Best Braided Line?

[Matt Duprau]

Hey guys,

Quick question for you everyone who uses braid. I've been using braid all my life (on certain set ups), I mainly use power pro! It's great, has never let me down BUT I find it frays and fades way too quick and I find myself changing out line a lot. So im looking for opinions, does anyone know of a brand that is great on maintaining line colour as well as having a great quality line? I've heard Stren is great for longer lasting line colour... Give me some opinions! 

Thanks,

Matt Duprau

[.ghoti.]

The Hass avocado is the most readily available, and has good shelf life; retaining it's color better than some other varieties.

[Master Bait'r]

If Seaguar doesn't make it, it isn't the best 

[Jar11591]

9 minutes ago, Master Bait'r said:

If Seaguar doesn't make it, it isn't the best 

Except Red Label. 

 

To the OP:

The brand I have stuck with is PowerPro. I have tried several other different brands, and the only one I had an "issue" with was Berkley Pro braid. It "flattened" out and lost its cylindrical shape after minimal use. Made it an absolute night mare to cast. Virtually impossible. 

Other brands I have tried include Spider Wire and Seaguar and they were fine lines. But when I tried the Power Pro, it stuck. Haven't bought another brand since.

[BassinLou]

I been fishing PP for years, I haven't had a real reason to switch honestly. All braids fade. Never understood what the big deal is when guys say it fades quickly. To the OP, if you are finding that your PP braid is fraying a lot, I would bet its because  of the cover your throwing in. Unless you have had the same spool of braid on for a couple years or the spool has run down, will I find the need to re-spool. 

[Scott F]

If you are replacing your braided line when the color fades, in my opinion, you're wasting a lot of money on line. If the line is too faded or frayed for your liking, you can always turn it around and put the faded section next to the spool and have the fresh end to tie your baits on.

[MIbassyaker]

2 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

The Hass avocado is the most readily available, and has good shelf life; retaining it's color better than some other varieties.

I'm a pretty cultured person, but I must admit, a coherent interpretation of this particular piece of performance art is eluding me.

[BiteFiend]

I have used Power Pro for many years. I used to try other braids to find one that is better, but I keep coming back to Power Pro. It's pretty inexpensive as far as braid goes, it's widely available, and it hold up well over time. I have only had one spool that frayed on me and I usually leave braid on a reel for 2-3 years at a time. When it whitens, I just color it with a marker. 

That said, I have been anxious to try the new Seagur Flippin braid. It supposedly doesn't fade. I just have so much Power Pro to get through though. 

[RafaelM]

I fish spiderwire stealth-braid. I haven't had any issues with the line other than the color fading, which is expected. All braids eventually fade and that's just something we have to live with. I haven't had any reasons to make a switch so I've stuck with spiderwire. When the color fades I just flip the spool and use the other side of the line. 

[Master Bait'r]

6 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

Except Red Label. 

 

I was only talking about braid tbh, and even then I was sort of joking.  I am just in love with Seaguar braids after trying all sorts of brands.  Even more so now that they've come down in price!  Suuuuuuuuper thin and smooth.  Haven't found anything else that comes close.  

[Big Bait Fishing]

3 minutes ago, Master Bait'r said:

 

I was only talking about braid tbh, and even then I was sort of joking.  I am just in love with Seaguar braids after trying all sorts of brands.  Even more so now that they've come down in price!  Suuuuuuuuper thin and smooth.  Haven't found anything else that comes close.  

obviously you haven't tried Gamma Torque , very thin , strong , and pretty quiet

[the reel ess]

I use PowerPro and Haas Avacadoes when I can find them.

[fvogel67]

I use Power Pro and love it

[FordsnFishin]

Another power pro fan.  Fading doesn't bother me,  as the line seems to be still holding up great. 

My jig flipping set up right now is probably nearing 4 years old.  It's faded but I don't have any breakage issues. 

[JackKlassen]

If you're not using 832 then you're not using the best

[MassYak85]

I use power pro and have not found a reason to switch yet, I have also tried 832 and I really liked it. 

[MikeWright]

For braid I use spider wire predominantly. The only reason for this is because it was my first choice of line and it has landed me my first hogs, so in my eyes I ask why change something that works. So my opinion on line isn't that great, although I noticed spider wire faded and frayed just like with your experience. So reiterating on the topic I want to ask, don't all braided lines fray at some point? And perhaps the structure you're fishing make lines fray quicker than others no matter the brand? And also, does a faded line effect anything? If so, how much? 2lbs...3 lbs of test? If any effect at all? And with 30 to 65 lb braid...what's a lb or 2?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

here is my take on 3 of my most used this year being .011dia

                                          s8s                   gamma torque                        smackdown

strenght/dia                         1                              2                                            3

quietness                            1                              2                                             2

price                                    2                              1                                            3

subtleness                           2                              1                                            2

smoothness                         1                              3                                            2

bleed                                    1                              2                                            3

 

         

[CNYBassin]

Right now I'm running a mix of regular power pro and Sufix 832. On my punching and frogging rods, I have 832 50lb test, and if I hook into a toothy critter like a Tiger Musky or a Pike, I feel a little more safe. Works great and is super smooth, but it fades color pretty fast.

On my spinning tackle, my shaky head/ drop shot stuff, I use 15lb or 20lb power pro with Seaguar fluorocarbon leaders. I prefer 15lb truth be told, but I have 20lb on one of my rods because the store ran out of 15lb. Not a huge difference really. Typically I run 8 or 10lb test leaders.

Not a fan of Spiderwire. 

[Dypsis]

Daiwa Samurai Braid

[NoahWatts]

Sunline FX2

[Montanaro]

Braids vary a lot

There are 4 carrier, 8 carrier, 12+

There are special coatings and no special coatings

Various diameters and their abilities to hold color varies.

 

I like seaguar smackdown but its expensive.  Daiwa jbraid is very nice and thin at good price.  I want to try sunline bx2 as I do not like their fx2 or sx1

[fishballer06]

I've used about everything out there. I like 832 because it performs great, its smoother/quieter than PP and the price isn't a killer. However, it's color does fade, but all braided lines do fade. I'm not sure what application you're using braid for, but I use a FC leader with my braid for almost everything, so color fading doesn't really bother me as long as the strength is still there. 

 

Other brands I highly recommend are P-Line TCB X braid in the 8 carrier version. I also like the Sunline FX2 for topwater presentations. 

[blckshirt98]

I use normal PowerPro and Sufix 832 and haven't noticed anything bad from either one that makes me want to try another braided line.  Plus PowerPro and Sufix 832 is easy to find either retail or online, and you can usually find it on sale.

[fishnkamp]

If you are having fraying problems take a q tip to your guides.if the cotton stick you have a guide problem. I have run Fireline, Suffix 832, Power Pro and SpiderWire Stealth and found little problem with any of them fraying. You may have to replace some guides on your rod.