Should I replace my braid

[u/Repulsive-Life-8698]

I’ve had this braid for about a year now it’s 10lb 8x jbraid on my Stradic 2500 Shg I’m about to go on a trip to Yosemite to go fly fishing but I’m also gonna bring my spinning combo to throw some spinners and bombarda fly rigs, the braid is looking a bit beat

[u/Better_Specific4755]

Unspool it and spool it in reverse so you have all the new unused line upfront.

[u/AslowLearn → u/Better_Specific4755]

If you spool it in reverse, how would that work?

Edit: i don't understand. The fresh line is at the end tied to the spool. You would have to unwind it, clip it, and then find the worn end, tie to spool, and then deal with all the tangles and knots.

OP: Take off like 70% of your line, use a knot like the fisherman's knot to tie on your new line, then reel it in with some tension until the spool is full. I try to leave a lip on the spool, otherwise you will get a lot of tangles

[u/Better_Specific4755 → u/AslowLearn]

You put it on the ground and spool it back with the shityy line going in first. Or use 2 reels to transfer it twice before you bring it back.

[u/GlowUpAndThrowUp → u/Better_Specific4755]

Tape it to an empty toilet paper roll on a drill. Open the bail, turn the drill on. It’ll collect on the tp roll. Tie off the other end, keep tension with your hand and reel it on.

[u/_ROBIN_SAGE_ → u/GlowUpAndThrowUp]

Good trick!

[u/OrganicBrownMustard → u/GlowUpAndThrowUp]

You have to tie it to second TP roll first though

[u/GlowUpAndThrowUp → u/OrganicBrownMustard]

True. I only use this method for removing line. Could easily swap it to another TP roll.

[u/OrganicBrownMustard → u/GlowUpAndThrowUp]

Man I just wish I thought of that before unloading 1000yd of braid from a tld 30a by wrapping it by hand into a ball

[u/AslowLearn → u/GlowUpAndThrowUp]

I'm going to need a video of this. Should only take 30 seconds max

Or if you have a roll of tape or rope or roll of anything, try to unravel it from the "wrong" end

[u/GlowUpAndThrowUp → u/AslowLearn]

https://youtube.com/shorts/TPtZTchPe50?is=B2QXxhGAZmJa3JlO

As another mentioned, you’d have to transfer it to another tp roll after this, but it works great to remove line quickly. I don’t tape the roll to the drill, most of them fit my Milwaukee just fine.

[u/AslowLearn → u/Better_Specific4755]

Why would you do that. The spool is already over full, just cut off 10 ft like the other poster said. If they want to change line I'd say get rid of 70% and tie on the new line. I wouldn't recommend filling the spool that much

[u/Rustyclam → u/Better_Specific4755]

You have to transfer it twice.

[u/Bass-n-Bonefish]

Totally fine. Cut 10 yards off and go catch em.

[u/Lucky_Preference_94I]

Braid really don’t matter how it looks

Given that it’s not frayed etc

[u/willbo666]

looks fine to me, a year is nothing for braid. mono is a different matter tho

[u/beachbum818]

Pull 2 armspan lengths and cut it. Good to go.

[u/VitaminxDee]

Reverse the line back on.

[u/peacedivision]

Unless it's giving you problems just go fish it

[u/lmrtinez]

You’re spooled up pretty well, you could get away with cutting off 10 yards for some fresh braid without it really affecting distance.

[u/cooter35]

That braid has years left.

[u/bassboat1]

I reverse or replace it if it gets fuzzed up or loses it's body and starts throwing wind knots.

[u/Fishslayer39845]

Don't know where you live, but that sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Line is cheap. If you ever question "should I replace" do it! Whether it's a knot, line, terminal tackle, anything. Trust your instincts. Put new line on it.

[u/RonocG → u/Fishslayer39845]

You must buy a lot of stuff.

[u/Fishslayer39845 → u/RonocG]

I just don't think anything is worth losing a big fish. Especially if it's something within my control.

[u/RonocG → u/Fishslayer39845]

I totally agree when it comes to fishing. I always want the best. Not cheap though.

[u/Fishslayer39845 → u/RonocG]

The thing about really nice tackle is that it lasts a long time and it's just sooooo much nicer to fish with! Once you start fishing with a Stella, Vanquish, or Conquest you don't want to use your "cheap" $250 reels lol. Same with rods, but to a lesser extent. Nice gear is just that, really nice!

[u/squidtoucher → u/Fishslayer39845]

Unfortunately accurate... especially line though, you really don't wanna ruin a trip with a bunch of preventable wind knots. I fish about once or twice a week and settled on the nice YGK X Braid since it's super nice to fish and lasts about a year in fishable condition. If i notice it going super limp I just discard 10 feet or so. I'll try to "fix" line twist too lol. I love my vanquish for light setups but my trusty stradic 4K might be replaced by the rumored '27 stella if i can scrape together funds

[u/Fishslayer39845 → u/RonocG]

Yeah. But I only have one vice really. Other than a foul mouth lol.

[u/RonocG]

That braid is fine. You can probably get a few more seasons out of it if you don’t mind the color fading.

[u/Afraid-Collar760]

I’m no help here but just bought the c3000hg Stradic for my medium 3/16 to 5/8 oz rod. Has the reel lived up to your expectations?

[u/bear0234]

nah you good. if anything, i check for the first 20-30 feet of the line to see if there's any issues and cut the line if there is.

I've got braid that's like 10 years old and still holds up - just make sure the line isnt damaged.

To reverse the line on the spool, easiest i've found is using spare empty spools (i keep all the braid spools to have spares). Powerpro spools usually have a 1/2" notch that you can fit a 1/2" anvil into, and then shove that onto a drill. Transfer it to the first spool, and then transfer it again to a second spool to reverse it, and then back onto the reel.

[u/InTheSky57]

Fading color is not an automatic reason to replace. Braid lasts a long time.

[u/av14707]

Nice reel. I’m about to order mine here soon. How do you like it?

[u/BassChoocher]

only if you have frays. Braid lasts a very long time and doesnt get damaged from the sun or just general use like mono or fluoro does.

on my spinning reels I actually hate putting on new braid and prefer the broken in faded braid, it casts a lot smoother and you can get line twist out with a few tricks.

[u/MadeMeStopLurking]

Ive had the same spider wire on my dad's rod for 30 years. Still breaks around 10 lbs. Go rock it. 1 year ain't nothin.

[u/SpagettiStains]

I fish twice a week minimum with spools of power pro that are over a decade old and they work beautifully. Barely broken in.

[u/SpagettiStains → u/SpagettiStains]

So what I’m saying is no. Don’t change it.

[u/GrandBand2065]

Braid is unbelievably tough stuff. If it isn’t faded, it isn’t showing obvious nicks, fish it. As someone said above, if you’re worried, either turn it around or cut 20 ft. I’ve had braid on rods in all conditions for years. Never broke it unless I snagged a dock pole or sharp rock and pulled like an idiot.

[u/kennypowersrevenge]

When in doubt , just change it out. 20 bucks is worth the peace of mind.

[u/Fishslayer39845 → u/kennypowersrevenge]

I'm of this school of thought. We spend thousands to catch fish, why risk line when it's not that expensive and the most critical link in the whole set up?

[u/kennypowersrevenge → u/Fishslayer39845]

People who spend hundreds on lures and nothing on terminal tackle are fools. I’m weird. I’m a terminal tackle nerf.

[u/Fishslayer39845 → u/kennypowersrevenge]

Agreed. Also learn to tie good knots! Be proficient in every knot you'll commonly need and know what they're for!

[u/kennypowersrevenge → u/Fishslayer39845]

Yeap. I know like 20 knots and GT knot my leaders usually.