Braid 50lb vs 80lb
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Heavy Metal - Jig fishing
Forum Description: Anything related to jig fishing here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=96524
Printed Date: 28 Jan 2026 at 6:37am
Topic: Braid 50lb vs 80lb
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Subject: Braid 50lb vs 80lb
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:05pm
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Im interested in what braid people use on their jigging set ups. Im running 50lb at the moment and am often a little nervous winding the drag up too much if the fish is heading for the bottom. Is 80lb more suitable? and will it effect the way the jig works ie effecting my strike rate?
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Replies:
Posted By: Gowest
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:08pm
| Im using 50lb varivas and got no problems with cranking that drag right up!! |
Posted By: Fishing Addiction
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:10pm
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Depends on the kingfish size you are targeting. For the gulf or where smaller kingfish are known, 50lb is fine. But the places where big ones are known it would be safer to run 80lb I run 68lb without issue |
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:16pm
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Ok. Yea half way between the 2 would be ideal. Im fishing out of Merc Bay so Mercs and Aldies. |
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:18pm
Cheers bro. Just worries me the though of loosing a biggy when I finally find one
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Gowest wrote:Posted By: Titahi
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:30pm
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Not much 50lb braid breaks at 50lb or below, unless you are using a IGFA rated braid that will hopefully break just under 50lb. I say this as theoretically you could use very similar drag on both line classes, I am guessing its unlikely for you to use more than 50lb of drag (24kg) as: A- your rod will snap? B- your reel wont put out that much drag? C- your knots will fail? The weak point will likely be the terminal connection or connection to leader, both of which you would hope can cope with higher drag setting of............ Jerry Brown hollow 60 breaks typically at around 89-101 lbs, some JB 40 breaks at around 70lb neither of which I suspect would cause you to loose fish, both of which aren't sold as 80lb line....... ------------- "I love standing by the ocean and just knowing what its for" |
Posted By: Gowest
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:32pm
| Breaking strain on 50lb is a bit more than 50lb if im right. How much drag does your reel put out, now try and lift that with your leader and PR knot bro, itll be sweet as. But yeah 80 would give you more piece of mind i guess |
Posted By: Gowest
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 3:32pm
| ^^ beat me to it lol |
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 5:05pm
| Cool got ya guys. Really just a piece of mind thing. 10kg max drag on my reel. But obviously you get a bit more pressure on the line with big head shakes. Ill stick with 50 I think. Always have a pretty heaftly PR knot so don't think it will break there. What knot does everyone use to tie leader to solid ring? |
Posted By: PE Pete
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 6:18pm
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Hey Alex I run 80lb for the reasons you have already stated but to be honest I think next time I spool up I will drop down to 50 or 60lb. Any opportunity to run lighter & still have the gear to deal to that big model that comes round occasionally is my future plan. EG I noticed recently that instead of using a 350Gr jig (which my blanks are rated at) I went to a 300Gr model & noticed immediately how much easier it was. So IMO stay as light as you practically can. ------------- Tight lines PE Pete |
Posted By: Fletch
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 6:32pm
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Alex, Ag chain with a rizzuto for leader to solid. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: kaveman
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 8:29pm
AG chain knot if using fluorocarbon or simple 3-4 turn uni if using mono -------------  www.kavemantackle.co.nz
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Posted By: ChrisW
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 10:30pm
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I was using YGK PE4 Jigman which is about 50lb test at the Ranfurly recently. The rod was a Ninja L prototype acid rod. Rod would be about a 200g. That didn't stop me, Werner and Nick from dealing to several 30kg, 32, 34, 36 & 38kg Kingies on that outfit. In good hands, this light tackle can and will deal to monster fish but you need a bit of skill and luck going your way. With the light rod, you just can't gimbal the rod soon after the take. Keep the load off the rod by pointing it at the water, let the reel drag slow the fish down. When the fight settles and you have control, then gimbal the rod and fight as normal but be prepared to underarm the rod if the fish starts to overload the rod. 50lb braid is light for the Ranfurly or 3 Kings and I would usually recommend 80lb or more. Just do as I say not what I do! LOL! ------------- give it death! |
Posted By: Gowest
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 7:50am
| Are you using ring and gromet Alex or straight to the solid ring on factory assists? |
Posted By: jakepitsville
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 8:16am
| IMO you have no need ever for 80lb braid. Most gear and most people cant handle sustained 20-30kg of drag. I beat most fish with about 6-10kg no problems from marloon to 30Plus kg kings. also !! has anyone got there jig bait livie or big fish stuck on the bottom - snagged with 80lb braid.. MY GOSH IT SUCKS SO BAD! you have to tie off your braid to a cleat and drive the boat away. 50lb is HEAPS! |
Posted By: Boulder
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 8:45am
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Perhaps you are correct Jakepitsville when fishing with just two anglers from a private boat but believe me when I say if you fish in charter boats the odd tangle is the norm for a days fishing and the 80lb braid survives that much better ------------- http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">  http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 9:38am
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I am using 80lb for marlin, dropping to 50 this season, on my jigging gear is 80, again dropping to 50, 80 is great and gives you alot of room for a mistake I can certainly crank up horendous drag if I want but hell have I been dragged around the pit and I am 120k. As mentioned 50 breaks alot higher. If anyone knows where I can get at least 2000m of 50 or there abouts lets us know ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 9:59am
Ring and gromet |
Posted By: letsgetem
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 10:45am
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I used 50lb braid casting for GTs at Cook Islands. When I hooked a biggie, it broke. I never got a second chance. I regretted using 50lb. Ok, I believe it broke at the weakest point, the knot from braid to leader. So, I think the strength is determined by, both line strength and knot(s) strength. The knot was a Spider Hitch, which I subsequently learned was relatively weak. Later I changed to a Bimini Twist, which I understand is much stronger. And now I have changed again, to a Yucatan, even stronger I believe. To me, I like to think I will be able to land a big fish, if it ever eventuates - so I will be sticking with 80lb braid, or stronger. |
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 10:51am
I had the same thing in Tonga. Snapped my 50lb on a GT. and again snapped my 50lb when hooked on the bottom and didn't feel like I put a huge amount of pressure on it. Also snapped the 50lb on our electric reel on a puka/bass(a very good one) the other day. However I think ill see how I go and when I loose that big one  I might change then lol
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Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 10:52am
| What are the main disadvantages of 80lb over 50lb? Does a jig work better with lighter braid? |
Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 12:06pm
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Jig action would be more affected by your leader weight as apposed to the braid youre using IMO. ------------- Sea Strike 18' Centre Console - Under Construction.... http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/sea-strike-18-build-thread_topic87723_page1.html" rel="nofollow - Build Thread here |
Posted By: Anonymous123454321
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 12:22pm
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I've used Varivas Max PE5 ($195) and Varivas premium PE6 ($125): They are both rated to ~ 78lbs and spooled my reel with 290 Meters of PE5 and 220m of PE6 The PE5 deteriorated fast, dropping to a 40lb failure within 6 months(Cleaned properly after every trip). Within the same time period the PE6 is still around 70lb failure. This site is good for comparing braid ( http://www.paulusjustfishing.com/4linetestingbuy.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.paulusjustfishing.com/4linetestingbuy.htm ) and from matching up the thickness and failure Daiwa Saltiga Boat Braid looks pretty good. In summary PE4-5 are great if you want to get the most line on your reel, PE6 is great if you prefer your line to last several trips.
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Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 12:37pm
| Makes sense for the leader to effect jig action not the braid itself. |
Posted By: AlexFyssher
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 12:40pm
Cheers mate. Some bloody good info there |
Posted By: alan syme
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 10:20pm
Hi BA, discount fishing supplies in Gisborne www.discountfishingsupplies.co.nz have 50lb suffix rainbow braid in 2000m bulk spools, I just checked. $5 delivery NZ wide too which is a good deal I think. |