Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2020 - 21

I have found that 75
yards of braided line is
ample for most casting
situations. This amount
leaves enough line on the
spool to cover the knot
joining the braid and
backing line, even at the
end of a long cast. With
the 75-yard allotment,
the standard 150-yard
spool of line can fill two
reels while a 300-yard
spool can fill four reels.
Those who decide
against the backing
method often purchase
the (more expensive)
Select a backing line of similar or equal diameter. When spooling with 80-pound-test braided line, I use
300-yard spool, because
20-pound-test monofilament line for backing. Both lines are .018 inches in diameter.
most reels have line
capacities beyond 150
sooner rather than later). In my first years of using braided
yards for small diameter lines. However, the line left on the
line, I would ditch the line once it showed signs of fading,
300-yard spool is rarely enough to fill another reel.
which meant that I was tossing serviceable line in the trash.

Longevity

Another important consideration is the longevity of
braided line. Braided line does not have memory retention;
monofilament line kinks and coils when left on the reel's spool.
Ultraviolet light makes monofilament line hard and brittle; braid
is less susceptible and stays soft and pliable. To top it off, braided
line is more resistant to abrasion caused by fishing in cover.
This information is noteworthy when calculating a line's
expense. Monofilament line is much cheaper per yard, but I
respool reels carrying monofilament lines several times each
season. However, reels spooled with braided line may go
unchanged for several seasons. In short, I may purchase two or
three spools of monofilament line for each spool of braided line.
The longevity of braided line is also useful when
questioning whether it is time to respool. Follow traditional
rules when examining the line for wear, keeping an eye out
for frayed or fuzzy line. Often, it is worse in the last few feet,
closest to the lure. Removing a yard or two of line is a quick fix
and prevents a complete respooling.
I do not use line color as an indicator for respooling. All
braided lines will lose its bold, out-of-the-box color (most

Reuse before replacing

When it is time to respool, consider reusing the existing
braid rather than replacing it. Unlike a monofilament
line, the braid toward the back of the spool (joined to the
backing line) is free of coils and remains undamaged.
Swap the line end-for-end, so the braid that was in
use now connects to the backing line. Exchange the ends
at the beginning of the year to provide fresh line for the
upcoming season. Since most casts are well under 40 yards,
the "recycled" braid portion will be new, untouched line.

Leaders

One downside to braided line is its visibility beneath
the surface. To combat this drawback, many anglers tie
a short section of fluorocarbon leader. This retains the
sensitivity and casting advantages of braided line while
presenting the lure on low-vis line. Plus, the leader takes
abuse from vegetation, timber, and rocks. This means less
damage to the braid.
It is best to use leaders lighter than the
braided line when fishing around snags,
especially in rivers. This ensures breakage of
the leader. It is difficult to break braided line
as the true breaking point typically exceeds
the advertised tensile strength. Snagging with
braid likely ends in cutting a sizeable portion
of line.
Braided lines incur a greater upfront
There are many knots available to join braided line to backing or leader lines.
expense than other line types, but the cost
My favorite is a uni-to-uni (or double uni) knot with five wraps. It is strong,
is somewhat relative over time when using
simple to learn, and quick to tie.
these steps to increase a spool's lifespan.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2020

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2020

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