Penn International Braid

I'm thinking on taking the plunge and converting to braid for my boat fishing, would 20lb Penn International Premium braid be ok? I don't have any experience of braid apart from loading a mates reel with one of the Berkley's, can't recall which one, but I didn't find it to be as round as i would like which is why I have earmarked the Penn braid as I've read it is quite round. I've read braid requires using less lead, what kind of weight lead would you be talking to hold bottom in say 150-200 feet of water?

Any help greatly appreciated

Once you move to braid you’ll never go back! The breaking strain that suits will be determined by what you use now in mono. 30lb braid is probably the same diameter as approx 8-10lb mono. You will probably find that 30lb braid will be a good all-rounder. If you go for the modern superbraids like Strikewire it will be even thinner again.

I've read braid requires using less lead, what kind of weight lead would you be talking to hold bottom in say 150-200 feet of water?

Unfortunately that is like “how long is a piece of string”. Conditions will have a huge bearing on the weight required. Down this way I can nearly hold bottom on the drift with a max of 8oz of lead. More often than not I’m using 6oz or less. You will definitely use less lead and you will feel every touch.
As I say, go for braid you’ll love it!

What's the strikewire like for roundness Jim? What would you recommend for a leader then? I'm sure I can experiment with the leads anyway, just going to make some 5oz for the beach here so I'll make a handful up for the boat too.

Thanks.

Don't know the Strikewire stuff but have used Powerpro for yonks and its great.

Don't know the Strikewire stuff but have used Powerpro for yonks and its great.

Yeah I've read good reports on the Powerpro also. May be a bit of a silly question but do all these braids require mono backing on the reels?

I have standard braid on my multipliers still. Not needed replacing yet. I have only been using the strikewire on my fixed spools... beautiful, casts well.
I'd say you'll get std braid cheaper than the "super braids" and it will do the job grand. On the fixed spools it gets me extra distance.
Eg: strikepo 20lb - .23mm Strikewire 20lb .13mm diameter.

I rarely use a leader on my multi rods. Never found it necessary. I do use a short leader on the fixed spools - popping etc. If you want to use a leader on the boat rod... something like 40lb would be grand.

You will almost always want backing. If only to build up the spool diameter in order to get a better retrieve on your multi.

Good man Jim, thanks. The backing idea makes sense now. Must have a look about now, the only place I seem to be able to find a big enough spool of strike wire so far seems to be www.fareastfishing.com From what I can see they even accept laser, how convenient

Any dennett dealer will have strikewire: http://www.dennettoutdoor.com
In Dublin:
Southside,
Cand J,
Tallaght Rod & Gun.
Probably Henry's too

I think you will see it on glasgow angling
The normal spool is 135m - probably enough for most applications

Yeah seen the 135m spool on Glasgow Angling, for nothing at £20. I think I'll go for that, I'll seldom be fishing depths in excess of 200 feet so it'll be plenty, dunno why I thought I'd need more