Texas Fishing Forum

Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier

Posted By: Woodyred

Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/22/17 09:37 PM

What are the opinions on braid vs mono on a fishing pier. Fishing for big gamefish. I fish the port aransas Horace Caldwell pier for big fish, with spinning and bait casting reels. I'm just curious of the opinions of all of you out there.
Posted By: smooth move

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/22/17 10:43 PM

i would think that braid would be better around the pilings.
Posted By: V-Bottom

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/22/17 10:51 PM

It's called Match the Hatch. I don't use braid at all. A good rod and reel setup with the appropriate mainline and leader setup are the key. Personally I use 20# BBG on my small BC Reels with 25# fluro leader, although I have used 30#. If I free line for trout..just 20# mainline. I rarely use my inshore spinning reels! For Offshore and maybe pier use for big fish.... larger BC reels or Spinning reels spooled with 30# mainline and 40# fluro leader will work. IMO. Don't use Cheap mono, the same for leader materials. I use SPRO swivels for everything. Good Luck
Posted By: Lindsey

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/23/17 01:15 AM

I use 65 lb PP with 25 lb flouro leaders. That'll handle any gamefish you hook there save for toothy critters. Call that overkill if you like, but with my limited time I can't afford to be under-gunned. 20 lb mono is an excellent choice, but you lose a little line capacity that way. Get one of those big green and black crab nets from Academy in Corpus and put about 30 ft of thick rope through the eye and tie a good knot. That pier net will be a trophy saver for you and others. Don't try flying big reds over the rail. They'll just break your heart. When in doubt, put the net under them.
Posted By: Woodyred

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/23/17 09:19 PM

Thank you for the input. I really appreciate it. When I started I used 30 to 50 pound power pro, but when I would get them to the pier they would break me off on the barnacles on the pylons. I switched to 80 pound mono on 3 o bait casting reel and I haven't had one bust me on the pylons yet. I switched to a penn spincaster with ( I know it's overkill) 65 lb pp. I take my 15 yr old and don't want him to lose a fish of a lifetime. Plus I get more distance on my cast. I haven't had a fish on the new setup, but I can't wait to see how it works
Posted By: Woodyred

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/23/17 09:27 PM

[img]https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/usergals/2017/03/full-92736-154239-img_1354.jpg[/ [img]https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/usergals/2017/03/full-92736-154240-img_1355.jpg[/img]
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Here is my boy with his first red 43". Not bad for a first
Posted By: Capt Craig

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/24/17 10:41 PM

If you will put on Power Pro 30# and tie on a 4' fluoro leader 20-30# with a Uni-to-Uni knot. you will be ready for some great fishing.
Posted By: Grinder55

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 03/25/17 09:29 PM

Power Pro with a mono leader is hard to beat and you'll be able to get more line on your reel.
Posted By: Skavatar

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 04/01/17 05:31 PM

nothing wrong with going a little heavier on a pier. you don't have as much room to fight a fish vs on a boat or on the beach. and if it decides to make a beeline towards the pier, you'll need your line to hold it. my wife had a 3' shark beeline it under the pier and cut the 20# mono.

a length of heavy mono also helps as a shock leader while casting and for abrasion resistance.
Posted By: Mark's Fence Repair

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 04/07/17 05:17 AM

80 # ande mono and a 4 foot steel leader
Posted By: cliff777

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 06/03/17 04:12 AM

65 pound braid... broke off too many drum runnin under the pier. gotta have enough umph! to turn that head and get em runnin back out instead of under the pier.
Posted By: Waco Crappie

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 06/05/17 04:24 PM

I used 65 lb braid with 400lb mono leader while at the coast fishing for bull reds and black tip sharks. That worked awesome never broke a line and as others have said the key is being able to turn their head when they head for the pillars, I had one bull get wrapped around the pillar with my braid somehow it didnt break but I was super lucky. I cut about 4 ft of line off when that happens and you should do the same, braid will become damaged easily. Also with braid you can cast further using a spinning reel.
Posted By: Waco Crappie

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 06/05/17 04:39 PM

I used 65 lb braid with 400lb mono leader while at the coast fishing for bull reds and black tip sharks. That worked awesome never broke a line and as others have said the key is being able to turn their head when they head for the pillars, I had one bull get wrapped around the pillar with my braid somehow it didnt break but I was super lucky. I cut about 4 ft of line off when that happens and you should do the same, braid will become damaged easily. Also with braid you can cast further using a spinning reel.
Posted By: TroutSupport.com

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 06/06/17 02:15 PM

Originally Posted By: Lindsey
I use 65 lb PP with 25 lb flouro leaders. That'll handle any gamefish you hook there save for toothy critters. Call that overkill if you like, but with my limited time I can't afford to be under-gunned. 20 lb mono is an excellent choice, but you lose a little line capacity that way. Get one of those big green and black crab nets from Academy in Corpus and put about 30 ft of thick rope through the eye and tie a good knot. That pier net will be a trophy saver for you and others. Don't try flying big reds over the rail. They'll just break your heart. When in doubt, put the net under them.


I think this is the way to go on a pier.. nice work Lindsey
Posted By: Lindsey

Re: Braid. Vs mono on a saltwater pier - 06/21/17 08:16 AM

Thank you, Tobin. That setup comes from a lot of experience fishing Horace Caldwell Pier.
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