best around musky line?
jesse
Posted 12/2/2008 5:35 PM (#347670)
Subject: best around musky line?


I am getting a new musky reel and was wondering what is the best line. I have used stren super braid and had medium results. Is there a better line? Also what do you use as backing, # test and how many yards?
muskie_man
Posted 12/2/2008 7:03 PM (#347689 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: Musky lines?





Posts: 1237


Location: South Portsmouth, KY
Cortland Masterbraid Bronzeback or Cortland Spectron. After using both i like spectron the best.
muskyhunter24
Posted 12/2/2008 7:42 PM (#347703 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 413


Location: Madison WI
Cortland bronzeback is a good line until the late october and november if your fishing in any place where it tends to get below 40 in that part of the year, at this time the bronzeback soaks up way too much water in my opinion and thus creates cold hands much quicker. I am not one of those people that can fish with gloves that aren't fingerless. I have been using stealth and powerpro, both fit what I need them for but the stealth doesn't shed its protective coating as quickly as powerpro.

Edited by muskyhunter24 12/2/2008 7:43 PM
muskihntr
Posted 12/2/2008 9:36 PM (#347723 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 2037


Location: lansing, il
i have been trying a new braid this fall and have been really pleased with it. it is made by Hi Seas and is called Grand Slam Braid. i wanted to use it before offering it for sale and can say i am very pleased with it, and plan to carry it in 80 and 100#. if your interested in gimmie a shout or you can check it out on their website. http://www.hiseas.net

Edited by muskihntr 12/2/2008 9:48 PM
DR in VA
Posted 12/2/2008 10:26 PM (#347734 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 210


Location: VA
Power Pro!!

DR
muskydeceiver
Posted 12/2/2008 10:39 PM (#347738 - in reply to #347734)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





You are going to get a bunch of different answers here. Make sure that you go with at least 80#. FWIW I use 80# Sufix and really like it. Your backing should be the same diameter as your braid. For me I believe it was 20# Trilene XT.
bn
Posted 12/2/2008 10:39 PM (#347739 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


cortland bronzeback or spiderwire stealth both in 80 lb are my favs....sucker rods spooled with 130 lb bronzeback
cjrich
Posted 12/2/2008 10:45 PM (#347742 - in reply to #347739)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 551


Location: Columbus, Georgia
Another vote for Cortland Bronzeback ... any pound test.

Edited by cjrich 12/2/2008 10:47 PM
reelman
Posted 12/2/2008 11:37 PM (#347750 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 1270


The new FireLine Braid is the best line I have ever used bar none. It is an 8 carrier weave which means that it's rounder and a tighter weave than any other braid on the market. IMHO roundness deosn't really matter but tightnes of the weave makes a big difference. Much smoother through the guided and less noise. It als odoes not absorb water like many of the braids out there. Yes it still absorbs some but not like the wax coated lines that came out 15 years ago and are still sold by some companies. I really like the 80lb. in the Tracer color.

As for backing I use whatever mono I have laying around as it doesn't matter.
Riverman
Posted 12/2/2008 11:51 PM (#347757 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


I can't say about others because I have only used PowerPro for the last 8 yrs or so without any problems. Landed an 8" sturgeon that probably weighed 250 pounds last wknd on 100# PP.

Jed
curleytail
Posted 12/2/2008 11:56 PM (#347760 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 2687


Location: Hayward, WI
I have been using the Cortland Masterbraid Bronzeback the last two years and it has been working pretty well for me! Don't have anything bad to say about it. I don't think it picks up much water either. I don't notice my hands getting very wet with it. It will eventually freeze up if casting in temps much below freezing, but is there a line that doesn't?
hammy129
Posted 12/3/2008 12:21 AM (#347762 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Posts: 130


Location: Chicago
I use Power Pro, so far so good.
Steve Jonesi
Posted 12/3/2008 12:49 AM (#347766 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 2089


100 lb. Spiderwire Stealth.
mota
Posted 12/3/2008 1:38 AM (#347767 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?


80 spiderwire ultracast,and by far

Edited by mota 12/3/2008 1:38 AM
Cast
Posted 12/3/2008 7:35 AM (#347779 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


PIKEMASTER - 12/3/2008 6:41 AM

BERKLEY TRACER BRAID, INVISI BRAID, STEALTH CODE RED.


Mrs. Santa? Who wouldn't?
ILmuskie
Posted 12/3/2008 7:53 AM (#347782 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 371


Location: Dixon, IL
I like Power Pro moss green lines!
65 lbs for crankbaits, minnowtype lure like grandma, spinnerbait and average size bucktails.
80 lbs for jerkbaits, topwater, large crankbaits, large bucktails.

Fill up old line in reel then add 150 yards of power pro line. I buy 300 yards for two musky reels!
dtaijo174
Posted 12/3/2008 8:37 AM (#347792 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 1169


Location: New Hope MN
Here is a vote AGAINST Tuff line. I find that it frays very easily.
Halfpint
Posted 12/3/2008 10:12 AM (#347811 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


Stren Superbraid is my favorite. Powerpro second. Feels like the stren has a thicker diameter. Get a lot more backlashes from the PowerPro...seems to twist on me a lot. Stren is smooth, casting just as far without twists.

I'm interested to try the Fireline. Been using that for years for bass rods.
STUSHSKY
Posted 12/3/2008 10:38 AM (#347814 - in reply to #347811)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?




Posts: 375


maybe it's me but a vote against power pro that i used for only two years...many backlashes vs. the ultracast that i totally switched to this past year. in my opinion, instead of power pro improving the quality of the line itself they chose to put it in a handy-dandy box with a line cutting thing! shame on them...lol

Edited by STUSHSKY 12/3/2008 11:53 AM
DR in VA
Posted 12/3/2008 10:54 AM (#347817 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 210


Location: VA
Actually Stushsky,

Power Pro did improve/changed the dyes they used for the spectra lines, the "new" holds it's color much better (the handy dandy part was funny)

DR
STUSHSKY
Posted 12/3/2008 11:14 AM (#347820 - in reply to #347817)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 375


dr,
i had no complaint on the color of pp, i used the three colors of the ultracast, yellow, green and white / invisibraid on my three setups and the muskies could care less! unless a rep from power pro steps up and states on this site they will give us all say a free 300 yard spool of it to switch / switch back. some may take the offer...not me...

Edited by STUSHSKY 12/3/2008 11:56 AM
Fishboy19
Posted 12/3/2008 1:04 PM (#347835 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Posts: 298


Spiderwire Ultracast 80 and up.
AWH
Posted 12/3/2008 4:50 PM (#347880 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 1243


Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN
When it comes to respooling my reels, they will all be getting Cortland Masterbraid. I have been using this line for the past 2 years and have been very happy with it. It's possibly the driest braid I've ever used. When it comes to cold weather casting, my reels filled with Masterbraid are what I reach for first.

Aaron
darkwing1
Posted 12/3/2008 5:36 PM (#347894 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 139


I use both Spiderwire Stealth and Cortland Spectron and have had no problems with either.
sworrall
Posted 12/4/2008 9:33 PM (#348151 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
ANother vote for the Hi Seas Grand Slam, very good line.

I just received a couple megaspools of Fireline braid and Stealth, reports to come next season.
Muskie Pat
Posted 12/4/2008 9:44 PM (#348155 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 284


Location: Fishing the weeds
80-100# Ultracast!
hooky
Posted 12/13/2008 7:18 PM (#349620 - in reply to #347689)
Subject: Re: Musky lines?




Posts: 7


I like Power Pro in the 80# test
muskie! nut
Posted 12/14/2008 9:04 AM (#349697 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 2894


Location: Yahara River Chain
I like Cortland Spectron lines or Cabela's Ripcord SI. I can not recommend Power Pro. Its seems every time I would get a backlash, i needed to get out the line pick, whereas the Cortland or Ripcord, I just need to yank on the line and the backlash pops out.
Medford Fisher
Posted 12/14/2008 8:14 PM (#349820 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 1057


Location: Medford, WI
I don't have very much experience with different brands of line, but the two I have used quite a bit are PowerPro and TufLine. I prefer TufLine over PowerPro as I've never had the 80 or 100 lb. test snap; regardless of what I'm casting and how bad a backlash may be. PowerPro, I have had snap a few times. Also, I've found for beginners TufLine will backlash much less often than PowerPro when using the same lb test (I'm sure that has to do with diameter and whatnot).

Interested in trying the new HiSeas line also.

-Jake Bucki
CASTING55
Posted 12/15/2008 3:29 PM (#349944 - in reply to #349820)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 968


Location: N.FIB
I used power pro for about 7 years and switched to cortland this past summer,I like the cortland much better except in very cold temps.Over the years I hardly ever got backlashes with power pro,but when I did I would have to cut the line out most of the time,with cortland the backlashes come out very easy.Cortland holds alot more water,as the line was coming in this fall it was coated with ice before it hit the spool,power pro never did that and I fished in below freezing temps with it alot over the years.So for me it is cortland in the summer and power pro in the fall.now if you can keep those darn eyelets from iceing up,that would be great.
kdawg
Posted 12/17/2008 7:58 AM (#350177 - in reply to #349820)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 759


I'm not sure I believe new products are all better than the old. Since the issue here is line, Cortland's Musky Master Black Dacron has stood the test of time. Was around for at least 30yrs. now since I first started Musky fishing. If it's not a good product why does Cortland still make it, and various musky shops still sell it?? Musky Master gets my vote. Kdawg
Will Schultz
Posted 12/17/2008 1:09 PM (#350202 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Location: Grand Rapids, MI
I tried invisibraid this season and was a little bummed that after about 75 hours it started to fray more than other lines I've used. At first I thought it might be something with the rod or the reel but as my other three rods with invisibraid started to hit the 75 hour mark those also started to fray more than I would like. Up to the point that the fraying started I was very happy with the line.

Edited by Will Schultz 12/17/2008 1:21 PM
PIKEMASTER
Posted 12/18/2008 7:56 AM (#350289 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160
The 3 lines I like is INVISI BRAID, BERKLEY TRACER BRAID & CODE RED SPIDERWIRE, as far as fraying goes at the end of every day or Big Fish I always cut off 1-2 ft of line and retie a new knot.
lambeau
Posted 12/18/2008 8:51 AM (#350292 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?


i've had only good experiences with Spiderwire Stealth, and Cortland Bronzeback. both are strong lines that cast well. i'll probably be spooled up with 80lb Bronzeback on all my reels this year with the exception of maybe one that i might test something else if there's something new that catches my eye.

i tried Invisi-braid last year as well, based on my good experiences with the regular Stealth braid, but had similar outcomes with it fraying as some others describe. i expect that to happen with any line in the first couple feet, but the real problem for me with the Invisi-braid was that it was fraying well down inside the spool, i assume from friction on the levelwind and line guides during casts and high-speed retrieves.
Will Schultz
Posted 12/18/2008 10:21 AM (#350304 - in reply to #350292)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Location: Grand Rapids, MI
lambeau - 12/18/2008 9:51 AM
i expect that to happen with any line in the first couple feet, but the real problem for me with the Invisi-braid was that it was fraying well down inside the spool, i assume from friction on the levelwind and line guides during casts and high-speed retrieves.


Yes, that was my experience as well. I expect to cut off a few feet and re-tie often but the fraying into the first 60' of line was a concern. This was also after a considerable amount of time (around 75 hours). That is a season for many anglers and most people probably aren't going to see the fraying until season two. The fraying also cause the invisibraid to hold a ton of water and I had to re-spool in the fall because it got so bad. The people I've talked with that use Stealth haven't had this problem so there must be something different w/ the invisibraid.

I wanted to try invisibraid because it was white and I needed to re-spool all of my rods for the 08 season. I never had a single problem with white powerpro but I thought the invisibraid would be worth a try - should have known that the grass isn't always greener...

Unless another company comes out with a white line I'll be back to the white powerpro in 2009.

Edited by Will Schultz 12/18/2008 10:24 AM
wbp93
Posted 12/16/2009 8:04 PM (#413113 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 2


POWER PRO FOR ME TOO!
WaterWolfMike
Posted 12/17/2009 4:05 AM (#413129 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Posts: 16


I used to used Tuff Line, which for the money is a great product ! Now using Daiwa Samuri braid because it is a 8 weave braid...way smoother through the guides and very easy to pick out backlashes.
muskie_man
Posted 12/17/2009 8:33 AM (#413135 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 1237


Location: South Portsmouth, KY
Anything besides power pro!! I have broken the 80# and the 100# pound test line
FEVER
Posted 12/17/2009 12:02 PM (#413172 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 253


Location: On the water
Ive used Cortland Spectron for many years, great line. But I want to try something different to see if the lines got any better. I wanted to try Ultracast but after the last few posts, thats out. Maybe I'll give Stealth a try.
Tom
Cowboyhannah
Posted 12/17/2009 9:07 PM (#413241 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 1453


Location: Kronenwetter, WI
I've always used 80# Spiderwire Stealth w/no problems....until this last year when I was tossing 10s off my Saltist and struggled with some backlashes when tossing into the wind. THe backlashes must've put some stress on the line as on three occasions, my line snapped, and off went my lure trailing 15-20 feet of line. Was out with a guide at the time and he said he, too, struggled with the same issue of breakage with that brand when tossing 10s off a high speed saltwater reel and now uses only Powerpro for that specific application. Not sure what I'm going to spool up with next season. I like the teflon coating on the stealth for most applications, but not sure I want to run different types of line on different reels.
sbro73
Posted 12/18/2009 8:17 AM (#413266 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 82


Location: Minneapolis,Mn
Cortland Masterbraid are on all my reels, have been for the last 3 years. Also have had good results with Sufix Braid!
Lightning
Posted 12/18/2009 4:50 PM (#413345 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 485


Location: On my favorite lake!
I too like tufline over powerpro, stren, powerbraid, spinderwire. I also like the cortland spectron. Only negative on the tuffline is the color bleeds after a while. I keep a marker handy after out on the water for touchups.
Guest
Posted 12/19/2009 1:59 PM (#413441 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


I had powerpro for a couple years, until 2 weeks after opener breaking off 2 fish in the same day. 80# line that is 3 weeks old shouldn't snap. My drag was not locked down either. Peeled the PP off and tried tuffline XP and spiderwire ultracast invisibraid. Liked both, but when I let up with my thumb on the cast the ultracast would shoot 1 or 2 wraps of line under itself on the spool and then lock down. That got annoying so I put on regular tuff line. So far happy with both tuff line series, although I did manage to fray the original on a tree/log/record fish? when my bucktail got snagged. I'll be trying cortland masterbraid next year me thinks.
Kevin Mahlberg
Posted 12/20/2009 11:18 AM (#413536 - in reply to #413441)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?




Posts: 156


Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Cortland Spectron for me. I had power pro snap on me one too many times and never went back. I will try the bronzeback also based on what I have read here.

For those who have used both the Spectron and Bronzeback, what are the differences?
Cheech
Posted 12/22/2009 11:20 AM (#413813 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Location: Suburban Chicago
Another thumbs up for Power Pro. It's very round, real strong and never given me any trouble.

I use 65# & 80# on the casting rods and 50# on my inexpensive trolling setups.

Edited by Cheech 12/22/2009 11:22 AM
AWH
Posted 12/22/2009 11:32 AM (#413815 - in reply to #413536)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Posts: 1243


Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN
Kevin Mahlberg - 12/20/2009 11:18 AM

For those who have used both the Spectron and Bronzeback, what are the differences?


Kevin,

Bronzeback is simply the color. You're referring to the Masterbraid with that one which comes in several colors. Bronzeback and Green being the most common colors used by musky guys. Here's an answer direct from Cortland explaining the difference between Spectron and Masterbraid.

"The difference between the New (Masterbraid) and old (Spectron) is that we have added a fiber tech protection treatment. This treatment penetrates the entire braid so that the braid is treated inside and out protecting it from all elements to last longer. The question about the difference between Spectron and Masterbraid is a question that we get asked often. Difference is we do not coat the Spectron with the fiber tech and it only comes in black spot and green."

This response was from a couple years ago. They no longer make Spectron in green.

Aaron
hawkeye9
Posted 12/22/2009 12:24 PM (#413822 - in reply to #413815)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?




Posts: 426


Location: Perryville, MO
I thought I'd figured out what happen towards the end of the season when I respooled some old line. I bought the Masterbraid accidently instead of the Spectron that I had been using. (Loved the spectron.) However, I wasn't able to get half has much line on my reel with the Masterbraid as I was with the Spectron (same test strength, 80lbs.) I loved the green Spectron that I had been using. Not only was I thinking the diameter of the Masterbraid was greater, I kinda thought it held more water (wet hands in the cold sucks). I thought Masterbraid was dacron. Is Spectron made of dacron as well (I didn't think so)?

After what Aaron just reported I must be crazy. What I do know is that I'd like to find a big spool of the green spectron that I had been using. The stuff hadn't given me a single problem...yet (except now...seeing that I can't find it in green.)


Edited by hawkeye9 12/22/2009 12:28 PM
AWH
Posted 12/22/2009 1:12 PM (#413826 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 1243


Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN
Hawkeye, I've never used the Spectron but I use the Masterbraid and love it. It's the driest line I've used. It's odd though because I've heard people give feedback on the line from it being very wet to very dry. So I don't think you're crazy. But I also don't have an explanation for that one. I've got Masterbraid on several reels from several different spools and they all have the same characteristics to me. Very dry line compared to others I've used.

What I was told by Cortland is that the Green Masterbraid is the same as the Green Spectron was...they just changed the name. This contradicts what I quoted them as saying above...with the Spectron not having the Fiber Tech coating. But this is what they told me...that they only changed the label.

Aaron
hawkeye9
Posted 12/22/2009 1:57 PM (#413829 - in reply to #413826)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 426


Location: Perryville, MO
Wow...now I'm as confused as ever. (Glad to know I'm not crazy...well, at least for this.) What's amazing is how many people like Cortland line. What's strange is that nobody knows exactly what we're using. (That's not fair of course...I'm sure lots more people may chime in on this...and be helpful.) Aaron, what about the line diameter? Is there a difference between Spectron and Masterbraid? And, is Spectron made of dacron? I didn't think so (before what I've learned here). While I get the fact that we all have different opinions about gear (which is why there are lots of products to choose from) it's still surprising to me that there is the wide difference in opinion about wet or dry for masterbraid. I mean, serious difference. My hands are sopping wet after reeling in only a couple of times. I'm gonna double check the box again, but I'm pretty darn sure it was materbraid I bought this last time, and this black dacron line seems to be much different than the Spectron on my other reels. Thanks for your response, Aaron.
Why reanme a product that had as many good reviews as I've heard about green Cortland Spectron. (They seem to be taking marketing advice from the wrong people, IMHO)
Will Schultz
Posted 12/22/2009 1:57 PM (#413830 - in reply to #413822)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Location: Grand Rapids, MI
hawkeye9 - 12/22/2009 1:24 PM

I thought I'd figured out what happen towards the end of the season when I respooled some old line. I bought the Masterbraid accidently instead of the Spectron that I had been using. (Loved the spectron.) However, I wasn't able to get half has much line on my reel with the Masterbraid as I was with the Spectron (same test strength, 80lbs.) I loved the green Spectron that I had been using. Not only was I thinking the diameter of the Masterbraid was greater, I kinda thought it held more water (wet hands in the cold sucks). I thought Masterbraid was dacron. Is Spectron made of dacron as well (I didn't think so)?

After what Aaron just reported I must be crazy. What I do know is that I'd like to find a big spool of the green spectron that I had been using. The stuff hadn't given me a single problem...yet (except now...seeing that I can't find it in green.)


I'm guessing you bought Musky Master (dacron) and not Masterbraid. If that was the case then what you describe would be spot on concerning the larger dia and how it holds water.
hawkeye9
Posted 12/22/2009 2:02 PM (#413831 - in reply to #413830)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?




Posts: 426


Location: Perryville, MO
Alright, alright...now that makes sense...bingo! Thanks, Will. That's what I did (I don't even need to look at the box). Problem solved. Now tell me that Masterbraid still comes in green and I'll place an order and quit whinning (I'll look on the sites for myself...now that I've got it straight).

However, I'll stick by my comment of marketing...seriously, musky master and masterbraid? Who has that much confidence in fishermen not messing that one up? Let me guess...someone who wouldn't mind selling an extra spool of line to a dufus?

Edited by hawkeye9 12/22/2009 2:07 PM
IAJustin
Posted 12/22/2009 2:08 PM (#413833 - in reply to #350304)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 2015


Will Schultz - 12/18/2008 10:21 AM

lambeau - 12/18/2008 9:51 AM
i expect that to happen with any line in the first couple feet, but the real problem for me with the Invisi-braid was that it was fraying well down inside the spool, i assume from friction on the levelwind and line guides during casts and high-speed retrieves.


Yes, that was my experience as well. I expect to cut off a few feet and re-tie often but the fraying into the first 60' of line was a concern. This was also after a considerable amount of time (around 75 hours). That is a season for many anglers and most people probably aren't going to see the fraying until season two. The fraying also cause the invisibraid to hold a ton of water and I had to re-spool in the fall because it got so bad. The people I've talked with that use Stealth haven't had this problem so there must be something different w/ the invisibraid.

I wanted to try invisibraid because it was white and I needed to re-spool all of my rods for the 08 season. I never had a single problem with white powerpro but I thought the invisibraid would be worth a try - should have known that the grass isn't always greener...

Unless another company comes out with a white line I'll be back to the white powerpro in 2009.



What rods were you using? - I wish Okuma would put a different tip on there rods - I have never had issues with Stealth fraying - but I do now that I fish Okuma's almost exclusively.

Edited by IAJustin 12/22/2009 2:09 PM
AWH
Posted 12/22/2009 2:25 PM (#413834 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 1243


Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN
Hawkeye, Will beat me to the punch in his response and it sounds like your question has been answered there. The diameter should be identical (to the best of my knowledge) on both Masterbraid and Spectron. 80# is equivalent to 18# mono. And if you're looking for Green Masterbraid, I can help you out with that for 80#.

Aaron
Will Schultz
Posted 12/22/2009 2:25 PM (#413835 - in reply to #413833)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Location: Grand Rapids, MI
IAJustin - 12/22/2009 3:08 PM

Will Schultz - 12/18/2008 10:21 AM

lambeau - 12/18/2008 9:51 AM
i expect that to happen with any line in the first couple feet, but the real problem for me with the Invisi-braid was that it was fraying well down inside the spool, i assume from friction on the levelwind and line guides during casts and high-speed retrieves.


Yes, that was my experience as well. I expect to cut off a few feet and re-tie often but the fraying into the first 60' of line was a concern. This was also after a considerable amount of time (around 75 hours). That is a season for many anglers and most people probably aren't going to see the fraying until season two. The fraying also cause the invisibraid to hold a ton of water and I had to re-spool in the fall because it got so bad. The people I've talked with that use Stealth haven't had this problem so there must be something different w/ the invisibraid.

I wanted to try invisibraid because it was white and I needed to re-spool all of my rods for the 08 season. I never had a single problem with white powerpro but I thought the invisibraid would be worth a try - should have known that the grass isn't always greener...

Unless another company comes out with a white line I'll be back to the white powerpro in 2009.



What rods were you using? - I wish Okuma would put a different tip on there rods - I have never had issues with Stealth fraying - but I do now that I fish Okuma's almost exclusively.


At the time I was using all St Croix rods. I have noticed an increase in the time it takes the PowerPro to look used w/ the Okuma rods and I'm changing all the tips to Fuji concept.
esox50
Posted 12/22/2009 2:33 PM (#413838 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


I've always been a fan of Cortland Spectron, but received a free spool of 80lb Power Pro this summer. I spooled it onto several reels - Calcuttas and a Saltist - all on Okuma rods. It looked like someone had taken a hack saw to the PP on the Saltist and removed all of the green dye, but after roughly the same amount of use the PP on the Calcuttas looked almost as it had coming off the original spool.

My question is could the Saltist have something to do with the fraying line? I remember seeing here that people were having similar problems and someone suggested removing line so that the line would not rub on the levelwind. I did this and cut even more off to where I had about 1/2 the spool and still it continued to fray. Suggestions?
Justin
Posted 12/22/2009 2:45 PM (#413840 - in reply to #413835)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?


What rods were you using? - I wish Okuma would put a different tip on there rods - I have never had issues with Stealth fraying - but I do now that I fish Okuma's almost exclusively.

At the time I was using all St Croix rods. I have noticed an increase in the time it takes the PowerPro to look used w/ the Okuma rods and I'm changing all the tips to Fuji concept.


Good plan! think I will do the same
jackson
Posted 12/23/2009 8:29 AM (#413918 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 582


i have been using PowerPro for years without any issues. Its on at least 3 of my rods. The others have Stealth 80# and have used spectron as well. They all work well imo.. I think i am going to try VICIOUS next year as i am hearing good things. Anyone have experience with that line?
Performance_Tuned
Posted 12/23/2009 8:47 AM (#413919 - in reply to #413918)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 102


Location: Bowling Green, KY
I have had good luck with P-line Spectrex for the last couple of years, but it has become no longer locally available, so I guess its off to something else.
bassinbob84
Posted 12/23/2009 9:18 AM (#413928 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 646


Location: In a shack in the woods
I gave up on power pro after losing a couple lures. It's all master braid for me now.
Lone Stone
Posted 12/23/2009 9:46 AM (#413932 - in reply to #413928)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 477


Location: Iowa
Spectron exclusively for me the last few years. I tried a few different lines, and saw baits fly off rods with different lines. I've never had this happen with spectron. Only complaint is it does hold more water, and that kind of sucks in freezing weather, trying to cast. If I ever change it will be to master braid.

Edited by Lone Stone 12/23/2009 9:48 AM
Nupe
Posted 12/23/2009 9:49 AM (#413933 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?




Posts: 519


Location: Bloomington, IL
Spiderwire Stealth for me. No problems, supple and quiet (definitely quieter than Power Pro - I am not a big fan of Power Pro.) I use it for just about any kid of fishing i do, from 2# up to 100# - 65, 80, and 100 for muskie fishing.

I have used Cortland Spectron some and it is great too.
fishbag
Posted 12/23/2009 11:57 AM (#413936 - in reply to #413919)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?


Performance_Tuned - 12/23/2009 8:47 AM

I have had good luck with P-line Spectrex for the last couple of years, but it has become no longer locally available, so I guess its off to something else.
i was a big fan of stealth ultracast,but now spectrex is my best one.very friendly user,with that line you can say i can stay away from bird nest
Beaver
Posted 12/23/2009 1:23 PM (#413941 - in reply to #413936)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Posts: 4266


Tuf-Line.....the original salt n pepper color
Tuf-Line Plus......because I can't find the original.
Both have great casting qualities and don't hold water.
Toward the end of last year I spooled a few reels with Stren Superbraid. Great stuff. It's round and stays round. Each strand that is woven together to form the line is also round and coated. Casts well and water runs right off of it when you pull it out of the water. Didn't use it enough for a 'favorite' rating, but so far I'm impressed.
dietmar
Posted 12/23/2009 1:49 PM (#413942 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?




Posts: 38


Location: Germany
Hello,

and here are the results from Germany. My personal favorites in relationship of price and performance are Power Pro and Spiderwire Stealth. I use them up to 100 lbs. I think both lines are the best buy, and the spiderwire is the No.1 of both. The Stren Sonic Braid in my opinion is also good but a little more expensive.

In Germany many people like the STROFT GTP.
http://www.stroft.de/index_en.html

It is a very good line Made in Germany and didn't soak up water, so many angler use them in winter. But there is one problem, it is very very expensive. To expensive for me.

In Japan one of the No.1 lines is YGK Jigman. There are some other very good lines maybe from Varivas and Toray. But all are very expensive and I don't know if they are worth their price.

Bye, Dietmar

p.s.: Some people wrote about problems with Power Pro. Some times ago there are some cheap copies from China of this line on the market. I think I saw some spools some weeks ago on ebay. Maybe this is the reason for the problems. On the old homepage from Power Pro were some hints to identify those copies.
BNelson
Posted 12/23/2009 2:39 PM (#413953 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: Re: best around musky line?





Location: Contrarian Island
Cortland Bronzeback 80 lb is now my favorite...Stealth 2nd,,,Tuf Line 3rd
EA
Posted 12/23/2009 3:46 PM (#413959 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?


Not sure if it's the "best" line out there, but after using PowerPro, Tuff Line, and several others, I've had the best results with the Cortland Masterbraid, aka bronzeback. It takes longer to get fuzzy, it doesn't soak up a ton of water, and overall it's been very reliable. More than I can say for some other popular brands of line, that's for sure.
WaterWolfMike
Posted 12/23/2009 4:50 PM (#413965 - in reply to #347670)
Subject: RE: best around musky line?





Posts: 16


Also some new stuff from Canada that is amazing stuff called "Spider Thread"

www.spiderthread.ca




Edited by WaterWolfMike 12/23/2009 4:53 PM