NorthWest Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing => Product Discussions => Topic started by: Chromer on November 18, 2017, 12:13:44 AM
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Looking to pull the trigger on a bait caster for salmon fishing (probably a daiwa lexa 300 lc). I don't have much experience with braid but decided to try it out.. As a basic all around trolling reel I was thinking 30 pound test but is heavier or lighter a better choice?
Any favorite brands of braided lines?
Thanks,
Joe
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Braided line wasn't meant for level-wind and baitcasting reels because it tends to dig in on the spool - but lots of folks use it without problems and I never had a problem with certain braids on a Lexa 200.
I had the best luck with multi-strand braids that have a round cross-section. I liked 30# Fireline Original because it's more round than most other braids. 50# Daiwa Samurai is a great round line, and it's a slightly smaller diameter than the 30# Fireline, but it's darned expensive.
I never had any luck using PowerPro or Suffix 832 on the Lexa.
Those are the only ones I've tried.
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I use #40 domin8 on my lexa lc 300, and it works great. In general, I just use #40 braid for damn near all of my conventional / casting reels. For spinning reels I notice a huge difference using 8 carrier braids, and go between #20-#30. The most important thing when you're getting the braid on the reel is to have a fair amount of tension on the line to start, and it shouldn't really cut into itself too much. The 8 carrier varieties are better about this too. They are also quieter through the guides.
#40 braid is strong enough for damn near anything you'll be hauling, and it is still really thin, so you get the added benefits of your lures / bait getting to the right depths.
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Bear in mind that you'll have a hard time breaking off 30# braid from a kayak. Plan your leaders and bottom fishing rigs accordingly.
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Bear in mind that you'll have a hard time breaking off 30# braid from a kayak. Plan your leaders and bottom fishing rigs accordingly.
That's important!
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THis is also a good point. I've straightened hooks from snags when using #40 braid.
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Straightened a gamakatsu 4/0 big river yesterday at swan island on 40lb braid. Wish I’d seen that fish he bent the hook a good 15 min into the fight. Came at the boat so fast several times my 6.2:1 gear ratio Cardiff 400 could keep up.
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Thanks for all of the replies. I ended up filling it with 40 pound power pro and pairing it with a Lamiglas redline. Cant wait to try it out!
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Pretty curious about how it works. Please post up. I’m looking for another line wrapper and have typically gone to spinning reels, but starting to get curious about a bait caster. Thanks
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And don't blame all braid if you have trouble with PowerPro. I had trouble with it digging-in.
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The Redlines have pretty soft tips, but I think that the general consensus is that the advantage with the stretchiness of mono outweighs the benefits of braid for salmon. If you are combat fishing mono is much easier to get untangled. Mono casts more smoothly if you switch to a bobber. Should you get a bird nest it's easier to clear the jam with mono.
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Its important to make sure braid goes on REALLY tight when you first put it on the spool, if it isn't, you'll get the digging that's been mentioned above.
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I don't have nearly the issues with digging and birdsnesting with 30+ lb braid. Definitely quite a bit of it with the thinner diameter stuff. Still a great idea to spool it on tight.
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I bought this combo mostly for trolling for salmon on the Columbia and in Puget Sound so I figured the smaller diameter line would help get it deeper in the water column
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I exclusively use Power Pro on all my reels and Maxima leaders. I started to run 40 lb or heavier braid when I got out of practice casting...getting bird nests out with 30 pound or less is darn near impossible. A Lexa line counter will be my next reel for trolling purposes. I've heard nothing but good reviews on them, enjoy!