Quote Originally Posted by austin ensor View Post
i didnt know if you could use a bimini with brais or not>??????


thanks--austin
Yes, you can make a bimini in your braid. But don't put as many twists in the braid as you usually do with mono. 10-11 turns is plenty in braided line, the extra wraps seems to just make the knot bulkier not stronger. Also make sure and use an apposing finish knot to stop the power pro from allowing the bimini to slide closed. If you decide to use a traditional wind-on leader purchase the pre fabricated products that feature heavy hollow core loops. Just remember the more pressure you place on the power pro the tighter your connection will become while fighting a fish. Depending on the size braid you are working with it may benefit you to use a knot style connection. If fishing 40lb braid and 60lb leader for sails just connect with a uni to uni knot. I don't use straight braid to leader for offshore big game. I can tell you we have caught many 150lb+ tarpon on 65lb braid uni to uni knot to 100lb leader and put 30lbs of drag pressure and the knots held. If your leader will exceed more than double your braid strength then you will need to double your power pro over using a spider or bimini knot. Wear gloves if you decide to marlin fish with braid as that stuff will slice you up while leveling the spool. Keep a light drag when the fish is green, there is no stretch even with 600yds of line off the spool. I highly recommend a mono top shot, it will save you from many pulled hooks when the fish are jumping close to the boat. After fighting a big fish and compacting the line on the spool let the line out behind the boat and crank it back on to release some pressure before putting that reel back in service. Braid will also hold a ton of moisture when you store the equipment so at the end of the season pull it off and leave the spool bare until next season.