My new gear
Ok so the missus had spoken. She wanted to be able to fish with me when i would drag her along and she demanded that i bought a second rod & reel.... poor me 
So i ended up getting a Tiralejo 10' spinning rod and a Ryobi 5000A Fishing Safari and wrapping 10kg braid on the new reel.
We headed down to Floreat Basin last night as i just wanted to give this new combo a bit of a workout. Now, i've never used braid before and none of my fishing mates have ever used braid before (as far as i know) because it just wasnt all the popular back in the day...
I decide to ping out a short cast with an 50g slice to let the line get wet and get a feel for the rod. Definately stiffer than i'd used before and i did a quick adjustment to the reel seat to make it a little more comfortable. But the second cast i was ready to 'load it up' and see how far i could cast this baby!
'FLING!' and all i can say is WOW.... My slice was flying through the air and definately much further than it would have gone on my old rod/reel combo... However, my line wasn't attached anymore! The braid snapped right near the top of the cast! I thought WTF? This is 10kg braid?? So i rig up again and decide to back off a bit with the casting and get a better feel for the rod. Whilst rigging my son said 'Wow Dad how big are the fish here if he snapped your line like that' which resulted in a slight scowl on my face.... bloody sarcastic ba$tard (I wonder where he got that from?)
As i soon discovered it wasn't like my old rod where i would put an enormous amount of flick into the action but instead the new technique was more like a pendulum action by just swinging the rod without a flick. The result... I end up getting a bit further out but the action is totally different (and feels effortless i have to say).
As for the new reel all i can say is wow, how smooth is the action.... it feels great! The braid does make a noise though during a fast retrieve which i'm not used to but all in all i'm quite happy with the new gear. Braid also feels like cotton when tying knots and can take a little getting used to given the winds on the beach.
Oh and for the record, my wife outfished me with my old cheapa$$ gear by landing a 70mm whiting 
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18333
Date Joined: 11/03/08
yeah braid does take a bit
yeah braid does take a bit of getting used to
the knots are different too , Have a talk to some of the beech fishos like Colin Hay or Uncut trigger or Better still give Doug a call or pop in to the tackle shack and see him
hope this helps
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
scotto
Posts: 2474
Date Joined: 21/04/08
doubles
you've got to double the amount of turns/twists for braid ( instead of 5 turns on your uni knot, do 10). always use a double like a bimini.
make sure you double your double, or you'll be in trouble.....
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
Double or trouble
LOL Scotto. Good line...
I have almost completely converted to braid now. I have one medium reel still spooled with 20lb mono. My 2 large reels have 20lb braid and my small rig is light braid and is fantastic for catching bait and Herring etc.
Interestingly, Ryan Winthrop talking me into a new acquisition just yesterday. A 9' Lemax Pro graphite stick which I will use for popping etc. Tecnology is a great thing. This rod is so light yet so strong. I will christen it tomorrow.
A pair of braid scissors is essential. The knife or pliers just don't work and ruin a good knot.
Cheers, Vince
http://vinceholt.spaces.live.com/
------------------------------
Work Smart - Fish Often
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Snort
Posts: 90
Date Joined: 28/01/09
Do any of you suffer from a
Do any of you suffer from a sore finger when casting braid? I think after last nights effort i've lost a couple of layers of skin :)
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
Any blood visible?
LOL
My first day out with braid I came home with the worlds biggest paper cut and it was sore for a while. You get used to it. I have found fishing with gloves to be very comfortable and worthwhile. They don't have to be fancy, just light.
Cheers, Vince
http://vinceholt.spaces.live.com/
------------------------------
Work Smart - Fish Often
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
I use a shockleader of about
I use a shockleader of about 40lb mono about 5-6m long(enough so it raps around the spool a few times) when you using braid on my surf reel means no cuts no lost lures and some abrasive resistance in reefy areas
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
WOW
Great Idea!
Cheers, Vince
http://vinceholt.spaces.live.com/
------------------------------
Work Smart - Fish Often
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Snort
Posts: 90
Date Joined: 28/01/09
Nelly, what knot do you use
Nelly, what knot do you use to tie the leader to the braid? I have tried something similar on other rigs (not for the same reason mind you) and found the uni knot would sometimes affect casting etc...
mullows
Posts: 738
Date Joined: 25/12/08
Try a bimini with the knot
Try a bimini with the knot in the following link.... it will go through the guides like a dream and is very strong. Casting will be a breeze!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i-enG7tK7Y&feature=related
Cheers
Mullows ----------------------------------------------------------
If you're not livin' on the edge, you are taking up to much space!!!
The Older I get the better I was :-)
schecky
Posts: 1645
Date Joined: 25/08/08
ye as mullows said learn a
ye as mullows said learn a bimni
mmm i only have one of my reels that has mono and i dont even use it
rest are completely braid
formerly fishoreub
Snort
Posts: 90
Date Joined: 28/01/09
Thanks guys, didn't get out
Thanks guys, didn't get out fishing today like i hoped (went to the boat show instead) but will give the bimini a try.
Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
I usually don't bother
I usually don't bother tieing a bimini have found a double uni knot with 5 turns in the mono and around 10 in the braid is more than strong enough and will normally breaks at about 8kg on 20lb braid
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
If you are having trouble with a Bimini, a double uni knott is
an easy knott for trying braid to a mono leader. But as Scotto said, you need to double the braid to improve guard against knott slippage. Just remember to keep hold of the tag end of the braid as well as the braid main line when you go to pull the two knotts together. And don't forget to lubricate your knotts with saliva - that is critical.
Colin 1 Proud and co-founding member of the prestigious Colin's Club
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