Lasting impressions of Daiwa Samurai

[philsoreel]

Please keep in mind that I hold no allegiances to any company whatsoever. Until one of them starts giving me money and or products anyway.

Daiwa Samurai 40lb./8lb. dia. on Shimano Cores and Curado E's

Out of the box this is some fine feeling line. No doubt, the eight carrier construction makes for a very soft and silky finish. This was the first warning flag to me. It's so soft that it kind of behaves like rubbing sandpaper across silk when being fished in contact with cover. If you are fishing open-water it's all fine and dandy but heavy-cover fisherman beware. I haven't fished this line but maybe a month and it's already fraying. What bothers me so much is that I haven't put it through any real heavy stuff but it looks like it has been. No, I don't have a bad guide on the rod or reel. I really feel like it's less sensitive than some other brands to. It's the smoothest and quietest superline I've ever used but that's about the only thing I like about it.

I'm sticking with PP until something I like better comes out. I'm going to try 832 next.

It was pretty finicky casting as well(especially when line retrieved wasn't good and tight) BUT going up one line size would probably cure that.

[dodgeguy]

why don't you try fireline braid?sufix 832 was rated smoothest braid ever by in fisherman in this months issue.it also sinks because of the gore fibers.the last thing i would do is go backwards to powerpro.

[steezy]

I use 40lb./8lb. dia. on my spinning reel and have been uisng the same spool for almost a year and have not had any issues with fraying like you describe.  I also use the 70# on my heavy jig rod/reel and no problems.

I love using that line, soft, smooth, strong and very quiet.

-steezy

Please keep in mind that I hold no allegiances to any company whatsoever. Until one of them starts giving me money and or products anyway.

Daiwa Samurai 40lb./8lb. dia.

Out of the box this is some fine feeling line. No doubt, the eight carrier construction makes for a very soft and silky finish. This was the first warning flag to me. It's so soft that it kind of behaves like rubbing sandpaper across silk when being fished in contact with cover. If you are fishing open-water it's all fine and dandy but heavy-cover fisherman beware. I haven't fished this line but maybe a month and it's already fraying. What bothers me so much is that I haven't put it through any real heavy stuff but it looks like it has been. No, I don't have a bad guide on the rod or reel. I really feel like it's less sensitive than some other brands to. It's the smoothest and quietest superline I've ever used but that's about the only thing I like about it.

I'm sticking with PP until something I like better comes out. I'm going to try 832 next.

[Shane J]

I just gagged at the thought of going back to PP from Samurai. No way! I do want to try the 832, though, but I'm more than happy with the Daiwa.

[new2BC4bass]

I'm very surprised by your results as everyone else thinks it is the cat's meow. I hope it is an isolated case. I bought a spool of 55# to try. The line cost more than I paid for any of my old rods and reels (maybe spent more than that on my Penn reel, don't remember cost). Haven't spooled it yet because it was too cold for the application I bought it for...plus the reel it is going on is getting sent out for a little maintenance first.

Sure hope I don't get your results or I'll be > too!

Have you tried Sufix Performance? TT rated it very well for its price. I've got some 40# on a MH rod, but haven't used it enough to draw any conclusions. I like it so far.

A brother-in-law uses nothing but PP. Said he hasn't lost a lure with it yet. I thought I would try something a bit newer.

[philsoreel]

Dodge-Why don't I try Fireline Braid? Because you are the only person on Earth that likes it!  HAHAHAHAHAAA J/k man I couldn't resist. I promise I will try it before the spawn.

It is what it is. Everything I described happened on three different rod/reels. I'll keep it on one of my reels just to see how it performs on down the road.

[deep]

I have had half a spool (about 75 yds) of 30/6 Samurai on my T-rig/ jig rod since summer. No sign of fraying or weakening of the line yet. And I use it in moderate to heavy soft cover, and/or rocks. I do almost always have a FC leader though. Rocks will destroy any braid in short time.

[Wayne P.]

I use the 40# Samurai and Saltiga for finesse presentation in stuff like this very often. No problems and no fraying.

[slonezp]

This is the first season I had 55# Samuari spooled my bc's. I tie direct for frogs, jigs I may tie direct or may use a flouro leader. Never an issue.

[islandbass]

Any way you can post pics of the fraying? I am very curious. Reading you post triggered memories of my experience using the no longer made fusion line made by spiderwire that did a very similar thing.

[philsoreel]

I tried different lighting, different background, light behind backgrounds, etc, etc...this is the best I could do.

Is it an isolated incident? Maybe, hope so. Wouldn't be the first.

[steezy]

WOw, thats ugly, I ever saw it fray like that.

[Hammer 4]

Just a guess, I think you may have gotten a bad spool, or there's a nick in a guide you may have missed..? Mine line from 2 spools looks nothing like that.

[philsoreel]

Just a guess, I think you may have gotten a bad spool, or there's a nick in a guide you may have missed..? Mine line from 2 spools looks nothing like that.

Like I said before...three different rod/reels. No bad guides, I've checked.

[Wayne P.]

Four of my reels have Samurai that has been used for more than two years. Two of them have the 30# and two of them have the 40#. I have several more reels with 40# that was installed before this past Spring. I also have two reels with the 40# Saltiga installed in June.

I don't use the 30# at the flooded timber lake.

I have caught over 2,000 bass this year with the Samurai.

None of them have the fraying that you show.

[philsoreel]

However odd it may seem, until someone else has the same problem, an isolated incident is the only feasible explanation. I have gone over all guides over and over and can't find even the slightest questionable spot.

Well...at least I have a reason to try 832 now ;D

[slonezp]

Try contacting Diawa. Email them the pic and maybe they will send you a replacement spool. Worth a shot.

[Dwight Hottle]

However odd it may seem, until someone else has the same problem, an isolated incident is the only feasible explanation. I have gone over all guides over and over and can't find even the slightest questionable spot.

Have you checked the line guide on your reel? Something is causing the abrasion of the braid.