Would you like to be a guest author? Click HERE.

Home | Articles | Message Forum

Earthworm's Super Line Shootout (Guest Article)
Battle of the super lines
by Craig DeFronzo (Earthworm 77)

All super lines are not created equal. These lines have built a reputation based on strength, UV resistance, low stretch, and their ability to saw through vegetation. With the good comes the bad as they are equally notorious for breaking rods, wearing guides, hellish snarls, snapped tips, broken hooks, flying fish, and even serious injuries.

The truth is, these lines can be fantastic and have many uses in a host of applications. I do not think that they are versatile enough to eliminate the use of mono altogether. Most of the negatives can be eliminated with common sense and careful use. After all, anyone who coils the line around his hands and yanks to get a stuck bait free is just asking for trouble…..I call it nature's way of culling the gene pool.

As in past shootout articles, I took some of the more popular products and put them through my nightmare of testing procedures. I’m not sponsored by any line manufacturer so my results are not tainted by promoting my sponsors wares.

I tested the lines based on overall diameter, strength, stretch, innovation, durability, value, and knot strength. These lines are made of several different materials. Spectra fiber and Micro Dyneema are two of the more popular materials. Super lines have come a long way since first introduced as jazzed up kite string. Now, let the games begin. For the testing, I did not perform breaking strength tests as I did with mono. For most anglers, these lines feature small diameters with incredible breaking weights. If anyone thinks they will break a 20lb. line with a 6lb. diameter, that person can merely move up to a 40lb. line with an 8lb. diameter. There is no doubt that these lines are strong. They are also very abrasion resistant when used in vegetation and wood. Weeds and vegetation are severed when they get in the way. If super lines have a weakness, it is rocks. I have not met a braid that fished satisfactory for me in rocks. I must note that I did not test Sea King or Tuf Line XP in rocks.

SpiderWire Fusion
The Claim: Increased sensitivity and strength gives Fusion a decided edge over mono. Resistant to UV and chemical damage, zero memory, and a low stretch factor for more positive hooksets. Color - Moss Green. Available in 10, 12, 14, 24, and 30lb. test. Price - 150 yards = $5.39, 300 yards = $9.99.

The Truth: I am impressed with the price of Fusion. At $5.99, it is one of the best valued super lines out there. It is a strange line, however. One that I never felt comfortable with despite using it for several years for SW applications. I did not like the way it went through my guides, I did not like the way it casted. Like most super lines, its kryptonite is rocks. General abrasion resistance for this line was more than acceptable. When I fished it around rocks, it parted with very little effort. This was a huge disappointment to me. Fusion had decent knot strength and near zero stretch. For a line that is coated it had little memory and the coating did not fray or peel off. This is a decent line for beginners or those who are cost conscious. Diameter to strength rating -7 || Overall Strength -7 || Stretch -7 || Durablity -7 || Knot Strength -7 || Innovation -7 || Value -9
Fusion rates about a 7.

Earthworm's recommendation: Fusion is a good line for beginners or those who want to save money. Not bad, not great, but keep it out of the rocks. I never felt “at one” with it as I used it.

Berkley FireLine
The Claim: Unifilament design, resulting from an advanced molecular reorientation process, provides anglers with an entirely new concept in fishing line. Qualities like unbelievable strength, sensitivity, and incredible casting performance are just some of the benefits. Zero memory means reduced friction on the reel and guides. This produced longer, more accurate casts. Efficient energy transfer and ultra low stretch provides great feel and lure control. Don’t let the small diameter fool you, Fireline is the ultimate in abrasion resistance, plus it is three times stronger and 30% thinner than braided lines of comparable knot strength. Available in high vis green and original smoke in 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, and 30 pound test. Price - $11.95 per 125 yards, $25.00 per 300 yards.

The Truth: What the hell did they say? Molecular reorientation? Energy transfer? That was a great advertisement. But does it really stack up? I like Fireline. Despite the technical mumbo jumbo, it is one of my favorite light tackle super lines. I use it primarily on a light spinning rod. This line is a strong line made up of Micro Dyneema fiber. Pound for pound it is stronger than steel. Fireline is quite supple, it has little memory and great knot strength. It certainly is one of the thinnest braids around making its diameter to strength ratio one of the best. Fireline has very little stretch. It makes a really cool sound as it zips through your guides when fighting a fish. I love the smoke color, but……always a but, after some use the line frays like no other. I’m not sure if this actually decreases the lines strength, it just looks ugly. The smoke line turns light gray as the coating cotton balls on the line. I have not noticed a decrease in performance, but like I stated, it doesn’t look good. You’d think that Berkley in all of their wisdom and big laboratory testing vocabulary would find a way to prevent this. They didn’t, but Fireline is still one of the better super lines for light tackle applications. Diameter to Strength rating -9 || Overall strength -8 || Stretch -8 || Durability -7 || Knot Strength -8 || Innovation -7 || Value -8
Fireline rates an 8.

Earthworm's recommendation: Fireline is good UL line. For larger baits, there are better lines. You will need to get past its fraying to discover it is a good line.

Spider Wire Spiderline
The Claim: Feel the power, still the strongest, thinnest, most sensitive line made, period. Near zero stretch for solid hook sets and sensitivity. Other great features include extreme durability, pin point castability, no memory for less friction on guides for longer, easier casts. Moss Green in 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 80lb. test. Price - $11.99 per 100 yards.

The Truth: Spider Wire is a multi-spectra fiber braid that is twisted to put it all together. It is a true braided line. I do not like the fact that it is an oval braid. It is not truly round and tends to dig into the reel. Spiderline is a strong line, but it certainly is not the thinnest as the claim states. Its braiding process allows it to have near zero stretch and little memory. This line might be the most responsible for rod breaking hooksets. It is tremendously popular. This line casts well and I prefer it on baitcasting gear. Again, it does dig into itself on the spool. Spiderline has above average knot strength. I have had success with a double palomar knot. As far as value, this line doesn’t stack up as one of the more value friendly lines. Unlike FireLine, it does not fray. It is light years ahead of Fusion in performance. Diameter to Strength rating -8 || Overall Strength -9 || Stretch -9 || Durability -8 || Knot Strength -7 || Innovation -7 || Value -6
Spiderline rates an 8.

Earthworm’s recommendation: I’m not a big fan of Spiderline. I dislike its oval makeup. This is certainly its downfall. I did not let my opinion of it cloud my testing. To me it is way over priced and there are just too many other lines out there that are better bang for the buck.

Power Pro
The Claim: An innovative new process called Enhanced Body Technology permeates this revolutionary braided line with a protective layer that will not peal off. This results in a line that is 10X stronger than steel and winds easy on any type of reel without retaining memory. The smooth surface texture allows it to sail through the guides with little friction. Hi Vis Yellow, Moss Green. Price - $11.99 per 150 yards, $24.00 per 300 yards. Available in 8/2, 10/2, 20/6, 30/8, 50/12, 65/16, and 80/18lb. test.

The Truth: Power Pro is the real deal. This is a braided line like no other. It features a round profile that will not flatten out. It goes on smoothly and comes off just as smoothly. PP has virtually no memory and is silky smooth sailing through the guides. Unlike many braids, this line has excellent knot strength and ties easily. This equates to less problems at the knot. Knot slippage is common in lines that are coated. With PP this is a worry of the past. Power Pro is a truly strong line that handles like a dream. This line doesn’t bury into itself on the spool and is easy to pick out if you backlash. Power Pro combines strength, minimal stretch, and low memory to give anglers incredible sensitivity. This is truly the superline you have been dreaming of. Power Pro floats making it ideal for a number of surface presentations. Do not store it wet. It has the propensity to rot. Diameter to Strength -10 || Overall Strength -9 || Stretch -9 || Durability -8 || Knot Strength -9 || Innovation -10 || Value -9
Power Pro rates a rock solid 9.

Earthworm’s recommendation: Buy this line. It is perhaps the most versatile braid on the market. Me like!

Tuf Line XP
The Claim: With their patented Tension Lock Technology, Western Filament is capable of producing spectra fiber multi filament lines with an incredible tight braid. The compact construction of the line not only reduces diameter of the line, but also adds amazing sensitivity and improved castability. You can feel every bump and tic of the contour you are fishing. Exceptional abrasion resistance coupled with high knot performance and castability comparable to your favorite mono makes Tuf Line XP the line to turn to when you are in pursuit of back water bruisers in snag filled waters. Yellow, Green in 15/4, 20/6, 30/8, 50/12, 65/14, 80/20,100/20, and 130/30lb. test. Price - $8.99 per 150 yards, $14.99 per 300 yards.

The Truth: Can you say Power Pro in a pretty new box? That seems to be what this is. A few guys from Innovative Textiles defecting to form a new company called Western Filament. The addresses on the boxes are the same. Could this be a line geared for the economy crowd. At $8.99 per 150 yards this line is cheap. In my opinion, this is the same line and although I tested it, I saw no differences to mention other than the price.

Earthworm's recommendation: Buy this line. It is perhaps the most versatile braid on the market. Me like! And me like the price. This line is a 9!

Sea King Ultra (For when it's on the line!)
The Claim: Near zero stretch, virtually no memory, UV resistant, soft while retaining abrasion resistance, stays round, will not flatten like other super braids. Stronger than braided or fused lines. So light, it floats. Strong as steel casting and trolling line. Holder of several line class world records. Hi Vis green in 20, 42, 50, 55, and 75lb. test. Also 30, 155, and 220lb. test for special order. Price - 1100 yds. of 20/6 is amazingly only $22.68. That is not a misprint.

The Truth: Sea King reps contacted me to test their line after reading one of my other shootout articles. They promptly sent me 150 yards of 20/6lb. line. From the get go I noticed that the line had a coating to help it snake through the guides with little effort. I became skeptical, knowing that so many other lines have used a coating for smoothness and failed to deliver in performance. Sea King was to be different, very different. To my surprise, Sea King impressed me from the moment I spooled it on. I decided to use it for my early season hair jig and wacky rigging duty at The Proving Grounds. Sea King Ultra is different than other lines. It is manufactured out of a polyethylene fiber which offers near zero stretch, no memory, abrasion resistance, great knot strength, and awesome overall strength. I simply did not break this line. Its ability to float helped me detect strikes in the form of line movement. When the wind kicked up, Ultra’s zero stretch gave me excellent sensitivity and the solid power necessary to send the hook home despite the thin diameter.

I like the fact that this line is a true round line. It does not flatten out and did not dig into my spool. Another pleasant thing about this line is that it is ultra inexpensive. I’m not so sure this line was developed for freshwater fishing. It does fill the bill nicely however and if FNT can market it as such and get it into a major catalog, it will sell like wildfire. My only dislike was the hi vis green color. Although I prefer a smoke or olive or subtle colored lines, I quickly got past it once the hook got set and the scales began to fly. Strength to Diameter -9 || Overall Strength -9 || Stretch -9 || Durability -9 || Knot Strength -9 || Innovation -10 || Value -10

Sea King Ultra stuns the field with solid 9 performance and takes home a share of first place honors as the Battle of the Super Lines concludes.

Earthworm’s recommendation: Power Pro beware, there is a new gunslinger in town and if FNT Industries can market this line, and advertise successfully, Sea King Ultra will be a major player in the super line wars. It is the best line you never heard of. It blew away lines that have held good reputations for years. It is THAT good! If you are skeptical, it is so inexpensive that you owe it to yourself to simply try it out.

The Aftermath
When all of the smoke cleared, Power Pro/Tuf Line found itself sharing first place honors with newcomer Sea King. We all knew what to expect out of PP and Spiderline. Their popularity has soared with PP becoming one of the top lines within the past couple of years. As far as performance is concerned, PP and Sea King are the tops in their industry. Although they are quite different, even in make up, the final products mirror each other as far as performance goes. They both achieved the same desired goal. I was very unforgiving during the testing of all lines. In my opinion, hooks and line are your most important links to your quarry. If you choose unwisely or skimp on quality, you set yourself up for disappointment. Any negative characteristic that I noticed was noted in the final score. The next time I have to buy super line, I will look for Sea King. It is everything Power Pro is with a price tag every angler can afford.

To learn more about Sea King, you can get in touch with Sandy Klaver at FNT Industries at 906-863-5531. The address is 927 First Street, PO Box 157, Menominee, Michigan 49858-0157. Check out their website at www.fnt-victory.net.