance fishing a larger reel .
I am not suggesting , it's the way to go , or to pair up a 10000 grinder on your  8 stick .


With rods longer than 10foot my knowledge are zero , but it's not the first thread about guides , and will for sure look into it .


Lekker thread.

[Shaun17]

Don't get me wrong about the Sufix 832... superb braid! I have it spooled on most of my spinning reels. Just never thought the diameter was so badly underestimated. Will be scaling down dramatically now.

Measuring Casting distance - we use a line counter. Haven't done any measurements with the Amia yet, my rod is still getting done, but casting another without the Microwave guides was like chalk and cheese. No sound whatsoever of braid getting choked, and sooo smooooth in the cast! Just very pleasurable casting.

Reef is there anyone in Durban who does the conversion ? Rough idea of price.

Either that or we send a few rods up together?

[REEFMAN]

Don't get me wrong about the Sufix 832... superb braid! I have it spooled on most of my spinning reels. Just never thought the diameter was so badly underestimated. Will be scaling down dramatically now.

Measuring Casting distance - we use a line counter. Haven't done any measurements with the Amia yet, my rod is still getting done, but casting another without the Microwave guides was like chalk and cheese. No sound whatsoever of braid getting choked, and sooo smooooth in the cast! Just very pleasurable casting.

Reef is there anyone in Durban who does the conversion ? Rough idea of price.

Right now, no there isn't anyone else in the country (that I know of) that has the latest knowledge and expertise in Spinning guide technology. The 2 best in my opinion are Brandon Mcqueen (Fishatic) and Craig Neil (Enigma) - both based in GP. Brandon does rods for guys all over the world. I know it's a pain in the butt to have to post rods to far destinations, but I wouldn't trust anyone else right now.
 

[REEFMAN]

Reefz I have to chuckle, I recall at the last social mentioning that I had found the diameter and casting distance of Gosen braid to be much better. I seem to recall a particular dentist telling me I was talking k*K and the top anglers are all using 30lb 832

Really?!? Either you or me is getting Oldteimers disease... have no recollection of EVER having told you that.  eish.
I do recall you telling me about Gosen though. Maybe I should listen a bit louder.

[REEFMAN]

By the way... I'm going to put together a table of the most popular braids used in SA, so you can evaluate what you want to buy... it's really interesting reading. Won't include Gosen or HMP though, since they have never been tested by Paulus.

[kevf]

Ya I must say I find myself cringing when I throw my amia, just doesn't feel good at all with those microwave guides

[REEFMAN]

We can pose the q, does " the size of the grinder matter  "
I prefer my grinder larger , for instance , I like a 5000 on my 9 foot rods , IMO you can fish 4000 size grinder on a 9 foot stick , but here's  what I have experienced , I get better distance fishing a larger reel .


Lekker thread.

Absolutely no doubt about that. My Ultegra 5500 on a 13ft rod battles desperately to keep up. Makes a proper racket on the cast, too much friction of the braid coming off a small spool. So next up is a.... Bullseye.... 

[doc]

Very interesting Tony  .


Something I can add is if you are thinking of switching to braid and grinders because of casting distance you are waisting your time. This is one of the biggest myths about braid. I know a lot is going to disagree with me on this. Just throwing a sinker braid and a grinder can out perform nylon and a multiplier but not by as much as you think. Adding bait to the scenario changes the picture completely.


In the last few years at Central Gauteng Casting trials this was proved over and over again. Using a 100mm piece of broomstick as simulated bait clipped the guys on average lost between 15 and 20m in distance to multipliers and nylon.

[Weedeater]

By the way... I'm going to put together a table of the most popular braids used in SA, so you can evaluate what you want to buy... it's really interesting reading. Won't include Gosen or HMP though, since they have never been tested by Paulus.

Hmmmm should be interesting. So no need to replace my Suffix 832 20lb on my spinning reel then? 

[MIKE PIKE]

Agreed i think we all under rate the strength of braid and could get away with using lower breaking strains and diameters.... maybe in some applications you gain a few meters and in others you lose ... but the  main criteria is the bite sensitivity of braid versus mono ..  

[basil]

Reefman how do you get hold of Brandon or Craig .

[REEFMAN]

Brandon is Fishatic on the forum.

Phone 0 EIGHT 3 230 ONE 44 0