Braid or mono for Kings?

[tiggere]

I run 300 yards of 50# braid over 200 yards of 30# mono (mono is there just to fill the spool) on a Daiwa Saltist 50w and don't think I have ever pulled the hook on a king...I have broke them off due to either my poor knot tying ability or having the wire break...fish in clear water don't seem to have a preference of hitting the baits on mono over the braid...actually they hit the braid more on our last trip this summer...I do run longer wire leaders than most...mine are usually 4 to 6 feet of #4 wire...

I also use a live bait rod...that might have a little to do with it...it has alot of flex in the tip so it might act as a shock buffer although the drag is run pretty light and the drag is super smooth...

Here's a picture from January of the setup with a false albacore caught light lining while we were jigging bait...

[hotrodmarlin]

The continued use of mono among the SKA tournament kingfish angling crowd is rooted in our style of fishing. Slow trolling large live baits seeking one large king fish requires the smallest possible terminal tackle, including hooks. For example deploying a #6 4xs treble hook to catch a 50+ pound fish is mostly a finesse game with reels set at less than 2 pounds of drag and spooled with 15-20 pound test line. Mono has the properties that allow the fish to surge, and these tiny hooks to stay imbedded. Nothing against braided line, I am sure you can easily catch kingfish with it, mono is just a better application for our tournament needs.

On a separate note, I always wondered if braid would be better for our bait jigging rods and reels with its small diameter, strength and sensitivity? Anyone using it for this application?

I agree with what fishdancer is saying.
think about it- a 40lb smoker easily burns off a couple hundred yards of line in a matter of seconds and all you got is 2 tiny little trebles that may or may not be hooked good. I would want some give especially for that 2nd or 3rd run.
If you are going to tournament fish- go with mono.
If you are using them for catching everything for fun- go with braid.
Just my opinion-

[Nauti Natured]

Thanks Guys..... Lots of good input here. Sounds like braid is going to be best for my application. I am still not sure what to do about a top shot or leader.

[tiggere]

I tie the braid straight to the swivel on my wire...no leader...you could always do a short windon leader but I don't want any knots of any type running through my eyelets...just another area for problems to occur...but then thats just my opinion...and not worth very much

[Nauti Natured]

I tie the braid straight to the swivel on my wire...no leader...you could always do a short windon leader but I don't want any knots of any type running through my eyelets...just another area for problems to occur...but then thats just my opinion...and not worth very much

I think thats a very good point. The less running throuogh the guides, the better!

[tiggere]

I will mention this...some braid is a heck of alot slicker than others...some knots just will not work with braid and will slip...depending on the brand you go with I would do some experimenting...

[Nauti Natured]

I will mention this...some braid is a heck of alot slicker than others...some knots just will not work with braid and will slip...depending on the brand you go with I would do some experimenting...

I just tried the palomar knot with PowerPro and that ***** aint goin nowhere! Ill have to try it with Suffix and see how it holds.

[Fishfinder]

If you happen to be close to the shop, stop by and I will show you 2 or 3 different knowt that will go thru your guides with no problem.

Capt. Joe

[Fishfinder]

May be by then I will have learned how to spell knots!

[Nauti Natured]

May be by then I will have learned how to spell knots!

Joe,

Thanks ... I will definitely stop by to see you as soon as I am back in A.B. I thought I was going to be there last week but got covered up in snafu's here at work.

See you in a few weeks!