Braided line

[cdory22]

Hi,

I am looking to spool up an Daiwa lexa 300 lc with some braided line for salmon trolling. I was thinking 30-40 pound test but don't know what brand of braid to use. The 2 at the top of my list are power pro and j-braid but having never used braid before I am not sure what to buy.
I know much of this comes down to my personal opinion but I welcome any and all input.
Thanks,
Joe

[Nelly]

Welcome aboard C,
First off for saltwater downrigger trolling a Lexa 300 is good but a Lexa 400 is better!
More line capacity and larger drag washer surfaces make for faster line retrieve and smoother operation.
I typically run 65 pound J Braid with a 30 foot top shot of 30 pound test Maxima Ultra Green.
You’ll love the way the braid cuts through the water and the increased feel of the fight of the fish
!

[cdory22]

Thanks for the welcome and recommendation Nelly!
I'll be fishing from a kayak so I will probably need to downsize in gear but I finally have a reputable source recommending j braid over power pro so j braid it is.
Thanks and wish me luck!

[Nelly]

You are hereby and officially wished GOOD LUCK!

[ericl]

Old post but offering info for other readers:

I have using braid for downriver fishing & have always fished 20# power pro. Info suggests that braid will last at least 15 years if kept outta the sun. I put a 30-40 ft 30-40# mono top shot on the end for holding in the release clip & taking the abuse of being stepped on/whatever. I change the top shot at least yearly.
When downriver fishing it is VERY important that you have as little slack in the line between the reel & release clip as possible. The heavy mono holds well in the clip & I can really crank-down to remove the slack. The lighter braid has less drag going thru the water; less drag = less "belly"/slack in the line. You will also hold more line on the reel. Last summer I was fishing at Massett where 70# fish are caught. The guide asked how much line I had - I said at lease 500yd. He said good, cuz 300 is not enough.

When i put on new braid it will be hollow braid which allows a knotless connection to the mono. The typical mono-to-braid knot CAN catch in the guides. This did happen to me on Tom's trip to Hippa in 2016 when the guide repaired my knot for me & the knot was too big.