What's So Great About Braided Fishing Line?

Are you ever confused about what kind of line to use while fishing?

Every year, there seems to be another type of line on the market. Fishing line manufacturers are constantly coming up with newer and better options. The results can be overwhelming, and make it tough to single out a specific line for the job.

For the most part, line types can be broken down into three categories: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. Braided line has become one of the most popular options over the years. While it has its faults, here are six benefits to spooling up with braid.

1. Strength

Braided lines are often available in higher pound tests. Quite simply, stronger lines make it easier to handle big fish. This seems to be one of the main draws for most anglers. After all, who doesn't want to catch bigger fish?

It is quite stressful when you hook into a giant while using 6-8 pound mono, you hope that your drag is set correctly in order to avoid any unwanted break offs. With common braid strengths coming in 30-50 pound strength, that worry is not as prevalent.

2. Limited Stretch

This type of fishing line has little to no stretch in it. Depending on the type of fishing you're doing, that can be an advantage or disadvantage. For many bass fishers out there, heavy vegetation is a common environment encountered while fishing.

While fishing this type of structure it is imperative to have no stretch in your line. Wrestling a hog out of matted jungle grass is hard, but braided line can make it easier. It keeps better tension on the fish, and cuts through weeds like a knife.

3. Easy Casting

Longer casts mean covering more water, and increasing your chances of putting your lure within the strike zone. Braided fishing lines are excellent for casting. This is due in part to the line's diameter. Most braids have a smaller diameter compared to other lines, allowing it to cast off the spool more efficiently.

The length of your rod can also affect casting distance. Pairing a longer rod with braided line can help ensure much longer casting distance.

4. Sensitivity

This attribute is connected to the no stretch characteristic of braid. Being able to detect and sense a bite as accurately as possible will help you boat more fish. Braid is an excellent aid in doing so. It's lack of stretch and stiff profile translate into heightened sensitivity.

Finesse tactics are especially suited for sensitive braids. Many avid anglers tip their braid with a fluorocarbon leader, creating a highly sensitive combination.

5. Abrasion Resistant

Adding to the strength factor, braid is also resistant to abrasion. This is crucial when fishing heavy vegetation, around docks, and through boulders. It does not receive as many scrapes and cuts on it compared to other types of line.

From personal experience fishing deep, clear water that is infested with zebra mussels, braided line significantly cuts down on break offs that would otherwise be due to abrasion.

6. Longer Reel Life

Some lines become weaker over time the longer they are left on a reel. Sun exposure and natural rotting can weaken fishing line over prolonged periods.

Braid tends to combat this issue better than monofilament and fluorocarbon. This can help save money and time by allowing you to leave the same line on your reel for more fishing adventures.

When spooling braided line, it is a good idea to get it done professionally at a sporting goods shop. Manually doing it yourself can allow the line to cut into itself, causing an uneven spool and affecting the drag.

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