(yes, related to my chandeleur island trip)

I have always been a mono guy and my saltwater fishing has decreased quite a bit in the past 10 years. I hope to change that so using the trip to get my s*** in gear.

Been looking at sufix 832 in green. I will likely get 30 lb to get a little more familiar diameter. Is that a mistake? Should I go with 20 lb for more capacity? Any reason to go with the high vis yellow?

I am going to be using it only for my spinning reel rigs, I am staying with mono on my baitcasters.

I've used 30# spider wire for years.

Probably one of those things that's personal preference. I switched to braid when it became popular. Didn't much care for it, but I primarily fish for trout and red fish wade fishing (used to fish a lot more than I do now) with bait casters or spinning reels. Maybe I didn't get it enough of a chance, but I preferred mono so I switched back.

I use 15# power pro with a 30# leader and fish saltwater, on average, once per week.

I've used braid for 20 years and think it's superior to mono. I have three reels in my rotation and the line is about 3-4 years old on all of them. They cast like a dream and I very rarely get a backlash.

As far as color goes - I've always just gone with green.

I use 20# power pro on spinning reels and 30# on my bait casters. I find the smaller diameter bites into itself on the bait caster. I typically use 25# fluorocarbon leader unless I'm throwing tops. I use mono leader in that application because it floats.

I've had great luck with Sufix Performance Braid, in 8lb diameter / 30lb test. I personally like this better than the Sufix 832. The green color has always worked fine, but I do use it with 20lb Seaguar blue Label Fluorocarbon leaders.

Edit: the following is for use w baitcasters -
With Braid, I have always used some mono backing on the spool. Then be sure to put the Braid on the spool tightly. I will usually run the line between 2 phone books, and then put a gallon of water on top of the top book. That will allow you to spool the line tightly.

Good luck, should be a fun trip!!,

I use suffix 832 green in 30# loaded on 100 series baitcasters for bay fishing. My dad only has sight in 1 eye so he has trouble tying knots due to depth perception. I loaded his reels with the same line in 50# for the extra diameter so it's easier for him to tie by feel. I haven't had any issues with either one but I can cast the 30# much farther than the 50# on the same setup.

One other tip if you are LOL poors like me... (which you probably aren't since you're making a trip to the Chandeluer islands). If you fish a lot, braid should be replaced one a year due to it breaking down from salt water and/or UV exposure. I figure the bottom 1/3 of my spool never gets off the spool so instead of replacing, I cut off the first 30 - 50' depending how bad it looks, then spool it onto another reel so the bait end becomes the spool end. Then I change it the next year...

I've never heard of braid damage due to UV and saltwater, and never heard of people replacing it after one season for those reasons. Do you have a source? I'm not saying you're wrong, I've just never heard of it and can't find any information to support it online. Abrasion, on the other hand, certainly wears down braid over time.

OP, I'd go with 20 lb test on a spinning reel. It will cast further. High vis yellow is fine if you use a fluoro leader. Might even be okay without a leader, but I wouldn't do it personally for a few reasons.

Fins Windtamer

FINS XS in 20lb

Braid 30lb on spinning reels. 15-20lb mono on baitcasters. Mix of heavier braid or mono on my heavy reels.

Your drags tend to max out between 12-20lb resistance. No need for a much heavier line than that except for abrasion resistance.

I've caught some BIG sharks on 20lb test.

I like 10-15 lb braid on my spinners. I prefer the lighter stuff for the much improved casting distance (not so much the capacity).

Unless you're fishing around dock pilings or for really big reds, 10lb should be fine.

What knot do you use to tie the fluorocarbon to the braid?

Double clinch or uni, or Albright.

I can't tie it worth a damn, but, many people swear by the Crazy Alberto knot. I usually stick with the double uni with 5 turns on the Braid and 7 turns on the Flouro

Can't beat braid for feeling the bite. Don't want to miss those little ticks!

20# powerpro original for everything.

I think a Crazy Alberto is the best. It's small diameter over large. I like is because it is not a big knot and you can clip the tag ends off real close because I bring the knot inside the tip to cast. I use #15 Power Pro & #20 Seaguar for the shock leader. I use a spinning rod from a 9' seven weight fly rod blank and it creates a lot of whip. If I switch from a jig to a spoon and don't bring the lure near the tip I will eventually put it in orbit.

Fido....the easiest way for me to tie it is by spiraling the braid toward the tip 8-9 times and take about 1" to accomplish those wraps. I pinch the tip end of the spiral and on the way back to the loop put the next spiral in the gap and go out the loop in the same direction.

10# Fireline tied to 20# mono for the last 25+ years.

Great comments from everyone. Thanks

So, people use very much different size of line and all are satisfied, personal preference.

I think, at least for this trip I am going to grab a bulk spool of sufix 832, 20 lb, green for line capacity and casting distance.

20 lb fluorocarbon

sunchaser said:

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I think a Crazy Alberto is the best. It's small diameter over large. I like is because it is not a big knot and you can clip the tag ends off real close because I bring the knot inside the tip to cast. I use #15 Power Pro & #20 Seaguar for the shock leader. I use a spinning rod from a 9' seven weight fly rod blank and it creates a lot of whip. If I switch from a jig to a spoon and don't bring the lure near the tip I will eventually put it in orbit.

Fido....the easiest way for me to tie it is by spiraling the braid toward the tip 8-9 times and take about 1" to accomplish those wraps. I pinch the tip end of the spiral and on the way back to the loop put the next spiral in the gap and go out the loop in the same direction.

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Been doing the same with success. Where do you get a 9 ft blank? Does it break down?

I need to get longer rods to throw from my kayak.

Fin's WInd Tamer #15

I have been building rods for a long time. I had access to gLoomis blanks and started making spinning rods from them. I started with 10' eight weight.....made a lot of seven weights....all of those were two piece. On a lark I dropped down to a 9' six weight. I only had one at a time of those but loved it but they were too light. ferrules were not as good then and I broke every one of them from the wear and tear of casting.

At some point gLoomis dropped the 10 foots and I went to strictly to 9 footers and then they stopped selling blanks after they sold out to Shimano. I decided to retire.

I later made several out of three pieces but I'm not sure of the blanks....maybe Winston....and retired.

Several years ago I decided to make and try a couple of split grips. One was great. I broke the other one. Got the broken section repaired. Sean broke it on a trophy piggy perch....I have visual proof. Repaired it and a grandson broke it reeling in a fish. I contacted Sage and at their request sent all four sections in. It turns out the butt section was slightly undersized....a defect. I really like the split grip and haven't had any more issues. I have built at least four more. I buy rod building stuff from Mud Hole.

I am now retired.

Mouth. I'm sure you can make one and would love the process. I would think they would be great in a kayak in that you can make long casts with ease. With something like #15 Power Pro you can cast...with practice...a 1/4 ounce jig 70 yards.

Ursusguy used one of them and set a personal best of 14 yards....in a mere two days of fishing.

civilaggie2011 said:

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I've never heard of braid damage due to UV and saltwater, and never heard of people replacing it after one season for those reasons. Do you have a source? I'm not saying you're wrong, I've just never heard of it and can't find any information to support it online. Abrasion, on the other hand, certainly wears down braid over time.

OP, I'd go with 20 lb test on a spinning reel. It will cast further. High vis yellow is fine if you use a fluoro leader. Might even be okay without a leader, but I wouldn't do it personally for a few reasons.

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The emails are long gone but years ago when I had time to fish a lot, and a free place to stay at POC I was having issues with braid breaking under little stress. I emailed Suffix and their reply was that it was due to salt water and UV. Their suggestion was replace yearly. As I stated, I'm to cheap for that so I found a work around. Never had the issue again so I always assumed what they told me was correct.

My suggestion is always power pro for braided line. I use 20 or 30 pound, usually 20, but if they are out I'll get 30. It does get worn by salt water and uv, but you can tell just by looking at it that its getting worn down. It will turn to a lighter green color, but this is only about 20 or 30 yards so you can peel this off a couple times as it gets bad and continue fishing. I usually fill my reels pretty full because of this. Been fishing power pro braid for 7 or 8 years and have only had one fish break off.

+1 for Fins Windtamer! I put it all of my spinners and baitcasters with lbs ranging from 15 to 30, depending on the application.