I'm an old school mono guy. Always have been. However, I have been fishing out of a kayak lately and I'm losing a few fish due to boat movement. I fish out of a Hobie Pro Angler 14, which is heavy in the kayak world, but it still gives a little on the hookset. This boat movement along with the natural stretch from the mono has resulted in a few lost fish (a couple of nice ones too!). So, its time for me to try braided line.

I did some reading on braid, but there is a ton of info out there (its a bit overwhelming) and much of what I'm seeing is clearly an advertisement disguised as an article. Saying this, I thought I'd ask yall for some help.

My primary rods are a 6-6 and 7-0 medium heavy, both fitted with Shimano DC 151's. I currently use 10lb and 12lb test mono. Knowing this, I hope you can help steer me in the right direction with the following questions:

1) What the best braid for my situation (brand, color, and test)?
2) How long of a leader is customary?
3) What is a good leader choice?

I'm not on a budget, I just want a good line that will cast well and hold a leader knot well.

Also, before anyone suggest that I use a longer rod... I cast a lot from a sitting position and the shorter rods allow me to be more accurate. I realize I'm giving up some hookest with the shorter rods... but I pick up more fish than I lose by being more accurate.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

I�m using Vicious 50lb no-fade braid moss green and it�s been the best casting braid that I�ve used and I usually use seaugur tatsu 15lb for a leader a couple feet in length tied to the braid with a FG knot

If you are using it as a �all-around� line, I�d look into PowerPros new 12 carrier braid. It�s supposedly �rounder� and fishes more like mono...with close to zero stretch. As for leader? I�d use something in fluorocarbon that has a slightly smaller diameter than the chosen braid weight. Say 30-50lb braid with 10-12lb leader. The length? Depends on the rod. I�d not make it longer than the length of the rod tip to reel level wind opening. Using a Alberto knot to attach the leader results in a minimal knot size, but it will still hang in the spool, so that�s my reasoning for the leader length. Also, this length will allow for cut-offs and reties, without having to retie the leader in the yak.

You have the right idea going to braid mainline from a kayak. From a kayak, you don�t have a lot of leverage on the hookset�braid mainline helps a lot

Use 5-10 yards of the mono already on the reel as backing. 3turns down 3turns up crazy/improved Alberto for the connection to braid mainline knot
40-50lb Power Pro mainline to 1/8th of an inch top of spool
7 turns down 7 turns up crazy/improved Alberto to 7 feet of leader
Pline CXX and Maxima Ultragreen in 12-15lb test for leader material

Tried several fluoros as leader, but too finicky for me to use unless on a very very clear lake.

I still have several spools of 65 # Lynch Line I use. NO STIFFNESS at all, but if the wind is blowing, you will get a bow in your line. GREAT stuff, if you can find it and the wind isn't blowing. One of the very FIRST braids. I use McCoys Mean Green as leader material. Anywhere from 10 to 20# test. I also tie a modified Improved Clench knot. 11 times around and back thru the hole twice. No breaks in several years with that. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I�m using the Daiwa J 8 and I really like it. I hated the 4 strand braid that I was using. 8 strand is way smoother. I kayak fish sometimes also really helped jig fishing. I run a 6� 20lb fluorocarbon leader when in clear water. Good luck

I'm a big fan of P-line TCB braid, usually 30 lb. test. TCB stands for Teflon Coated Braid. Very smooth, limp, and have never had a problem with it. I use a 3 ft. leader of 15 lb. P-line CX Premium blue/fluorescent copolymer. Main line and leader are joined with a uni to uni knot. The lakes I fish have fairly low visibility and these line diameters are not a problem.

The daiwa samurai is probably the best braid out there, only bummer is it only comes in green. I use the Daiwa j 8 in yellow or floro green when I want line I can see.

Thanks for the advice guys. This helps a lot.

Fins Windtamer has all but eliminated wind knots for me. I am braid to leader on everything from my Ned Rig to my swimbaits. I use the Lefty Kreh knot exclusively and have never had a braid to leader failure. You can tie it in 10 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDxGy3Nld2g

Powerpro Maxcuatro is the best there is IMHO. Unfortunately the most expensive there is as well. 25%thinner by poundage than other brands including regular power pro. Does have a little texture but I dont hardly notice. All I use and will never go back to anything else.

You don't say what you are fishing with your two rods. If you are fishing moving baits, I would go with 20lb Sufix braid with about 3' of leader. If you are fishing deep cranks.. use Floro in 10lb or 12lb.. If you are fishing square bills that run shallow.. you can still use Mono for that leader. If one of your rods is used for a frog, or pitching of flipping.. 30 to 50lb braid in a dark color is appropriate, and depending on the water color, you don't have to use a leader at all. Hackney doesn't use a leader and does just fine. I have been pitching a creature bait on a shakey head jig using 15lb Sufix 832 in high viz yellow without a leader and gotten bitten a lot! I use an Alberto not for connecting braid to leader.. really easy to tie and is really strong.
Good luck
BD

Agree on the leader but it isnt worth trying to argue with everyone. Ive fished YELLOW braid in clear water for small mouth and got bit just as much as before my leader broke off. I do still generally use a leader though on my shakey head spinning rod etc as I like the sinking of the floro and having a little stretch.

I like Suffix 832

Diawa J Braid 8 strand...smooth as glass, strong as steel, and lasts even through the nicks and tough stuff.