Kelp cutter rig
 

In the last week or so I've heard twice that braid needs to be 65lb. to be a good kelp cutter. I thought any lb. braid would cut kelp.

just my opinion
 

i would think any size would cut it also. 50 is a good size also , depending on spool size.

It wont

Often times it doesn't just wrap around once. It wraps around a multiple kelp stringers multiple times when the fish is looking for cover.

power pro 65# cuts thru kelp and fingers like butter.

This post is more about the reel, but info on 40# is in there.

i've cut kelp with 65#, 80#, 40#, and in my opinion, the cleanest fastest cuts are with my powerpro 50#.

this being said. i've used powerpro, izorline, tuffline, viciuos, spiderwire, stren, and even cheap china ebay stuff spectra.

my favorites are powerpro, vicious, and izorline.

ebay's 65# is thicker than pp65, but that comes as a partial positive side because it wont cut through your thumb so easily.

My 50# braid cut through the kelp only to find a Bat Ray on the other end.

More Specifically…..

The Older Power Pro (which stopped production in 2010) is the true Kelp Cutter Braid.

The newer power pro is thinner in diameter, and much smoother.
- It's not the coarse hack saw blade of the past. However, it does still work and is still the best choice among spectra line for inshore kelp cutting duty.

65 lb. is the only way to go for this type of work.

Thanks for the help guys.

This^^^^^^^

The old original Braid was, well for a lack of better terms, square, due to the number of strands and the way it was braided. It was a phenomenal innovation but was cutting or scaring guides. As such when mono or floro passed through the guides it would heat and break. In short the original braids had issues that weren't conducive to landing fish. Naturally improvements had to be made. The first changes were primarily adding strands so that the shape was truer to round, then adding coatings to smooth the product so it wouldn't cut or scare guides creating undue wear. Clearly the old braid was more efficient in cutting. Yet, any solid braid will cut kelp. The idea is to keep the line moving so it can wear through the kelp. So, it'll cut if the fish is pulling line, it'll cut if your reeling in line, and it'll cut if you can keep it moving in a back and forth sawing action. Just be aware of your drag setting and don't put to much pressure on your line. If you feel you need to tighten your drag, don't, think about loosening it and letting the fish take line. Or better said, if your using a kelp cutter rig, don't be in a hurry to get the fish in.

Good post
 

^Kelp Cutting 101