How to choose a braided cord for spinning. What diameter of braided cord to choose

Over the past 20 years, a type of fishing line that we call “braided cord” has become firmly established in the arsenal of modern anglers. It is also “braided line”, it is also “braided”, it is also “thread”. Now on the shelves of stores varieties of this fishing cord is a huge number. And the vast majority are foreign manufacturers, mainly from Japan and America. All of them differ not only in price and manufacturer, but also in the length of unwinding, color, strength characteristics. And, as a rule, designed each for certain conditions or type of fishing. To say unequivocally what is better braided cords for fishing can not be said. It depends on many factors. Therefore, to successfully choose for yourself the optimal variant of braided cords for jig, feeder, twitching, ultralight and other subspecies of spinning fishing, you need to know some nuances.

Table of Contents

What is braiding

First of all, let’s understand what is a “braided cord” as such. In fact – this is a multi-fiber line from the interweaving of several threads among themselves. Each of the threads in turn consists of dozens of individual polyethylene fibers. The raw material for the manufacture of such cords is a special polymer. It is produced in only a few factories in the world and is better known under the Dutch trademark “DYNEEMA” (DYNEEMA), and in America – “SPECTRA” (SPECTRA). All so-called “braided fishing lines” are made of the same fibers, the differences are in the way of their connection (weaving) and the applied protective impregnations.

Characteristics

The first and most important difference between braids and mono fishing lines is a much higher breaking load. For many people this parameter is the key criterion for choosing a fishing line. However, there are several “pitfalls” that allow the manufacturer to pass off the wishful thinking. Since due to the specifics of production, even the most high-quality braided line from a well-known brand does not have a perfect circle in its cross-section, the diameter indicated on the box can be inaccurate. And the breaking load, measured during manufacture, is indicated on the basis of special tests conducted in “greenhouse” conditions of factory laboratories. In practice, they differ from the real ones. The cheaper the cord, the higher the difference. At the same time, the knot used to attach the bait is of great importance and, depending on the type of braiding, can differ. And the optimal knot for a particular instance, the manufacturer often indicates on the box.

Simply put, if the braid indicates a diameter of 0.13 and breaking load of 10 kg, then one of the parameters is clearly overestimated, and most likely both at once. Unfortunately, this “disease” affects absolutely any manufacturer. And this does not mean that the product is “left”. Simply on the market of braids historically have already formed such “rules of the game”. The most accurate to the real indicators of diameter and breaking load have cords of Japanese production.

Another advantage of braided cords is minimal stretchability. This very important property best of all reveals itself in jig fishing. After all, due to the lack of elasticity cord very clearly transmits the contact of the bait with the bottom or obstacles and allows you to catch even the weakest bite of fish. Modern braided cords have stretchability values ranging from 2% to 5%, which is conditionally zero.

The next important parameter is the wear resistance of the cord. The way it reacts to contact with various abrasives; snags, shells, sand. Here it is very important when choosing not to make a mistake with the purpose of a particular model and understand for yourself, where and how the fishing will be done. If fishing will be in snags or in a place where there are sharp bumps covered with barnacles, it is best to use 4-core cords with the maximum bias for strength. In case you need to maximize the distance of throwing or fishing will be held in non-contact conditions. For example, in the water column or on the surface. The best for such purposes are 8-strand cords. They have a more round and dense cross-section, due to which the friction in the rings during casting is significantly reduced. In addition, the stretch factor of 8-strand cords is minimal, and breaking loads are very good. Their only disadvantage is a very weak resistance to abrasion, because their structure uses a greater number of fibers. But each of them is much thinner than in 4-core cords.

Choosing a braided cord for feeder, it should be remembered that the tackle will be in direct contact with the bottom. Therefore, the cord that does not like the friction of shells, stones, it is better to use only as the main cord. And to protect the expensive equipment to use a leash or shock leader made of monofil or fluorocarbon.

In addition to weaving technology, there is a method of thermal sintering of threads into a single piece with additional processing. Such cords are often found in American manufacturers and have good flight characteristics due to their very even and smooth surface. In addition, they have minimal noise when passing through the rings. But such cords more quickly than others begin to loosen during operation, especially in conditions of frequent contact with shells, sand or snags.

Braided cord color

The bulk of all braided cords are divided by coloring into two types – these are dark, masking shades and bright, fluorescent for greater visibility. Initially, you may think that purely logically the second option of coloring should be less useful. After all, if it is well seen by a person, then it will be more noticeable to the fish, which will reduce the number of nibbles. In practice, the influence of the coloring of the cord on the nibble of fish statistically no one has not revealed. But to reassure yourself, you can color the last couple of meters of cord in dark tones with an ordinary waterproof marker. By doing this, we keep the main advantage – the ability to track the wiring as comfortably as possible. Especially when jig fishing in low light conditions. And at the same time we exclude the possibility of negative influence of bright color on the bite. The color spectrum is lemon-yellow, bright green, blue or white.

Multicolor

Also on sale there are multicolor cords. They can be painted in a different number of contrasting colors with different markings and different spacing. With the help of such a cord, it is easy to determine the throwing range. But the roots of origin of such braids come from sea fishing. Abroad, variegated cords are often used during fishing in plumb from the boat. So at great depths you can easily determine where exactly is the bait. In addition, multicolored cord is very well suited for trolling, because it is important to know at what distance the bait is lowered.

Paint quality

Speaking about the problem of fading, first of all it should be noted that polyethylene fiber is very poorly amenable to coloring. Therefore, after a certain number of fishing trips, you will inevitably have to face the fact that a richly colored cord will become paler, and the working area can take its native gray shade. Many brightly colored cords begin to leave their mark while winding on the rings of spinning or fishing line roller on the reel. In this regard, the unsightly, white cords remain out of competition. Due to the lack of coloring components, they do not lose their strength, and visually suitable for all types of spinning fishing.

Winter period

The use of braided cords in subzero temperatures imposes a number of limitations and inconveniences, the main of which is freezing. Monoleeska certainly freezes much less than braided, but not to such an extent to tip the scales in its favor. The most suitable for winter are 4-core cords with the densest weave, and the lower the diameter, the better. The fewer fibers in the cord and the lower the diameter, the fewer loopholes for residual water. It is important that the cord be as smooth as possible and as little frizz as possible. Such braids minimally “drink” water, the residues of which lead to frosting of the cord itself and skipping rings on the spinning. The degree of frosting can be significantly reduced by processing a special “antifreeze” impregnation, but it will not last long and will fly away after a certain number of throws. In any case, it is necessary to understand that the use of braided cords in the winter time plunges them into increased loads, which can lead the cord to “not condition”, especially in the working area.

Conclusion

As a conclusion to the article, let’s briefly list the main points.

What is braided?

Braided are fishing lines that consist of several fibers twisted together. To improve quality, manufacturers use different methods of weaving (sintering) and protective impregnations.

Characteristics of braided cords:

1. High breaking load;

2. Minimal stretchability;

3. Color.

Low durability of color coating. Polyethylene fiber does not lend itself well to dyeing. Colored cord gradually pales.
Bright shades help to control the wiring. Multicolor is convenient for measuring depth. The influence of color on the catch is not studied.

4. wear resistance.

Cords, depending on the number of fibers, may have different resistance to wear.

4-core fishing lines are more resistant to abrasion.
8-stranded do not “like” mechanical influences, but are suitable for long distance throws due to the round cross-section.

Braids can be used in bottom jigs, but only as the main line.

5. Resistance to temperatures.

Apply cords more rationally in the warm season.
In winter, the multi-fiber structure freezes more, but there are special impregnations. The most optimal option among braids for frosty weather is a four-wire thin cord with a maximally dense weave.