Fresh Braid Story

[PapaDave]

I agree with the hypothesis that the line got wedged into the spool. When you spool up the braid you HAVE to make sure it is tight, otherwise, when you hook a fish, or get stuck on the bottom, or anything that buts tension on the line, it will bury itself in the loose line and get stuck.

[Hunters Pa]

In addition to spooling it really tight, I have seen some shops occasionally do a quick left-right-left-right pass with the braid while spooling to put some diagonal passes down. Rationale it that it helps prevent burying the line in itself

[Flounder]

I started using braid since Spiderwire came out back in the 90's while fishing northern pike. My notes on bait casters and braid, they don't like the lighter braided lines under 40/50 lb, you tend to get small loops super easy on line any lighter and if you didn't keep tension on your line 100% of the time. Then while casting line catches the loop and breaks because with no stretch it snaps the lure off. I've snapped off lots of spinnerbaits over the years trying to cast too far, this will improve with experience and making sure you set your magnetic brake on the reel correctly, not casting into the wind etc. Once I started paying attention to what was causing the issues my experience with braid improved 10x. I now only use bait casters for heavier lures or anything that will allow me to leave tension on the line whenever I retrieve. SO keep tension, tighten the brakes on your spool, and if you continue to have issues move up to the 50/65lb with 12lb diameter (easier to pick out snarls too). Hope this helps.

[Hobi-Wan Kenobi]

Originally Posted by Flounder

I started using braid since Spiderwire came out back in the 90's while fishing northern pike. My notes on bait casters and braid, they don't like the lighter braided lines under 40/50 lb, you tend to get small loops super easy on line any lighter and if you didn't keep tension on your line 100% of the time. Then while casting line catches the loop and breaks because with no stretch it snaps the lure off. I've snapped off lots of spinnerbaits over the years trying to cast too far, this will improve with experience and making sure you set your magnetic brake on the reel correctly, not casting into the wind etc. Once I started paying attention to what was causing the issues my experience with braid improved 10x. I now only use bait casters for heavier lures or anything that will allow me to leave tension on the line whenever I retrieve. SO keep tension, tighten the brakes on your spool, and if you continue to have issues move up to the 50/65lb with 12lb diameter (easier to pick out snarls too). Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, I got cocky and thought my thumb feathering the spool was good enough.

[Flounder]

Hahaha yeah I am still guilty of that too.

[Hobi-Wan Kenobi]

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

In addition to spooling it really tight, I have seen some shops occasionally do a quick left-right-left-right pass with the braid while spooling to put some diagonal passes down. Rationale it that it helps prevent burying the line in itself

I understand the theory about a quick pass, left or right when spooling with braid, but keep in mind this is not a good idea if you'll be casting with it. That diagonal line will cross over and catch the line going out if the revolution of spool spins faster than the line going out - ie casting into the wind.