Braided line - which ones stand out?

[DN3]

Used to up on all the latest and greatest, but not as much over the last few years - what are the best/better braided lines out there right now? Power Pro? Suffix? Something else?  If it matters....i'd be using the braid as a mainline with no leader.

[MN Fisher]

My opinion?

 

#1: Seaguar Smackdown

#2: Sufix 832

 

I moved away from Power Pro entirely.

[Mike L]

I’m still using original 4 carrier Power Pro. 
There are probably better lines like @MN Fisher just posted.
I certainly wouldn’t doubt the man’s recommendation. 
 

I just tend to stay with what I know and have confidence it. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[roadwarrior]

Seaguar Smackdown...Round, uniform and smooth.

 

https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/smackdown-stealth-gray

[bulldog1935]

There's a big void in the question, because braided lines cover the range from XUL to offshore. 

Even targeting only bass, there are reasons to fish 8-lb to 60-lb. 

Like most things on this forum, there will be a brand loyalty bias to most replies. 

I never met a 4-strand braid I liked, though I have Seaguar loaded on a couple of near offshore trolling reels. 

 

All around winner for round and best-behaved on both spinning and b/c is Sufix 832. 

 

If biggest bang for diameter is your goal, look at the Japanese X-braids, YGK and Duel, Yamatoyo at the cost-effective end. 

 

I'm going to edit this for @cyclops2 post right behind me - it's unfounded  Extreme different methods are used for making braided lines.  Coming up with an excuse to buy junk is just that.   e.g., the X-braids have 90% of the strength in the different-drawn center strand, and the 7 outer strands are there for toughness and abrasion resistance. The braid winding begins with different quality fibers, and the winding result itself gives different densities.  The better coated braids are fused when the coating is applied.  Each brand has their-spec coating, which gives the lines different properties.  X-braid coating-wise, I like YGK best on spinning tackle, and Duel and Yamatoyo better on baitcast. 

It's one thing to say something, something else to put it through the ringer over a few years. 

Edited March 12, 2022 by bulldog1935

[cyclops2]

There are very few true companies making the multi stranded  Braided lines world wide.  They even have Coded Names for each type.  So   I simply go for the low priced brand names now.  I really need my money more than overpriced retailers.   I do know how to check plastic lines for U V damage if the spool is sitting on a store shelf for years. Those football sized BULK rolls I avoid at all costs.. U V damage risk is too great for me.  Plus the squeeze pressure is / can be super high on all the line farther into the roll.  

I will die before I use up my small spool of 4# test clear Ande Monofilament.  It is still in perfect condition after 20 ?? years in my under ware drawer.

Companies do make excellent plastic lines.  If we do our part to protecting it from U V rays.

[Deleted account]

There are differences between braids, but for fresh water fishing, I haven't found it really matters. 

[FishTank]

My current favorite is Sunline X-Plasma. Smooth, casts better than most, and the color last as long most other lines. Next would be Seaguar Smackdown and then a tie between Sufix 832 and Powerpro. 

[Rodney Smith]

The best braid is Hitena. Supercast is great, Silky is the ultimate.

[LrgmouthShad]

I used to really like power superslick when I was tying leaders for everything. Thank goodness I stopped doing that. No more spending tons of time tying on new leaders before every trip. Lately for frogging and punching I’ve just been using original power pro just cuz I can find it anywhere and it’s cheaper. Don’t really care. 

[casts_by_fly]

I’m really liking 832. I’ve fished others and they all turned me off braid. I’m trying 832 this year and it’s very good. 

[CrashVector]

52 minutes ago, DN3 said:

Used to up on all the latest and greatest, but not as much over the last few years - what are the best/better braided lines out there right now? Power Pro? Suffix? Something else?  If it matters....i'd be using the braid as a mainline with no leader.

 

I use braid without a leader.  

 

Hercules 8-strand no-fade.  I order it from Amazon.  Great stuff.

[cyclops2]

I am taking the 84th age amendment

I am too old to remember the brand.    

[CrashVector]

25 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

There are very few true companies making the multi stranded  Braided lines world wide.  They even have Coded Names for each type.  So   I simply go for the low priced brand names now.  I really need my money more than overpriced retailers.   I do know how to check plastic lines for U V damage if the spool is sitting on a store shelf for years. Those football sized BULK rolls I avoid at all costs.. U V damage risk is too great for me.  Plus the squeeze pressure is / can be super high on all the line farther into the roll.  

I will die before I use up my small spool of 4# test clear Ande Monofilament.  It is still in perfect condition after 20 ?? years in my under ware drawer.

Companies do make excellent plastic lines.  If we do our part to protecting it from U V rays.

 

I still use plenty mono line...usually BG or XL.

 

 

[A-Jay]

54 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

My opinion?

 

#1: Seaguar Smackdown

#2: Sufix 832

These lines work well for me as well.

I will add that Power Pro Maxcuatro is also very good for me.

Just don't ask me to pronounce it. 

A-Jay

[KDW96]

Suffix 832, Power Pro and Berkley Fire line.

 

[MickD]

55 minutes ago, Rodney Smith said:

The best braid is Hitena. Supercast is great, Silky is the ultimate.

I have only used the Pureline from Hitena and think it is the best braided line I've ever used.  I use the ~ 20 pound test version, very small diameter, casts like braids much lower in pound test, lasts a long time, very trouble-free.  A little pricey but worth it.

[Deleted account]

9 minutes ago, MickD said:

I have only used the Pureline from Hitena and think it is the best braided line I've ever used.

Wow

[J._Bricker]

I’m still predominantly using PowerPro. I can pretty much find it everywhere, it’s relatively affordable and I’m familiar with how it’s going to preform in different technique applications. 

[Mike L]

3 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

I’m still predominantly using PowerPro. I can pretty much find it everywhere, it’s relatively affordable and I’m familiar with how it’s going to preform in different technique applications. 

That’s why I still use it

 

 

 

Mike

[Mojo Bass]

Braid is the one line I don’t care about brand or using a good/premium line unlike my mono and fluorocarbon

 

I just want a braid that won’t let me down when I need it most so I just use power pro it’s cheap and works….. maybe when I run out I’ll try smackdown to do my due diligence to give myself an advantage on the water. But we’ll see ??‍♂️

[DaubsNU1]

I still have a few bait-casters spooled with Fenwick Iron-Thread from the 1990's. 

 

I don't think it matters much which brand you choose. 

 

Since I cannot find Iron-Thread any more, I have a few spooled with Power Pro. Seems to work just fine. All are in the 20-40 lb test. Anything more seems to be over-kill in my opinion. 

[dodgeguy]

I've fished braid since the early 90s. Overall I rate Sufix 832 the best and Tuff line Domin8 2nd. Sufix is way easier to get and comes in high vis green and yellow so I buy it.

[throttleplate]

been using spiderwire since the 90s and never has failed me. But this year i respooled all spinning reels which is all i have with 832 for the first time ever just because what you all say about its greatness.

 

I just wanted to try some new line other than my favorite spiderwire. I also stocked up on the 832 last week because fleetfarm had 150yd spools on sale for $12.99.

 

Now i find out spiderwire came out with a new braid claiming to  be 25% tougher around rocks than power pro. Hmm why compare it against power pro?

https://www.purefishing.com/collections/new-spiderwire-fishing-gear/products/durabraid-1564382

 

[dodgeguy]

1 minute ago, throttleplate said:

been using spiderwire since the 90s and never has failed me. But this year i respooled all spinning reels which is all i have with 832 for the first time ever just because what you all say about its greatness.

 

I just wanted to try some new line other than my favorite spiderwire. I also stocked up on the 832 last week because fleetfarm had 150yd spools on sale for $12.99.

 

Now i find out spiderwire came out with a new braid claiming to  be 25% tougher around rocks than power pro. Hmm why compare it against power pro?

https://www.purefishing.com/collections/new-spiderwire-fishing-gear/products/durabraid-1564382

 

I loved the original spider wire. Don't know why they ever stopped making it.