queensland Preferred braid

[Grmby]

Opinions on best braid for light lure fishing, 

flathead, trevally bream tailor etc

usually go with sunline, have found it fairly good, wondering if there is better option

 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi Grmby

I've used many and still don't have a favourite.

J-Braid - Strong, thin, light, nice to use. Quite pricey though. I'd probably use this for light lure fishing.

Platypus - Similiar to J-Braid though cheaper, and Aussie made.

Gliss - Really thin but can break below stated.

Fireline - Quite thick, looses colouring, not very nice feeling.

Cheers Hamish

[Junky]

Gosen. 

Super thin, silky smooth through the guides and very strong. 

Haven't had a bad spool yet. 

[Brodie_S]

Daiwa j braid x8 coated in silicone spray is the best light braid I’ve tried spraying the line with silicone spray reduces wind knots and increases casting distance by 30-90cm . J braid x8 is pretty wind knot resistant anyway but with silicone spray it’s unbeatable for the price I’ve heard tasline and daiwa j braid tournament evo is pretty good to but is more pricey 

[Drop Bear]

Made in Australia (here in Brisbane) is Platypus Pulse and Bionic Braid

Get on it. 

 

[Grmby]

Definitely won’t be going back to fins 

tried it once and that was enough. 
have had trouble with the j braid and wind knots. I understand the j braid grand is better now with wind knots 

[Terry H]

I think there are two important things to consider:

1. What you have confidence/faith in
2. Understanding what braided lines are

I'm no expert here and could be wrong, but what I've gleaned from my own research and discussions with more knowledgeable folk is all Dyneema, Spectra and PE lines are ultimately made from the same material: Polyethylene. 

Generally speaking, the key differences between the brands and models are the number of strands (carriers), how tightly they're woven and coatings. This can be important: higher strand count will result in a rounder, smoother feeling line that can improve castability, but each individual strand becomes easier to cut resulting in less abrasion resistance.

Given the same material, you will find that the most important element for strength is diameter; most lines will break at fairly comparable ratings for a given thickness.

The difficulty in understanding braid is compounded by a lack of consistency in measuring methods. For example PowerPro (as with a lot of USA products) will be rated at 30lbs breaking strain, which includes a terminal knot. Whereas some other braids (Gosen is possibly a good example) which will be rated at 30lbs breaking strain, being the mainline with no knot. That difference is important because knots are the weak point - 30lbs Gosen is probably more akin to 20~25lbs PowerPro. 

This is where comments about "J-Braid is strong" come about (and I don't mean this as a point to you Hamish). Yes, it is strong, because it's thick.

Then you have JDM which are PE# based being a measure of thickness. When you consider above and appreciate that Brand A PE#2 will likely break about the same as Brand B PE#2, then it starts to make sense...  The challenge is a lot of consumers are in the "xx lbs" mindset, and so comparing Brand C's PE2 30lbs to Brand D's PE3 30lbs will almost always result in a "Brand D braid is strong".

As for wind knots, they are often user error:

1. Not spooling line correctly. I'm a firm believer of spooling baitcasters with a pencil through the spool and spinning reels with the spool resting label up on the ground. The whole idea here is doing it the wrong way can introduce twists into the line and a lifetime of wind knots.
2. Line not being spooled with enough tension - including winding on slack during fishing. If not careful, winding in slack line with offshore drifts of plastics can result in loose loops forming... This can then result in wind knots.

Personally, I prefer PowerPro (original, superslick v2) and J-Braid (x8 or Grande). Not because I think they're amazing line, but I'm used to them and know what I'm getting and what they can withstand.

[Old Scaley]

My last few respools have been with Diawa J - Braid. Seems to be doing the job. My only advice would be to steer clear of the blue colour because it can be hard to see against the water and a blue sky, especially in the lighter line class (6lb).

[Drop Bear]

Oh and when bottom bashing I love rainbow colour. If you get to 50m of water it is so good to know that you are about to hit bottom.

Case in point was a charter trip I did 2 weeks ago off Port Douglas. I was the only one fishing with my own equipment as every one else was using the boats gear. I didn't get one snag where as most got loads. I was able to feather the line as it was getting to the bottom because I knew from the rainbow line that it was near and stop it just as it touched and then wound in a bit so it wasn't on the bottom. 

 

[Drop Bear]

25 minutes ago, Terry H said:

I think there are two important things to consider

really good post thanks.