Gamma No More

[Central Bassman]

Didn't see this coming!!! Just passing it along

Gamma gets out 1/19/2010

Gamma Technologies is pulling out of the fishing-line business. The news was announced in a note to its pro staff, which stated that henceforth, Gamma would focus solely on its tennis division, where the company has been exceptionally strong for almost 3 decades.

Gamma's rise to fame was notable as it forced many line manufacturers to rethink and retool their own fluorocarbons.

Gamma's fishing-line endeavors began with Frog Hair leaders for fly-fishing. It then began to explore opportunities in bass fishing and attended the BassFan Top Gun Championship in 2005. There, many pros like Greg Hackney, Brent Chapman, Matt Herren and Jeff Kriet became familiar with the line and joined existing Gamma pro-staffers such as Dave Lefebre.

Despite its high price point of about $28 per spool, Gamma made significant inroads in the bass market, but things began to unravel when Gamma product-line and pro-staff manager Tom Ference was let go. Most of the pro staff was cut or chose to depart soon after.

"In light of this decision Gamma Technologies is not offering sponsorships for 2010 and effective immediately all existing agreements are canceled," the note read.

[ikeslayer]

deitz did you tear up? (i guess i am under the assumption that you are a prostaffer)

[Ray Esboldt]

Heck, I am tearing up. It's the only filament line I really like. Now I have to go through that whole process of trying a bunch of brands again.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Yup, this hit home pretty hard. I have been with Gamma now 3 years. I was sold on the product. It is a great line. I probably still have a 3 year supply left, and will continue to use it, while searching for a new line to use.

I'm beginning to think I have a black cloud over me. This is my second sponsor I have lost in the last 12 months. Nature Vision being the other one.

What can anyone tell me about Sunline.. I have heard very good things.. I think it will be my next line to try.. Either that or P-Line, which is what I used before Gamma.

[Andy Loos1432404924]

wow, I really had confidence in their line, I guess its time to find a new line. Any thoughts guys?

[Larson15]

Never tried Sunline but have heard good things about it and it seems that they well represented. I used P-Line before I switched to Seaguar and Gamma. I dont think there copoly or fluro compares to either. I never liked how P-line sat on the spool and had some weird breakoffs as well.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I have been looking to get some but no one carries it. Even if they are the best string, the price is too steep for retailers to risk.

[Larson15]

Wow, I just checked and that stuff is expensive! Im sticking with Invizx.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

The Fluoro is pricey but at the same time compared to other top brand it isnt. The Copoly is pretty cheap.

This really sucks! I too love this stuff and have a couple season supply left. How long would you guys keep line before you dont trust it? I store my line now in the bedroom closet out of sun and temp extremes. Might have to stock pile even more. Id imagine it should hit the clearance bin at the big box stores.

[Deitz Dittrich]

The 3 things that degrade mono/coply are

#1 Light

#2 Water/Moisture

#3 Heat

I keep mine in a cardboard box with some of that sillica jell from inside shoe boxes in the basement crawl space.. I have had line for many years and is still fine.

[Mr.Seaguar]

The only thing that degrades flouro is use. I put some Vanish on this year that must be 4 yrs old, maybe 6. It has worked awesome. lots of fish, no break offs at all. I still want to try the Gamma. We are fisherman after all, if something is working great lets replace it and see if something else works better.

[bucketmouth64]

I started using gamma last season on the advice of deitz. I really like it. I'll have to keep an eye out for clearance sales of the stuff. Will have to watch fm posts on lines to see what is good to use.

[river rat316]

Yozuri hybrid is a good co polymer, I know noone has mentioned it but the berkely 100% is next inline for me, its a little stiffer then some, but I don't mind that on a baitcaster

[turn_in_poachers]

you mean $$$unline?

I fished 15lb Shooter for a season. It fishes fine, didnt really see any difference from lets say..... P Line. The diameter seems to be a tad smaller than most lines in the same lb test.

[Set The Hook]

I've been using Yozuri Hybrid for 2 years now on both my spinning and casting rigs. I think this year I'm gonna try something different. Yozuri is great on spinning reels, but don't like it too much on my casting reels.

[Deitz Dittrich]

**Update**

Got an email today.. From the sounds of it, there has been some un-truth on this issue.. From the sounds of it. FIC(the owners of Gamma lines) is in the process of selling the Gamma Fishing devision.. Its not that it will not be made any more, its that it will be under new ownership.. It sounds like there are a few companies that are trying to get the Fishing Division of Gamma.. I guess more news to come later.

[polarsusd81]

Please keep me and the rest of us updated Deeds.

[Comit 2]

Check out the bargain cave on line.

[Central Bassman]

Last week, BassFan published news that Gamma Technologies was quitting the fishing-line business so parent company Ferrari Importing could focus solely on its tennis business. A recent letter from Ferrari to Gamma and Frog Hair dealers confirmed that news, but noted the company "is currently negotiating with several interested parties about the purchase of its fishing division and associated product lines."

No word on potential buyers, but names that come to mind would certainly include Pure Fishing, as well as Rapala. Rapala has become quite aggressive in pursuit of marketshare in the line category after its acquisition of Sufix. Shimano might be another suitor, as it showed interest in the line market through its acquisition of PowerPro.