Braided line on spinning tackle?

[MuskieKid]

I like to use heavy spinning tackle for fishing plastic tube baits in deeper water. I feel that it enables me to get my baits further away from my boat (bait-casting in deeper water results in a pendulum swing back to the boat)in this deep water. However, I believe that the stretchy mono results in a poorer hooking percentage than with the braids. I'm thinking about going to braided line on my spinning rod to increase my odds. I use a 7' St. Croix rod that is a step up (in terms of backbone) from the normal worm-type rods along with a Shimano Stradic reel (reel is good quality with a great drag). Yes, I do have bait casting rods, but want to stick with the spinning equipment for the deeper water. I've never used braids on a spinning rod before and am looking for input about this. Your input will be much appreciated. Thanks, Tom



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[RoyC]

I used 20 pound PowerPro on a smaller Shimano spinning reel for walleyes this year and it worked fine. As a matter of fact, you eliminate the memory problem with coils of line falling off the reel like you sometimes get with mono. I don't know why it wouldn't work for muskies.

Roy

[MuskieKid]

Thanks, Roy. I will give it a try. Tom

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[Skyman]

I have a heavy spinning combo spooled with 30 lb PowerPro for the same purpose your describing. Works like a dream.

[Keef]

65lb PowerPro on an Abu Suveran. Works great.

If you are going to use braid on a fixed spool pick one with a good tight weave and round cross section.

Keef

[MuskieKid]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like I'll give it a try.

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[ToddM]

I have found the best superline for spinning reels is fireline. Not a good choice for baitcasting but works awesome on spinning tackle. That's what I would put on it.

[divani]

we have been using this for 7 years now. all you need to do is make sure you have a base layer of nylon to prevent the dyneema from slipping on the spool. Most new spinning reels have a few grooves in the spool to prevent slippage but I still add some 10 yards of 40/00 nylon first. We use it for casting some bigger spinners, shads, jigfishing, spoonfishing, trolling, ... you name it!

[MuskieKid]

OK, thanks for all the great posts. I was wondering about that base layer of mono. Now you've answered it for me. Tom

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[MD Musky]

I too like to use spinning tackle to throw jigs and what not, but I am confused about the pendulem effect you frequently mention concerning casting tackle. Most folks probably use casting rods for this application, mostly because heavy line usually wont handle well on spinning gear. If you allow your jig to sink on a slack line, I dont really see any difference. Not looking for a debate cause I too prefer spinning tackle for jigs. If I am going to use jigs in the 1/2 to 1 ounce size, I almost always go with the casting rod. Braided line should work well on spinning gear but it does have some drawbacks. I dont like the way braided line acts when you get snagged. There is no snap to pop a jig out of trouble. With all of the trees in your lake, you better bring a leather glove to wrap your line around to pull out snags. That stuff never breaks and will cut your fingers off. Knots can be trouble too. I cary a pair of fire line scissors and a bottle of fishin glue to seal up my knots. The glue may not be necessary, but your regular knots may slip. As you know there are several good knots recommended for superlines. Good luck, I think those six inch tubes should work well for deep tigers.

[Otter]

I have totally switched to PowerPro line. I use 80# on my musky baitcasting rods, but use 20/6 on my walleye spinning rods for both jigging and trolling shad raps. I see no reason that PP wouldn't work in heavier weights for spinning - it is an awesome line.

[Musk Rat]

My buddy has used spinning gear with super braid for years not too many problems. I agree with the guy who recommended fire line the power pro and other braided lines are better for trolling or steady retrieves the fireline is less likely to wrap around the tip or get a knot in it. Be careful not to let too much slack line build up or you could get dig in on the hook set.

[MuskieKid]

MDMusky (and others): As usual, thanks for your great input. I got this idea from one of Joe Bucher's tapes on fishing reepers. In deep water (30-35 ft.) I can throw plastics away from the boat with a spinning rod and the lure will drop straight down from where it lands without the lure swinging back towards the boat (like a pendulum) as it drops. With a casting rod I can cast just as far (or maybe further) away from the boat. However, as soon as the bait hits the water it WILL start swinging back towards the boat (the spool has stopped turning at this point) as it slowly drops in the water. Yes, you can pull additional line off the reel as the lure drops and maintain the distance and depth away from the boat. However, I find it much easier with a spinning rod as the line will continue to come off the spoor freely. Other than plastics in DEEP WATER, I do prefer the heavy-duty Musky casting tackle. I got a really nice 7' Gator spinning rod (custom built St. Croix blank)at the Timonium Bass show last year for this deep-water purpose. It's a step up in terms of backbone from a Bass worm rod and I believe will handle a large Musky. I hooked up on a really big one the other day, but he got off. I really crossed his eyes (a tooth was on the hook when I reeled it in) with both hands, but the hook pulled out. Thus, the idea of the braided line to eliminate stretch and possibly a stinger hook. The tubes I'm using for this purpose are the largest I can find locally (about 6" ) and will draw strikes from Tigers and BASS.

Some Musky guys will blast me for fishing in deep water during the extreme water temps (80+) because they claim the fish may have a problem recovering from coming up from the depths. However, as you know, we are talking about Tigers in this specific lake, and therefore, no loss in terms of reproduction. Actually, in six years or so of fishing for Toothycritters, as far as I know, (I've been fishing for Bass for over 30 years)I've only lost two fish from exhaustion, and neither one was from this method.

Losing lures: You better believe it!!! I've lost a ton of lures in this lake and probably could buy a nice boat for the same price!! However, I made a pretty good plug knocker and have had pretty good success getting them back. In addition, I've gone to the heavy braids for trolling and casting. Not so much to handle a big fish (that's why we have drags on our reels), but to get my lures back!!!

Take care - Tom

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[scubohuntr]

I think the effect being referred to is as follows:
When you make a long cast over deep water with a spinning rod and a jig, line continues to come off the spool as the jig sinks almost straight down. When a baitcaster is set up properly, the centrifugal drag in freespool will prevent much line from coming off the spool. (If it's not set up properly, the backlash will prevent ANY line from coming off the spool!) There may be some line going out, but it has more resistance than a spinning rig. Therefore the jig will fall in an arc; if the water is deeper than the length of your cast, it will end up hanging straight below your boat without ever touching the bottom. Basic trigonometry. It really has nothing to do with the line itself, and probably isn't an issue with light tackle, but it's just a side effect of the way the different types of reels work.
Of course, I could be way off on this, but that's just what I have observed.

[tomcat]

Thanks muskie kid, now i just went out and bought a spinning rod and reel....like i didn't have enought already!!! if i thought about work as much as i thought about muskies, i'd be able to retire in 2 years.
tomcat
keep it reel.

[MuskieKid]

Hey Tom Cat: buying gear is part of the fun. I just bought a new glass St.Croix baitcaster the other day to throw smaller minnow type lures. Great backbone with a flexible tip. I already had 45 rods in my garage when I bought it!!! It's also fun sneaking another one in without my wife knowing it!!!!!

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[esoxmaximas]

I feel wierd asking this question as this is a musky board. However because thw water temps. were 93 when I left a local lake yesterday, I have spent the last month bass fishing. My problem is I have been catching some decent numbers of bass on a heavly salted plastic by Gary Yamamoto Bait Co. Too many of these fish are gut hooked. I of course have my hook cutters but I have been killing some of these fish still. I am wondering if I might detect the strikes better by using a fireline or Power pro. I wouldn't use mono for musky any more but don't want to be spending a lot on bass fishing as I will give it up once the water temps. cool. I have tons of 8lb. mono but if the super lines help save the fish I will spend the extra $. What do yall think? The lake is catch & release only for bass so it's not helping put food on my table. Thanks oh the bait is called Senko.

[MuskieKid]

I failed to mention it, but that is another reason I was considering going to the braids for the tube fishing-sensitivity. It makes sense that if you feel them sooner, that they will not have the bait in their mouth as long before one sets the hook, therefore they will be hooked in the mouth rather than the gut. I have not had a problem with tubes being gut hooked. As soon as I feel a fish on, I reel down and cross their eyes. Are you letting them run with the bait or do you hit them right away?

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