I am thinking of switching to power pro super 8 on my finesse Texas rig spinning reel. Mainly because I suck at retying and have broken off a few times on what I tell myself were monster fish. Pros and cons?

What are you using now?

Brad

Pline Co-Poly....I refuse to use Fluoro

Several suggestions should appear, one of which is a large portion of braid users say it "slips" on the reel's arbor spool (most aren't braid ready), so it is almost universally recommended to use a "backing" to tie to the arbor then a bunch of winds of usually cheap mono, then a junction knot to your braid of choice. Then, I would guess roughly the same percentage of braid users will recommend using a fluorocarbon leader. Another knot.

I think I have experienced the slippage one time but didn't realize what had happened until later on.

I think your choice of braids is fine. I'd tie it on, spool it up and tie your lure directly to it and see what happens. Spool it tight and remember it should come off the line spool from the bottom assuming the spool is vertical.

Then, the argument falls to whether fish can see braid or not, and if they can, whether they are line shy or not.

You may want to revert to the copolymer.

Hey! Just for another cheap alternative, try tying on Sufix Elite 8 lbs. test monofilament. Gosh, I really like that line for finesse applications.

Anyway, let us know how it works out!

Brad

I was going to do the backing thing but for different reasons. I just figured it would be cheaper to put half mono on it first and save half the spool of braid for next time. I never use a leader and I know some may argue that I am missing fish but like you said another knot and I am terrible about retying as it is so I am sure not about to tie half a dozen knots. If I were fishing crystal clear water I may consider it but I am by no means a pro so if in fact I am missing a fish or two I can live with the trade off. I have fished straight braid on my jigs for years and I seem to have no problem catching good numbers there.

Thanks for the slipping tip!! I have used power pro for awhile but have never used the super 8 so we will see how it goes. I may be back at square one and trying your Sufix tip next.

Maybe just work on your tying. It will be worth it if your going to be a fisherman

I didn't mean I couldn't tie knots. I just meant I was bad about not re-tying after catching a fish or checking my line occasionally for abrasions. The ones I break off tell me when my line is chewed up. I just figured switching to braid would eliminate the need to do that but if I am really sacrificing half the fish I could have caught by using braid then maybe I will rethink my choices and just have to get better about paying attention.

i see. I have the same problem. I'm getting better about it though.

I use Sufix 832 - 20# for wacky-rigged worms and 10# for Ned rigs, dropshotting, and T-rigging 4" worms with 1/8 oz slip sinkers. Leaders are usually about 12" less than rod-length, and they're always mono.

I am really just bad about it on finesse fishing. I guess because using the lighter tackle/line you catch a fair amount of smaller fish and just get complacent and then you hit that one decent one and snap. I may try a spool of braid and see what happens but if my numbers go way down i will switch right back. We shall see what happens.

I use braid with a flouro leader on all of my spinning outfits, could not imagine doing it any other way.

Happykamper what length of leader do you use? 10-12 ft?

Welcome to the finesse game.

You need fluoro for finesse if you want the best possible scenario.

Braid is great. Strong. Sensitive. But the fish can see it, especially in clear (ish) water.

Use braid with a fluoro leader if you want the best sensitivity/invisibility ratio.

Unfortunately, you will have to tie knots frequently. It's part of the game. I use leaders in the 2 to 3 feet range, and you shouldn't need more than that.

In a finesse situation, I wouldn't really consider braid directly to lure to be an optimal solution.

In short...

Finesse = Ninja Mode

Braid directly to your lure doesn't really equal ninja status.

I sometimes use fluoro all the way. Not a bad idea. Fluoro is relatively abrasion resistant, and sensitive (no stretch or little stretch).

And to elaborate more...

I use braid on my spinning drop shot rig, which is definitely a finesse solution.

1. Braid to fluoro leader via a uni to uni knot
2. Fluoro to VMC spinshot hook via a palomar knot
3. Fluoro down from the VMC hook to the drop shot weight via clinch knot

Welcome to the finesse game LOL.