Mastering Braid on a Jig Stick: Featuring Joseph Ta

Braid on a jig stick? It’s a topic that always sparks debate. While most anglers still swear by monofilament line, others like captain Joseph Ta, are proving that braid can be just as deadly! Especially when paired with the right rod, reel, and line.

Whether you're new to surface iron fishing or curious about switching from mono to braid, this guide breaks down:

• What jig sticks and surface irons are
• The pros and cons of braid vs. mono
• Joseph Ta’s favorite jig stick setups and braided lines
• Practical tips on the difference between fishing braided line on certain jig sticks

Who is Joseph Ta?

Question: Tell us about yourself, we would love to know more about you!

"I was born and raised in San Diego, and I've been fishing for as long as I can remember. I started out on local lakes, learning the fundamentals and building a lifelong passion for the sport. In 2009, I made the transition to saltwater fishing, both inshore and offshore and I've been hooked ever since. Today, I hold a 100-ton captain's license and work across multiple fishing programs within the Southern California sportfishing fleet. I've put in time on sport boats, yachts, commercial vessels, and charter operations, and I continue to stay active in all aspects of the industry."

What Is a Jig Stick?

A jig stick is a long rod (typically 9 to 10’6”) used to cast metal lures known as surface irons on a conventional reel. Designed to load and sling jigs far with minimal effort, these rods usually have a parabolic bend and are a staple in SoCal-style fishing.

What Are Surface Irons?

Surface irons are long, slim metal lures designed to swim side-to-side (kick) just beneath the water surface. They perform best on a steady, moderate/fast retrieve and are deadly for yellowtail, calico bass, and tuna.

Question for Joseph: Do you feel certain irons swim better with braid? Are there some that lose action or become harder to control?

“I throw a lot of Starman 112s, Strictly Irons' The Righteous, OCT jigs, DW1s, and Tady 45s and I’ve found they all still swim great on braid. Action changes more with retrieve speed than with line type. So, I haven’t noticed any specific iron swim better or worse with braid.”

Braid vs. Mono: Quick Breakdown

Braid shines in distance, line capacity, and sensitivity BUT it demands better technique and the right setup.

Question: If you had to list one scenario where mono outperforms braid what would it be?

“The only time I’ve ever reconsidered mono is when yo-yo fishing. I’ve bent out some gnarly hooks, just from fishing heavy drag with braid and fluoro there’s no stretch, no forgiveness. But even then, it doesn’t happen on the first fish. It takes a lot.”

Casting Braid on a Jig Stick: What to Know

Question: What’s the biggest mistake people make when switching to braid?

"Braid cuts wind better than mono even 65 lb outperforms 40 lb mono in many cases. Use smooth, controlled casts and avoid jerky loads. Train your thumb to feather the spool for better control. Always use a leader to absorb shock and protect your jig. I’ve bent prongs on Salas 6X before just from running max drag with no stretch. But with the right leader and control, it’s not a problem.”

When NOT to Use Braid on a Jig Stick

Question: Are there any conditions where you’d still choose mono?

"Super clear, shallow water with spooky fish. When using certain slow rods that don’t recover well and any situation that benefit from stretch (e.g., vertical jigging or yo-yo with heavy pressure)."

Why Joseph Switched to Braid on a Jig Stick

Question: Was there a specific moment or trip where you realized braid was the move?

“I haven’t casted mono in a long time... most of my jig setups are pretty universal. I just swap leader size depending on the fish.”

Joseph runs all braid on his jig sticks. By simply changing out fluorocarbon leaders (usually 40–100 lb), he adapts quickly to different species without re-spooling.

“I just love how universal braid is. Whether I’m fishing yellowtail on the surface or structure fishing for cabrilla, I keep braid on all my setups and just change the leader for the situation. When the bite’s on, it’s about putting the right presentation in front of the fish. Line type matters less than confidence.”

Braid may take some getting used to and yes, backlashes happen but it’s manageable and well worth the benefits.

“I’d rather deal with a braid knot than pull mono backlash for 10 minutes. Casting distance isn’t a huge loss with braid either, and if you’re positioned right, it’s more about making the right cast than the farthest cast.”

Top Braids for Jig Stick Setups

Berkley Pro Spec Chrome

• Sizes used: 65–130 lb
• Strengths: Long-lasting, reliable across all tests
• 80 lb Diameter: ~0.022”
  
• Check out product here

“There isn’t a better casting and longer-lasting braid.

Varivas Casting PE SMP x8

• Sizes used: 70–90 lb
• Strengths: Ultra-thin, slick coating, stealth grey color
• 90 lb Diameter: ~0.016”
• Check out their full size chart here

“The 70 lb SMP is perfect for a Trinidad 20 or Tranx 500 when fishing yellowtail or inshore.”

Joseph uses 90 lb SMP on his Tranx 400HG and Curado 300 Type J for Cabrilla. For conventional reels he favors 65 or 80 lb Pro Spec.

“Pro Spec is versatile, durable, and handles heavy drag setups, even on big bluefin. SMP shines when line diameter matters most like packing more line on smaller reels. Plus, it’s slick and casts incredibly well.”

Choosing the Right Jig Stick for Braid vs. Mono

Question for Joseph: For those new to surface iron fishing, what would you say makes a good jig stick for braid vs. mono? Is there a certain length or action you feel works best?

“When Cousins Tackle was around, they made the GG 95J-Mag by far one of the most universal and sickest jig sticks ever. Lightweight, small diameter, and enough backbone to pull on 150 lb tuna. But it could also throw lighter surface irons and stickbaits for yellowtail with ease.”

Nowadays, it’s tough to find one jig stick that does it all, which is why most guys carry two, three, or even five setups. Joseph, now part of the Seeker team, keeps an arsenal of Ulua's tailored to different species and techniques.

“Want the lightest 10’ jig stick ever? Pick up a Seeker SSR Ulua. Need a 2x4-style powerhouse? SS Ulua 93H is the one you want. Want more parabolic sling action? Go with the PH Ulua. Within the Seeker Ulua family, there’s a rod for every casting application, especially if you’re fishing braid on a jig stick.”

Joseph’s Favorite Jig Stick Setups with Braid

Question: Out of all these combos, which one’s your favorite?

• Trinidad 30 DC → 80 lb Pro Spec → 10' Seeker Ulua (E-Glass)
• Trinidad 20 DC → 65 lb Pro Spec → 9'5" Seeker Creamsicle Ulua (Composite)
• Trinidad 20A → 65 lb Pro Spec → 9'3" Super Seeker Ulua 93H (S-Glass)
• Tranx 500 → 65 lb Pro Spec → 10' Seeker SSR Ulua 93H (E-glass + Carbon)
• Tranx 400HG → 90 lb Varivas SMP → Inshore Rod for Cabrilla (Not in picture above)

“Tranx 500 casts 65 lb Pro Spec really well on both the Pinhead and SSR Ulua 10’. But the 93H isn’t ideal for braid in my opinion, it’s just too stiff. It’s better suited for heavier presentations like poppers, stickbaits and big surface irons with 80 lb braid.”

Seeker E-Glass vs. S-Glass: Rod Material Breakdown

Question: How do the Seeker Pinhead and the SSR blank differ when casting braid?

Seeker Pinhead Ulua (All E-Glass)

The pinhead ULUA is a staples for fishing surface irons. We personally recommend this rod to many people who are looking for a jig stick. It is a great rod for a great price! We personally have a couple of these and really enjoy how easy they are to cast.

"Make sure to slow down your cast when fishing braid with this rod and let the rod do the work. The pinhead has a deep bend and is very forgiving. It is ideal for lighter jigs (standard 5.5-6.5" jigs) or soft drag setups."

Seeker SSR Ulua 10’ (E-Glass + Carbon)

The SSR is made out of have E-glass (adds bend) and carbon, which adds strength and makes the rod light. If you pick up one of these rods, you will be amazed at how light they are. Witht that being said, these are stiffer, faster action jig sticks but keep in mind that they still have the same butt size as an ULUA. This is the lightest Ulua Joseph owns, great for Colt Snipers and heavy irons.

“Slow and fast actions can both cast braid well it really depends on how you cast, your reel, line, and jig work together.”

Want to see all the different rod blanks that Seeker Rods carry? Check out their full list of blanks here! If you are located in SoCal, you can always walk into their warehouse in Orange, CA and they will assist you with finding the perfect jig stick!

Spooling Braid on a Jig Stick: Tips for Success

• Use a short mono backing to prevent braid from slipping
• Lay braid tight and evenly when spooling
• Avoid ultra-thin braid that can dig into itself
• Keep braid clean and untwisted to reduce wind knots

Some reels perform better than others with braid. Joseph recommends testing each combo thoroughly to avoid dig-ins and line lay issues.

Knots for Braid to Leader

Question: What are your go to line-to-line connection knots?

FG Knot → Ultra slim and strong for braid to fluorocarbon

RP Knot → Faster to tie and great for casting irons

Always keep knots clean and tight to prevent failure. Take the time to practice your knots before getting out on the water.

Jared’s Take: Learning to Fish Braid on a Jig Stick

As someone who’s favored mono and slow/parabolic rods for years, Joseph’s approach challenged me to rethink things. Although I will continue to fish 40# Izorline Triple X Co-polymer line, I will definitely be spooling up one of my reels with braid and switch up my approach. Since Joseph is a private charter captain who fishes for big bluefin tuna quite often, it makes complete sense for him to have all of his reels full of braid since you never know when a 30lb bluefin foamer can turn into 100+lb cows.

From all of this knowledge that Joseph shared with us, I find the Varivas PE SMP x8 in 70 lb quite incredible with just 0.013” diameter, and he said it casts like a laser. Paired with a Trinidad 20, Tranx 500 or Lexa 400, it might just be the next setup in my quiver!

Final Thoughts

Fishing braid on a jig stick takes some getting used to but once dialed in, it offers unmatched control, sensitivity, and versatility. Like Joseph said:

“If you put something like a Salas 7X on a Pinhead Ulua with 65 lb braid and a Trinidad 20A, that thing’s gonna go far, far…”

If you enjoyed this read or have any questions for Joseph, please make sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this blog! If you want to see more blogs like this, please subscribe to our e-mail newsletter. It is our goal to educate you and equip you with knowledge that will take your fishing skills to the next level!

God bless,

Jared Saaib

About Strictly Irons

Strictly Irons exists to build a community of surface iron anglers who fish with confidence and live with purpose. From educational content to purpose-built jigs and apparel, we’re here to grow the next generation of dedicated, faith-driven fishermen. Learn what it means to Fish with Faith.