| It wasn't long ago that fishing line was fishing line. Yes, | | | | One of the things these lines have done is to allow |
| there were extra tough lines, extra limp lines, super | | | | those of us who require large amounts of line capacity |
| abrasion resistant lines, etc. The trout fisherman may | | | | on our reels to step down the sizes of reels we use. |
| have chosen a 2 or 4 lb test XL from Stren or | | | | As you can imagine there can be a great advantage |
| Berkley for its limpness and ability to achieve a more | | | | realized when you are able to get 20lb. test strength in |
| natural presentation. The bass guys might have gone | | | | an 8lb. test diameter. |
| for an XT line in 14-17 or maybe even 20lb. to stand up | | | | Increased sensitivity and better sense of connection to |
| to the weeds and heavy cover they so often | | | | the fish are some of the other advantages realized |
| encounter. Many of us who predominately fish the salt | | | | with these new lines. Certainly there are some |
| stuck with our Berkley Big Game in 20-30lb. test. | | | | negatives associated with these lines as well. Some of |
| During the late 1990's, along came spiderwire, and | | | | the drawbacks are the same qualities that are often |
| views and attitudes on fishing line began to change. At | | | | considered advantages. Low stretch is not always a |
| first, use of this new line made of braided spectra fiber | | | | good thing-a modest fish using the power of a |
| was somewhat restrictive. There were special reels | | | | moderate wave can almost certainly put any 20lb. line |
| and rod guides made to withstand the abrasive | | | | to the test, and if you have no stretch you just may |
| qualities of the line. As time went by though, this | | | | lose that fish. Many compensate for this with a section |
| became less of a concern. | | | | of mono attached to the braid on the running end. |
| It was the bass fishing crowd that was first to | | | | If you bring your own tackle on charter boats there |
| embrace this new line, and they sung the praises of its | | | | are many captains who do not allow the use of |
| low stretch and increased sensitivity. Of course, like | | | | braided lines-in this setting they can be hard to deal |
| most innovations in technology it wasn't long before | | | | with and unforgiving, especially when fishing deep |
| other companies were developing their own versions | | | | water with other anglers in close proximity. Wind knots |
| of super line, and its popularity began to grow | | | | can also be a problem with some of these lines, |
| throughout all of the fishing genres. | | | | especially when tossing very light offerings. You really |
| Today there are more types of super braid and hybrid | | | | have to try a few of them to figure out which one is |
| lines on the market than you can count and they have | | | | going to work the best for you. |
| all but replaced monofilament lines. Certainly there are | | | | Overall these "new" lines can fill a very important role |
| still times when monofilament with its stretch and the | | | | in your fishing arsenal. If you still haven't stepped away |
| other qualities it offers is desirable, but for many of us | | | | from conventional mono you should give them a try. |
| the braid is the new king of lines. | | | | |