What's So Special About Specialised Braid Boat Rods?

The are several good reasons for using braid line, and braid boat rods are designed such that all the benefits of braid can be fully exploited.

As we know, the key benefits of braid fishing line are associated with its small diameter and its total lack of stretch - and it's these properties that create problems for an 'ordinary' rod.

Specifically, braid line will quickly cut into normal unlined rod rings, and its lack of stretch will allow a desperate fish to rip itself free of the hook.

But a braid boat rod is designed to deal with all such problems.

First though, let's remind ourselves why braid line outfits are so effective.

So Why Bother With Braid Line Anyway?

When fishing from an anchored boat, the small diameter braid line will offer much less resistance to the tidal current than mono line, letting you get your baited rig down firmly on the seabed - where the fish are;

For the same reason, you'll be able to hold bottom with a lighter weight;

Due to the low-stretch nature of the line, bite detection will be instant;

When jig fishing, either at anchor or on the drift, you'll be able to give your lure a much more lively action than you would with nylon monofilament line.

But back to the required qualities of the rod needed to get the best out of these lines...

Hard-Lined Line Guides for Braid Boat Rods

These must be ceramic lined to avoid the risk of grooving.

Aluminium oxide was I believe, the first ceramic lining to be used, but even harder ceramic materials are used now, such as Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride or Zirconium.

For peace of mind it's worth paying the little extra for rod rings of the highest quality, such as those made by Fuji or Seymo.

Roller line guides - providing they're well maintained and free to rotate - also avoid the grooving problem, but there is a risk of the very thin braid getting jammed in the narrow gap on the outside of the roller. This is more likely to happen when jigging, and less likely when bottom fishing and trolling.

Dealing with Braid Lines' Total Lack of Stretch

Whilst the non-stretch nature of the line will enable you to see bites so much better, the absence of 'give' in the system may tear the hook from the fish's mouth and test all knotted connections to the point of failure.

To counter this, the best braid rods are made from carbon fibre blanks and are slimmer and of a softer action than standard boat rods, providing the ultimate-bite detection whilst cushioning the lunges of a powerful fish.

Boat rods are normally coupled with conventional (multiplier) reels, which are used on top of the rod. Consequently, more rod rings than you'd see on a standard boat rod are needed on a braid boat rod for the line to follow curve of the rod and not touch the blank.

For the ultimate in braid line fishing pleasure, a silky smooth lever drag multiplier reel completes the outfit...