Reviews of different brands of braid

[Colin P]

Colin, you've overall been happy with the performance of the hollow braid? How does it stand up to shock loads?

I like the feel of the JB hollow braid myself. It feels very smooth and soft. I can't seem to find anyone who has used the JB solid spectra. I probably should get a spool of it to try to see how it goes.

I have been happy using the JBH Brandon - but I feel I shoiuld explain my usage/experience so as not to mislead -

1  I don't know how abrasion resistant it is 'cause I haven't used it a lot over extensive shallow, rocky locations, where a GT could make a long run that would pull the line across a damaging bottom. My fishing has been close to drop-offs and reefs, with the boat skipper helping drag a hooked GT away from trouble and me keeping as much line clear of the water as possible.

2  I have been hit hard by some decent sized GT with no breaks experienced - but I do use a 200 test twisted leader and that may give some additional shock absorption. That said, my wife was using 80 test JBH and a 130 test twisted leader when a 10kg GT smash took her near the boat - enough of a shock load to break the rod but the line held. Of course some of the shock absorption properties are accounted for by the following -
- there are no knots in the braid
- wherever you splice it you have a doubled length of line
- extreme tension will tend to pull it in on itself.

Leaving aside abrasion resistance and shock absorption, I have other reasons for liking JBH for popping -

1  It has a lovely soft feel and casts well (except into a strong wind when its lightness and hollow nature work against it - of course these characteristics work for it casting downwind)

2  It is so easy to make loops and splice in new line, whether to top up the reel line or add a stronger "leader length" - and all the joins are "invisible" and 100 per cent.

I reckon you should give it a go on your next trip - I'd be very interested in your observations.

[Brandon Khoo]

thanks for the information, Colin.
I think I will get some of the solid spectra to try for myself.
I can't ever see myself going down the route of hollow braid though. Still, one should never say never........

[Colin P]

I can't ever see myself going down the route of hollow braid though. Still, one should never say never........

Why not Brandon? I'm interested in what you don't like about it.

[Brandon Khoo]

it's nothing to do with my not liking it, Colin.
It's that it is designed for a purpose I don't use and that is splicing loops.

[Colin P]

This site is still under construction -

www.jerry-brown-industries.com


- but I found it interesting to read the Tips and Tricks section.

[Brandon Khoo]

I've just spent the past half hour tying some knots with the hollow braid. It tends to flatten out as it's hollow but it feels strong as.

No worries tying FGs with it but it's a big PR knot. I think the hollow braid is best used for splicing. I got to get a spool of the solid Jerry Brown and see how that goes.

[Colin P]

Must admit I've never tied knots, only made loops - 'cause I use loop to loop and catspaw join braid to mono for popping/stickbaiting and I always keep all of my 5 foot leader outside the guides when casting.

I bought the 100 test XP partly to create a spare 20k spool for popping/stickbaiting but also to try a PR knot approach with a slightly longer length of mono, allowing the braid/mono join to pass thru the guides.

Be interested in how you get on with the solid JB.

[Luke Wyrsta]

I've just spent the past half hour tying some knots with the hollow braid. It tends to flatten out as it's hollow but it feels strong as.

No worries tying FGs with it but it's a big PR knot. I think the hollow braid is best used for splicing. I got to get a spool of the solid Jerry Brown and see how that goes.

Tuf Line XP in 100lb+ class can be spliced with a steady hand. I use spliced loops on the 130lb.

[David Sharples]

Good thread :-)

I've used Jerry Brown Hollow in 130lb. Found it cast OK, was nice to be able to join lines and splice loops but like Brandon said not so good for PR knots. Also reckon it gets furry quite quickly which makes me thing it loses strength with use. Had an unexplained breakage on a decent fish which was either down to midwater debris that we couldn't see on the sounder or faulty line. No longer use this as I like the PR leader knot join.

Tuf XP - I like it but I've also seen the article that states it breaks at its stated strength. No bad thing except Powerpro is thinner for the same stated breaking strain and over-tests. The 130lb XP feels like barge rope! Not sure how the diameter compares to Varivas as I've not used it but I didn't enjoy using a line this thick.

Powerpro - I use this predominantly now because its cheap so I can change it regularly and it overtests for its given breaking strain. It doesn't wear too well but I change it every two trips so no real dramas. it can be a bit sensitive to bad knot tying but once you get this under control I reckon its great stuff.

What I miss most from the hollow is being able to make an invisible splice to join two lengths of line i.e, if you want to top up a spool. I hate having a double uni or biminis floating around in the middle of a spool! You know its going to cause you issues at some point...

[Colin P]

Tuf XP - I like it but I've also seen the article that states it breaks at its stated strength. No bad thing except Powerpro is thinner for the same stated breaking strain and over-tests. The 130lb XP feels like barge rope! Not sure how the diameter compares to Varivas as I've not used it but I didn't enjoy using a line this thick.

Powerpro - I use this predominantly now because its cheap so I can change it regularly and it overtests for its given breaking strain. It doesn't wear too well but I change it every two trips so no real dramas. it can be a bit sensitive to bad knot tying but once you get this under control I reckon its great stuff.

Interestingly the XP/Power Pro comparison I did showed PP is thinner for 80 & 100 stated test, thicker for 20 & 50 stated test, the same for 30 & 65 stated test.

In terms of actual test, I just tied the ends of 12 inches of 30 test PP to barrel swivels using moistened 5 turn uni knots. With one swivel slipped over the hook of my digital scales and the other held in split ring pliers I exerted a gradually increasing pull. The braid broke at 20/21 pound reading on the scales at a point an inch or two above the knot on the swivel. Did this 3 times with the same result. Not a scientific test 'cause I don't have the right equipment for that - but interesting enough for me to see what happens with claimed 50 test PP.

[Andrew Colefax]

has anyone used YGK castman ultra X8? thinking of PE8 (48kg) for the Dogfight..either that or tuffline

[Greg Burt]

I use the YGK lines in the Ultra Jigman and the Ultra Castman, along with Jigman and the YGK Nitlon on the 10 - 30lb combos. I love the stuff and the only query I had was with the Ultra Jigman in the early days of use a few years ago, I had two unexplained line breaks just above the Bimini which may have been caused in the tying of the Knot.
Colin, your 3 breakages could be from a similar situation with the Uni Knot stressing the line as it is pulled up to the swivel?

[Colin P]

Colin, your 3 breakages could be from a similar situation with the Uni Knot stressing the line as it is pulled up to the swivel?

Could be Greg - 'cause breaks occur either at or just above one of the knots. Did the same experiment with 50 test (broke at 31/32) and 65 test (broke at 38-40) so some consistency here!! Used uni and 6 turn grinner knots - same results - not surprising, same type of knots though grinner sb slightly stronger.  Must admit I use a mono or fluoro leader with PP (joined via PR knot or improved albright) so have not had occasion to attach PP direct to swivel, snap or eye of hook.

Be interesting if anybody out there has a knot that doesn't give these sort of results.

[Andrew Colefax]

I use the YGK lines in the Ultra Jigman and the Ultra Castman, along with Jigman and the YGK Nitlon on the 10 - 30lb combos. I love the stuff and the only query I had was with the Ultra Jigman in the early days of use a few years ago, I had two unexplained line breaks just above the Bimini which may have been caused in the tying of the Knot.
Colin, your 3 breakages could be from a similar situation with the Uni Knot stressing the line as it is pulled up to the swivel?

would you rate the ultra castman PE8 better for popping than 80lb tuffline? narrowed it down to those 2...Pete Morris gave feedback that the ygk may be subject to breakages near the colour markers, have you experienced this? cheers...

[Stephen Polzin]

I use 80lb tufline XP.  Cheap, tough and reliable, lasts forever.  Never had a wind knot in it.

I've got PE6 Daiwa Sensor-braid on my 8000 and PE4 on my little Saltiga for Spaniards.  Very nice silky smooth braid that seems strong but get's the odd wind-knot.  Expensive too.