Just wanted some input on Line. I have an abu 6500 that im gonna be using for catfishing. I wanted to put some pretty heavy line on around 30 pounds, but wasnt sure if braid or mono would be best. I dont have much experience with braid but have seen alot of people using lines such as power pro. Has anyone tried the new Ugly Braid, I felt some at the store and it felt much different than other braids ive tried.. It had a lot less memory and felt like it might be easier to cast. any input would be appreciated.. Thanks

I really like braid, especially power pro...I like to use a palomar knot for tying on hooks, never had that knot fail me. only complaint I have about braid is it is sometimes too limp...so it can tangle easily, and the tangles are tough to pick out. but once you get used to it, that is really a small inconvenience. I like a good mono too, but once I switched to braid I never looked back...

one more tip if you go with braid...if Im going for BIG cats, I like a mono leader between weight and hook...I have lost a few big cats because during a long fight their small rough teeth will rub and fray braided line and it will break if it gets frayed enough. a mono leader is more abrasion resistant.

Thanks Novato good info..

20 lb Ande is what I use and have never had any problems with it. It does hold memory though,so if that's an issue don't use it.

I have had the same 80lb powerpro on my catfish rod for 6 years now and its going strong. (besides running low) I like it because you get good solid hooksets, no stretch. I have sets of steel and mono leaders i use depending on the occasion.

Braid will last a long time once it starts to show some wear I reverse it on to another reel so that the used line goes on the bottom and the fresh line that is closest to the spool is on top. I hope that makes sense.

I always use mono for backing as well it saves on braid and keeps it from slipping on the spool.

Nice tip!

yeah dmunsie thats a good one! could have saved some money if I thought of that....

another tip if you go braid, I use it on spinning reels and before I spool on the line, I cover the bottom of the spool with black electricians tape. If you dont, the braid is so slick that it doesnt grip the spool and the whole coiled line can spin around the spool. some people put a mono backing on and attach the braid to it...but I found the electric tape trick a lot easier and it works fine. I never used baitcast, so I dont know if you need to do this with those reels, but it is important to do on spinning reels for sure.

Ditto,with the baitcast reels.I had to put mono on my baitcast reels first(just a few yards)and then the braid line,if not the braid line will slip.
I never thought of using elect.tape,sounds like a good idea.

Thanks guys lots of good tips. Im using some 30 pound big game on there right now but when it wears out ill try some power pro.

Use 65lb power pro. It is equivelant to 16 lb test in diameter. So you will get more line capacity but with a stronger line. Make sure you spool on some mono first then the power pro. And make sure you put it on TIGHT or you will have problems with backlashes. Or if fighting a big fish if the line is not on tight it will dig in and cause a headache. It is by far the best all around line to use in my opinion. When catfishing or redfish or striper fishing in freshwater or saltwater I use a flourocarb shock leader usually in the 20lb range. depending on the structure I am fishing. I would recommend a uni to uni knot to attach the flouro to braid. I hope this helps

Thanks everyone who posted.. So what are the advantages of braid I know that you have more hook setting power because of less stretch. Does braid usually cast further, and im guessing it lasts longer.

one advantage I like...never had a problem with line twist using braided line (I use spinning reels, and line twist with mono can be a big problem). for casting distance, I never really noticed if it casts farther, but it certainly casts far enough...
as long as it isnt getting abraded it does last longer than mono, at least power pro tends to lose its color and turn white....but still works fine for me. lastly, if you snag, you will usually get your lure back with braid...the hook will usually straighten out before the line will break!

You feel more of the bites. Unlike mono there is no stretch facter so with that being said you feel the lightest of bites. Alot more sensitive then mono. Also if fishing structure braid will hold up better then mono as far as abrasions IMO.