Observations Trolling Braid vs. Mono

[MrGiggles]

I have a Cabelas Gold Label 6'6" rod with a Abu Black Max 3 baitcaster spooled with 20lb Stealth braid.

I also have a cheapie Shakespeare combo as a backup spooled with 8lb Trilene XT.

I do not have line counters or any of that jazz. I will let out as much line as I can and troll cranks around 2 mph.

With the same lure, the Shakespeare seems to out-fish the Cabelas rod almost 3-1. I'm not sure why. Dive depth should be comparable since the two lines have a similar diameter.

I'm wondering if the braid may be affecting the action some? I may add a mono leader and try that out.

[J-Doc]

3 to 1 should tell you a few things. 

Eliminate variables. Color of bait? Size bait?  Different hooks? Both use same connection to bait (one used a barrel swivel one did not)? Etc. If truly same setup at the bait, eliminate rod action being different.  Is one lighter than the other in bait action? Minor difference but could impact action of bait and vibration bait gives off slightly.  Just enough to make a difference.  Probably not but worth considering. 

Mono floats, braid sinks some when wet so not apples to apples. 

 

My guess is braid is out performing mono because it's diving deeper and possibly has better action.  Mono stretches so the rod action is more subtle when it's 100ft + behind a boat vs braid doesn't matter.  Same at 5ft or 150ft (roughly speaking).  Switch to flourocarbon and that "should" improve further over braid and mono as well.

 

Remember stretching to tin cans together with a string tied between them and talking to each other as a kid?  Braid does the same thing.  I've heard jig rattles before when using 10lb braid.  All that boat noise, talking, etc can transfer some limited vibration back to your bait and in the water. 

[MrGiggles]

41 minutes ago, J-Doc said:

3 to 1 should tell you a few things. 

Eliminate variables. Color of bait? Size bait?  Different hooks? Both use same connection to bait (one used a barrel swivel one did not)? Etc. If truly same setup at the bait, eliminate rod action being different.  Is one lighter than the other in bait action? Minor difference but could impact action of bait and vibration bait gives off slightly.  Just enough to make a difference.  Probably not but worth considering. 

Mono floats, braid sinks some when wet so not apples to apples. 

 

My guess is braid is out performing mono because it's diving deeper and possibly has better action.  Mono stretches so the rod action is more subtle when it's 100ft + behind a boat vs braid doesn't matter.  Same at 5ft or 150ft (roughly speaking).  Switch to flourocarbon and that "should" improve further over braid and mono as well.

 

Remember stretching to tin cans together with a string tied between them and talking to each other as a kid?  Braid does the same thing.  I've heard jig rattles before when using 10lb braid.  All that boat noise, talking, etc can transfer some limited vibration back to your bait and in the water. 

Exact same bait, pearl white 5cm flicker shad. Both have factory hooks. 

The mono rod is producing more fish.

Both baits are connected with snap swivels. 

Both rods are medium/medium I think. The Shakespeare is shorter though.

Would adding a 20ft flouro leader to the braid rod be worth the effort?

[J-Doc]

Oh okay I read it backwards.  Mono is out producing braid.  That confirms my suspicion about vibration transfer of boat noise.  If using rod holders, the boat could transfer all sorts of noise through the braided line.  I once got in my pool to see how loud jig rattles are u see water, spin website blades, crankbaits, etc.  While I know I looked like a lunatic, I was amazed at how loud the sounds were underwater.  Magnified noise because water is denser than air. 

No, I would not waste time adding a leader.  Some do when using lead core line for trolling which is a definite yes and absolute necessity.  At least a 20-30ft leader on lead core but I have never used it.