The Ultimate Guide to BRAIDED FISHING LINE - From Beginner to Expert! 

I love you're video isn't half filled with sponsor shout outs and it's straight to information

Ran across your video by chance while researching braided line, and after watching it for a few minutes, I had to subscribe to your channel. I'm 58, been fishing seriously since I was about 12. Always used mono until I switched to braid about 6 months ago. I switched mainly so that I may be able to cast relatively light lures further while surf fishing for striped bass off the central CA coast. I had tried Spider Wire way back when it was first introduced, but decided that it wasn't for me. Didn't like the rough feeling it exhibited sliding through the rod guides, and no advantage in casting distances. Also, being very proficient with all the knots I use with monofilament line, I didn't want to learn new ones. But after watching lots of videos, and seeing a few other fellow fishermen using it, I gave braid another chance. The first thing I noticed is that the new 8x braids are night and day from the old 4x I tried way back when. Second thing was the sensitivity this line provides. Can feel everything that's going on at the end of that fluoro leader. Only had to learn the FG knot; all other knots I've been using for decades still apply. Thank you for your tip regarding removing the wax coating before tying knots; hadn't thought of that. And thank you for this great video, as well as all the other ones on your channel.

Excellent comprehensive presentation and zero BS - thx!

The breakdowns of Caleb are fantastic Keep going Bud you zero in much appreciated

Wow man! I never knew what “backer line” meant before. You explained it so well. Back in the old days in Wisconsin, mono was all there really was. Then years of trolling for pelagic species in Hawaii, it’s 150 pound mono mainline, 180 pound leader. Big stuff. Now here in Washington back in lakes and streams, I’ve learned about braid and I love it. Learned about the invisibility of fluorocarbon as well. My favorite joining knot is the FG because it’s the slimmest and easily slips through the guides on a cast. Super pain in the ass to tie, but I’ve learned the “No-tension” method and can do it with my eyes closed now. No problem, got heavily into fishing smaller fish again and braid is great to cast. Zero memory and I’ve never been spooled enough to worry about a backer line. (Unfortunately yet) But thanks again for the great freshwater tips and I’ll keep on trying.

your making awesome vids man really appreciate them! best fish cleaning vids online!

This channel provides excellent information on many aspects of fishing. Caleb offers a comprehensive approach to all the topics in his videos. He is a very knowledgeable fisherman with vast experience and a fine demeanor for tutorials. These videos are also entertaining with outstanding camera work and editing. Please keep up the great work.

Excellent comprehensive presentation ! Thank you!

Another great video. I just put braid on three rods this weekend and I wish I had watched this first. Great idea about the backer line.

No guessing! Spool the braid on first, then add the mono, then transfer back onto a spare spool, this is the correct way without any guess work. Tight lines from the UK.

Wonderful knot tutorials.Thank you.

Thank you for this video. I’m new to braid line and this helped. I only recently realized that braid on spinning reels work amazingly with them.

You are the best teacher. I am a Canadian and fish in the Kawartha Lakes

Very informative! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

This is an absolute excellent video ! Very good job bud

Great information for us beginners - thank you!

Thank you a brilliant presentation

Thanks. Very informative. Just bought a spool oof braided to try. 👍

2nd or 3rd time watching this video, helpful information and clear commentary. Thank you

I like using the mono backing before my braid, that’s how my friends taught me back in the day. Thanks

This was really helpful - thanks and great job!

Great tips, thanks for putting this together

Excellent video! Thank you!

Amazing video review. Good explanation.

I agree, Power Pro V2 is definitely the best for the smoothness and less digging. I use SLP baitcasters mainly for Bass. I typically use the 40Lb but have used 50 also. I've never had a major problem from the line since I began using V2. For larger fish, such as the big Cat's, I use the Old ABU Ambassadeur 5000, 5500's and Daiwa Millionaire Reels in 3H and 4H. I typically spool 65 or 80 Lb braid on those. The smoothness is not as critical on these, so I use the 4 strand Power Pro on these reels. BTW, I don't use open-face reels at all. Never have cared for them. For Crappie and other pan fish I still use my old Spinners. ABU-Matic 170's, Johnson Century's and Zebco 33's. 12-15 lb mono for those. Thanks for the great video!

I learn a lot from you, sir. Thank you.

A true 101 video! I'm in the market for heavy / extra heavy, fast / moderate fast rod to target some big pike and catfish (no muskies in Europe) and I want to spool the reel up with braid to have better control over glide baits and swimbaits than with mono. Been using mono my whole life mainly because I like to fish around really heavy cover (downed trees and rock piles that can saw through braid easily) and because braid can be tricky to come by in Europe and then it can be quite expensive for quality stuff. Luckily lakes where I'll be fishing pike tournaments and target catfish don't have that thick of cover so I'll be able to use braid and this video is a true, complete guide that will probably give me a massive edge over other guys. Thank you! Earned yourself a subscriber.

Great advice(from Manchester UK)

Excellent vid, really like your diy spooler.

Great info. Thanks so much for sharing.

First time watching this channel, I like this dude! How much I like it? I'm an Arab living in the middle of the desert in Saudi Arabia, and I watched the entire video and subscribed! Thank you sir, excellent work 👌

Nicely done, thank you!

Best braid video I've seen on youtube. Thank you to our host. We should all be grateful guys. A lot went in to making this video. Question: how do we know if the braid we use is a 4 or 8 carrier? Does it say on the package?

Very goo product and fast delivery 🚚👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Nice video thank you. One tip or negative thing about braid is that it can wind knot more easily being so thin and light. To remedy this is to always be contious about keeping the line under load with the lure when casting.

I appreciate the information here. I have the power pro on 2 of my walleye rigs and after 2 years the line is looking rough. I went to j braid and the quality is a little better. I'm going to give power pro another try with the V2. Thank you!

I love to use spinning reel, great video

thank you so much for the lesson Sir

Great video. I'm going to build one of your spool brakes to keep line tensioned. good thinking.

Thanks for all the valuable information. I wish I would have watched your video before I pulled off all my mono to go to braided line. Oh well. Live and learn.

I have used Maxcuatro for years,love it. I am usually up to my touch hole in weeds.

Excellent advice

Great video!

Hi again Caleb, I used your video to tie my fluoro leaders to my braid with the FG knot. It worked great! I landed a number of bass including 17 and 18 inchers this morning! The knot slid through my guides silently and easily. Certainly they passed through the guides easier than a double-uni, which is what I had been using. Thanks again, Dave

Very informative video... u deserve more views

Sheeh..thanks man..i learn a lot today

Awesome BRACKDOWN 👍 on braided lines 🎣😃. You can also use electrical tape on the spool first, seat knots in on . Especially if you want to fill all of the spool with braided line. Another great knot too join Braided lines to mono or fluorocarbon, is a triple surgan knot.

Great video thanks for posting. Talking about Power Pro and most others with higher breaking strengths than whats on the box, this is simply because they under rate the diameter of the line, on a recent Power Pro test it was 165% thicker than what it said on the box, thicker braid higher breaking strength. I usually take the breaking strength on the box as the knot breaking test, so 10lb Power Pro may break at the knot at around 10lb where the line itself may hold up to 15lb.

I've been using braid since spider wire first started and the line was white. But, for years, I have been buying power pro. It is smoother and casts better than some of the other braids. I still use other braids to see how they work in comparison to power pro. But, be careful when you snag and pull. You can bend the spool shaft ! You can break the other parts as well. Safest way is a straight on pull with you hand holding the spool tightly.

For those who are newer to fishing appreciate his detailed knowledge. He knows what he's talking about. You can't make this stuff up.

Thank You!

excellent video! answered my questions on braid. one ask: what knot would you use for tying braid to a swivel? would a palomar knot be sufficient?

Cool your video just poped up great job

This was by far the best video for the purpose that I ever saw , I got to say thank you and I learn a lot ! Therefore, the least I could do like subscribe and follow from now ,thanks again, bro

Great video! Wish I would have watched this days ago when I bought the wrong braid. lol

Stumbled across this and found it full of great info and techniques, you’ve got a new subscriber for sure!

Awesome 😎👍

Thanks for share the experience🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩

Fantastic American who realizes that not one man can ever catch everybody fish in any lake in usa! Great info fisherman! Thankyou! A++❤😂🎉

thx so much man

I have the same Daiwa spinner reel. She’s a beauty.

I have never had an issue with my braid spinning on my spool. Even when catching very large fish in the ocean and I never use a mono backer. Maybe its the type of knot being used. For anyone saying I havent caught a large enough fish. I was fishing this afternoon and caught a sea turtle (not intentionally, i wasnt turtle fishing FFS, would have been much happier with a Tuna). Anyway it was massive and had to weigh over 100lbs. Sadly I had to cut the line after trying to get it back to the beach and fighting with it for about 30mins. But no slips. I suggest for those with slipping issues, use a 3 loop cinch knot and loop the line over at least twice over the spool. Then pull that sucker down tight. Then on top of that make sure when you pull line onto your spool, keep some tension on the line while doing so. If your still having issues, some reel companies designed rubber friction pads onto their reels spools. Like the Pflueger model 6940 for example I own. If thats still an issue, they do make rubber rings to put onto your spools directly before adding line. Hope this helps.

Thank you for making this video. I am going to retire next year and I plan to do alot of fishing.😅

Wow thanks , I’m a total green horn ! Lot of stuff I was wondering about lol , appreciate your expertise! Do have video on your spooling rig ? Thanks I’m subscribed 👍🏻✌🏻🇺🇸👊🏻

Power Pro has never failed me. A buddy of mine who is retired also uses it. He’s fishing 4-5 days a week for 6-8 hours at times and has his line all frayed up. It still hasn’t broken on him and has held its color well.

Can you explain your spool holder and tensioner set up in more detail? How is the bolt anchored to the wood backing. Pretty novel idea and would like to build one.

Outstanding video! This answered so many questions I've been trying to figure out for quite a while now. Thanks! I do ha e 2 questions, though....1) If the F2 knot is superior, then why dont you use it for connecting the mono to the braid when spooling the reel also? 2) If you tie a monofilament leader to your braided line, doesn't that negate the reasons for using braided line in the first place? Other than having less stretch of course.

Thanks, I'm new to all of this and your Video's really help me out. By the way how much LEADER do you recommend?

Great video. If you are hooked and you see the barb, it the barb off using strong wire cutters. Shield your eyes when doing this or just look away. The hook pulls out very easy. Wash wound with soap and water or alcohol (not beer).

Thanks Caleb, excellent lessons! When you describe using two overhand knots to tie the backer to the spool, is that the same as a square knot? I've been using a uni-to-uni to attach my leader to the braid, but there is definitely a tick as it passes through the guides. After your video I'm going to try the fg knot, which looks great. I like your tips...I'm also going to flip the braid on one of my reels per your suggestion. I don't fish with slip bobbers often. My one rod has the original power pro on it; this line seems perfect for using the bobber stop knot, as it doesn't accidentally slide up or down the braid. Does a bobber stop work equally well on 8-stranded smooth braid, like Suffix 832? Thanks again...really good video. Dave

Great video! How long of a leader is needed so the fish won’t notice high-vis braid?

Removing the hook like that. It is explained in the Boy Scout handbook, and I have shown a few scouts how to do the steps, but thankfully never needed to use!

Great video. Only difference I really do is that I use the uni knot for literally the entire rig lol. Uni backer to the reel, double uni backer to braid, double uni braid to leader. I just dont see the advantage of the FG for the extra trouble.

Thanks for the video, Caleb. I have a question: Why don't you use the FG knot to tie the backer to the braid instead of the Double-Uni?

Question about Braid and Abrasion. What would be your recommendation on Surf Fishing from the beach and having to deal with a Sandbar? I have to cast out and over a Sandbar and the line would be rubbing on the Sandbar. The Sandbar is comprised of sand and small shells. Wave action will make the braid rub back and forth. Would you use braid in this scenario or would you go with a tough Mono? Thanks for a very informative video. I enjoyed watching and learning some things that I did not know.

Experimenting with the difference between white nanofil and black braid currently. So far the 12 pound nanofil has been a trooper handling salmon and stealhead like 20 pound test over a very successful season and a couple hundred fish. Decided to run black fireline supercarrier on my other identical rod and it snapped on a fish yesterday that was had no businesses popping off like that. Fireline and spiderwire are kinda tied for my second place of braids with power pro being #1. Local ranch and home didnt have any power pro in the poundage i needed

Yes most definitely that's awesome, so if it's 30lb braid it should break at 30 ? If it's 100 lb it break at 100 ? I got some 100lb J- braid . It breaks from 64lb to 82lbs It shock me? I was setting up a musky rod set up with a 100 pound. Thank you so much for your time. And great fishing to you. From Utah

Great job very informative thanks why does braid get knots in it after you fish with it a while on a open face or spinning reel even if I flip bale and let lure spin to untwist the line any answers or tricks to help with this thanks

i put a few rubber bands around my spool. im sure ill have to change them eventually. i used like 6

Hey, great video and advice. Could you show me or send me a good 4 carrier braid?

Super cool

I went on the endless search to find the "best braid" and let me tell ya I tried my best lol. Ygk upgrade x8 is really good for finesse techniques....it's the smoothest strongest for its diameter and casts super far but it doesn't last as long as other braids and frays up a bit I use it on my spinning and bfs setups. Vicious fishing no-fade braid is it for me when it comes to conventional baitcasting gear. There is a break in period because at first its stiff and has some memory but after broken in its super slick super smooth cast far...and it last forever. By the way did I mention it does not fade and holds its color maybe forever idk

Great video, but why didn’t you talk about the leader line? Size and length of the leader? Once again great video I learned a lot. Just another quick question. My wife likes a closed face reel can you use braid on it? Thanks much

Great video, very informative.There's an easier way to tie the FG knot without using your mouth. Wrap.the main line around your pinky that way you have both hands to tie the knot.

Thanks for the video! If my rod is rated "30lb", 100g lure. What braid rating and Fluoro carbon should I conside please. Thanks for your reply.

What knot do you suggest with heavier leaders to your hook or lure. I have some trouble with the heavier stuff cinching down right. Thank you in advance

I've a question. You at about 8:30 mark comment on using say 30-40# braid to be able to hoist a fish from Lilly pads weeds etc. How does that work if you using 6-10# Flo carbon leaders ? Most of the true lift I think would be on the leader ?

In the last year or so I have switched to using 8-lb high-vis neon green/yellow mono almost exclusively. 1200 yards for 8 bucks, and has held up to some pretty big fish. Used to use braid more, but I prefer the way mono ties and trust in its abrasion resistance. Also, don't have to switch line come October/November when temps drop below freezing (which is some of the best walleye fishing for me from shore). One question on the braids you use - how do you find the high-vis color to hold up? I've used a little high-vis braid but find the color wears off easily, not sure if it's from the sun's UV light or just abrasion running through rod guides. Have you had this problem? It seems like the braided lines have an added dye, whereas with mono the color is well integrated into the single filament. I picked up the high-vis line tip from a veteran shore angler and swear by it now. I am adamant that it be brightly colored. Like you talked about in the walleye video, you need the right cast to put your jig in front of a fish. The high visibility is critical to knowing where my jig is and when I need to pick it up to avoid snagging bottom.

White Bass are running rn where I’m at. I’m running 15lb braid to 6lb flouro. It will hold up to the odd hybrid that’s with them but where it’s more likely I’ll do either 8lb or 10lb whatever I have on me that day.

Does the backer idea work for Baitcaster? I feel like just a layer or 2 would give grip but I also feel like you don’t need to fill it out

Hey Brother Im so new to this I dont think Floro was a thing last time I bought a new fishin pole. Im waiting on my SV TW103 to come in the mail so in the meantime I went shoppin for tackle. I picked up some of the Power Pro spectre in 40# (interwebs said 30 is very lightest suggested so I went 1 step up) and some T7 floro in 12# for the Jacks that like to hang out with the Wallters. Another new word I learned is Backer. With this SV TW103 spool having 100yrd max 14# mono, how much mono backer do you recomend? Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Which power pro gives your furthest casting distance foe spinning outfit?

Im following along doing the FG knot. You mention 21 loops for over 15lb test. Are you refering to the floro or the braid?

For me best breid line is berkley fused fireline smoke color i been using this line for years and years never let me down i live in turkey i do slow jigging tai rubber for red snaper dantex in deeper water i use 20ib braid and daiwa 25ib to 30ib tournement leader line this combo is perfeck for me...

I run 40 lb braid on all my baitcasters and spinning reels for bass fishing

Another question. We do a lot of channel cat fishing here in central Iowa. We catch anything from 1 - 15 lb. fish. What are your thoughts on braided line for that? I normaly use 30 lb. mono.

Braid main lines, always best for freshwater fishing unless you’re fishing for large alligator gar, or lake sturgeon. Answered that question.

Nice to get info from someone who isnt sponsored for a change.

Caleb, I have a challenge for you. Take your Seaguar and Power Pro in 15 lb. test. They state their diameters at .22-24 mm. for their 8 carrier line Compare them to OHERO braid at the same diameter. In OHERO that is their 30 lb rating. That is probably why the strength tests were in the mid 20s. for the Seguar and Power Pro.

Best nuts and bolts video on braided fishing line. Applying what I learned has increased the cost of the fish I catch from $300.00 per lb to $400.00. I challenge anyone to give me a scenario where I need 150 yards of fishing line.