Braid in comps

Lads what's the general consensus about using braid in comps? Fished my first comp last month and had braid on both my scratching rod and my distance rod both fitted with fixed spools. While trying to scratch out a few fish the chap next to me caught my line and reeled it in. Lovely lad and an excellent angler who was very helpful but when he saw the braid he start shaking his head. "Oh no, I'm in trouble" I thought haha! Out of sheer worry I would be hung by the club on the spot by said braid I changed over to an old Abu 6500 rocket I had in the bag (thank god) with some 15lb mono on it and it totally killed my comp. I use multis when pleasure fishing but had no intention of using one in the match as I haven't got 100% confidence in them yet. I still birdie sometimes and casts do occasionally veer left and right. Second cast I got snagged and pulled for a break. Lost shock leader and all! About 3 hours in the multi start packing in and the spool wouldn't catch the handle mechanism after casting which needless to say cost me valuable fishing time. The only reason I ask about the braid is because I asked the chap next to me is it frowned upon and he said yes but I just read in another recent post where a well known match angler said he uses braid and I have been doing some research and cant find anyone else saying its bad practise. I know braid is highly sensitive and can put fish off when taking bait but I don't have a match rod yet so I like to use it to spot bites. I'm not giving out in the slightest. I really enjoyed the comp and cant wait for the next one if I can get down. Just want to clear up the braid issue. If its not allowed Ill re-spool to mono. If its ok, I'm sticking with braid for the moment until I get a nice match rod. Maybe every club have different rules? The last thing I want to do is pissoff the lads next to me who have been doing this for years.

Cheers,

Jay

Lads what's the general consensus about using braid in comps? Fished my first comp last month and had braid on both my scratching rod and my distance rod both fitted with fixed spools. While trying to scratch out a few fish the chap next to me caught my line and reeled it in. Lovely lad and an excellent angler who was very helpful but when he saw the braid he start shaking his head. "Oh no, I'm in trouble" I thought haha! Out of sheer worry I would be hung by the club on the spot by said braid I changed over to an old Abu 6500 rocket I had in the bag (thank god) with some 15lb mono on it and it totally killed my comp. I use multis when pleasure fishing but had no intention of using one in the match as I haven't got 100% confidence in them yet. I still birdie sometimes and casts do occasionally veer left and right. Second cast I got snagged and pulled for a break. Lost shock leader and all! About 3 hours in the multi start packing in and the spool wouldn't catch the handle mechanism after casting which needless to say cost me valuable fishing time. The only reason I ask about the braid is because I asked the chap next to me is it frowned upon and he said yes but I just read in another recent post where a well known match angler said he uses braid and I have been doing some research and cant find anyone else saying its bad practise. I know braid is highly sensitive and can put fish off when taking bait but I don't have a match rod yet so I like to use it to spot bites. I'm not giving out in the slightest. I really enjoyed the comp and cant wait for the next one if I can get down. Just want to clear up the braid issue. If its not allowed Ill re-spool to mono. If its ok, I'm sticking with braid for the moment until I get a nice match rod. Maybe every club have different rules? The last thing I want to do is pissoff the lads next to me who have been doing this for years.

Cheers,

Jay

Howya Jay,

Don't worry about it.
There's no rules against using braid, I used braid on the last comp myself.
He was probably worried that your line would cut through his mono is all. Now to see who was pegged beside you in the last comp

Al

Yea Jay theres no rule against it, The problem is braid can just slice through mono especially when your line is tight I have had it happen to me a couple of times in comps and it wrecks my head, But fishing in close for flats, slugs etc it would be fine just be carefull where your line ends up.

Nice one lads. Al I never said left or right

The line cutting thing was actually mentioned. A valid point! I've a pretty straight cast with fixed spools so if someone crosses me its snip time Haha only joking... I need to get a good match rod and a new mono filled fixed spool for the comps. I've a Shimano Aerlex at the moment that doesn't come with a spare spool so I wasn't very keen on taking the braid off.

Hiya Jay,

I'd say it would be handy to have a few spare spools for both match and pleasure fishing.

One with 10/12lb mono with a 30lb shockleader for scratching.

And maybe a few with your standard 15lb mono or braid and shockleader.

Not sure what would fit your current reel, but you'll likely find them handy enough on ebay.

Found this seller who seems to have a range of sizes available at a decent cost.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Bioma ... 19ce5aa132

funny if you went wrecking you would be condidered mad for using mono! as for using braid in comps its up to you ,if someone keeps getting stuck in your braid they should stop fishing your swim and keep their bait infront of their peg!some people consider it ok to let their rig go along the beach hunting flats infront of other anglers ,i have actually snapped other lads line in comps who where doing this by standing on them by accident of course if someone is two or three pegs up the beach and you keep getting tangled it is just mick taking !

I wouldn't worry about getting a new match rod or using braid to see bites, you'll have less hassle with mono and the rod you have will do fine.
Most of the fishing will be either in close for flats, rockling, ect, or at distance for dogs, whiteing, dabs, ect.
Either way you dont want to be seeing every little nibble
You'll probably be just timing your casts, if you reel in 3 fish every 15 minutes then try a 12 minute cast the next time.
If something bigger like a bass or cod comes along you'll probably notice.

Braid all the way, tangles happen but its your right to use braid and tough tiddy if your cutting the fellas mono beside you as long as your out straight and not in his swim. I use braid for in close and mid range stuff on the fixed spool and mono on the multiplier for max distance. I find braid easy to use and once you pick a good one and dont overfill the spool you will have no problems with windknots etc.

Not sure what would fit your current reel, but you'll likely find them handy enough on ebay.

Found this seller who seems to have a range of sizes available at a decent cost.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Bioma ... 19ce5aa132

Thanks man. Ill note down the model numbers of the 2 reels and see what they can do. Might save me a few bob or if not ill just get a new reel.

i have actually snapped other lads line in comps who where doing this by standing on them by accident of course if someone is two or three pegs up the beach and you keep getting tangled it is just mick taking !

Thanks Rodger. Must remember to have the 60lb braid on if ever pegged next to you at a comp but I'm sure you'll have a scissors down your sock haha!

I wouldn't worry about getting a new match rod or using braid to see bites, you'll have less hassle with mono and the rod you have will do fine.
Most of the fishing will be either in close for flats, rockling, ect, or at distance for dogs, whiteing, dabs, ect.
Either way you dont want to be seeing every little nibble
You'll probably be just timing your casts, if you reel in 3 fish every 15 minutes then try a 12 minute cast the next time.
If something bigger like a Bass or cod comes along you'll probably notice.

Thanks Ruairi. Very good point. Ill bear that in mind next comp.

Braid all the way, tangles happen but its your right to use braid and tough tiddy if your cutting the fellas mono beside you as long as your out straight and not in his swim. I use braid for in close and mid range stuff on the fixed spool and mono on the multiplier for max distance. I find braid easy to use and once you pick a good one and dont overfill the spool you will have no problems with windknots etc.

Cheers Sod. Ive never had problems with braid ie windknots and tangles. I love it on my fixed spools but I do love mono on the multis. Just need to get a bit more practise in. Must try and get up to you boys on Slaughter Hill for a few lessons.

Nothing wrong with braid imo and i am going to give it a good try this year.

Regardless of what line you use getting tangled in anglers either side is a nuisance in a match, and in strong tidal conditions with anglers using different types of line the drifts can overlap and cause havoc.

Also braid,multipliers and birdsnests dont mix as the line digs in on itself and is damn near impossible to untangle.

So until the club or Ifsa bring in a rule there is nothing to stop braid being used but if i ever got chopped off by a tangle with braid then the wire spool is coming out

braid all the way man. you'll never miss a bite even from a small fish. and i tend to find that when the guys pegged either side of you realize you have braid on their casting improves no end

Hi Jay, as has been said no problem using Braid whatsoever in a comp so no worries there, hopefully you picked up alot of World Champion winning advice at the comp which is worth it's weight in Gold when given.

Any of the lads at the comp would of confirmed the braid query too so don't hesitate to ask regardless of your question they are all only too willing to help when on the beach.

Hope to see you at one soon.

Regards,

Keith.

braid is a must for boat fishing because you are holding the rod in your hand and also for drifting you can read the bottom and use very small diameter lines to over come water drag ,this also applies to spinning your in direct contact with the fish.
But as regards beach fishing the only thing braid is good for is a bit of excitment(magnifying small bites) great for pleasure fishing but when your looking for doubles and tribbles mono out fishes braid every time .Im also a fixed spool man and have 15 spare spools in my tackle box for three or four diffrent situations,out of the 15 i have one spool of braid and the only reason i have that is if i am fishing beside someone else using it i would have no choice only to use it to prevent them cutting me off.I do know what im talking about i have tested two rods with exact bait and rigs one with braid and one without ,in a situation where there was plenty of fish results were tribble every cast without fail on mono and singles, doubles and the odd tribble with the braid i hope this realy answers your question "braid is a waste of time for competition beach fishing"
A.Mul

the above post jayball is the best free advice you will ever get take note

Brilliant Alan thanks for that, everyone take note!

I'm off to buy 15 spare spools

braid is a must for boat fishing because you are holding the rod in your hand and also for drifting you can read the bottom and use very small diameter lines to over come water drag ,this also applies to spinning your in direct contact with the fish.
But as regards beach fishing the only thing braid is good for is a bit of excitment(magnifying small bites) great for pleasure fishing but when your looking for doubles and tribbles mono out fishes braid every time .Im also a fixed spool man and have 15 spare spools in my tackle box for three or four diffrent situations,out of the 15 i have one spool of braid and the only reason i have that is if i am fishing beside someone else using it i would have no choice only to use it to prevent them cutting me off.I do know what im talking about i have tested two rods with exact bait and rigs one with braid and one without ,in a situation where there was plenty of fish results were tribble every cast without fail on mono and singles, doubles and the odd tribble with the braid i hope this realy answers your question "braid is a waste of time for competition beach fishing"
A.Mul

Nuff Said

braid is a must for boat fishing because you are holding the rod in your hand and also for drifting you can read the bottom and use very small diameter lines to over come water drag ,this also applies to spinning your in direct contact with the fish.
But as regards beach fishing the only thing braid is good for is a bit of excitment(magnifying small bites) great for pleasure fishing but when your looking for doubles and tribbles mono out fishes braid every time .Im also a fixed spool man and have 15 spare spools in my tackle box for three or four diffrent situations,out of the 15 i have one spool of braid and the only reason i have that is if i am fishing beside someone else using it i would have no choice only to use it to prevent them cutting me off.I do know what im talking about i have tested two rods with exact bait and rigs one with braid and one without ,in a situation where there was plenty of fish results were tribble every cast without fail on mono and singles, doubles and the odd tribble with the braid i hope this realy answers your question "braid is a waste of time for competition beach fishing"
A.Mul

Nice one Mul.

Just one thing........ I was unsure of what a "tribble" was, and never having caught one, I googled it.

This is what I got http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribble

Interesting, where are you picking these up? and what are you catching them on?