Fishing with Braid - What braid I use and what I use it for.

In this video I talk through the different types of braid I use, their properties, the breaking strains and why I chose them for different types of fishing. The different brands of braid, pros and cons. What I like and what I don’t. I hope this helps.
Here are some links to the braids I use:
Braid - Daiwa J Braid - bit.ly/3qkgnIh
Braid - Fireline - bit.ly/2MSDgUH
Braid - Powerpro - bit.ly/3bBNfIi

[@nigelmilne3503]

East coast of Scotland round Arbroath, 90lb braid straight through with a rotten bottom and mono hook length. I'm a tight bugger and that Cod is coming out of the kelp one way or another lol.

[@Bigtbuilder]

Hi John, it would be very interesting to see you do a video of static breaking strain tests on the various lines you use. I have been looking at reviews for various braids for beach/surf fishing and I am shocked at the results. I.E. 30lb test breaking at 15lb, 15lb test breaking at 20lb. It would make great content and help with my confusion LOL.

[@WayneDuggan]

Big thanks john. Its great to have all this info in relation to rods/reels/braid 👍

[@feralgrandad4429]

Berkley Whiplash (in bright orange so could see it) is what all the guides used when I went Catfishing on the Ebro in Spain. Landed a 122lb (smallest in camp lol) Wels Catfish on it, in and out of snags, towing the boat, accross the face of damns, under logs for an hour and a bit. Great line.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

Feral Grandad - It is good stuff isn’t it. 🎣👍🏻

[@kevinfletcher7471]

I was always a mono man for spinning , but after chatting with you I changed to j braid with flurocarbon leader . I'm never going back , what a difference in casting but most of all feel its amazing , so thanks fir the tip John.

[@travis2557]

My opinion is that you are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing all the wisdom. It really helps a lot for people who are new to saltwater like myself.👍

[@andrewswift9202]

Very helpful for me this one John , as my cousin just got a new boat and I am over excited to get out on it , 👍

[@thee-edd]

Berkley Whiplash 8 carrier 0.06mm 23lb great for bassing. And lure wrecking for pollack. Not the cheapest but def lasts alot longer and the thinner diameter means it gets down it quicker and you get more sensitivity also you can use lighter reels it's also great for jigging. If i was going to use cheap Chinese braid for heavier fishing I go for thornsline asura T8 at around £19.00 for 1000 meters and it's quite soft and relatively thin compared to others.. 😉

[@jameshines4012]

Cheers John ive just ordered some of that whiplash line. Cheers for the help as always. Great video.

[@peterraybould7171]

Thanks John , very informative, I have been looking for info on what line/braid to use as have just started to venture into shore fishing.

[@savo850]

I mostly do pike fishing and I've got a stradic 4000s gtm-rc match reel for lures which I had daiwa sensor mono on but decided to change to braid for the thinner diameter and higher breaking strain. After much deliberation I went with j braid and I'm glad to see from this video that I made the right choice. I think I'll get some spectra or agepoch for my other bait reel because I won't need to worry about the diameter, only the breaking strain. Thanks for the advice 👍 much appreciated.

[@redzuanmohd1604]

agepoch so fantastic...i use 15lb only for fast jigging...plus minus 10kgs of spanish mackerel,cobia,queeny n other plagics with no issues so far...

[@eastcoastandy2905]

My third year on J Braid, boat and shore. The stuff lasts well. I only use mono now where I know it's snaggy. Good info John, ta.

[@717Moss]

I’ve used braids a lot. Found the J Braid to be the best. Now planing a catfish trip to Spain. Have the 103lb on order. Fantastic stuff.

[@purpleturkey1792]

Spot on John .... Agree with you 👍 Top man 😊

[@robertmedzai8163]

GOOD info John cheers mate .

[@TruckerMurdock]

I use Spectra braid on both fixed spools and multipliers. I snagged on a wreck with 70lb Spectra and the 90lb mono rig body snapped, not the braid. My Mrs uses pink 50lb Spectra on the boat, 30lb from the shore, never an issue. All my shore reels run 70lb Spectra straight through mostly and a couple are 60lb and 50lb, never had a crack off or snap. Even with 70lb you cast well, 50lb with a 4oz lead goes for miles.

[@mr_wildgoose]

Exactly the same experience for me with Spiderwire - will never use it again!

[@Podster133]

Thanks for the vlog. 👍👍👍

[@feralgrandad4429]

When I went catfishing on the Ebro in Spain my guide swore by Berkley Whiplash. I landed a 121lb Wels on it (smallest cat of the trip but I don't care) , in and out of weeds etc. Its pretty much all I use now. Keep meaning to pick up a spool of the Spectra mind.

[@garylawlor2288]

Great advice 👍. My father had same problem with spiderwire. In my opinion the braids which state a diameter far smaller than average for the breaking strain are suspect. I found the whiplash seemed to break at less than expected too. The suffix 834 or whatever 🤔 is very good and was top in an abrasion resistance test i seen conducted. I like the Savage gear silencer braid, I use it on all my pike baitcasters, but need to fish it more in the saltwater to see how it goes.

[@1254Paul]

Another cheap but good braid is "SeaKnight Monster W8 8 Strands Braided Line" from Amazon. At the minute it's £16.28 for 500m of 80lb / 0.40 dia. and the same price (1p dearer) for 500m of 100lb / 0.50 dia. Well worth a try.

[@andrewthomas405]

👍👍good advise john your knowledge just about follows mine with the braids ...anyone starting out are in good hands 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Jimmyfisher121]

Thanks John.

[@l.r.sfishing4011]

I've never used braid before so be interesting to see the difference from mono to Braid. Top stuff thanks!! 🎣🎣🎣

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- I explain a few times throughout different vids about the benefits of braid over mono. Zero stretch, lower diameter for similar strength etc, monos only benefit for me is that is has much better abrasion resistance than braid. :)

[@seaangling]

I’ve just caught up with this video and it made for a very interesting watch. I have been using the Berkeley whiplash 8 on my beach fixed spool reels and have the Spectra ready for common skate fishing.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Good choice mate.

[@rhyswilliams1413]

Hi there. Thinking of trying braid on my beach FS. What lb braking strain store you using? I normally use am 18lb low diameter mono.

[@leen8939]

I’ve got some spectra braid on the way , should be here in the next few days . Never used it before but my mate said it’s not bad so I ordered some from someone with uk stock . Normally use power pro on my pike multis and fixed spool reels and it’s never let me down . Did once try a spool of daiwa tournament 8 for jerkbaiting that was supposedly 85lb and caught the back treble of a brand new jerkbait on a stone just out of reach so I thought I’d wrap it round my arm , pull it and straighten the treble like I do with power pro . The tournament 8 braid snapped like cotton so I went home and tested the stuff on the reel and some left on the spool by wrapping it round 2 bank sticks and pulling and I was able snap it ridiculously easily every time so I tried the same with some 65lb power pro and couldn’t snap it so binned the daiwa after less than 2 hours use . I’ve got some whiplash 8 on a lure reel that’s not too bad so far but I’ve not used it enough yet so don’t know what the longevity will be like .

[@stewartsummers4587]

Great info as just about to my lines to braid , many thanks , 🥟 stew

[@jamesblack2624]

The original old spiderwire sea fishing line was like a fly line it had a coating over it slightly wirey and zero wind knots diameter slightly more than modern braid but the best I've ever used. Try that out it goes real cheap online

[@gavinlangford2984]

Great video again..I am thinking of using power pro on a penn spinfiager 7500lc fir rough ground fishing ..but I feel it will just snap in the rough as it doesn't have Great abrasion resistance

[@colinguernseyguydunn639]

I like your opinion on braid I wrote the ones you use on beach caster reels,

[@ianswann8916]

Hi John. Love all your vids as always. How did you rate the agepoch braid now you've had chance to use it? Need to buy some braid and don't know whether to try it or stick to the Spectrum. Keep up the great content.

[@paulmcnamara9296]

Hi John . Happy New Year Mate. What weight of line do you use on fireline / whiplash braid. What length do I need on the spool. Any vids on how to spool fresh braid or STD line.👍

[@devonshire5482]

I have always used Spider-wire braid. As you say, braid has no stretch hence the reason why my clutch is never set too tight so to compensate that initial surge from the fish. I noticed you have not mentioned about soaking the braid prior to putting it on the reel? Unless I missed it? The braid will dig in to itself when under pressure so wetting it will make it more supple on the reel. A old angler told me this tip.....Keep up the videos and stay safe mate.

[@highgain82]

I like spiderwire and i use it a lot

[@monte6054]

Well thot out, Well presented. And Thank You very much.

[@rhyswilliams1413]

Hi John. New to braid and was wondering what breaking strain you use for your fixed spool beach casting

[@TheEastbourneFisherman]

I personally use the fireline on both my main reels and find its amazing also I have tried mono and find it’s not for me I do have the spectra on my lure rods just find it works the lures better I will be changing my spare mono spools to spectra for my congering and smoothound fishing thanks for reccomending it :)

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- I have always found spectra to be a little thicker and coarser than the expensive ones but its still hellish good. I use it for all of my heavy stuff. Agepoch is very similar. I have never tried it for lighter stuff like lures, but its great to hear you're finding it work for you. :)

[@TheEastbourneFisherman]

The Fish Locker Workshop I find it works good on my surface lures as it’s thicker it pops the lure more aggressive

[@theboatman.]

Bought a sl20sh on your recommendation. Cought three sward fish ( in Greece trawling a squid) on 30lb line. Can you use braded line on slosh20 for casting lures and spinning or would you get a fixed spool reel Thanks

[@justso1823]

I never use a shockleader on the beach I always just go 50lb braid straight threw. The cheap braid float's I find it better on beaches with stones down south it doesn't get washed under the shale

[@davedewaal1762]

Hi John, can you help me I am really looking for a good floating fishing line, for along the coast with stones, now use braided line. line strength around 30kg 300m. thanks for the help

[@I_slayer-ge2uk]

What would the braid be converted to mono line

[@andy2991]

How bad is the abrasion resistant on braided line compare to mono I've been tempted to change but worries about abrasion resistant how would berkley fireline 40lb braid compare to a 20lb mono

[@abitwooabitwah5594]

What highest power pro braid would you put on a slosh30 and a ugly stick 20 30 please John

[@colinedwards9355]

John just got a 16 ft continental rod with penn surfblaster 15 lb mainline nono 50 lb shockleader 4oz spider fish clear ground what strain braid and shock leader would you recommend

[@MrMojorizin]

I used spectra in Norway and pulled in 50 lbs cod no probs

[@peterbailey5051]

At last someone out there that’s used spider wire, that stuff cost me 2 tope, first one on the strike & the next near the boat, the skipper asked me what I was using, snapped it twice with his bare hands

[@andy2991]

Do you ever use mono lines or just braid know I'm not 100 percent sure if I should switch to braid as seen many say the abrasion resistant is terrible I want sommet that pretty qood quality for abrasion resistant and have a farely decent cast was wondering if I higher end mono will be good I've been recommend daiwa sensor mono

[@Swarbrick129]

Wow it would be nice to get some big mackerel up here 😂😂😂. I've used spider wire and never had an issue maybe you got a bad batch have you thought about trying again then if you have problems you can always say tryed it but know good all the best HH

[@GokTurkBey]

hi John, im going to start boat lure fishing, i was just wondering if 135metres of Power Pro Braid would actually be enough if a large fish started taking line?

[@Right2Censor]

Hiya John, just got a spool of J Braid for my spinning set up. It was a freebie from Gerry's. 20lb bs it is. What do you think? Would you use it?

[@larrylad44larry5]

Hi … on your fixed spool for bass fishing do you use a leader with the braid or is it not necessary…..David

[@leonpellow6250]

Totally agree on you comment about spider wire the stuff is absolutely 💩 thanks for the advise I’m going to give the j braid a go I think

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- The cheaper agepoch and spectra stuff is good especially if rough ground fishing.

[@leonpellow6250]

The Fish Locker Workshop thankyou mate

[@James1976b]

I’m curious, in terms of casting for the shore would you not get better casting from 60lb braid with no shockleader rather 25-30lb line with a shock leader going to order so new surf reels and don’t know what to spool them with

[@Clayshots12]

whats your opinion on that age old question, braid or mono on multipliers for beachcasting?

[@davymaclean8481]

Ever tried GHOTDA X12 Braided Fishing Line orJOF braid and what was your thought on them?

[@kevinfarren4564]

Do you recommend braid for beach casting and would you recommend a tapered shock leader and what breaking strain for both thanks love the videos 👍🏻

[@DamienE11]

I've used braid on surf beaches for a while with no problems, you just have to make sure you don't overfill it or have loose bits on the outside of the spool as that's when you'll get wind knots when casting. The only thing I would be aware of other than that is that braid can slip on some knots, such as the blood knot. If fishing the braid to a swivel I would recommend the Uni Knot or Palomar Knot, both are easy to tie, strong, and will not slip. For tying the leader directly to the braid look at the knot shown in the Cabo reel spooling video on this channel.

[@user-qz5bk6lr6e]

do you use a braid leader or mono.

[@martinwilliams6069]

At the moment I only use braid on my lure rod and bass rod, not used it o the boat yet but may load up a reel to give it a go, I believe it cuts through the tide better? Do you use a mono backing when loading reels with braid?

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Not usually. Sometimes just a few wraps of electricians tape on the spool.

[@jamesb8001]

Hi, you've mentioned in another vid about cutting a section off to test the breaking strain. I've recently acquired some braid still on the packing roll, but the sticker has gone so I have no idea of the breaking strain. How best do I test the strength?

[@whysoserious5854]

Weight pull test lol

[@brendanbuckingham6757]

Would really like to see a session on hooks - singles , trebles, barbed,barbless etc

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

Brendan Buckingham - It’s such a huge subject I just cover them all as I use them. Size and characteristics that makes them best suited to the method of fishing

[@kenmare16]

Berkley Fireline is not a braid, it is a thermally bonded polyethylene line (different manufacturing process). Becomes furry after frequent use but that doesn't affect strength. It is much stronger than rated strength compared to most braids, but that is understandable because it is also much thicker (20lb Fireline is about as thick as many 30Lb braids). Have had Fireline on some of my reels both fixed spool and multipliers for years and found it works well except it does have some memory.

[@matthewjames1394]

I had the same experience with spiderwire, snapped three times on me so stripped it off and placed in the bin where it belongs.

[@hammerstoneartifacts4986]

Do you get much line twist with braid? Twists that lead to spool birdnest?

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

Hammerstone Artifacts - No I have never encountered that?

[@MrMarkysparky]

I see the spectra has caught on John most folk are now charging about £28 for the 1500m spool.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Scandalous isn't it

[@Adam_Outdoors]

Just buy direct then instead of via a UK reseller at inflated price. You can get 500M for about £5 when you buy direct from china. You can buy DIAWA J braid for a few quid more.

[@billcollins6705]

"One of those reeeeally big mackerel that turn up now and again" 😂😂....

[@colintraveller]

What's good footwear for when fishing from Rocks that can be at times a skating rink ..

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- I have a pair of Dunlop work boots that I wear. The treads are ok but its ankle support I like the best. :)

[@konnenok7393]

Reef boot's

[@spskeeper2060]

Hi, I think I made a mistake on the fixed spool braid thickness when following the link, I got 0.23 power pro which I think is 30lb breaking strain , is this too thick for spinning from a boat?. It's still thinner than the 12lb mono I was using but I am new to braid on a spinning set up so could do with it being correctly set up.

[@whysoserious5854]

Could possibly go higher lb braid if chance of losing lures.. people pike fish with 60 to a 100lb braid lol

[@spskeeper2060]

@@whysoserious5854 thanks for the reply.

[@spskeeper2060]

Hi, I have the 70lb spectra braid for ling fishing but am still on mono for Pollack cod fishing over the deep water wrecks out of falmouth . Losing a lot of line to probably lost nets with my pen multiplyer ugly stick 15lb class set up, what braid would you go over to that has a simular diameter to 20lb mono? Happy fishing...

[@johnnicholls2449]

I use 40lb whiplash for pollacking diameter similar to 12 lb mono i use the crystal as had the yellow break a couple of times may have been a bad batch but lost confidence in it

[@spskeeper2060]

Ok, cool thanks

[@johnnicholls2449]

Happy to help j braid i good as well look for the 8 strand like john i use good quality braid for most applications but spectra or agepoch for congering find fireline stiff and slightly higher diameter

[@spskeeper2060]

Cool, thanks, was thinking giving j braid a go next year .

[@wa7293]

Powerpro and j-braid 8 are priced about the same- powerpro from my experience is stronger too, the manufacturers often are inaccurate with stated line diameter for marketing value- so dont take them too seriously

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

W A - That is very true about the breaking strains. I find the cheaper ones are actually usually the overly strong ones. The more expensive tend to be closer to what they state.

[@c4lho888]

would U USE BRAID ON a abu 6500 multi p[y for bass

[@NKL_FISHING]

💯 Bud

[@finncockings4463]

Really big mackerel?? Tuna?

[@CristiNeagu]

Daiwa J braid, 100lbs. He mentions it at 10:04

[@GW._.]

What braid would you recommend for beach casting without a shock leader straight though braid?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

You'll pull the hook out when you get your fish into the waves. Use a mono leader.

[@allanleonnard6891]

Have you ever used dynobraid

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- No I've never heard of it?

[@YT_0586]

😳 just spooled my Penn Wrath 5000 with 24lb spider-wire...apparently I should have gone for the cheap Chinese stuff instead 🤣

[@whysoserious5854]

As backing ... yeah lol

[@crustybear]

Daiwa vs Powerpro: I dont quite get what you said when you said 0.40 is half as thick as 0.28? Isn't the J-Braid significantly thicker but as expected also significantly stronger? The line diameter doesnt dictate the breaking strength, the cross section area does. And since the cross section is quadratic in the radius, a line that has twice the diameter will be 4 times as strong. The 100lbs power pro is is 0.45mm, so really, not much of a difference. I wouldn't say that the quality difference there is so big, at least not in the diameter vs breaking strength. I just find the J-Braids super smooth and silent when they go through the rings.

[@Adam_Outdoors]

Listen again.

[@lukieboy549]

Agree Spider wire is crap