Cable vs Braid for downrigger

[Hilltop123]

Anyone have any experience with some of the new braided downrigger line? Whats your thought on the stuff?

[Hunting7mm]

Once you go with braid you'll never look back!!!!!!!!!   

[Hilltop123]

Can you be more specific, please.

[CP]

Been using braid for years.  Much better than cable.

[Camp David]

 

[lokidog]

Been using braid for years.  Much better than cable.

How is it better?  Seems like my shortstop (cannon) feature wouldn't work with braid if it didn't conduct electricity?

[RB]

Switched a couple years ago first noticed that it cut the water better second it will not conduct a charge like wire will which is good and third it does not make noise like wire does. That has been what I have noticed so far only con I have found with braid is it is not very good with abrasion. 

[kenzmad]

I personally like the hum that cable provides. for me, that tells me my speed is right on. I have heard that you have to cut off and retie the braid at the ball as it has a tendancy to fray. I have no experience with this as I run cable. I will be checking my boat this year for stray current and see if braid is in my future.

[rasbo]

whatever woodman uses is fine for me he has cable I believe

[C-Money]

Cable works fine for me, probably wont change. I bet braid does get knotty.

[lokidog]

whatever woodman uses is fine for me he has cable I believe

If it aint broke, don't fix it!   

I went to the Cannon website and their stopping feature will not work using braid, guess I'll stay with cable.  I kind of like that humming noise as well.

[Rick]

I switched to 200# Power Pro a couple years back. I'll never use cable again.

I tried Scotty,Canon,and Mason brand cable,and it all sucked. Didn't matter how much you rinsed it,it still rusted.

Braid is easier to re-rig a terminal end on,has less blow back,doesn't transmit stray electricity,and won't slice the hell out of your fingers when it frays.
 

[lokidog]

Never have had my cable rust, a poked finger from a stray strand, though, yes.

[SeaRun1]

I resisted the braid move until I had to replace my last cable.  I switched over to braid about two years ago and really like it.

No question anymore about electric conductivity.

I have been told that you should replace every six years, not one.  Was always told every year for cable but I always went two.

Easy to work with as far as knots and retying.

The longevity was my number one reason in the end decision.

Honestly I have not noticed any marked difference in catch rates.
SR1

[sirmissalot]

Braid. Its way easier to work with, has less blowback and I've not lost a ball yet using braid, lost many due to frayed and kinked cable. I use the Scotty 175lb low drag stuff, I will never go back. Last year I got 2 new scotty's which came with cable, so I figured what the hell I will wear out the cable then replace with braid, I only made it halfway through the season before I switched. When I used cable I would have to replace it every year, if I didn't I would lose balls guaranteed, I learned that one from experience and not just once. The braid will last several years, just retie your knot at the ball every once and a while.