Thread: Mono or Braid?

Just wondering if monofilament or braided line is best for Spanish? I have caught a bunch of blues, Spanish, and lady fish on 12# mono but I have also went through $50 worth of mirror lures in a couple of days, even with using like a 2' black 30# wire leader and they still kept cutting my line.. I was mainly wondering because I lined up my main spanish rod with 10# braided line (4# diameter) and wanted to know if I was waisting my time? I really hope theyll be schooling tomorrow! I atleast hope I can catch a few sharks just past the second sand bar so I don't have to paddle to far lol

Hmmm, one problem with spanish mackerel is they often run in small 'packs' (schools).
Their method of eating seems to be, when one fish strikes prey too large to rat in one bite the cousins zip in and finsh the job. QUICKLY!
They will slash and grab anything that moves including swivels and snaps or even the line cutting through the water.
Sometimes minimizing your terminal tackle is better in preventing a cutoff than a breakoff,
and at times I even have to go without a swivel; just a trace (8&quot of light wire.

Maybe it's different from a yak though...

Anyway back to braid on the pier, you are going to have a devil of a time with tangles if the wind is blowing plus handling your fish up is out of the question! ???

i would still sick with the mono and just try a different leader.when fishing for spanish i use heavy mono(30 to 50 pound) as leader and never hav a problem.you do hav to change after catching several which really isnt a bad idea when using any leader.mono is so much cheaper and easier to work with.

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I never use braid, but to each his own. I don’t think braid is immune to Spanish teeth and more than a net is.
I have lost a lot of line and a few fish to braid.

BRING ON THE BRAID BRIGADE
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(Please be aware that the views expressed in this thread are the views of those posting to this thread and are not necessarily the views of the forum.)

Bahahaha good one fin need a razor blade on the tip :headbang:

Listen to Pier#r he is the man when it comes to spanish. Shoot when fishing over in Navarre in super clear water, sometimes you have to go down to no swivels and nothing more than 10# line. Sometimes a longer leader is also helps. I use 15# sevenstrand and rarely get cut off, you do get more bites with mono but you also lose a lot more leaders and lures.

You are using too heavy a wire for the 12# line. Also, i would not put more than 12"-18"... that way the swivel stays closer to the fish's body, instead of trailing at its tail where it's morely likely to get bitten while other fish are watching your spanish struggle. 2' is just too much for the spanish.

Using wire for lighter mono lines, i recommend 20# 7 strand (or less), or buying 90# 7 strand, and separating the 7 strands into independent strands. Each strand should offer about 12# strength each and would be ideal for your mono or your braid setup. Not to mention you'd get more bang for your buck... 7 leaders per foot.

The braid is ok as a main line, but i highly recommend using a fluoro or mono top shot. Braid to swivel, and you'll lose even more mirro lures due to lack of shock at the knot upon strike.

The only use for braid I ever found was throwing deep running crankbaits for bass and bottom fishing for triggers, beeliners & porgies.

The spanish are most likely smacking your swivel, which is why you are getting cut off. I use a 1-2', 40 or 50# mono leader for spanish and rarely get cut off. Make a loop in the end of the leader and tie you main line directly to the loop with a uni-knot. Then tie on you lure. No swivels to catch thier eyes.

I haven't even gotten to hook a Spanish yet! Lol I haven't gotten close enough to a school yet. But as far as the line shock thing with braid, I always use super glue on my braid knots. But thanks for all the great information! All I have to do now is find the fish! :headbang: