Preferred braided line for spin reels?

[TomK]

I am going to the Bahamas and will bring two spin reels with me along with all the fly gear. The rods are TFO travel series in medium-light (6-12#) and heavy action (12-25#). The light rod will throw lightly weighted artificials (1/4 oz jigs) and the other heavier tube lures (cuda) or saltwater sized rattle traps.

I am thinking of loading braid on each reel, one with 12# and the other 25#. Having never used braid on spinning reels (yes on conventional) I am looking for recommendations on lines you have been happy with on spin gear.

Thanks.

[rhodyflyguy]

it depends on the reel. if it's an older penn SS or Z series reel, fireline. if it's not, i like tuff line XP or power pro. on the smaller reel. i'd go with 15# braid and 30# on the larger one. if you're using fireline, 8 or 6# on the smaller one (despite the ratings, these break between 15 and 20 lbs, i think) and 14 or 20# on the larger reel.

[G-Man]

I'm also in favor of fireline on the light spin rod.
It's like powerpro but has a coating on it making it a little stiffer and less likely to tangle than powerpro.

The other thing that helps with braid is to close the bail by hand.
That dreaded loop ussually occurs as the bail closes and the first couple turns of the handle.

Going to Bahamas .. what a dream that would be.
Good luck.
-G

[DAQ]

I preffer Stealth and Stren super braid with Fireline a close 3rd but I have heard good things about the new Suffix braid. I am going to try the Suffix when my current braid needs replacing.

On the other hand, I have not heard anything good about Power Pro and have witnessed, first hand, the mysterious break offs that are often mentioned with it.

D

[masssalt]

Rod Harrison's Bionic Braid is the only one I use any more. Pricey but worth it. You might check out the 20lb., which I think is the same diameter as 6lb. mono.

[TomK]

Interesting read on the web site. The competing hype amongst makes is mind-numbing. The Bionic's pink color is interesting but I wonder about their claim that pink is a "less sensitive" color than others from a fish's perspective. For bonesfish, a classic color used on Gotchas and other ties is pink. Jigs, realistic shrimp and other articificials used on the flats are pink as well.

Maybe they see the pink but find it less threatening than the darker greens, grays and browns that are out there.

One maker, whose name escapes me now, makes a white colored braid. I did not research it as I thought white on the flats might be "invisible" against sand bottoms to both me and the fish.

Does anyone have any "tricks" when loading a spool with braid? I hear variants to tape on the spool's core or a base wrap of mono - both to give the braid something to bite into and not rotate on the spool. Any other ideas?

[rhodyflyguy]

ABSOLUTELY put a base of mono or electrical tape on the spool, or the line will slip on the spool.