Using 'cheap' braid - any thoughts?

[philocalist]

Just wondering whether anyone has any thoughts about using the cheaper non-name braids that are available very simply and cheaply via Ebay. No doubt there will be the expected caveat about losing 'the fish of a lifetime', but I'm wondering whether anyone on here has actually used this stuff and is totally happy with it?

In fairness, I'm likely to be using the stronger breaking strains, likely maybe 10KG's upwards, for lure work, or for pike fishing, rather than the very fine stuff for routine float or feeder work, though I'd not discount that possibility.

 

Typical of the sort of stuff I'm talking about is this, available in a wide range of colours:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350613803316?var=620065819578&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I suspect that someone knowing more than I do is going to point out that all braids are made in the same place, or something similar, in which case is the price difference simply down to things like quality control - or are we just paying a premium price for brand names out of ignorance?

 

I'm particularly interested curious about the 8-strand stuff that is starting to appear, as the brand-name products seem to be very highly thought-of - with prices to match!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-STRONG-8-STRANDS-SPECTRA-DYNEEMA-BRAID-FISHING-LINE-500M-50LB-BLK-/350904386883?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=JTGD391bMcmKF98Ue%252Fj59JS75j4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[JV44]

Philo I have that very one on my Pike rods but it is the sinking type [see on spool ] and no issues to date I bought some other cheap braid in yellow for the drop shot rod in 19lb break and that floats like a cork same diam as diawa sensor in 6lb and ubber easy to see no probs whatsoever on the pin to date with it .#

I did buy some cheap yellow 4lb test braid that was useless snapped like cottom with little or no pressure so buy higher break than you would normally and it is fine imo...yellow is very easy to see in bright and dark conditions ....just make sure it`s a floating braid Steve

[Dick Dastardly]

Been a long time braid user and tried several types.With ALL braids (but it seems especially the cheap ones) there is a huge variation in quality.This is basically the quality of the braiding and therefore its resulting profile and diameter.

 

If you can find a cheap braid that you like then great but these days I tend to stick to a couple of time proven favourites.These dont unfortunately fall into the "cheap" range but its really a bit daft as most base "cheap" on the initial purchase price.I base it on how long the braid lasts. Better braids last longer simple as that. You wont go far wrong with Power Pro, Spiderwire Original (hard to source these days) or even (believe it or not !) some of the Fox braids (both their Driftmaster and Trollmaster braids are excellent with Horizon not being to bad either) I have some regularly used braid that has still not been reversed after over 15 years of regular (Winter) use! Now I reckon if you take into acount that you would be changing mono each season the "cost per year" works out well in the favour of braid (good braid).

[Dick Dastardly]

Golden rule with braid isd to allways select it in a similar size diameter to the diameter of the lbs breaking strain mono you would have used for the same job ie if you use 15lb mono for piking this has a diameter of around 0.35mm so chose a braid with a sim,ilar diameter regardless of the breaking strain.Reason for this is that you then avoid all the common "problems" with handling and abbrasion resistance that people who choose by breaking strain do.

so buy higher break than you would normally and it is fine imo

[barry luxton]

First braid I used years ago, dyneema, lasted a few years rough and tumble, received 500m of the same from hong kong for peanuts and it's exactly the same, round and appears to be thinner. Well happy with it. Now where do the branded names get theirs from I have to ask?

[JV44]

Golden rule with braid isd to allways select it in a similar size diameter to the diameter of the lbs breaking strain mono you would have used for the same job ie if you use 15lb mono for piking this has a diameter of around 0.35mm so chose a braid with a sim,ilar diameter regardless of the breaking strain.Reason for this is that you then avoid all the common "problems" with handling and abbrasion resistance that people who choose by breaking strain do.

And has the added bonus of being I think 65lb on the Pike reels /may even be 80 but pulling to straighten hooks on bait rigs that are snagged is much easier and ergo safer for fish .

I did have some rubbish cheap stuff as I said but as much to do with low breaking strain tiny thickness as quality I suspect...plus a nightmare for wind knots in the low BS braid

[chavender]

i'm using 8 strand Power Pro (Pp super 8 slic) for trotting thesedays ,its casts smoother than fireline and quieter ,original Pp was five strand which grated as it went through stand off rings ,inparticular single leg rings this was due too its profile .by adding the extra strands into the twist the profile is more rounded and smoother.and it comes in a veriety of colours .not so readily available or as cheap as the standard Pp but worth seeking out

 

like budgie says don't just go for the thinnest available ,try too match diametre wise what mono you'd usually use .I also use braid (when for trotting at least) with a mono hooklink (hooks-2-nylon) of a 1lbs or so less b/s

 

there is another danger with thin braid ,the so called "cheese wire effect" ,so if your using really extra fine braid a little extra precaution is needed if you was too target say barbel who are prone too roll on the line during the playing of them ,in this senario a longish mono leader might be required

[Matthew Simmons]

Like Steve, I use that stuff off ebay on my static pike rods. Casts great. Its a touch less refined than the branded stuff, but as Barry says it probably all comes from the same factories in China. I've also got thinner 15llb on my dropshot rig - not probs at all. Not I've caught anything on it yet - but the rig performs great!

 

M

[JV44]

Like Steve, I use that stuff off ebay on my static pike rods. Casts great. Its a touch less refined than the branded stuff, but as Barry says it probably all comes from the same factories in China. I've also got thinner 15llb on my dropshot rig - not probs at all. Not I've caught anything on it yet - but the rig performs great!

 

M

I know a spot likely to rectify that fact Matthew and now boat traffic has died we should give it a go maybe next weekend

[Tigger]

Like Steve, I use that stuff off ebay on my static pike rods. Casts great. Its a touch less refined than the branded stuff, but as Barry says it probably all comes from the same factories in China. I've also got thinner 15llb on my dropshot rig - not probs at all. Not I've caught anything on it yet - but the rig performs great!

 

M

 

 

A lot of cheap things comes from the same factory ( clothes,shoes etc etc) as expensive ones but that doesn't mean it's all as good quality. They're made to different standards/qualities to order.

I'm not saying your cheaper braid isn't as good as the expensive brands but I wouldn't lump them all in the same class even if they do actually come from the same factory.....that means nothing.