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Brandon Khoo

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Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 08:33:29 AM
I have always had a practice of washing my braid after a trip to get the saltwater off it. I did not know whether braid deteriorated after continuing exposure to saltwater but I always thought it was a good idea to strip the braid off and soak it in fresh water as well as to properly wash the spools. Washing a spool with the braid on will never get all the salt off the inside of the spool.

Anyway, I wrote to Western Filament, the producer of TF XP recently to inquire about this. Typical of American companies on the internet, terrific communication and response. In a nutshell, Western Filament advised the following:

TUF Line braided line is virtually impervious to salt water due to its' hydrophobic properties.  We do not recommend or discourage the act of washing or rinsing the line after use in salt water.  We have not found that salt water causes any degradation of the line.  However the washing may be more necessary to remove the salt residue from the reel itself. 

Thank you Western Filament.

I've found this to be a good practice. On some of my spools, there is a tiny bit of corrosion notwithstanding my caution so I do think this is a good practice. I've also found that washing the braid and adding line conditioner to it when respooling does improve its casting performance.

In anticipation of the question of how I actually do this, there is actually a kit I use for this. It is a bit of a pain to get as it requires a purchase from Japan and then another from the USA but it sure makes life easy.
Last Edit: September 24, 2008, 08:08:27 PM by Brandon Khoo
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Greg Burt

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 05:24:01 PM
Brandon, when do you find time to wash your line? :-\ do you sleep? ;D
Greg 'FFF' Burt

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 06:05:35 PM
occasionally!
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Andrew Poulos

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 06:38:48 PM
Im guessing that works better than stripping line off under running water in the sink or into a bucket....Ive tried that and its a pain.

Luke Wyrsta

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 06:39:48 PM
good idea to strip the braid off and soak it in salwater as well as to properly wash the spools.

Slightly unconventional approach Brandon! Are the GT's you fishing for living in freshwater too???????  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Aaron Concord

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 07:22:56 PM
Thats harsh Luke!!!!!!

Poor Brandon...ya give great advice & a slight slip on the wording and Lukes all over you like a rash!

Go the Varivas PE conditioner!!! The only one I've found in a pump spray.
It leaves a Flourine (Teflon) coating on the line for slickness to improve casting & prevent salt/dirt build up...so Varivas says...

Aaron.

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 24, 2008, 08:09:42 PM
tha was a good pick-up! I've fixed it now

The Varivas line conditioner feels like Armour-all.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Luke Wyrsta

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 25, 2008, 08:34:59 AM
tha was a good pick-up! I've fixed it now

The Varivas line conditioner feels like Armour-all.

It's great stuff isn't it!

Aaron, maybe you should 'slick' up your fly lines with it - you may start casting more than 30ft now!!!! ;D

Aaron Concord

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 25, 2008, 09:07:55 AM
The PE conditioner certainly is.
Actually, after talking to Varivas & Sunline they say that all PE braids should have it used on it to replace the flourine that is added to the line at the factory. The 'slickness' alone is worth it, for casting distance & dirt prevention. It aids in preventing heat during knot tying too!

Luke, I've been casting 35 feet for aaaages without it...
Seems like I need Teflon to make some of the sledging slide off me!!

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 25, 2008, 12:21:58 PM
we should set up another forum for "sledgers inc"
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Aaron Concord

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 25, 2008, 02:35:50 PM
Brandon,
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Luke,
I reckon I could double haul your arse on my 7wt!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Aaron.

Andy Rowe

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 26, 2008, 11:59:05 AM
Hi Brandon,

I've also noted the corrosion pits on some of my spools when changing out braid.

What do you think about the merits of spraying some anti corrosion spray onto the spool prior to laying line. I guess it would only be a short term solution.

Cheers
Andy

Last Edit: September 26, 2008, 12:04:00 PM by Andy Rowe
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Brandon Khoo

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 27, 2008, 11:31:24 AM
I think it is worth doing, Andy but is still not substituet for removing and washing the line and cleaning the spool underneath.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Chris Young

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Re: Washing braid after exposure to saltwater
September 28, 2008, 06:26:41 AM
Whenever I get a new reel or spool I give them a really good spray of INOX and let them sit for a couple of days before spooling up. Then I just wash them in the shower after every outing and lightly spray with INOX again. Then let them dry out propperly before puting away. Varivas line conditioner is good sh@#. Use it & love what it does. I recall someone telling me recently that some competition fly casters use a CRC 303 (or something similar) to treat their lines for extra slickness and shootability, apparently it does not damage the coating on the fly lines so I guess it would also be good on braid AND help stop corrosion. Could be that my liberal use of Inox is good for the braid too!