Braided Line Basics

Braid is considered a super line. It has the smallest diameter of the three types of line, and has the highest abrasion resistance. Like monofilament, braided lines float on top of the water column. Braid has virtually zero stretch, which makes it very sensitive. It also has very little line memory. However, given braid‘s composition, it is extremely visible in the water column.

Braid also favors various types of knots. If you don't tie the right knot with braid, your knot may fail and you'll probably lose your $20 lure and/or that monster fish you’ve looking for your whole life. I find that the Palomar knot is my favorite knot to tie with braid.

Given that braid has zero stretch, I will not fish crankbaits or jerkbaits with it. It's very easy to rip those types of lures out of a fish‘s mouth, especially if you’re not using the proper power and action of rod for the technique.

With that being said, braid excels when fishing jigs and Texas rigs in heavy vegetation cover, spinnerbaits, umbrella rigs and topwaters. Braid is an excellent line, and it deserves a place in your tackle box.

Editor’s Note: Try 6-pound braid when vertical jigging for crappie in the winter. You will learn to appreciate the added sensitively by the increase of fish in your livewell.