I am building another inshore rod, it is 7" 6" Medium Heavy Fast action. I am using a 5000 reel with either 20 or 30 pound braid, I have not decided yet on which one. On the guide software it lists size 20H for 15 to 20 pound braid but it does not list 30# at all. My question is would the 20H, 10H, 5.5M work better or would the 25H, 12H, 5.5M work better?

Thank you, John

I would go with the 25H , 12H and 5.5M myself but I do know the 20H , 10H and 5.5M works very very well with 5000 size Shimano spinners and braid UP to 20 pounds. Once you hit 30 pound braid and up the 25H will be much preferred .

Just wanted to mention that the newer 8 "fiber" braids, like Hitena, cast better than the traditional braids. I use 21 pound Hitena Pureline, and it casts like a much lighter braid. I use it on 20-10-5.5 mostly with Shimano Stradic 4000, but it works well on 16-8-5.5 too.

I think the driver of the size 25 stripper is more reel-driven than line-driven if one commits to using the new braids.

I agree with Chris. In fact I just bought the 25KLH for a 7'3" rod (Xray SJ736-1) which is closer to medium in power.

Check out this link if you haven't seen it. It covers a few more options.

[anglersresource.net]

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thank you for all of the information and that link, I had not seen it before. The line I was actually thinking about using is the power pro maxcuatro line. The 30# is almost the same size as the regular power pro 20#. If 20# will work fine with the KL25H it looks like that would be the best bet.

John, if you are considering that line I think you need to see one other link. Hopefully this link will be allowed.

[www.stripersonline.com]

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I would consider the 5000 sized reel as a border line reel, between using the 25H or 20H reduction trains. So you could use either reduction train, and they will both work great using a 5000 reel with braid up to 30 lb. The KL25H based reduction train is now being used on surf rods using reels much larger than a 5000 with good results. I recently tried the Hitena silky airbraid. 21 lb test, and it is without a doubt, the thinnest, and best casting braid I have ever used. It was either 12 or 16 fiber braid. Crazy good but expensive.
Norm

FWIW some of you should try nanofil and gliss. But more for when you want a line that acts like a mono line on a bait caster, despite what they are marketed for. I would use 24# gliss where I currently use 8# fireline. They are very comparable in breaking strength and diameter yet are rather different lines.

That said I'm a braid newbie and rely on others for advice. My personal value choices are Yo Zuri and Daiwa, I still remain convinced Daiwa decided to change the dynamics in the braid market,

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I have a bunch of sizes and styles of Hitena braid - teh biggest difference between it and other braids is that they rate the line accurately. THeir 21# needs to be compared to otehr companies 8 or 10# which actually breaks at 20#. THey need to make some standards for that and for reel feet sizes.

The knowledge here is truly amazing! I think I will go with the 25H set up and see how it works. I have a 20H set up at home now too so I will put them both on and test cast it to see which one works out the best. Thank you for the information on the braided lines, I will definitely look into the Hitena braid. Thanks for the links too. I agree there should be some sort of a standard for the breaking strength of all the braided lines.

The major problem with Hitena braid is the cost. The more strands in the braid the higher the production costs, but other wise it’s an excellent performing braid. Billy is correct in that Hitena braids show an actual breaking strength, similar to IGFA class lines. Both Gliss and Nanofil also list their actual breaking strength, however neither of these two lines are braided, rather their fibers are fused together, and both are very thin and cast great. For most braided line their actual breaking strengths are about double what is listed on the package. I agree Russel that both J-Braid 8 and Yo Zuri are very good value braids.
John, I like your idea of setting up your rod with both reduction trains and see which performs better.
Norm

line diameter reveals more than line test..

I like J braid and Suffix 832 a lo and they are reasonably priced in my eyes. I would err on the side of 25 KLH

I did my test casting on my PB761MHF with 20 pound braid that was on the reel and the 20H guide cast better than the 25H on average by about 12 feet. Thanks for all of the help.