Re: Braided Line
Fireline, spinning reel, and casting jigs, for 'eyes and smallies, worked pretty well for me. After some initial knot issues, as discussed above, I loved how far you could cast, sensitivity, able to set the hook on long casts, and the abrasion resistance. I found spooling issues were less than typical mono. <br /><br />That said, to some extent, I'm back to using XT for jigging. Some detractors I found: <br />- I was always forgetting to bring the sissors, especially if wading, and its near impossible to chew threw ;-)<br />- I tended to loose some smallies that put up a last minute run, with little line out. With no line streach the rod had to make up all the play. Setting the drag lighter or going to a more limber rod, helped this but lost some hook setting ability on long casts.<br />- Snagging. While you can pull-out some jigs due to the strength, I lost many that wouldn't pullout. The "bow n arrow" method does not work, like it does for mono. Also pulling those snags puts allot of stress on the reel. You need to be careful because it is rather easy to bend the shaft when spool is in the extended position. <br /><br />Not major detractors, but something to pay attention to.
I like to tie what I like to call a hangmans noose and it holds up to even the bigins.
