Line advice

[92xj]

Have finally got my boat set up for fishing.  Using downriggers will be a first for me.  In the South I fished a ton of inshore marshes and creeks for reds and flounder and have always used braided line.  Now, I am not sure if braided is the best thing out here.  Will it work well with the clips on the downriggers?  If its not the 'best' tool for the job, what is?  I will be fishing the Columbia and snake. 

[Dhoey07]

I use braid for plunking on the snake for springers.  For trolling i've always used mono but not sure if i'd be opposed to braid.  I've just always had mono on my downrigger reels.  I'm sure somone else will have some more insight for ya 

[FC]

The only problem I have had with braid and trolling was that the line I was using had a bit of a flat edge to it and it would spin (twist) really bad. I typically use 30lb mono now.

[h20hunter]

I agree ( again ) with FC. I use braid on all my bottom fishing gear as well as my "river rod". The river rod is a long spinning outfit for throwing dick nites and jigs. On my riggers I run 20 lb mono with 30-50 lb leaders depending on whether I'm running short leaders (hoochies and flies) or longer leaders (spoons). I like the mono for stretch. I think you get a more solid and steady hook set when the fish hit off the riggers.

[sirmissalot]

I've never had an issie using braid on my downrigger rods, or for any rod for that matter. The last couple years I've bumped up to 50lb spectra because the 30lb is such small diameter I have troubles keeping it in the clip when fishing deep, since going to 50lb its a lot better. One thing you should consider is the difference between braid and spectra, there is a big difference and its not just price. I don't run mono on anything anymore, other than for topshots on tuna gear and some bottomfish setups.

[cohoho]

Same - only braided for all reels and top shot or leader of mono where needed.   

[CP]

For DR fishing – 50Lb braid main line with 100’ mono leader, 30#.  The mono leader works better in the clips and adds a little stretch that is a bit more forgiving in the keeping barbless hooks in.

[KopperBuck]

It wasn't stated so I'll state the obvious, just make sure you're using a mono leader.

[Ripper]

I tried switching to braid on my DR rods, but I had a hard time keeping it in the clips, and I lost a lot more fish. With no stretch I suppose I should have added a section of mono, but I just switched back all together. I usually run 25 or 30 lb main line and 40 lb leaders. I use braid for almost everything else.

[Button Nubbs]

Take the braid double it over and twist it up a few times then put it in the clip where the twists are. It holds better.