A Guide to Fishing Braid:
Choosing the Right Braid for you
Braid has revolutionised fishing, offering superior strength, sensitivity, and castability compared to traditional monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. However, with various types available – 4X, 8X, multi-colour, casting-specific, and hollow-core braids – choosing the right one can feel like fishing in a sea of options. This guide breaks down the key types and helps you hook the perfect match for your fishing style.
What’s in a Braid?
At its core, braided fishing line is made of synthetic fibres woven together to create a thin, strong line. Different weaving patterns and fibres affect how the line performs, so let’s dive into the options.
4X Braid
A 4X braid is made up of four woven fibres, making it one of the most robust options for its diameter. Its coarse texture enhances abrasion resistance, making it ideal for rugged fishing environments with kelp, sea grass and even rocks. The added thickness also provides extra durability for battling feisty fish in challenging terrains, where wear-and-tear on the line can quickly escalate. This robust design is particularly useful when angling in saltwater, where bull kelp and sea-grass amongst reefs is commonplace. Additionally, due to less fibres, this is often the most cost effective braid.
The trade-off for this ruggedness is its slightly noisier operation and harsher flow through rod guides compared to higher-strand braids. While this might not be a dealbreaker, it’s worth considering if stealth and smoothness is a priority.
Options: Edge 4X Braid - Grey
Best for: Saltwater anglers targeting fish in snaggy areas or rough conditions. Also a good option for deep dropping for wreckfish species i.e Bluenose, Hapuka and Bass.
8X Braid
Constructed with eight woven fibres, 8X braid boasts a smoother, rounder finish that enhances casting distance and accuracy. It glides silently through rod guides, making it perfect for stealthy applications like topwater or finesse fishing. The tight weaving also minimises wind resistance, reducing casting effort while improving precision. Additionally, its enhanced flexibility provides better knot strength, a critical feature when tackling tough saltwater species.
On the downside, 8X braid sacrifices some abrasion resistance due to its finer weave. Anglers venturing into areas with a lot of underwater obstacles should pair it with a strong leader for added security.
Options: Penn Slammer Braid - Daiwa J-Braid - Edge PE 8X Braid - Shimano Kairiki Braid
Best for: Saltwater anglers who rely on durability and castability. It is an excellent option for softbaiting, slow pitch jigging, topwater fishing, jigging or an all-round braid.
Multi-Colour Braid
Multi-colour braids feature segments dyed in alternating colours, typically every 10 metres. This design helps anglers monitor line depth and distance, making it a top choice for deep-sea fishing, all forms of jigging, and even trolling. Each colour shift acts as a depth gauge, allowing anglers to precisely position their lures in the water column where fish are feeding. This versatility is a game-changer for targeting species such as snapper or kingfish.
Its practical applications also extend to topwater fishing when knowing the exact distance of your cast can help pinpoint strike zones. Additionally, the vibrant colours provide visual tracking of multiple lines, an advantage when fishing with several rods.
Options: Edge PE 8X Braid - Daiwa X8 Multi J-Braid - Penn Slammer Multi Braid
Best for: Inshore or offshore anglers who are wanting precise depth control.
Casting-Specific Braid
Some braids are engineered specifically for casting, combining an ultra-smooth finish with a thinner diameter for a given strength. This pairing reduces friction, maximising distance and minimising wind knots. With improved line management, casting-specific braids make precise targeting more achievable. These features are particularly valued when fishing from shorelines or boats where reaching distant fish can make or break the day.
Moreover, the thinner diameter cuts through wind better, making it the go-to choice for anglers facing gusty conditions. Whether chasing kingfish with stickbaits and poppers busting on the surface or going for tuna farther offshore, this braid keeps you in control from the first cast.
Options: Edge PE 8X Casting Braid
Best for: Land-based anglers or those targeting surface-feeding species such as kingfish and tuna.
Hollow-Core Braid
Hollow-core braid is unique with its hollow centre, allowing anglers to splice lines together for knotless connections. This makes it popular for big game and offshore anglers who need a seamless integration of their braid to leader connection. The hollow design allows for leaders to be inserted inside the braid itself created an ultra smooth join while keeping the integrity of both the braid itself as well as the monofilament.
Thanks to its incredible strength, hollow-core braid is a favourite for trolling or deep-dropping where large fish like marlin, tuna, or swordfish require reliable, heavy-duty gear. The ability to pack on significant line without increasing diameter means anglers can tackle longer runs without concern.
Options: Edge 16X Hollow Core Braid
Best for: Serious game fishers needing ultimate flexibility and strength.
How to Choose Your Braid
Choosing the right braid starts with your fishing style:
• Environment: Fishing around structure? Opt for 4X. Open water? Go for the smooth 8X.
• Technique: Need long casts? Try casting-specific braid. Jigging or trolling? Multi-colour keeps you in control.
• Species: Targeting large fish? Hollow-core handles the job with its splicing capabilities.
Another consideration is line colour. High-visibility braids make it easy to track your line above water, while low-visibility options like green or camo blend in beneath the surface. Also, take note of the spool capacity of your reel, ensuring you’ve got the right balance between strength and volume for your planned catch.
Fishing braid offers unparalleled sensitivity and strength-to-diameter ratio. While it can be more expensive upfront, its durability means it often outlasts other types of line, making it a worthy investment for keen anglers. Whether you’re pursuing record-breaking gamefish or enjoying a quiet morning at the beach, the right braided line ensures better bite detection and reponse from your lures.
No matter where your next fishing journey takes you, there’s a braid to match. With the right choice in your tackle box, you’ll be ready to reel in more epic catches and make every cast count. Tight lines!
