2018 27th Annual BC Sportsmen's Show

ger can be loaded with much more line
with less weight and bulk as the line is
much lighter and thinner than steel.
PROS: Strong, less drag in the water, less
bow in the line, able to load more line on
the downrigger, no electrolysis.
CONS: Prone to line nicks, more expensive,
tough on the hands, any knots in the line
become the weak point.
I personally have used both types on my
downriggers, both on my personal boats
and my charter boat over the years and I
have concluded for now, I still prefer steel.
I see both used extensively on many
of my friends and colleagues boats, up and
down the west coast. I asked for opinions
from a variety of experience levels,
from rookie recreational anglers to several
professional charter captains. I had some
operators tell me that braid was far superior
in all ways to cable and I also heard the
opposite statement. There was feedback
such as less line bow in the water and a
more true, actual vs. indicated line depth
on the counters, which was helpful. I was
told by one of the largest operators in the
province that his loss of cannon balls has
gone down by 60% since switching to
braid. A few operators have told me they
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