[Deadhead]

For fishing 1-3 day tuna/YT trips I have most of my reels filled with 300yds of 65# spectra with various test topshots. For these West Coast applications is there one brand of spectra thats better than the other? I've been a price buyer using PLine figuring they're all basically the same....am I missing something?

 

[REK]

Solid spectra? I've been using JB solid on my smaller baitcasters, no issues, all good. The only other solid I've used other than JB is Powerpro, didn't care for the flakey dandruff all over the reel, grip, rod and guides. I was going to ask everybody about solid spectra for leverwind bass reels. The JB is a non-coated line and was thinking of a coated line (not Powerpro, flakes). Spiderwire Stealth, Stren, or P-line Spectrex. I've heard good things about Spiderwire Stealth and Spectrex. What is your take on the Spectrex? Is it "coated" for stiffness, less prone to wind knots, birdnesting? Nice avatar. REK

This post edited by REK 05/13/2008

 

[Bluewater Jon]

Yeah guys,I would like to know this info too, for a different reason. I do big game kayak fishing, dropping 3-4 pound baits down in Kona down 400 feet for big Amberjack, Ulua, sharks, etc. Last year I had 80# power pro... and it broke many times on fights. So I think I am bumping up to 100#. Not so fiond of the line, either- why do they coat it with that flakey stuff?I would like to know the pros and cons to as many types of braid that I can get info on. Is there one that is rounder and less razor like? The spectra I use isn't really a backup- I'm fishing straight braid all the way till the 8 foot leader. You should feel it when the 70+ lb bottom dwellers gulp down the bait and start heading for the rocks! Tx in advance, Bluewater Jon Monsters from Kayaks: Bluewater Jon.com You Tube Clip: Catch & Release Marlin Fishing in CaboVideo Clip

This post edited by Bluewater Jon 05/14/2008

 

[DrGary]

I don't know about one Spectra brand over another. I do know that it doesn't do well around rocks. Sounds like you are having a time of it. Try a short wire leader ahead of your spectra. You may have better luck. I would hate to spool #100 line on my reel with a leader of equivalent strength and try to pull my snag off the bottom in my kayak. I suspect your problem is more of a structure issue than a brand issue.

drgay

 

[REK]

I don't know about one Spectra brand over another. I do know that it doesn't do well around rocks. Sounds like you are having a time of it. Try a short wire leader ahead of your spectra. You may have better luck. I would hate to spool #100 line on my reel with a leader of equivalent strength and try to pull my snag off the bottom in my kayak. I suspect your problem is more of a structure issue than a brand issue.

drgay

Well, besides the flaking, I did think the PP was breaking kind of easy(50 or 65, I think it was[no rocks]). Could have been a bad batch. For short casts (live bait) or just dropping down, non-coated JB solid is good line, what I use. I am more interested with coated solid to toss plastics or poppers with some distance involved. Something less prone to wind knots, backlashes and such. Maybe I'll give non-coated JB another try but set the cast control doodads a bit better. REK

 

[fishybuzz]

A while back I had issues with 80# Power Pro breaking at about 18# of drag...a buddy and I were testing the drags settings on his new stella 10000... after the third break we stripped it off and put on 80# JB solid, pulled up to 40# drag no problem...I got rid of ALL my Power Pro and will not use it....I like Izor and JB.

 

[MarkT]

Tackletour gave Spectrex a pretty good review. Yes, it's a coated line.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewplinespectrex.html

 

[JL]

Been using Western Filament - Tufline-XP solid for the last 5 years without any problems. I have caught albacores to cows and never had any issue with breakage nor knot slippage.
I do use JB hollow to make my own topshots and use LTL connections between my topshots and mainline(bamini twist).:tu:

 

[Bluewater Jon]

Thanks everyone so far. Mark in particular, that stuff looks good- I'm going to have to try it. Thanks again guys!
Bluewater Jon Schwartz

 

[REK]

Thank you, MarkT.

 

[rinkeswa]

1-3 dayers? Whichever spec is cheapest - generally Tuffline in 30# and solid PP in 80# have worked very well (read no breakage) for me the last three years on 5/10 dayers. The stuff is longlived - 5yrs and counting, altho as noted above, surprisingly susceptible to abrasion. The PP flakies disappear after the first use. I prefer short topshots and use JB hollow exclusively for L2L (again never a failure) and 130# backing on the ole 50W for larger models.

 

[PescadorJim]

I started testing this stuff after having some brands that broke easisly. I prefer Jerry Brown or Izorline and we get at least 80 lb out of 80 lb. line. Sportfishing mag did a major breaking test of all the major lines and while they did not test Jerry Brown, they did do well on Izorline. Check out the last two years of August issues for the complete testing. They did recommend Spectron and I have had lousy luck with it. Be sure to load up and test whatever you decide to buy before going out, you may be surprised.

 

[jureal]

A while back I had issues with 80# Power Pro breaking at about 18# of drag...a buddy and I were testing the drags settings on his new stella 10000... after the third break we stripped it off and put on 80# JB solid, pulled up to 40# drag no problem...I got rid of ALL my Power Pro and will not use it....I like Izor and JB.

I have used power pro without incident in the past but still prefer other brands. However, it has been documented on the web that there were incidents of fake power pro being sold over seas and some of that may have gotten into the US as well.

http://www.powerpro.com/press/news/details.asp?PP_PRESS_NEWS_ID=23

 

[john sturdivant]

I have used Power Pro in the past and experienced the flaking that others have..I switched all my reels over to Jerry Brown and would never purchase another brand..It has never failed me and it lays on the reel perfectly..

 

[HD]

You only need one brand...JB.