Seeking recommendations on 6 or 8 strand light braid

[pequa1]

I was using high viz 15 lb Berkley Fireline but after having trouble breaking it off from a snag from my yak and listening to Capt J Paduano earlier this month, I realized I can and should go even lighter and am looking to get something in 10lb test. John Skinner recommended 8 strand over the 4 strand that I have been using. Less "pilling"

 

[Leprechaun]

Not sure that info is correct. Every line, braided or otherwise, has its own pluses and minuses. There are some excellent 4-strand braids and some cruddy 8-strand ones too.

Me? I go with Sufix 832, and have since the day it was introduced. No issues of any kind, ever. Just about as close to perfect as I ever seen or heard. Its loaded on most all of my reels.

Recent season-long experience with Berkeley X-9 on my Evict 2000 has shown that line to be as good as the 832. So those are my own recommendations.

As an aside, Fireline, which is a heat-fused composite, is known to be severely under-rated, pound test-wise. And is therefore MUCH thicker test-for-test than most any true braid. And behaves poorly on most reels, until well broken in. I’ve never seen the point of that line, but many do use it and even swear by it.

Meh, give me one of my preferred two lines and I’m happier than a tog in rubble.

 

[pequa1]

Thanks, I decided to try the Daiwa J brand- IIRC John Skinner was recommending that one along with another (?). His style of fishing, small skiffs, kayak and surfcasting is quite close to mine, albeit much more successful lol.

 

[CaptFP]

Hello everyone first post on the new site
Pequa, I'm still an old fashioned mono fan but for the deeper stuff I do, I've been using Daiwa J braid X 4 for the last 3 season and has held up well and price is considerably less expensive than other quality comparable brands.

 

[Leprechaun]

Welcome CaptFP - thank you for making your first post on my board. Please stick around, we discuss lots of interesting tackle-related stuff here.

Fishing pix and an occasional fishy foodie shot are always welcome!

 

[stusurf]

Hi All. First post of the season. Did a lot of fluke fishing from the beaches of Staten island last season. Used a Penn 4300 on a Penn Power Graph rod ( guess my age ) . The reel was loaded with pro power 20lb test. Gulp mullet on a 3/4 oz. jig head was the bait of choice. Constant casting and retrieving and never a problem with the line. No wind knots, no issues. The line worked like a charm all season

 

[Leprechaun]

Based on your outfit, I'll guess 50 yrs old. A mere whipper-snapper, compared to me.

 

[longcast]

In my earlier surf fishing days, I turned to Fireline 30 when I made the switch from mono. I gave up my Ande pink 20 and never looked back. I will say the fireline is manageable on my VS250, but you are right. You had to pay real attention to the line until it gets a bit weathered. The inlet fishing in my mind never really tested the line too much. But those wonderful Montauk days in September where the "catching" on the south side started and ended in the dark with line coming in contact with fish and rocks all day, that proved it for me. Still have it on my spools today.

 

[stusurf]

Hi. Add 26 to that and you will hit it right on the nose. Who is older me or you? When others see me fishing with that Penn 4300ss they tell me to sell it on eBay. All these years later the reel still works perfectly

 

[CaptFP]

Nothing wrong with the 4300ss. Its on a couple of my loaner setups for fluke and porgies with 15 lb Daiwa x-4.
Caught a lot of lake and brown trout with 4300ss' ,6lb Ande clear and custom honey Lami fw841 (?) trolling sawbellies in the NYC reservoirs

 

[BoatGuy]

We listened to the same lectures. . I have learned to bring a pad and take notes as my memory is not to be trusted.

Captain John did mention to use 10 pound test. He also recommended a high visibility line. I admit I was skeptical.
But I followed his instructions and loaded my reel with 10 pound Suffix 832 Ghost. To my surprise, my son and I landed keeper Stripers, Black Sea Bass, and Blue fish. I never have a break-off. Captain John was 100 right%

At John Skinner's lecture, he recommended: Berkley F9 Braid, Daiwa J-Braid x8, power pro super slick braid

 

[Leprechaun]

Wow SS, you certainly ARE my senior! Good for you, regularly getting out there and doing it!

Tell those youngin’s commenting on your spinner to pound surf sand. My own preferred tackle includes an “ancient” Penn 550SS, which is ready, willing and able to sail with me if we get a decent bunker run along our beaches this May/June. Still one of the best h/d spinners out there. No crappy plastic on or in THAT reel! Never had to replace so much as a screw, in what has to be 40 seasons. Those SS series reels were built right, all those years ago.

 

[stusurf]

Hi.. I still have an use the Penn SS series 4300 ,4400, 4500, 5500, 6500, and 7500. Will not give them up. They are like old friends

 

[Fluke Whisperer]

I still have those green 704's and 710's, They belonged to a friend of mine who passed away 21 yrs ago from ALS.
I keep them on my shelf to remember what a great friend and family man he was.
I also have a couple of the 704Z's, they to are sitting on my shelf next to his.
Those reels caught everything from bass to school Bluefin tuna, they don't make em like that anymore. lol