Using braided on a bait caster

[horrorphilly]

I've previously used power pro on my spinning reel and now it makes a grinding noise.I'm scared to spool my bait caster up with it, here's my question.Do you always keep the drag loose with braid? I think I know how I messed up my spinning reel, trying to free snags. I just don't want the same thing to happen with my good Lew's reel. Would a mono or fluoro leader help with the shock absorption?


Thank you
Sean

[Bud Kennedy]

Your Lews should be just fine.  You, however seem to need to re think your process for getting free from a snag.  It's not worth snapping a rod or damaging a reel.  Any equipment has its limits.

[Polaris425]

to free snags when using braid, if you can't jiggle it lose,  wrap the line around your boat cleat, and turn the other direction and drag it. It will either break the line, or pull whatever your hung on up off the bottom. Or break the hook.

[Brocksdad1]

to free snags when using braid, if you can't jiggle it lose,  wrap the line around your boat cleat, and turn the other direction and drag it. It will either break the line, or pull whatever your hung on up off the bottom. Or break the hook.

Now your thinking

[Polaris425]

Just don't stand directly behind the line while doing this.........

[Creel Limit Zero]

to free snags when using braid, if you can't jiggle it lose,  wrap the line around your boat cleat, and turn the other direction and drag it. It will either break the line, or pull whatever your hung on up off the bottom. Or break the hook.

One tip to add to this, be sure to really make sure the braid is wrapped around that cleat good so when you start pulling away from the snag with the TM on high, it does not pull your rod to the cleat and break it.  This happened to me, I did a few wraps around the cleat, thought I was good.  Hit the TM on high, well it was not wrapped enough as it pulled the rod to the cleat and snap...    

[mygreenihc]

Just don't stand directly behind the line while doing this.........

I agree wholeheartedly.  It will give a whole new meaning to the term "bullet weight".  Ask me how I know.

I also agree with Creel Limit,  braid is pretty slick and will slide on the cleat if it is not wrapped good enough.  Also,  if there is a sharp place or knick anywhere on the cleat,  it will cut the braid.  Most people take a rag and wrap it around their hand then wrapping the braid around their hand.  What I do is to wrap a rag around my leaning post and wrap the braid around it. 

Brad

[Polaris425]

Definitely ^^ Both of those are also great additional tips...

[bigjim5589]

Never tried that trolling motor trick! 

I keep a 1" diameter X 6" long piece of wooden dowel in my tackle box, and use that to wrap the braid around. I'll wrap it several times & "twist" the rod end of the line around the snagged section to make sure it's secure, then slowly pull against the snag. Have yet to break anything expensive doing this. 

[EricPond99]

Just don't stand directly behind the line while doing this.........

I was pulling a half ounce weight free when it pulled free it hit me in a very sensitive area

[Polaris425]

I was pulling a half ounce weight free when it pulled free it hit me in a very sensitive area

 

[BassmanRudy]

I've had several welts over the years from "pulling" lures free... mostly from mono w the stretch but some w flouro. So yeah use the boat cleat and "Turn away from the lure"!!!! Even the hook flying back can hurt!

[BassmanRudy]

And mono, braid or flouro will slice your hand open quick if you use your hand without a rag!!

[Bigwrench]

And mono, braid or flouro will slice your hand open quick if you use your hand without a rag!!

I know PLine has done that to me ! And been whacked several times in the legs with weights !!!