Fishing soft plastics with braid.

[jooleyen]

Is it okay to fish soft plastics with braided line? Wouldn't it be more sensitive so I can detect bites and give a slower fall?

Thanks-

Julien

[PowerBass]

It will be most sensitive. I opt not to use it, only because Im not fishin areas where I would need it. I switched this year to 25 lb mono. Braid is good tho, but I am rough on the hooksets. And it will cut your thumb if you have it on there.

[zooker]

i use braid on my pnj rod and my frog stick ONLY every thing else is mono.. 12 pound mono man handles even the biggest fish from out under docks..

zooker

[KenDammit]

I'm the same as Zook...although I did try braid for about 70% of my fishing time last year. Just didn't like the feel with the soft plastic(I fish weightless most of the time) because it seemed to hold the bait up(fell TOO slow for me in most cases) and take away some action. I felt like that I couldn't hit the sweet spot for fall rate with braid because weightless was too slow, adding even a 1/16th seemed to make it too fast and plus it made the baits dive nose first.

I will be using Yo-Zuri again for all soft plastics outside of TOPWATER frogs(I don't use Horny Toads as topwater, so they get fished on Yo-Zuri)

[lizardsrule]

I use braid for just about everything except flossing!

Lizards

[Rebbasser]

Absolutely, Jools. Especially due to the sensitivity.

[Hef]

I use braid on everything except my shakey rod.....8lb flourocarbon.

[jooleyen]

Cool. Thanks.

[FlyRod]

Julien, my son...

Yes! For almost all soft plastic applications, so well as jigs, Carolina-Rig, etc., I heartily recommend braid, especially when The Winter of Our Discontent arrives.
Braid, as I hope to Hades you've noticed, remains limp and easily castable as temperatures drop whereas monos, including fluoro, tend toward the "Concertina Wire" Syndrome. That alone makes it a great option.
The lack of stretch also confers certain advantages on braid. For one, sensitivity is greatly enhanced. Add a tungsten weight to your T-rig, or use a brass weight for your Carolina Rig, and you'll think you've learned to read the bottom like Helen Keller could read Braille. (Google Ol' Helen. She was an inspiration to all.)
Hooksets are more positive with braid, no doubt, and the shock delivered thereupon may just stun a large fish long enough for you to horse him/her out of dense cover before his/her head clears.
Clear water? No problem...Use a PURE Fluoro Leader, labelled as such..."LEADER", attached with a J-Knot, if you can master it, a Uni-knot if you can't.
Downside: You CAN break a rod on the hookset more easily when using braid. Upside? Well, you don't need to look like Barry Bonds when setting the hook...a snap of the wrist and some steady reeling will do the job, as will a moderate sweep of the rod accompanied by some steady cranking. You see, Grasshopper, with braid violence is NOT the answer.
Braid will also serve you well when fishing spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and toads. No need for a leader 'cause the lure(s) are generally moving too rapidly for line visibility to become an issue, even in clear water.
And remember Robin Hood...as I've reminded you recently. Reb will bear witness to my success in freeing snags employing "Bowmanship", and it will be a boon to you as well, once learned. With the R. Hood method you will not only save time and terminal tackle but, as well, not frustrate your partner by ramming the boat into bassholding cover in an attempt at recovery.
Those who complain of braid causing a slower sink rate and it causing the falling softy to drift off target can compensate by:
A: Using a slightly heavier weight.
B: Use a 5-7 foot Fluoro leader. Fluoro sinks readily, unlike mono.
C: When desirous of a near-perfectly vertical drop, one can cast BEYOND the target, raise the rod tip and strip, not reel, ala a flyfisherman, until the lure is on the sweet spot. Then, lower the rod and allow the lure to fall on slack line. OR....If there are hazards behind the target, drop the lure on the sweet spot and strip OFF line.
D: In windy conditions, keep your rod tip low, perhaps even wet, to avoid wind bowing the line.

Julien, when you've become a seasoned old veteran fisherman then it will be up to you to guide the beginners. When you do, teach fact and technique, only slightly tinted with emotion and opinion. But always...ALWAYS...be ready to learn, regardless of how many fish you've caught or how many tournaments you've won. Age is NO barrier to learning.

Go get 'em!

Your Kindly Uncle Fly

[Rodman_Rob]

Originally Posted by lizardsrule

I use braid for just about everything except flossing!

Lizards

lol, try the 10lbs power pro, its some of the best floss I've ever used.

[jooleyen]

You call me son and then you tell me you are my uncle?!

Thanks Flyrod.

-Julien

[skeeter944]

inbreeding? not again! lmao!

[JB]

flyrod says: And remember Robin Hood...as I've reminded you recently. Reb will bear witness to my success in freeing snags employing "Bowmanship", and it will be a boon to you as well, once learned. With the R. Hood method you will not only save time and terminal tackle but, as well, not frustrate your partner by ramming the boat into bassholding cover in an attempt at recovery

FLYROD,
its all adding up now, your obsession with German, arrows, and those rugged good looks. You must have made your fortune "way back then" as broadways German
version of Robin Hood
I managed to obtain this film poster of RobinHood on Ebay
Now on DVD~

[Rebbasser]

JB, ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

Jools-he is pretty good at getting unsnagged with the bow method. I'm still trying to master it.

[FlyRod]

Originally Posted by jooleyen

You call me son and then you tell me you are my uncle?!

Thanks Flyrod.

-Julien

Ask yer mom AND your aunt...

FR

[FlyRod]

Originally Posted by Rebbasser

JB, ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

Jools-he is DAMNED good at getting unsnagged with the bow method. I'm still trying to master it.

Fixed, under warranty. No charge.

FR

[skeeter944]

thats really funny jb! ROTFLMAO!