Favorite braid for spinning reels

The single most important aspect of your tackle providing that vital link between yourself and your catch. What's everyone's favorites and why? Come on in and find out!
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njbasscat
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Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by njbasscat » Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:58 am

I'm looking for opinions about what braid you like the best for 2500 size spinning reels. Also, what lb test do you prefer? I'm switching from fluoro to braid with a leader on my 2 spinning setups this season. I'm thinking of using Daiwa J-Braid Grand 8X in 15lb but would like to hear what everyone else is using.

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ftl1951
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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by ftl1951 » Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:09 am

I use Sunline Xplasma for freshwater and PowerPro for salt. Certainly depending on conditions and target, I generally use 10 lb to 15 lb braid. On occasion, I will up to 20 lb when targeting Redfish. All freshwater bass applications - 10 lb. is my normal line strength.

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by reason162 » Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:11 pm

I've gone from 8lb jbraid x8 to 16lb YGK x8 Upgrade - it truly is an upgrade in every possible way.

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BRONZEBACK32
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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by BRONZEBACK32 » Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:16 pm

reason162 wrote:
Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:11 pm
16lb YGK x8 Upgrade - it truly is an upgrade in every possible way.

x2

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njbasscat
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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by njbasscat » Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:21 am

reason162 wrote:
Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:11 pm
I've gone from 8lb jbraid x8 to 16lb YGK x8 Upgrade - it truly is an upgrade in every possible way.
Where are you getting it from? Does it only come in bright green?

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ftl1951
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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by ftl1951 » Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:30 am

Tackle Warehouse carries YGK

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by reason162 » Thu Jan 07, 2021 12:56 pm

njbasscat wrote:
Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:21 am
Where are you getting it from? Does it only come in bright green?
Afaik yes, I sharpied the last 15ft or so then tie on a long leader.

Tackle trap carries it.

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njbasscat
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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by njbasscat » Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:11 pm

Thanks. I’ll have to pick some up.

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by rando » Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:30 am

Ultra 8 fireline, 6-10lb. Probably not supremely popular on this board but it is spectacular line for a spinning reel. It is slightly wiry giving it excellent slack line sensitivity. The downside is that it needs some time to be broken in.

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by DrPerf » Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:29 pm

Another "vote" for YGK G-Soul Upgrade. I use it on both spinning (30#) and baitcaster (30# and 40#) except when I want a "sinking" braid.

The #30 has a diameter of 0.210mm (0.0083 in.), which is smaller in diameter than 8# Tatsu fluoro at 0.235mm (0.0090 in.). And 40# has a diameter of 0.235mm (0.0093 in.), the same as 8# Tatsu. So you can fish a higher test YGK with the same diameter as a lower test fluoro. Both 30# and 40# are also smaller in diameter than the corresponding Samurai sizes, which was my previous "go to" braid.

I always use Seaguar Premier Leader in #12, #15 or #20 with braid. The 12# has the same diameter 8# Tatsu, so again you can fish with a smaller diameter, higher test, which should result in a higher refractive index (less visible) than a typical mainline leader.

Doc

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njbasscat
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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by njbasscat » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:07 am

I was comparing YKG G Soul to some other lines and suspect the rated pound test is way off.
G Soul 22lb = .0067
Daiwa J Braid Grand 10lb = .006
Sunline Sniper 4 lb = .0065
Phenix Hydra 10 lb = .007
It seems to me judging by diameter that G Soul 22lb is in line with other 10lb braid and 4 lb fluoro. The only strength test I could find had the 40lb breaking way below the rated strength but the line diameter explains this. For anyone using this line, how does it compare with other lines in the same diameter for strength?

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by Drakestar » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:57 am

PowerPro Maxcuatro 20lbs is listed at 0.007 (which 0.0067 isn't that far removed from). So G Soul doesn't seem totally out of line with what others are claiming. But is is still lower than Maxcuatro. 30lbs Maxcuatro is 0.23mm/0.009 inches (vs G-Soul 0.21mm). 40lbs is listed at 0.28/0.011 (vs G-Soul 0.235mm). Feels like YKG is just being creative (or should I say "overly optimistic"?) about their line ratings to attract customers.

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by njbasscat » Mon Jan 11, 2021 2:23 pm

That's the problem with the LB test ratings. I know I should simply go by the diameter and ignore the breaking strength. I usually see it the other way though where 12 LB actually breaks at 16 LB but the company wants people to think their line is extra strong so they underrate it. I'm not sure why you would overrate the breaking strength by a large margin because most people would see the line as weak, which is exactly what the You Tube reviewers thought. Also, most Japanese lines that I have used are rated pretty close to the breaking strength.

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by reason162 » Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:46 pm

Just go by the PE rating - 16lb is PE 0.8 - perfect for finesse bass fishing where you're tying 4 - 8lb floro leaders. I found the 14lb (0.6) too thin, and the 22lb too thick.

I didn't do any tests but I believe the lb ratings are fairly accurate, unlike US labeling.

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Re: Favorite braid for spinning reels

Post by Cracker » Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:59 pm

New Sunline braid designed for spinning reels.

Sunline - Defier D-Braid

Image

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