I'm still using some of the first stuff to come into the country. At a guess it would be 10 years old!
I'm a big fan of braid & now feel like I'm not fishing if not using it.
I understand it is UV resistant, certainly seems that way.
Yeah Naki, braid lasts for yonks, no worries. Certainly not UV degradable like nylon. I reckon if you don't get 10 years outa it, there is something wrong somewhere.
cheers pal,
Stu.
Sunlight has a very negligible impact on braid. Neither does it weaken in water like nylon or bothered by most chemicals that are bad for nylon. However, it will start to decompose at a lower temperature than nylon. Say around 150C as opposed to around 200C for nylon. So, if you have a stuck roller tip for example, it can start to damage the braid from the extra heat generated by friction.
For those who can get hold of the Western Australia Angler mag from around April/May 04, there's a very detailed article on this topic.
Another drawback of braid is that it has very poor knot strength (the previous fishing news issue has an article about this). IMHO, I think this is a major reason why it is so difficult to find IGFA braid and most braid are underrated (i.e. breaks at higher test than stated on packaging).
Hope this info is useful.
Cookie, just replace the nylon backing and if you're too tight - reverse the braid. Trim off the dodgy bits at the end.
Best bet is to replace braid at the start of every season!
Quote: Originally posted by groper on 09 September 2004
disagree with chris there.... braid is certainly fine for at least 5 years unless your out there everyday for a year... but like nylon inspect it regulary and there should be no prob...
From personal experience, the lighter tests I use (e.g. 10lb) will need replacing after a short while of heavy fishing cos I had to trim off the "dodgy" end bit once too often. There's just less margin for error when using such thin diameter.
Not all braid are created alike. I have come across reports of a certain 80lb braid that did not last more than one season without turning "furry" and breaking when it shouldn't have.
Chris not so sure her indoors would take that to well mate
Why is everyone disagreeing with me and Pioneer?
Sell braid.....! who sells braid here...?
Cookie just tell the missus how many fish you'll be slaying, feeding her & the kids and also her parents (out-laws). You'll promise not to drink, gamble or have sex for a week.
OK guys,
I have not tried Braid but would really like to. My dilema is what reel to put it on. I have a few reels (but probably not anywhere near enough!!). I previously always thought braid was for heavy deep water tackle only, but it sounds like it is good in the right conditions for much more.
Currently I have a TLD 25 with 15 pound, a Penn 225 with 10 pound, an Abu Garcia with 8 pound and a TLD 10 with 6 pound all with Nylon. Do you guys have mutilple reels of the same type, one with Braid, one with normal? Any suggestions on what I should do is appreciated (I am leaning to getting another Penn 225 for Braid, thoughts?)
Cheers
Ab
Ab_Fab...... top shot your 225 with some 30lb braid about 300m should do to find out if you like it or not........
first thing you will find out is you will have to learn not to strike so hard second don�t strike everything that feels like a good bite third your arms are going to hurt because the rod is bucking like its hooked up to someone jerking themselves off.......
Braid is great once you get used to it a very soft tiped rod will obsorb most of the action that comes from the fish fighting on the other end....... this also helps when striking the fish as the tip tends to bend first before it all comes up tight......
the other good qualities about braid is it repeals water this means it doesn�t create much drag in the water unlike nylon which absorbs water thus you end up with a very large belly created by the current which makes for hard detection of fish biting your bait....... less drag means less weight needed to reach the bottom which means harder for the fish to detect something wrong with the bait...... all good once you learn its capabilities�..
Brilliant thanks Lethal and Cod!
Sounds like a good plan. I have my penn matched to a ugly-stick so that should work as far as having a soft tipped rod. My temptation though is maybe I should buy another 225 for the braid (I think Smart Marine still have them at a good price).
Probobaly not necessary to buy a new reel, but this is an excellent excuse!!!
I will let you know how I get on
Ab
here is a knot that will let you tie a trace to braid without using a swivel........
make a loop in your braid using a fig8 knot then use 5 turns not 3 as in this pic otherwise it will slip.......
Thanks Lethal !!!
A dumb question, why would you not use a swivel? Is it to maintain the "feel" that the braid gives you??
Cheers
Ab
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