Birds nest of braid

[mbadam]

Switched over to braid about a month ago. I did that process where you throw short at first and then gradually increase to get the loop out. Caught some short bass with bucktail-which has some weight to it. Switched over to the bomber last night since there wasn't much wind and after a while realized i had a huge mess of knots. I think its because I was throwing too hard with not much weight to the bomber...is this accurate? Any advice? Love the bomber and don't want to give it up.

 

Thanks

[daves745t]

Yeah that's right. When you throw light stuff with braid it goes on the spool very loosely. You either have to put some tension on it yourself, go to lighter equipment or lighter pound test on the braid.

 

No matter what it is always a good idea to check your reel pretty regularly to see if you've got the makings of a lovely windknot coming.

 

You can spray your braid with a light coat of silicone before you start fishing, that reduces the number of windknots and can also give you a fighting chance of undoing them.

[mbadam]

Thanks Dave. Also just saw a similar thread (braid to mono) from a few days back that offered some good tips.

[Bobes]

What I do with light weight lures such as bombers, mag darters, some bucktails etc. is...As soon as the lure hits the water, retrieve the slack under tension. Usually I'll grab the line just below the first guide and give about 5 or 6 turns of the reel to get the line nice and tight. Once you get the bomber to dive and work properly, the tension from the lure itself should be enough to keep the line secure. Make sure you are always maintaining contact with the lure. Also, its a good idea every once in awhile to cast out and bring the lure back in under tension and at a quick pace. You may not be working the lure the way it was intended...but sacrificing one cast is alot better than 10 minutes and 20 casts trying to get a birds nest out. And you never know....while getting the line back on the reel and working a bomber at a feverish pace I got a hit. Turns out they wanted a faster retrieve that night...go figure.

[Gully]

i never throw light with braid! i dont like it. 2 oz or better only!! jmho! guess im just old skool...

[Irish Mist Johnny]

I usually go to my lighter combo and still work with 40 pound Power Pro and after each cast, manually close the bail and give it a nice tug, usually the slack is resting on the water with enough tension. After about 15-20 casts I will pull out a 2 ounce metal and bomb it..then switch back to my Crystal Minnow or Bomber...

 

I have found that if the rod does not load a lighter plug well the tendency to see wind knots is more likely, combined with not putting a little line on the spool after the first couple cranks...aka..user error.

[TinCup]

some people say fireline isn't braid, but whatever it is, it's by far the most forgiving line i've ever fished

 

i fish it so negligently (if that's a word) it's obsene and not one windknot, not one headache yet, light plugs, not snapping the bail shut while in flight - it doesn't matter

 

i tried suffix last year and had some major headaches, but that might have been the reel, either way fireline (for me) has been a god send

 

i give it the ol'

[BigBadBass]

What I do with light weight lures such as bombers, mag darters, some bucktails etc. is...As soon as the lure hits the water, retrieve the slack under tension. Usually I'll grab the line just below the first guide and give about 5 or 6 turns of the reel to get the line nice and tight.

Couldnt have said it better.

[TimmyB]

I usually go to my lighter combo and still work with 40 pound Power Pro and after each cast, manually close the bail and give it a nice tug, usually the slack is resting on the water with enough tension. After about 15-20 casts I will pull out a 2 ounce metal and bomb it..then switch back to my Crystal Minnow or Bomber...

 

I have found that if the rod does not load a lighter plug well the tendency to see wind knots is more likely, combined with not putting a little line on the spool after the first couple cranks...aka..user error.

 

 

I'll second this, but I will add you have to make sure you put the braid on under enough tension. You shouldn't be able to move the packed line with your fingers.

 

If it isn't on their tight enough the line will dig into the spool and pop out in a great wind knot.

[daves745t]

What I do with light weight lures such as bombers, mag darters, some bucktails etc. is...As soon as the lure hits the water, retrieve the slack under tension. Usually I'll grab the line just below the first guide and give about 5 or 6 turns of the reel to get the line nice and tight. Once you get the bomber to dive and work properly, the tension from the lure itself should be enough to keep the line secure. Make sure you are always maintaining contact with the lure. Also, its a good idea every once in awhile to cast out and bring the lure back in under tension and at a quick pace. You may not be working the lure the way it was intended...but sacrificing one cast is alot better than 10 minutes and 20 casts trying to get a birds nest out. And you never know....while getting the line back on the reel and working a bomber at a feverish pace I got a hit. Turns out they wanted a faster retrieve that night...go figure.

 

 

That's great advice. I also make it a point to manually close my bail right before or as soon as the plug hits the water.

 

One other thing with braid is to make sure not to put too much on the spool to begin with. Spooling braid right up to the lip is a sure fire way to donate many yards to the fishing gods.

[fishinambition]

When you start your retrieve, drop your index finger down and let the line slap against it. Bill Wetzel showed me that.

 

Also, reeling in the slack very quickly seems to help as well as closing the bail manually.

 

I've been using 30 lbs power pro for several years and never ever have problems with "windknots".

[TheSpaniard]

Here's the best tip for fishing with braid and it really helps if your tossing lighter plugs. After the cast when you line has slack in it you stick your pointer finger of the hand holding the rod out so that the line hits your finger as you reel in. Do this til all the slack is gone and then continue on as usual. It sounds dumb but it works great!

 

John

[TheSpaniard]

Just saw Fishinambition said the same thing I too saw this from Bill Wetzel at a seminar he did in Spring Lake a couple years back. I never got up to M but that one trick was worth gold if your fishing braid.

 

John

[Blueback]

The only time I have trouble with braid is when I used to spool it myself. Take your reel to a good tackle shop and have them spool it for you. I also have found that it knots up right after new line has been spooled, especially if there is too much line. The last time I had it spooled, the guy put less line on than the times before and I have had not one birdsnest. And I throw everthing from 1 ounce to 2 1/2. Also I use 30 lb Powerpro.

 

I also always manually close the bail.

 

Another possible problem is your reel. I had a real cheap reel. It twisted the line like crazy. Dumped it in the garbage and bought a Stadic.

 

Good Luck

[fly fish]

Also make sure you didn't overspool your reel. I had too much braid on my reel and had a bunch of birdsnests until I took about 50 yards off. all better now.