Author Topic: Braid suggestions please: (Read 9083 times)

kingslide · « **on:** January 30, 2012, 09:19:19 AM »

I have a Shimmie Sustain 5 000 reel on a Berkley Aerocast rod.

Now the question is what braid to put on the reel - the reel is mainly used for spinning (shad / leeries) also for catching smallis cob / sandies. So the braid must be very castable. I really do not mind paying extra for decent braid.

So what do you chaps suggest in regards to brand and thickness...

REEFMAN · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:43:10 AM »

Shew... tough question!

Fireline fused 20lb remains a strong choice - consistently stronger than it's breaking strain and reliable.

Other new ones on the market seem to be pretty good too.
The new Sufix Performance Fused is excellent.
Also the Berkley Nanofil in 12lb, which breaks at 25lb, but is very finicky with knots.
Then there is the Jerry Brown hollowcore, available from JigStar Africa... tried and tested... not sure which is the casting version though?
And then you must also consider the Saltiga Casting braid - also tried and tested by many... just a bit expensive.

kingslide · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:46:17 AM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 30, 2012, 11:43:10 AM

Also the Berkley Nanofil in 12lb, which breaks at 25lb, but is very finicky with knots.

Thanks Reefs - what do you mean by finicky?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:49:46 AM »

I Tested the Nanofil out quite extensively and used it a lot at Vidal. The stuff is VERY VERY difficult to keep a decent knot. It is so slippery... Not even the 7 turn Uni to Fig 8 would hold properly without slipping.
So when using the Nanofil, you need to be extremely careful about what knot to use. Berkley recommend the Modified Albright, but I was not particularly impressed. Eventually worked out one that works quite well... I now double the braid and do a 15 turn Uni on the Braid side, with a 3 loop figure 8 on the Leaderside. Whatever knot you use, you need to test it hard to make sure it's not slipping.

kingslide · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:51:20 AM »

Reefs do you have cost for the nanofil?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:30:30 PM »

R450 for 300 yards.

But remember to not make the same mistake as I did...!!! 300yards is not enough to fill a 5000 size reel! So you need to put it onto another reel, fill it with some backing, then reverse it onto your proper reel.

plonker · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:39:55 PM »

Hi, I have Mustad Ultra Braid 20lbs on my sustain 5000
I think it comes in a 270m roll which fills the reel.
Have been using it for over a year spinning most weekends no problems yet.

kingslide · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:42:15 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 30, 2012, 12:30:30 PM

R450 for 300 yards.

But remember to not make the same mistake as I did...!!! 300yards is not enough to fill a 5000 size reel! So you need to put it onto another reel, fill it with some backing, then reverse it onto your proper reel.

And Reefs is this nanofil any good?

kingslide · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:43:38 PM »

Quote from: plonker on January 30, 2012, 12:39:55 PM

Hi, I have Mustad Ultra Braid 20lbs on my sustain 5000
I think it comes in a 270m roll which fills the reel.
Have been using it for over a year spinning most weekends no problems yet.

Thanks Plonker - so you will give it two thumbs up for durablelity as well?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:50:55 PM »

Quote from: kingslide on January 30, 2012, 12:42:15 PM

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 30, 2012, 12:30:30 PM
R450 for 300 yards.

But remember to not make the same mistake as I did...!!! 300yards is not enough to fill a 5000 size reel! So you need to put it onto another reel, fill it with some backing, then reverse it onto your proper reel.

And Reefs is this nanofil any good?

There have been some great reviews about it, people like it's casting ability, but being a hybrid-type mono/braid, it is VERY slippery, so knots are very difficult. I eventually got annoyed with the knots breaking and fished it without a leader.
But Barry Wareham loves the stuff and used it to catch a whole whack of Snoek from the beach recently.

On Basilmanning.co.za Barry does a video of how he ties knots with it.

plonker · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:55:01 PM »

Hi Kingslide, the braid is fine just the yellow or green coating wears away and leaves it white, but the braid is still good.

kingslide · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:58:50 PM »

Thanks Reefs will go and check it out...

kingslide · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:59:22 PM »

Quote from: plonker on January 30, 2012, 12:55:01 PM

Hi Kingslide, the braid is fine just the yellow or green coating wears away and leaves it white, but the braid is still good.

And knot strenth etc?

plonker · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:08:09 PM »

i do not have any problems using a uni and figure 8 for my leader.
but as for knot strength i am not sure whether it is better or the same as other braids.

kingslide · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:14:59 PM »

Again thanks Plonker

Weedeater · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:37:45 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 30, 2012, 11:43:10 AM

Shew... tough question!

Fireline fused 20lb remains a strong choice - consistently stronger than it's breaking strain and reliable.

Other new ones on the market seem to be pretty good too.
The new Sufix Performance Fused is excellent.
Also the Berkley Nanofil in 12lb, which breaks at 25lb, but is very finicky with knots.
Then there is the Jerry Brown hollowcore, available from JigStar Africa... tried and tested... not sure which is the casting version though?
And then you must also consider the Saltiga Casting braid - also tried and tested by many... just a bit expensive.

What about PowerPro 20lb? I use it (50lb) as backing on my Saltist 50, very strong but slightly on the thicker side.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2012, 02:11:45 PM »

Powerpro falls short when it comes to casting Brendan... there are some "coated" type Superlines that have come out in the last few years that are awesome for casting.

The new Sufix 832 is brilliant. Also do a search on UA on the Nanofil, it's revolutionary stuff.

Weedeater · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2012, 02:20:12 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 30, 2012, 02:11:45 PM

Powerpro falls short when it comes to casting Brendan... there are some "coated" type Superlines that have come out in the last few years that are awesome for casting.

The new Sufix 832 is brilliant. Also do a search on UA on the Nanofil, it's revolutionary stuff.

Ah thanks Tony! Goes to show how long I've been out the game.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:53:54 PM »

Sufix 832...

Winner of Best Fishing Line at the 2010 ICAST Show.

Sufix® 832 Advanced Superline have been honored with the Field & Stream Best of the Best Award in the Lure and Accessories category for 2011.

Sufix 832 Advanced Superline® is the strongest, most durable small diameter braid on the market. R8 Precision Braiding and fiber technology provides superior strength, roundness and line consistency. Patent-pending construction of 8 fibers (7 Dyneema® plus 1 GORE® Performance Fiber) and 32 weaves (pics) per inch. GORE® Performance Fibers improve abrasion resistance, increase casting distance & accuracy and reduce line vibration. Dyneema® fibers provide high strength & sensitivity, hydrophobic water-repellent protection and small diameter.

Sounds brilliant. Would love to test some of this stuff. I know Tommo fishes with it.

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:00:46 PM »

Anyone considered Gator braid ..?? , i see they make a casting version and a backing version as well " Bully braid"..