Best braid (to limit wind knots)

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Leslie Hempel

New member
thanks guys that is really good info.. appreciate it... i am being more attentive to my spool and i havent had as many wind knots but still experience a few..

just a question on braid... is there really a top braid or is it just a matter of personal preference.
 
P

PatrickC

Senior Member
Some braids are better than others, there are quit a few good ones but it does come down to preference... and budget $$$
 
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BTTB

Senior Member
I bought some 40lb Jerry Brown Hollow Core, mainly to experiment with leaders, but the 40lb is just a bit too thin to thread 0.7mm nylon into, so I am simply using it straight.
I have yet to get a wind knot with this product, it is silky soft to the touch and very strong.

Recommended, just a bit pricey.
 
S

Simen

Sealiner
PatrickC wrote:
Some braids are better than others, there are quit a few good ones but it does come down to preference... and budget $$$
Click to expand...

Fireline the best on the market by a long shot, if you ignore the price.

I have read all the posts and in many ways your problem is addressed.

Regardless of the make of braid you use, its got nothing to do with the Watkins.

A big contributing factor which I dont see addressed (might have missed it) is when retrieving whatever is on the end of the line.

A to fast retrieve and say the ...comes out of the water it means just for that instant the line is more slack than the rest -- if retrieving very fast rather retrieve the line by holding it and tensioning it between 2 fingers.

Also when casting, (windy conditions) cast and then place your index finger against the spool. The line slips between your finger and the spool -- you are actually casting under slight tension.

 
 
F

FLUKE

Sealiner
@Simen, My 2nd point in post 19 mentions your point about lures / bait skipping on a fast retreive. When working a surface lure it is IMO impossible to hold the line between your fingers as your hand is then too high up on the rod to control the retreive and strike.
I would therefore regard wind knots as an occupational hazard of light to medium surface lure fishing.
A reel with a good spool design that is not overfilled and offers perfect line lay is the best remedy for wind knots.

Fireline is probably the best as it packs nicely onto the spool, is durable and doesn't delaminate easily. The price has also come down to average. In E.L. 300yds was costing about R300 when I last looked.
 
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Leslie Hempel

New member
very interesting to see the different perspectives, yes fishing light lures will cause a few problems...

thank you all for your input...
 
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Leslie Hempel

New member
from my brief look at gator braid dean a friend was explaining to me it was far stonger than most brands for its line diameter...

i priced fireline crystal yesterday 114m for R179...
 
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Carll

Senior Member
Hi Leslie

The type of braid is not your problem. I experienced the same problem when casting

when the wind start to blow (lol the wind are always blowing at the sea )

I order a custom spinning rod from "Enigma" a year ago and the rod had " K-Series

(anti-fouling) Concept guides from fuji " . Honestly, I didnt experienced ONE wind-knot

till today ! Last year we experienced a lot windy conditions at the KZN South

Coast,NE up to 20km and I didnt had ONE wind knot !! I change all my spinning rods

( 2 of them)  guides to K -Series guides and "Wha-La" my wind knots is gone

 Thanks Enigma again for the Super Rod and your research on what type off

guides to use. Contact Enigma and let him replace your rods guides.

 Here is the link of the same rod I have and Fuji's K-Series guides.

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=64062&forum_id=10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYzmg0MURkc
 
J

JVW

Senior Member
Carll wrote:
Hi Leslie

The type of braid is not your problem. I experienced the same problem when casting

when the wind start to blow (lol the wind are always blowing at the sea )

I order a custom spinning rod from "Enigma" a year ago and the rod had " K-Series

(anti-fouling) Concept guides from fuji " . Honestly, I didnt experienced ONE wind-knot

till today ! Last year we experienced a lot windy conditions at the KZN South

Coast,NE up to 20km and I didnt had ONE wind knot !! I change all my spinning rods

( 2 of them)  guides to K -Series guides and "Wha-La" my wind knots is gone

 Thanks Enigma again for the Super Rod and your research on what type off

guides to use. Contact Enigma and let him replace your rods guides.

 Here is the link of the same rod I have and Fuji's K-Series guides.

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=64062&forum_id=10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYzmg0MURkc
Click to expand...
Agree Carll,I bought a Daiwa exceller Elite-looks like the guides are turned around,but no wind knots
 
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Limpopoking

Sealiner
I'm not so sure about braid not coming into the equation. Certainly almost all the posts above contain very relevant info, but I'd just like to add... I have 6lb, 20lb and 30lb fireline on various reels. I have used them all extensively. The 6 & 20 are both crystal while the 30 is smoke. To date, I have had 1 windknot with the 6lb. That's it.

On the other hand, I fell in love with Saltiga casting braid a few years ago. I opted for it over Fireline because of casting distance. Fireline is relatively thick and stiff. It feels like it's "choking" in a cast. After quite a few trips with the Saltiga, I ended up ditching all of it because of wind knot issues.

For my heavier braid, I am a solid Jerry B fan, but I also have really taken a shine to Power Pro Super 8 Slick. I have not had a wind knot with either of these.

I also think that casting technique plays quite a role. Real exerted flicks as opposed to progressively accelerated flowing casts, the latter producing less problems. So, perhaps when dealing with blustery cross wind conditions, concentrate on flowing casts and settling for slightly less distance.

There is nothing more annoying than dealing with a koek of braid while the fish are smashing everything in sight and all your mates are tight and grinning.
 
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Leslie Hempel

New member
very true, i am trying a few different techniques and im getting less wind knots but i still get the odd one... and when i do its a real bunch up :)

but i will persevere....

thank you for the input...
 
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Cswhitehead

New member
imo the main reason for wind knots is the braid being slack on the spool which happens when casting lighter surface lures and also sometimes the lure does come out of the water and creates slack. So every 4 or 5 casts I make sure the braid is under a bit of tension on the retrieve. I do throw a lot of lighter surface lures and don't get wind knots. With regards to which is the best braid I have used sufix, rovex ,ez, loomis and fireline braid and fireline is by far the best.
 
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FishExcutnr

Sealiner
Buy jerry brown or daiwa saltiga braid.

Fireline fades in colour. Power pro starts to split and also fades.

Fill the spool under heavy pressure, as tight as you can. Fill to the brim and than remove 10% of the braid or fill to 90%, dose not really matter as that last 30-40m has no use.

you should not get any knots. Only if throwing an open faced popper such as a rooster can cause knots due to the slack between pulls.
 
A

Ant86

Sealiner
In short INVEST* in some quality gear

-Propulsion Spool lip ie Shimano Stradic
-Jerry B,Pro Power 8 slick ,Suffix 832

*Invest as oppose to spend,fish with peace of mind and gear that last for multiple seasons...

BAM problem solved..adios amigos
 
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