Looking for info about braided line on spinning reels. Is it too
limp for the vertical spool? Thinking about using 20#(diameter of 6#)
to throw a float with light jigs and wondered about the castability etc.
on a Shimano Symetre 2000 for example. Thanks for any info....

RiverFool,

imho braided line on a spinning reel for jigs is "da bomb". Because it has no memory it casts like a dream and it floats as well, so it's mendable for jig fishing. It is very strong, it has no stretch and is very sensitive. But a word of caution, because of this you can break your rod if you're not careful. Just a flick of the wrist, instead of a yank, is all you'll need to set a hook. Makes a great hardlure line too and it ain't bad with a baitcaster either. Mono still has some advantages though, so I often blood or double-uni knot on a tippet of mono (#test and length will vary on fishing type and lure) just like in flyfishing. I do this for more abrasion resistance where it is needed or to provide a section where a bobber can be adjusted more effectively because stoppers won't hold well on braided. The weaker mono also helps you break free when you hang up too. Try not to leave any of this stuff in the water or on the bank if you can help it, it can be nasty stuff. One other thing with braideds you'll want to use different knots to tie it. Everybody does it differently but I think the uniknot is by far the easiest and most versatile knot you can learn for braids.

Once you start using this stuff you'll realize where the term "rip some lips" came from.

I suppose it depends on the line...

I use strong braided line (Whiplash) on a big spinning reel when I am banking for sturgeon. The braid provides less casting resistantance for the strength than mono, in my opinion, and a fish as big as a sturgeon requires strong line.

When strength isn't such an issue, I'd stick with mono, since it seems to spring off the spool better in the lighter test weights. If it is the thin diameter of braid that appeals to you, you might want to look into something like Fireline. Some folks here don't care for it, but I like the stuff.

Everything Mooch said!

I've colored it with a felt-tip, worked well.

90% of the time I use a "tippett"

I use a palomar knot and have never had a knot failure, I don't think it's any better than the others, it's just a lot easier for me ,(1/2 blind)

herm

I've used FireLine a lot and braid a little on spinning reels, and I've a couple of observations to add. First, you will need to wind on a little monofilament onto the spool first to keep your line from slipping on the spool. This assumes that your reel doesn't have one of those little rigging slots where you can thread your line through and tie a solid knot. The second thing is to not overload your reel with either FireLine or braids. I have fewer tangles with a slightly underfilled spool. My observations are from using the stuff for bass fishing and not steelheading.

And Mooch was right on the money with the uni-knot. The uni to uni splice is the best way I know to join superlines to monofilament.

Keith

What Moch said...
and be careful with brand new line on the reel. It tends to tangle in mid-air and those tangles are nasty to undo. Feathering the spool with a finger while the line comes off during the cast helps a lot. After several trips usage, the line gets a little dirty and you don't have to worry about this any more. Also, I recall being frustrated in the beginning by the limpness of the line, but you get used to it pretty quickly.

I use 18 pound TUFF line on a Shimano Spirex 4000 and 9.5 foot spinning rod for bobber/jig fishing for steelhead.

Mooch has seen 20lb fusion on a spinning reel work just fine on my spoon chucker.Have fished nothing else for years for all the above reasons.

The stuff is hard on reels and poles for that matter.I think it contributes to the wear of my bail springs.

get into the habit if you are not already,of checking that the line is in the bail roller after casting.It tends to catch on the small knicks on the bail itself.I have missed alot of fish due to this over the years.

I do knot know if this was brought up but with a little effort You can untangle about any tangle with spectra.I use a spare hook to pick out any of the knots.