Braid & Shock leader

[Erbby49]

First time using braid how do you size your shock leader
I normally use a 3X - 5X the line rating But now
I will be using 65# braid So what size should the shock leader be ????

[mantriumph]

I would still use 40 or 50 mono leader for less than 6 and bait,60 for up to 8.

[Coop]

I am not familiar with braid, but if you are using 65lb line, why use a shock leader,,,when you get the fish close, just lock the reel and drag her in,,,no need to grab the line,,,I use 50lb shock leader with my mono line and never had a problem casting 10+ bait and your running line is going to be 65lb,,,If you use a fish finder set up, not sure what would happen to the line with snap swivel rubbing along the braided line.

[igormothra]

I use 30lb braid and 30-50lb shock leader... mostly because the braid cuts through the slider but I am thinking about switching to coastlocks instead of a slider to eliminate the need for a shock leader

[Erbby49]

I read someplace that even though your using braid they reccommend a shock leader. I do my best to not drag any fish, as for the fishfinder setup they have a heavy duty slide for use with braid

[igormothra]

the braid cuts through those in 5 or 6 casts 2 or 3 for the light duty ones

[Erbby49]

That ain't what the guy that sold them to me said
oh well live and learn not a total loss I can use them on the other combo

[Coop]

I have seen them advertised for use with braid.

[Sam]

Forget the fish finder and go with a 3 way swivel. No need for a shock leader that way. Just keep an eye on your rod tip and make sure the braid doesn't eat into it.

[igormothra]

and keep some spare rod tips in your tackle box.... its an easy enough fix and the braid will burn them out. I seem to be having luck with the ceramic ones on my Tica rod and if the rod is rated for braid it should last longer. I use a shock leader and I have not had one of those sliders cut off in awhile. Fishing with braid can have it pluses and minuses, if you are used to mono, then the switch to braid is going to be a shocker. wait till you go and spool up a penn 6/0 or 9/0
be prepared to choke on the price. learn the uni and the uni to uni knots if you don't already, it seems to be the best one for braid. and watch your fingers on the cast if you don't have one of those thumb guards get one ,if you are fishing with spinning gear the braid will slice your finger open on the first cast, if you are using conventional gear the first time you try and thumb the reel to slow it down on the cast you are gonna get a nice burn mark on your thumb. I may sound like I am downing braid ..... I am not, just warning you of all the things I have found out painfully. If you tie your knots right, keep an eye out for frays, when that big one hits you are going to find out why you switched... you can seriously out muscle the fish. one other thing, get a line spooler so you can pull the braid off easlily and rinse it other wise you are going to get corrosion on your reel spool as the braid down at the bottom tends to hold the salt.

[Erbby49]

Thanks for the advice and warnings on my transition to a conventional set-up
The Braid price was scary I spooled a Abu 7000 on a 10' pole
Took it all down to a local Soccer field and let it rip
Made a whole bunch of casts and no backlashes so far so good
Found out Fiskar makes a pair of scissors specifically for cutting braid

[igormothra]

On my garcias I usually only put about 300yrds on with a 30lb mono backing I am never gonna cast over 300 and hopefully I will get to a fish before he takes 300 off. so spooling only costs about 30 bucks. seriously watch your knots.....make sure you cinch them down tight before you snip the excess off otherwise the knot is coming loose, super glue is a must for your tackle box, put a little dab on each knot after you cinch it down. Like I said there are pluses and minuses to using braid, in the end it is worth it to me.

[chip]

I bought those ff down to outerbanks at frank n frans about 4 yrs ago and I always use braid never did cut through it even fishing all day.