Recommended PE line on Baitcaster

[Lemonbred]

Hello, so currently I have power pro 30 lbs on my baitcaster. It works great buts it's pretty loud and rough. I have been looking at some jdm braid since i've seen they are really smooth and thin. At the moment Varivas 8 has caught my eye, but im not sure on the size. Im worried of going to thin where the line digging in will be too much of an issue. Im using a Metanium 100 and cast and average of 1/2 oz lures with a 12/17 lbs sniper flouro leader. Im hoping some one with jdm line experience could help me out. Thanks

[bulldog1935]

I would go with PE#2 (0.235 mm dia), nominal 40-lb breaking strength

I checked capacity, which is the same as Daiwa 1012, 12/100.  

 

Using line capacity calculator, that's exactly a 150-m Varivas spool. 

If you go with a smaller size, e.g. PE#1.5, you have to stack lines.  

You can always use the PowerPro for backing.  

No line-dig worries on lines bigger than PE#1.  

[Lemonbred]

9 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

I would go with PE#2 (0.235 mm dia), nominal 40-lb breaking strength

I checked capacity, which is the same as Daiwa 1012, 12/100.  

 

Using line capacity calculator, that's exactly a 150-m Varivas spool. 

If you go with a smaller size, e.g. PE#1.5, you have to stack lines.  

You can always use the PowerPro for backing.  

Thank you Mr bulldog. Funny enough you were the one person I was hoping would reply hahah

[FishTank]

I would go #2.5 or #3, which would be closer to the 30lb Power Pro your using. Granted the breaking strength will be greater but the line diameter will be more familiar to you. I would also recommend a leader. 

 

As far as which one to use, I have not tried Varivas 8 yet but I keep hearing that it's pretty good line. I have had good luck with most of the Varivas lines I've used. My personal favorites are YGK Upgrade and Zone Cover.

[VolFan]

If you’re interested in that quality from a US place - check out Fins 40G. I have switched all my reels that use braid to it. It is that good. 

[bulldog1935]

I rate my lines by how the FEP coating glides through rolling Allbright knot.  

Especially when rolling follow-up leader knots out to 3 years line life.  

The best coatings include Varivas, YGK, and Duel X-wire held up well for a 3-year life.  

The two very best are Varivas Si-X and probably the same coating formulation on YGK WXP1.  

I won't mention the worst coatings, which peeled soon, or even New.  

 

Since I'm here, two PE#2 in tough service - frogger and surf-lure

 

[AzBassin]

On 3/13/2025 at 9:35 PM, Lemonbred said:

Hello, so currently I have power pro 30 lbs on my baitcaster. It works great buts it's pretty loud and rough. I have been looking at some jdm braid since i've seen they are really smooth and thin. At the moment Varivas 8 has caught my eye, but im not sure on the size. Im worried of going to thin where the line digging in will be too much of an issue. Im using a Metanium 100 and cast and average of 1/2 oz lures with a 12/17 lbs sniper flouro leader. Im hoping some one with jdm line experience could help me out. Thanks

As rule 10Lb diameter minimum on bait caster. Sometimes that is between 20-40 lb test. But make sure at least 0.11 diameter

Berkley X5