P-Line's new TOPWATER line review

[Big Rick]

I love to fish topwater and am always looking to up my game with my presentation and equipment. So, when this new copolymer line from P-Line came out I was first in line to try it out. First, for full clarity, my gear is a 7 ft. Mojo Spinnerbait rod that's a medium heavy with a moderate action. It is perfect for fishing poppers and walking baits. My reel is the Daiwa Tatula Elite 8.1. This is a dedicated topwater setup so this line will only be used to fish topwater baits.  On to the line...

 

I chose the 15 lb. test which is .0138 diameter. 300 yards is $8.99 at TW. 

 

On to my thoughts of this line. I was a bit skeptical of the topwater claim because my requirements for a topwater line is that it floats, has a limited amount of stretch, abrasion resistant, and decent knot strength. When I spooled it up and tested it in my pool I was very pleased to see that it does indeed float and very well at that. So, on to the next challenges that require I actually go fishing with it, as difficult a choice that was. Gotta take one for the team sometimes... 

 

This morning I went to my local lake before daylight and went to work with this setup. I was throwing an Evergreen International OB Popper 3/8 oz. 14 bass later I am very impressed. Big bass was around 4 lbs. with a 2 lb average. I continually checked the line for nicks and stretching after each fish. I had to retie once about halfway through the morning. I found a nick about 3" up from the tie. I believe the rear treble got it while fighting a fish. Other than that this line was spot on. The stretch upon hook set was very low compared to other lines I've used. I didn't have a single fish come unbuttoned today using this line. I used a Palomar knot with no issues at all. I didn't try any other knot as this is my favorite knot that I've used for years...

 

Casting was a pleasure as the line came off the spool smoothly and had no memory that I detected. This line has been spooled for about a week before I got to go fishing. I didn't spray any additive on the spool as I wanted as real an experience as I could get. I was very pleased how smoothly it cast and retrieved. I had one "professional over run" and the backlash came out easily enough with no kinks in the line and no backlash memory that some lines get when you bird nest them. 

 

All in all, I really think I could've gone down to the 12 lb. test at .0122 diameter, but the 15 lb. worked just fine and the lake I fish has some big fish in it. 

 

Hopefully, this will help a fellow topwater fisherman out as this line is so new I couldn't find ANY reviews on it other than Bryan Thrift touting it as his design and his go to line when he won the 2019 Forrest Wood Cup. We all know that pro's say what's necessary to get the product out there. But, this product definitely lived up to Bryan's hype about it. 

 

Tight Lines and Good Fishing. 

[zell_pop1]

The only Pline I ever used was cxx occasionally for it's high strength,  I think I will give this line a try in 12lb test.

[Big Rick]

Had the chance to go again this morning. Quick update: after having the line on the spool for a couple of weeks now it still laid out real smooth on the cast with no memory. Had to retie a couple of times, as well as expected when catching topwater fish. Overall, still very impressed. 

[Bass Rutten]

Nice review. Just curious what your previous line of choice for topwater was or is?

[basser27]

I’ve always used braid for topwater. Lasts forever, great around grass and no stretch. Does this “topwater” line Behave like a low memory mono?

[Big Rick]

11 hours ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Nice review. Just curious what your previous line of choice for topwater was or is?

Thanks. And to answer your question, I have used many lines in 30 years of fishing. Nearly always mono for topwater baits with treble hooks. Big Game, Cajun Red Line, BP Excel, Spider Wire Mono, you name it. And I'm not saying this line is the end all topwater line, but it has definitely proven to be a drastic improvement for me in my application. 

10 hours ago, basser27 said:

I’ve always used braid for topwater. Lasts forever, great around grass and no stretch. Does this “topwater” line Behave like a low memory mono?

I have never had success using braid for any topwater bait with treble hooks. I tend to straighten hooks on hook sets and often lose fish, regardless of the rod power and action. Also, when working a popper or walking bait I have issues with the hooks tangling in the super limp braided line and ruining a great cast. This line does seem to have a much lower stretch ratio compared to any regular mono I have used in the past.

[the reel ess]

40 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

I have never had success using braid for any topwater bait with treble hooks. I tend to straighten hooks on hook sets and often lose fish, regardless of the rod power and action. Also, when working a popper or walking bait I have issues with the hooks tangling in the super limp braided line and ruining a great cast. This line does seem to have a much lower stretch ratio compared to any regular mono I have used in the past.

Same. I have lost many fish on one of my spinning combos with braid because I insisted on using it for Pop Rs. The line has no forgiveness. I fished with a FL guide who used all braid and I asked him about that. He said he thought I was right but he could not afford to lose the number of baits he would taking people out almost every day. So I lost a big one that day because I was not used to the setup. If I were to go back I'd take my own topwater combo.

[basser27]

1 hour ago, Big Rick said:

Thanks. And to answer your question, I have used many lines in 30 years of fishing. Nearly always mono for topwater baits with treble hooks. Big Game, Cajun Red Line, BP Excel, Spider Wire Mono, you name it. And I'm not saying this line is the end all topwater line, but it has definitely proven to be a drastic improvement for me in my application. 

I have never had success using braid for any topwater bait with treble hooks. I tend to straighten hooks on hook sets and often lose fish, regardless of the rod power and action. Also, when working a popper or walking bait I have issues with the hooks tangling in the super limp braided line and ruining a great cast. This line does seem to have a much lower stretch ratio compared to any regular mono I have used in the past.

 

29 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Same. I have lost many fish on one of my spinning combos with braid because I insisted on using it for Pop Rs. The line has no forgiveness. I fished with a FL guide who used all braid and I asked him about that. He said he thought I was right but he could not afford to lose the number of baits he would taking people out almost every day. So I lost a big one that day because I was not used to the setup. If I were to go back I'd take my own topwater combo.

I’ve never had an issue with braid and topwater. I just use a softer rod and back off on my drag

[Big Rick]

This line has evaporated! Gone!  Outtahere!!   I was looking at TW to see if there were any reviews and to ponder getting some 12 LB test. It's no longer on their website. Neither could I find it on ANY website!  Even P-Line's own website doesn't show it anymore. Wow, talk about shortest product life ever. And, of course, it was a product I actually LIKED.. Ain't that how it goes....

[Bass Rutten]

[Gary_Snyder]

 

 

People thinking this line will float like a bobber are in for a disappointment. When people say this line floats, it's an exaggeration; it sinks slower than regular mono.