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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: mitchell huner on July 26, 2011, 10:16:21 AM

Title: Whats the best braid?
Post by: mitchell huner on July 26, 2011, 10:16:21 AM
Just wondering what is everyone's  favourite braid for popping?
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Stu Hardy on July 26, 2011, 12:10:33 PM
Varivas Avani GT SMP. Fantastic stuff although not cheap.
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 26, 2011, 01:08:15 PM
I go for the Avani GT. I don't like SMP myself
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Ladd Yoshimura on July 26, 2011, 04:55:12 PM
If you're more on a budget, Jerry Brown spectra is a great alternative.
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 26, 2011, 05:02:26 PM
Agreed - I regard it as the best value braid on the market

If you're more on a budget, Jerry Brown spectra is a great alternative.
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Peter Morris on July 26, 2011, 11:34:23 PM
Agreed - I regard it as the best value braid on the market

If you're more on a budget, Jerry Brown spectra is a great alternative.

X 3

Pete
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Sam Loh on July 27, 2011, 03:50:34 AM
Kindly allow me ask one question since we are on the topic of Jerry Brown.

To aid faster change over instead tying FG knot on rocking boat, I am thinking of switching to loop-to-loop connection between a Bimini on Avani GT PE8 and a spliced Jerry Brown hollow 200lb. I measured the length nicely so that the loop-to-loop connection is just outside the spool, that way I trigger on the splicing  part of 200lb within 200lb of Jerry Brown hollow so I minimise/delay fraying issue after casting whole day. Lastly I inserted 1ft of 170lb mono into the 200lb JB hollow and applied glue after half hitched a few rounds with dental floss leaving this part of connection just outside the guide.

Although knotless presumably cast smoother, I worry the mono part will be too short and braid shy away GT from taking stickbait (I think popper has no issue). Is anyone here has any experience on this or ever tried before that can comment of any (possible) downside of such connection? I would very much appreciate any advice or feedback before I spend hours pre-tying a bunch on them before my trip.

Sam       
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 27, 2011, 08:17:25 AM
Sam, it is a good question but the hard part of responding to it is there are no absolutes. If the fish are feeding aggressively, I don't think it matters at all but if they happen to be shy, then I personally would think the one foot of mono isn't long enough and that you should think of perhaps a three foot length.

That said, there are anglers in this sport who use kevlar direct to the lure and it seems to work for them.

Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Scott Maybury on July 27, 2011, 08:37:14 AM
This post reminds me I need to respool a few spools....I really like Varivas Avani GT, it feels sexy on my casting finger  ;) however, at roughly half the price I have used Jerry Brown solid several times now and will probably get a few spools of that in the next week or so
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Peter Morris on July 27, 2011, 09:42:53 AM
Sam, it is a good question but the hard part of responding to it is there are no absolutes. If the fish are feeding aggressively, I don't think it matters at all but if they happen to be shy, then I personally would think the one foot of mono isn't long enough and that you should think of perhaps a three foot length.

That said, there are anglers in this sport who use kevlar direct to the lure and it seems to work for them.

Brandon,

A little off topic but how long do you make your leaders for stickbait use.......

Pete
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 27, 2011, 11:32:02 AM
My leaders are about three meters long!
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Jay Burgess on July 27, 2011, 12:44:07 PM
I really like Varivas Avani GT, it feels sexy on my casting finger  ;)

Indeed it does... hahaha  ;D
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Byron Ford on July 27, 2011, 11:45:05 PM
i was going to use dawia 80lbs boat braid, which i bought from the states in bulk an use on my heavy jigging set up, of am i best off buying the other braid you guys are talking about for my first trip or will this stuff be fine?
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Sam Loh on July 28, 2011, 01:59:19 AM
Sam, it is a good question but the hard part of responding to it is there are no absolutes. If the fish are feeding aggressively, I don't think it matters at all but if they happen to be shy, then I personally would think the one foot of mono isn't long enough and that you should think of perhaps a three foot length.

That said, there are anglers in this sport who use kevlar direct to the lure and it seems to work for them.

Hi Brandon, thank you for your valuable feedback. 2 of my mate looped kevlar direct to the lure but it was obvious that the hit rate on their stickbait was much low as compare to popper.


Ok I will insert 1 ft of mono inside the JB Hollow and have 5 ft of mono from the last guide to my stickbait. Let's see what the outcome, cheers

Sam
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Patrick Naslund on July 28, 2011, 04:25:30 AM
Sam.

I would suggest that you insert at least 3 feet of mono into jb hollow ans use jb130 instead of jb200.
 Then put about 13 kg tension on the wind on while you do the serving.

If you only use 1 feet mono insertion and no tension while serving, the mono has a big chanse of slipping 

( replying from my htc so some spelling might be off)

 Patrick
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Scott Maybury on July 28, 2011, 08:32:51 AM
i was going to use dawia 80lbs boat braid, which i bought from the states in bulk an use on my heavy jigging set up, of am i best off buying the other braid you guys are talking about for my first trip or will this stuff be fine?

Depends where you are fishing and how big the fish you expect to encounter are....a mate of mine used that when we went to Fiji and it was fine, but the average size of fish was not huge and the terrain is pretty friendly so you don't generally need to lock up and go all that hard. In terms of quality though if you already have that line (and haven't tried anything superior so you get that itchy feeling of damn, I wish I had X instead  :D) then I would give it a go if you think 80lb will be sufficient

Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Ben Furness on July 28, 2011, 09:45:37 AM
Has anyone got pictures or a link on how this insertion method of tying a leader to hollow braid works?
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Sam Loh on July 28, 2011, 11:31:49 AM
Sam.

I would suggest that you insert at least 3 feet of mono into jb hollow ans use jb130 instead of jb200.
 Then put about 13 kg tension on the wind on while you do the serving.

If you only use 1 feet mono insertion and no tension while serving, the mono has a big chanse of slipping 

( replying from my htc so some spelling might be off)

 Patrick

Geee.. Patrick thanks for this piece of good advice. I realize your logic, now I must find a tool to serve it under 13kg

Salute
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Patrick Naslund on July 28, 2011, 03:40:46 PM
Sam.

I myself just use a doorhandle for the loop and a  13 kg weight attached to the end of the wind on.
( mono)
After I have  done the serve, I then do atleast 50 dead lifts with the same 13 kg weight to test the wind on/ serve.

Patrick.
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: jonathan_tan on July 28, 2011, 06:09:32 PM
I use Varivas and YGK. Both have served me well.
As for knots, i just stick to fisherman knot, since i know that best.
Has not slipped on me so far, even when used with 200lb mono leader.
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Peter Morris on July 28, 2011, 07:30:18 PM
I really like Varivas Avani GT, it feels sexy on my casting finger  ;)

Indeed it does... hahaha  ;D

Get Gara Pro Shop to see if they can order some custom varivas undies for you blokes will you...!!!
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Sam Loh on July 29, 2011, 01:52:54 AM
Sam.

I myself just use a doorhandle for the loop and a  13 kg weight attached to the end of the wind on.
( mono)
After I have  done the serve, I then do atleast 50 dead lifts with the same 13 kg weight to test the wind on/ serve.

Patrick.

Patrick,

Alright will get my door repair man to standby just in case. :P

Quick question, have you ever splice PE8 Variva GT and JB hollow together? I wonder how difficult it is and how long on both side?

Sam

Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Sam Loh on July 29, 2011, 02:09:18 AM
Has anyone got pictures or a link on how this insertion method of tying a leader to hollow braid works?

Hi Ben, i know it is kind of tough to explain in wording, I will try to get you a video clip or some picture illustration. May be Patrick can help to advice. Meanwhile can start from the link see where it leads you to. As for the loops if you are going for loop-to-loop connection, I recommend to make it as small as possible with loop diameter close to an inch even on the bimini so that you won't loose your rod guide.

http://www.bhptackle.com/pages.php?pageid=6 (http://www.bhptackle.com/pages.php?pageid=6)

Also search in www.360tuna.com (http://www.360tuna.com)

Sam
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Patrick Naslund on July 29, 2011, 03:57:05 AM
Sam.

I have newer spliced variva pe8 and jb hollow.
If I however would do it  I would splice 3*1 feet into jb100 leaving about 1 foot tag end  for  uni serves on both sides.

Im away and have no axcess to my bookmarks or images  but will be back next week and can post/ link then if ok.

( browsing the web on a smartphone is no joy :/ )
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Sam Loh on July 29, 2011, 03:31:16 PM
Sam.

I have newer spliced variva pe8 and jb hollow.
If I however would do it  I would splice 3*1 feet into jb100 leaving about 1 foot tag end  for  uni serves on both sides.

Im away and have no axcess to my bookmarks or images  but will be back next week and can post/ link then if ok.

( browsing the web on a smartphone is no joy :/ )

Thanks Patrick
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: mitchell huner on July 30, 2011, 05:15:15 PM
what leader would you put with it, also would you do a twisted leader?
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Yaniv Adler on July 31, 2011, 08:10:29 AM
Agreed - I regard it as the best value braid on the market

If you're more on a budget, Jerry Brown spectra is a great alternative.

x2 :)
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Byron Ford on July 31, 2011, 12:49:28 PM
whats a good lbs leadrer to use with 80lbs braid???
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 31, 2011, 02:23:45 PM
Byron, I think in the first instance, you should be working off what leader you need
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Byron Ford on July 31, 2011, 04:09:17 PM
Byron, I think in the first instance, you should be working off what leader you need

well in that instance what do u recomend? as im a total novis in popping, where in jigging on my 80lbs set up i use 100lbs jigging master leader,  what ever u thinks best???
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 31, 2011, 04:17:48 PM
Well, if you are fishing for GTs, I'd suggest you think about 130lb to 170lb. If in tough terrain, you might find 80lb a bit too light
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Byron Ford on July 31, 2011, 05:37:57 PM
Well, if you are fishing for GTs, I'd suggest you think about 130lb to 170lb. If in tough terrain, you might find 80lb a bit too light

thanks, i will take your advice as it will be tuff terrain, what you recon, 100lb or heavry???
Title: Re: Whats the best braid?
Post by: Doug Terry on August 06, 2011, 01:01:26 AM
am I the only one to use powerpro although I haven't used for GT's but have used the 50 lb for saltwater fishing in the UK for a number of years and never had a problem with it.

Thinking of getting their new PowerPro Super 8 Slick 24kg with 80 lb mono for a trip to Aitutaki.