Educate Me On Berkley Fireline

[xxjace]

So I've had some people tell me about how good fireline is but I don't quite understand what line it is..I use mono braid and flouro on my rods for diff types of fishing..but I keep hearing fireline is a superline ..basically educate me on it if you can thanks and I don't get the test either..is it worth trying on some of my spinning reels ? I mostly fish ponds thanks

[xxjace]

I mostly use 12 and 8 pds test in all the diff types of line I use..and I noticed fireline says 12 pd is like 3 pd diamater..

[retiredbosn]

I hope someone comes along with an answer. All I know is that its fused braid, and I don't know what that means lol.

[roadwarrior]

I think it's a unique material discovered by accident. It's more of a plastic ribbon. After the novelty wore off,

the line lost most of it's following. Original Fusion is still available, but Berkley has since introduced Fusion

Braid. I am fishing a spool. The line is round and slick. 

[KevO]

RW is right its more like a ribbon.  I don't really care for it, if I need braid I use sufix.  That being said I do keep one of my spare spinning reel spool filled with the neon green 14# for night fishing because it shows up fairly well under the black lights and the no stretch gives me a good hook set whiles fishing my jig in deep water.

[xxjace]

I've heard some people say something about putting a mono under it on the reel spool..I've never heard I this could have to do with the slick part?

[JunkYard814]

I bought Berkley Fireline Fused in I believe 40 lb test. I absolutely hate it. It's thick and it feels like I'm fishing with wire. I'm not impressed with it's castability and I'm throwing mostly 1 oz spoons on it. Definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and it's now rigged only on my loaner rod.

 

Also I first lined one of my spinning reels with just straight fireline and it was slipping. I put a small amount of mono backing and it and it fixed the problem.

[OkobojiEagle]

I think it's a unique material discovered by accident. It's more of a plastic ribbon. After the novelty wore off,

the line lost most of it's following

 

 

and another contribution to the great depository of misinformation floating in cyber-space.

 

oe

[roadwarrior]

Okay...I'm all ears...What's the real story?

[rubba bubba]

Berkely makes things harder for themselves by calling several of their different products (I'll use that term generically to refer to both their fused and weaved  kevlar products) "Fireline" and confusing everyone. There is:

- Fireline Crystal - a white fused line that is supposed to be invisible in the water
- Fireline Original - a fused line
- Fireline Braid - their weaved product - this is the one to get
- Fireline Tracer - weaved but alternating color for high visibility (for the angler)
- Fireine Micro Ice Fused Crystal - Micro Ice version of above Crystal (no clue what that is)
- Fireline Micro Ice Fused Original - Micro Ice version of above Original (no clue what that is)

 

The Fireline Braid is an excellent braid (search this site for "Dodgeguy Fireline") and is my favorite non-high end braid. I like it even more than Suffix.  I've used the Crystal and used to like it, but greatly prefer the weaved braid. The fusions will fray; they're supposed to be more round by gluing them together vertically instead of weaving them.

[Flukeman]

I

 

Berkely makes things harder for themselves by calling several of their different products (I'll use that term generically to refer to both their fused and weaved  kevlar products) "Fireline" and confusing everyone. There is:

- Fireline Crystal - a white fused line that is supposed to be invisible in the water
- Fireline Original - a fused line
- Fireline Braid - their weaved product - this is the one to get
- Fireline Tracer - weaved but alternating color for high visibility (for the angler)
- Fireine Micro Ice Fused Crystal - Micro Ice version of above Crystal (no clue what that is)
- Fireline Micro Ice Fused Original - Micro Ice version of above Original (no clue what that is)

 

The Fireline Braid is an excellent braid (search this site for "Dodgeguy Fireline") and is my favorite non-high end braid. I like it even more than Suffix.  I've used the Crystal and used to like it, but greatly prefer the weaved braid. The fusions will fray; they're supposed to be more round by gluing them together vertically instead of weaving them.

Great description. I have used the original and the crystal since they have come out and like it better than braid. I use 14# which has I believe a 6# diameter ,most of the time. I can pull fish out of the thickest nastiest stuff side by side with guys using 65# braid and have no problems. The line slices thru vegitation like a knife. The line casts a mile, is slick, super sensitive, and is a flat (ribbon type) line. I have tried going up to 30# and thought it sucked for casting any distance, seems like 20# is the heavest I like to use. But like I said 90% of the time I am using 14# with no problems pulling 4 - 6 pound bass out of water chestnuts, millfoil, coontail, reeds, cattails, and heavily scummed over floating weeds.

 

The "crystal" is white in color but I do not find it to be invisible under water like some people say. Maybe it is to a bass, but I can see it under the water. The "original" comes in chartruese and smoke colors. The line fades over time just like braid and can be used for years without replacing. It will start to fray eventually and then you just reverse it on another spool. I usually go 4 years, then reverse it and I fish over 200 days a year. You can attach leaders to it, but I have seldom needed to. When I do, I use the "Albright" knot usually. We have a lot of clear water up here, so if there is no wind to break up outlines I will use a leader.

 

It has no strech so you need to set your gear up according. If you do not you will either pull the lips off your fish or explode your rod.

 

I am not a braid guy, just do not like the way it handles compared to the fused lines. I did try the Fireline braid and felt it was just like the other braids to me that I have used (powerpro, spiderwire). Just not my cup of tea.

 

I also have used this line salmon/steelhead fishing, pan fishing, and ice fishing in the very small diameters. It is just a very mangable line with no memory and good castability. I use it on baitcasters and spinning outfits.

 

Just my experience, I think it just comes down to personal preferences and what you are used to using.

[bassr95]

I used their fused line in 15 lb test and hated it. It did not cast as far as powerpro braided line, which I love. I have heard some good things about fireline's braid, but have not tried it myself. 

[BobP]

Regular Fireline is a fused dyneema line I have used for years.  There have been several fused superlines, where the fibers are heat fused into a single filament instead of being woven into a braid.  JMHO, Fireline in smaller diameters, like 14lb, works great on spinning reels and handles very well.  I also use 20 lb Fireline as the mainline on my Carolina Rig reel.  Why?  It casts farther than any other superline I've tried, doesn't lose its body and get floppy like many braids, and is very strong.  The Fireline on my C-rig reel is 4 yrs old and still going strong.  I've tried other superlines, a few are as good Fireline but most become too soft to cast well after some use.  Fireline also keeps its color a long time, which is a plus to me, and I can often find it at good prices.  I tried the Fireline Crystal when it first came out and the fibers were prone to separate.  Don't know if Berkley fixed this, but I never tried another spool.  This never happens with the dark gray original Fireline.  Personally, I always use Fireline with a fluorocarbon leader on any slow presentation.  Got no complaints.     

[Flukeman]

I used their fused line in 15 lb test and hated it. It did not cast as far as powerpro braided line, which I love. I have heard some good things about fireline's braid, but have not tried it myself. 

Not sure what fused line you used, the original only comes in 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, and 30 pound ratings.

[bassr95]

Not sure what fused line you used, the original only comes in 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, and 30 pound ratings.

Ops, it was 14 lb. Thanks for the correction.

[xxjace]

Thanks for all the advice I appreciate it everyone.

[Silas]

I tried the Fireline Tracer Braid in 20# with fluoro leader.  Put it on a Daiwa Sol.  At first I didn't like it.....seemed to want to "bite" into itself a lot.

 

But, after using it for a few weeks, I find it casts MUCH better, not much bite, and is smoother.  Don't know what to make of it. 

 

However, I am using it for a different technique now.  I'm pitching 1/4oz -1/2 oz swim jigs.  Handles  this technique far better than the shakey head fishing I was doing.

 

Update as of 1/24:   Went out today with the swim jig and decided to CAST some distance to work a dropoff.  When I tried to do a bit of distance, the line stopped abruptly about 15 yards out....the line had bitten into itself.  I pulled a bunch out and cast further....then another "bite" which slowed down the cast.

 

   So, I suppose I'm going to Pitch most of the time.

 

Strangely, I like the line "just enough" to NOT change it from the spool.  At least for NOW!

[RoLo]

I'm aware that this is an ancient post, but felt obligated to respond.

 

After a bellyfull of PowerPro braid, I switched to Berkley Fireline Braid and LUV the stuff!

It should be indicated however that Fireline Braid does not consist of 'Kevlar'.

Although Kevlar broke ground in bulletproof vests, it had the uneviable trait of eroding line guides.

This cast a stigma on ALL braided line which took many years to undo.

All that said, Berkley Fireline Braid consists of Dyneema kite string, which is to say "gel-spun polyethylene".

 

Roger

[Insanity]

I love there fused smoke. Been using it for years.

Hum I've actually never tried there braid I don't guess. If I did I don't recall. Does it have that same cable spider wire sound coming threw the guides. Lord I hate that racket. lol the fused is bad enough.

[bigfishbk86]

10lb and 14lb original fireline is the only "braid" or "fused" line i use on spinning reels.  I won't however use it on anything but spinning reels.  It handles amazingly well, and has hands down beaten every braid I've tried to use on spinning reels.

[Fishes in trees]

I like 14 lb Fireline Crystal for throwing jerk baits and tx rigged senko style baits in moderate cover.  I generally use a fluorocarbon leader of 2' or less.  I haven't noticed any difference between the crystal Fireline and the smoke colored Fireline.  I throw it on spinning gear.

[Insanity]

10lb and 14lb original fireline is the only "braid" or "fused" line i use on spinning reels. I won't however use it on anything but spinning reels. It handles amazingly well, and has hands down beaten every braid I've tried to use on spinning reels.

I'm gonna have to try the spinning rods I use now. I tried it once before and it wanted to wrap around the tip every time it got slack. But I notice many people using all kinds of braids on them.

I've been thinking after it was used on my baitcasters and softened it would work on spin cast reel the kids use as well. I'm gonna try next time I need to respool one.

Should have stated in earlier post I use the 8 lb 20.

[OkobojiEagle]

Not good on spin cast reels

 

oe