Ive used braided mainlines for all of my fishing for 15 or so years now.All except light floatfishing.

Recently toyed with the idea of trying braid for trotting on my centrepin.If memorey serves me right some others on here were going to try it to.Well finally bit the bullet and got myself some Spiderwire in 10lb BS (same diameter as most 2lb monos).Two questions -

Did/has anyone tried it?

And secondly as I intend to try it for the first time on the Itchen fish in I am a bit concerned about "experimenting" on a trip like this.To play safe I was considering loading up both 30m of braid and 30m of my normal trotting mono on the same reel.I seem to remember reading that people would often load up two different breaking strains of mono on the same pin by loading one on one side of the spool and one on the other.Anyone any experience of this?

[ 29. January 2005, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: BUDGIE ]

Oddly enough Budgie I've just got back from a few hours on the thames, playing wih a centrepin and a new spool of 10lb Power Pro. Apart from the river running a little harder than was comfortable, the braid behaved very well and picking line up off the surface was fine. I'd like to have tried it on a longer run in a slightly slower current just to see if it makes any difference to the way it behaves since my only concern is that immersion for a longer period might make it harder to pick up line quickly on the strike. Never tried loading two different lines on the one reel, but I will take another 'pin on the Itchen wth 3lb mono 'just in case'

I have used braid for trotting but have gone back to mono it's just a preference thing! I didn't like the feel of the braid going through the rodrings.
As for putting two lines on of different strengths I would avoid that sod's law is a strong enough factor in fishing without tempting fate!
I have a spare spool for my favourite pin. With the others I carry a spare reel

Mines loaded ready for Timsbury.

Taking back up reels in case it crap.

I use 4lb fireline on my pins - have done for a few years - would NOT go back to mono - definitely MY preference.


C.

Just a minor point Chris. Having played with Fireline for a few years it usually breaks way above its stated bs. Your 4lb braid is probably closer to 8-10lb actual bs. Which possibly accounts for its slightly larger diameter when comparing braids of similar stated breaking strains.

Not a lot of people know that

Alan what problems did you encounter/for see with dual loading?

Everyone's talking about pins. I don't have one as yet. Is there any problem with using braid for trotting with a fixed-spool?

Depends on the F/S John. The ABU 507 is pretty good for trotting. Its just how smoothly the line comes off the reel, and a pin has an edge in that respect.

Budgie
You could take a spare empty reel with you and if you dont like the braid quickly whip it of onto the spare reel. Shouldnt take a few minutes to swap from braid to mono and maybe back again if necissary