Braided line

[DJD]

I'd say that the "delay" Billy talked about is a good way to put it...not being so quick on the trigger, and not laying out the hero wham-bam over the head behind the shoulder hookset.

Patience on the bite, a little more restraint on the power put into the hookset, and checking for abrasion every now and then...in exchange for mile long casts, awesome sensitivity, better hook ups at a distance, and high breaking strength. That's why I like it.

You can argue it to death beyond that.

Yep, the hero hookset will tear the bait out of their mouth. I also learned to back my drag off especially if you use 7ft rods because you take up more line when you set the hook. I actually pull more than set when i'm using braid and i forget that at times.
Matter of fact when Slitshot and i were fishing this past Spring we had a shallow bite going on and i wasn't hooking up as i should have been but i adjusted my"hook setting pull" for the fact i was using braid and i started geting beter results. Plus Brian let me catch a few because he felt sorry for me .

[elnutsmalljaws]

Tough to "pull" into the hookset when you are flipping the buckbrush at Ky in the spring. Too much "pulling" and they are wrapped around something that only a chainsaw help you get them loose. This was my only attempt using braid and I know it has its advantages but for me Flourocarbon on everything except topwater from now on.

[DJD]

Tough to "pull" into the hookset when you are flipping the buckbrush at Ky in the spring. Too much "pulling" and they are wrapped around something that only a chainsaw help you get them loose. This was my only attempt using braid and I know it has its advantages but for me Flourocarbon on everything except topwater from now on.

Elnut,
I would love to give that a try one year, i have always heard about it but never have been fortunate enough to go. I have definatly found that for me solid hooksets are natural and need to be automatic which is why i have really gotten away from braid on my day to day fishing...certain techniques i still use it (2). If i have to think too much when setting the hook i get messed up. I try and keep it simple...

[apb]

With any line, on a topwater blast you need to wait until you feel the full weight of the fish before you set the hook.

Andrew

[VMAXX]

I will also add that when flipping,worm fishing etc... you need to really watch your line as braid does not have the sensitivity that mono has on slack line, cranking or carolina r. where you have tension on the line you'll feel a gnat fart tho. my .02

[Johnny K]

Again, I like braided. But I throw top water 90% of the time so spooking fish with non-mono line really doesn't worry me.

I love the feel, strength and resistance to twisting. 14 lb Power Pro w/ 4lb diameter.

PS:

Patiently Wading:

Was that you I ran into Saturday at the Elk? I was with my 10 year old.

PSS: Where are you Muskie fishing? (My first passion ahead of creek smallies)

[elnutsmalljaws]

Elnut,
I would love to give that a try one year, i have always heard about it but never have been fortunate enough to go. I have definatly found that for me solid hooksets are natural and need to be automatic which is why i have really gotten away from braid on my day to day fishing...certain techniques i still use it (2). If i have to think too much when setting the hook i get messed up. I try and keep it simple...

You have to get to KY or Barkley to give it a try. I don't fish for Greenies much but there is NO BETTER place in KY (My opinion) for Greenfish than Ky and Barkley in March and April. Catch them anyway you want, flipping, pitching, shallow, mid, deep, cranks, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, mustard flowers, buck brush, topwater, you name it. The Largemouth population is alive and well at the Big 2 for Chunknwind and myself found out in person for several days this past spring. If fished 2 days back to back and had over 80 fish by myself and used a total of 4 gallons of gas in my boat. Pretty much launched, ran to my bay, put down the trolling motor and never took it up until time to head back to the ramp. One fish right after another, absolutely the best experience I ever had catching Largemouth and will defineately be back every year that I can.

[PatientlyWading24]

Johnny K

I was in the E on Sat, all day. BUT, my only encounter came before the sun was up and he was alone.

Presently i am only Muskie fishing in my dreams. It has been about 10 months since i have even been fishing for them, and over a year since i have had one hooked up. I don't have a boat and it makes muskie fishing hard if you don't have one of those.

One did follow my partners buzzer down the on the KY earlier this week, bass fishin he didn't even think to figure 8 and i watched that monster swim away. It made my hair all raise up.

But My favorite spot to find them toothy ones is in the river. i got spoiled there for a week last summer and it may not ever be the same again, but it was like nothing i have ever experienced and the time of my life.

[Johnny K]

I fish the KY quite a bite for muskies in the Spring. 4-5 years ago I used to do very well. One time I had 7 on and 4 in the boat out of one creek. But, that has come to a screeching halt in the last few years. I'm not really sure why.

I'm going to Ontario in 11 days for our annual Musky trip. It's like nothing else.

Anyway, I plan on hitting the creek this weekend. I hope to do better than last time. The ole' buzz bait didn't produce like it has been. I stocked up on some soft plastics an will try to slow it down this time as my Plan B.

I also added a trailer hook to the buzz bait to nab those short strikers. Any experince with doing that?

Good Luck

[PatientlyWading24]

I have never had a sniff on a buzz on the creek, ever, but i am probably alone on that. I walk the dog, and they like it pretty good sometimes. soft plastics is my go-to, and always has been.

[Johnny K]

Last year I got 30+ on a buzzer. Somewhere around 1/2 were 12" or above
4-5 were 17+. Best day I had in 20 years on the creek.

I think you catch the bigger more agressive fish, but if the're not agressive you don't do very well.

[Bobby Headrick]

Braid has it's place and flipping and frogging, is where it shines, and topwater, I also use it when shallow crankin", jyou just have to let them have the lure before you hit them. Also I saw where some of you had trouble with braid breakin setting the hook while flipping. One thing about braid that I have learned and the hard way is that you must use a palomar knot or similar, to keep this from breaking at he lure eye. I use braid and floro/floroclear, it depends on the situation. Tight lines on those muskey's, also Barren River, has some good muskie holes on it, they school up below the dam there in Jan and Feb, and we have seen some hawgs and had one bust a small POP-R 1/4 oz while we we floating down it a couple of years ago,ultralite and muskies dont match, yes he busted it and at the boat, looked like jaws coming up, would just loved to have fought her a little, 6 lb line snap, but she spit the plug back when she jumped again. She was huge well over 40in long, we were in a 10ft john and when she swam by she was almost have it length.