Braided vs. Mono

[swigg11]

Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of using braided line instead of mono when swording? I am trying to decide whether or not to invest in bigger outfits, namely 50s, or try to pack more line on 30s. I figure with the smaller diameter of the braided line, I would be able to fit more line (approx. 900 yards) on the 30s, which would be similar to the amount of line I would get on a 50 with mono. However, I've heard with the braided, that there is little shock absorbtion like in the mono, therefore causing a disadvantage when swording. If I do end up using the braided, would you guys suggest using mono backing, and if so, what pound test and length? Also, would you guys recommend using a shock leader, and if so, what pound test and length? Thanks in advance.

[Mike]

Swigg..

On my 50's I go with about 500 yards of powerpro and then use a topshot of mono 80 and leave a little room for a 250lb wind-on. Some of the guys spool there entire reels full of braid and then use a wind-on. I like the topshot of about 100 yards of mono because of the stretch I get when the fish hits.

Tek (JahMussa) on the forum can give you a great deal on Jerry Brown hollowcore spectra. Just like powerpro, but not as expensive...

If you are using 30's I would definetly spool with an 80lb braid to a wind-on leader. you should be fine.

I'll let the other guys cover what I missed... Good Luck! 0123

[CaptKen]

Tek (JahMussa) on the forum can give you a great deal on Jerry Brown hollowcore spectra. Just like powerpro, but not as expensive...

Let Chum and Sabiki have this one,
few dollars more than PP, but more better, not just like it at all .
I think you can get like 1300 yards of 80# on a 50wide shimano
the glory is NO KNOTS ! PP will cut your mono if you dont know how to tie the Nassa Knot used on the space Shuttle.
Ken

[Mike]

I stand corrected :-k

[Litetackleredneck]

If your 30's hold around 650-700 yards of30 lb mono, you'll be set going strait mono. You'll NEVER get spooled as long as you have at least 700 yds of any pound line. My biggest sword a 331 was on 30 lb mono, on a 4/0 wide. Also mono is alot cheeper, an you can still put 25 lbs of pressure on him if you have to.

[fishnherb]

Swigg-
80# braid is around 20# monofilament diameter, so most 30s will handle at least 600 yds of 80#braid + a 100 yd top shot of 80# + a 25 ft wind on leader. If your particular reel is a bit smaller consider going with 65 or even 50 lb braid. I think the mono top shot is very important when using braid for its cushioning effect. This is particularly true with swords and their tender mouths to help prevent pulling hooks. A 25 ft wind on does not stretch enough for my money. Speaking of money, once you buy the braid, you just replace the mono top shot and keep the braid on for several years.

[ReelIntubaiter]

Originally Posted by fishnherb

Swigg-
I think the mono top shot is very important when using braid for its cushioning effect. This is particularly true with swords and their tender mouths to help prevent pulling hooks. A 25 ft wind on does not stretch enough for my money.

I totally agree with Swigg. I first tried using straight Power-pro when fishing for Swords. Since there is zero stretch when the fish would do head shakes, the line would go slack momentarily giving the sensation that the fish had gotten off. It was extremely frustrating. Since the mouths are soft a top shot of mono wil act as a "shock absorber" preventing the hook from ripping out. Good luck.

[Captain Joe McGivern]

we have 2 80's full of jerry brown spectra hollowcore with no top shots,catch fish on them all the time never have any problems.

we have 2 more 80's with mono and we have been extremely close to getting spooled before.

we have 5 50's with jerry brown also,and 3 of them have top shots of 100lb mono...

Look guys in my opinion its all how u fish them. I have caught fish on tld 30's, my buddy Capt Mitch catches them on tld 25's.It can be done! I would rather spend the few extra $$ and get as much line on there as possible. I dont know about u guys,but if your spending a few hundred $$ on a trip heading out there anyways,whats the big deal with spending another 100 or so $ for some specrta from Tek? That is just stupid in my eyes. Of course this is just my $.2 8)

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by Litetackleredneck

If your 30's hold around 650-700 yards of30 lb mono, you'll be set going strait mono. You'll NEVER get spooled as long as you have at least 700 yds of any pound line. My biggest sword a 331 was on 30 lb mono, on a 4/0 wide. Also mono is alot cheeper, an you can still put 25 lbs of pressure on him if you have to.

Lets say that that one has 300 yards of your 30lb test and you have 25lbs of drag on him,the fish is say 100' down and decides to make a right hand turn and burn off another 200 yards on a last run,you have 500 yards out now and 200 to spare with the 700 you say you need,
How many pounds of drag do figure you have on him now ?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

PP will cut your mono if you dont know how to tie the Nassa Knot used on the space Shuttle.
Ken

I have 130lb powerpro to 80lb mono using a bimini to bimini. Haven't had it cut through the mono and I use drag over 20lbs at times...Seems to be very solid or I wouldn't be fishing it.

Mike

[hannaman]

Uni to uni works for me.

[Litetackleredneck]

Ken- At that point the drag pressure would be over 30lbs. And probably the line would have broke by then. You do have the option of backing the drags off. I would only put that much heat on him if he had med down to the 200 yds or so.

[JahMussa]

If you can afford the initial expense, spectra to a windon is the way to go.

I hear guys talk about needing stretch and shock absorbsion. WHY??? A sword fish is not hitting the bait at 50mph. We aren't high speed trolling for them (not yet anyway) so tell me why you want stretch?

For many years dacron was the line of choice and connected to a leader. Many many fish were caught with this bulky line. Spectra has many good qualities for Swordfishing. Enables you to have insane amounts of line due to its small diameter, super strong for its size, won't blow out the spool if fighting a fish for an extended period of time, less drag in the water, less blow back or bow in the line while drifting so you have a better idea as to what depth your bait is really at, and knotless connections to name a few.

Spectra vs mono is a break even cost after about 4 years. Fishing spectra longer than 4 years is like putting money back in the bank. If you use hollow core, and loose a few hundred yards since you needed to cut the line to save the boat from sinking, you can simply splice new line on and never find the "knot" again. With mono... it's time to respool or tie a knot. With hollow core, if your line gets frayed up somehow, cut the bad section out and splice the line together... seamless, knotless connections vs a bulky knot buried in your spool.

Keep in mind with spectra, you won't be putting max pressure on the fish until she settles down. While she's freaking out... stick with your normal sub 20# of drag. Once she's settled and just wants to tow you around the pond. You can put the heat to her if need be and be extremly confident that your gear will hold up.

Having line capacity will allow your captain to assist the angler by getting the best possible angle on the fish. You'll sometimes need to give up some line to gain it back.

With our bigger fish eating up the clock, having a smaller stand up rig is a big help. For instance, the Tiagra 50wlrs has he drag stack of an 80 but much lighter. Now put spectra on the 50 and you have equaled or greater line capacity of an 80 but an easier rig to handle.


If you have any questions.. .please contact me.
-Tek

[Anonymous]

Originally Posted by hannaman

Uni to uni works for me.

I use a double Bimini knot at the end of the power pro and use a uni knot with 10-12 wraps on the mono to connect the 2. Never had the 2 different lines pull apart on me and works great. Every few trips I just replace the top shot of mono.

They only problem I had with PP was when I was spooling my first reel I found these weak spots that looked like nicks in the line. The diameter was definately thinner then the rest of the PP. If I had put the line on with a machine I would have missed them. Those weak spots could have cost me a nice fish and lost expensive terminal gear. I returned the spool and got a new one and haven't found any defects in the PP yet.

If I didn't have the Power Pro already I would have used the Jerry brown, We use it on most of team Tiara's reels and it is great, just my $.02.

[fishnherb]

Tek-
You are right on about braided line. I am very familiar with and use braid, but have not tried the hollow core yet. Do you splice it like rope? When you insert mono do you splice and/or glue? Is the hollow core about the same diameter as the regular? Any insight would be appreciated.
To join regular braid to mono I use a 36" section of dacron and splice the braid to it, inserted the mono, and then super glued it all. Or I have used a 40 turn Bimini in braid and then tied a huffnagle or albright to the mono. All have been effective, though I lost 2 guides on a fly rod to one of these knots.
My only issue is I always use a top shot of mono for its cushioning effect. Sure dacron boated many swords, but how many did it lose bucause it didn't stretch?

[bullfighter]

i use rubberbands to attach the balloons and Im wondering if they would slip if i were to use the power pro, do you have any problems with this mike?

[Anonymous]

Originally Posted by bullfighter

i use rubberbands to attach the balloons and Im wondering if they would slip if i were to use the power pro, do you have any problems with this mike?

John,

We have never had a problem with rubber bands slipping on the Jerry Brown. We didn't have any problem the first time I fished with you. The balloons stayed on the Power Pro. We caught the 2nd fish on the Power Pro.

[J.P Freeman]

balloons never slip for me either. i fish all 80lb pp on my 50's. i got 1200 yards on there.

i can't remember how much 80 of mono you can put on a 50, but i know its no where near 1200 yards. i am with chummin, cough up a few more bucks for the spectra, you never know when you are gonna get the big one. i know i am ready, are you. :wink: