Beginner Baitcaster: Mono or Braid?

[MetroMan]

Common sense is kinda telling me that as a beginner, I should start out practicing with mono. I am not gonna be casting for distance or anything like that...just pitching bait or lures from the kayak.

I am leaning toward mono for a couple of reason, but I just wanted to get you guys' opinion.

[HokieDJ]

Just go with braid if that's where you are going to end with. Might as well get your practice on getting the feel of how fast it goes out and thumbing the wheel.

[Shady]

Use Braid! If you adjust the cast control brake to the weight of your lure currectly, braid vs mono shouldnt really make a difference. I've always set mine so that when in free spool, the lure should fall slowly if you hold the rod out.

[MetroMan]

Thanks for the tips. I just have nightmare visions of picking out that first birdsnest with the braid. I fooled around with casting my trolling reels last time I was out...had a couple of wicked backlashes, but those reels arent designed for casting.

But anyways...I'm headed to Bass Pro today to pick up a baitcaster. I'll just have them spool it with braid.

Thanks

[mytmouse]

LOL Oh your gonna get a birdsnest. Just go with a thicker braid than normal since your starting out, like 30# - 50#. Sure its overkill but it will help you out when you get a little backlash. Just make sure that when you start you use the brakes to your advantage. I remember I thought I had the hang of it too soon... Turned the mag brake off and casted... That was the end of my fishing for that day. LOL!

[MetroMan]

ok. I am fishing for bull sharks, so I will probably go with 100lb power pro.

[Capt C-Hawk]

I hate to disagree with everyone else, but I have a feeling they used and learned with mono first. Mono is cheaper to learn with and much easier to untangle. I use braid now, but even with the brakes set it can still get away if you cast into the wind or tick a tree branch before the lure hits the water. Just be aware it costs a lot more to surgically remove and replace braid when mono might be salvageable. I will say a properly set Revo is "almost" foolproof.

[mmanolis2001]

You will be fine with braid. If it were a surf stick i would suggest mono but for pitching lures and baits braid will be fine. Just easy into the cast and avoid jerking or snapping casts until you get the feel down. IF you cant get the bait to the target with an easy cast paddle closer.

[MetroMan]

"paddle"? what does that mean?

j/k

Thanks for the advice. Capt C Hawk, the reasons you mentioned are exactly what I was initially thinking. Well, let me go ahead and jump into this pool feet first with no pfd...

[Cliff]

I've always set mine so that when in free spool, the lure should fall slowly if you hold the rod out.

+1 perfect way to do it. Just make sure you readjust when putting on a new lure.

[ictalurus]

I started trying to learn with mono but found braid much easier to deal with, contrary to what most people told me. I found that once you get a birdsnest in mono, the mono gets crimped or stressed, and future birdsnests are almost unavoidable. I switched to 20lb braid and only had one backlash so bad that I had to cut it out. Every other time, it's been easy to pick out the loops. Since braid doesn't have memory, it will lay down flat on the spool after a backlash.

I also don't fill my spool all the way--only maybe 3/4 or so.

[mmanolis2001]

Also

Pack that line on tight when you get it spooled. It should not have any give if you squeeze the spool. If it does the line will dig into its self and give you problems

[RavensDfense]

I started with 30 lb. braid on a $50 Dick's special. $25 after a mail in rebate. Gotta love those. It was brutal at first. As long as I didnt cast for the moon I found the birds nest to be relatively easy to untangle. When I became over confident is when I had problems. Casting a heavier lure helped learn. When I finally got a nice baitcaster, it was a breeze.

[MetroMan]

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.



Let the games begin.

[mytmouse]

ohhhhh....