Power pro or Fireline Braid

[Gardiner14]

I am going to be spooling my topwater rod with line pretty soon and was thinking of using something else other than fireline crystal. What do some of you use or choose? I am going to be getting 15lb in eather.

[itchmesir]

PowerPro... limp and smooth and round! unlike fireline.. which is more like spooling your reel with ribbon.. its flat.. and rather stiff imho

[TonkaBass]

I prefer power pro too, but I'm gonna be trying some 832 suffix soon as well.

[Gardiner14]

I just orderd some 832 in 20lb but they dont make any in 15 or so pound. I have hurd others say and talk about the roundness of line. Does it help if its rounder?

[RossT]

Keep in mind Sufix 832 does not float, it sinks. Spiderwire Stealth or a similar braid may be a better option for topwater.

[cyeezy]

i use power pro. nothing less than 30lbs. the diameter of power pro is a lot smaller so it allows you to go heavier. even with 30lbs line i find it cutting through lilly-pads and weeds just fine. the only time i ever lost a lure was from pikes and muskies cutting my line. now i like to tie on a flurocarbon leader and make sure i cut out any line that gets too frayed (as all braided line does after extensive use). as far as the roundness i think it helps with casting distance, lure action, and it's so much easier to tie knots with IMO.

[delmuts]

I use PP 30# for mine( i do step up to 80# if i'm in the really nasty stuff), but i use a 80# flouro leader( the big C store used to sell these 3 pc for $7) with the snap replaced by a split ring. After i run out of the leaders, probably go to a flouro spliced to the line.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Power Pro For me as well.

[goblueM]

I'd go with power pro as well. i have had nothing but bad experiences with fireline, I can't stand it

[Doufish2]

Power Pro here also. Use 80 lb on both flippin and frog rods.

[EBass]

I prefer Sufix, otherwise Power Pro

[RK]

Hiya -

You didn't specify if you were using spinning or casting gear, but if it's spinning I like either Fireline or Sufix Fuse. On casting gear, an actual braid rather than a fused line works better, as it stays rounder and is less likely to dig into the spool.

About 832 - from what I can gather talking to guys from Sufix, the sinking properties of 832 are being a little oversold. It'd sink if you let it sit there long enough, just like mono would, but it's not nearly as dense as fluorocarbon. The main thing with 832 is the Gore fiber really increases the abrasion resistance, and also makes the line really slick (but it's not a coating like early Teflon coated braids so it can't come off). Plus it's hydrophobic so doesn't soak up as much water. I think it's going to be good stuff. Time will tell.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Larson15]

Another braid that I have discovered this year is Cortland Masterbraid. This stuff has a hydrophobic coating like the 832 and has smaller diameters compared to most braids. It also has a unique coloring process that bonds the color and finish to the fibers which eliminates fading and flaking.

[cyeezy]

i just carry around a black sharpie and color the first 5ft of braided line. works great!

[EBass]

I bought some 30lb 832 Sufix for my topwater rod. I hope it doesn't sink.

[mww24]

power pro. Fireline always seems to get brittle and break.

[CrowWingBasser]

Tried some Suffix....didn't work for me...Power Pro is my pick.

[Wayne Ek]

Gardiner14-- You said topwater. So I'm guessing chuggers, spooks or spitters. If your talking about open water topwater for chuggers or spooks, then I would suggest a monofilament. Mono has the slowest sink rate, much better than braid or flouro. I use a 14-pound mono for my topwater rod and even then will hit the front 3-feet with dry-fly dope to keep the line up on the surface longer. Now if your talking about slop rods (froggin) then I use 65-pound Power Pro. For buzzers I have been using 30-pound Power Pro, but switched to Vicious this year to try it out.

[Gardiner14]

Im talking more open water, like spooks, small buzz baits things like that. I havent used mono for 4 years i am a all braid type of person its just preffrence. I think from all the posts im going to try some power pro.

[RK]

Im talking more open water, like spooks, small buzz baits things like that. I havent used mono for 4 years i am a all braid type of person its just preffrence. I think from all the posts im going to try some power pro.

Might want to put a mono leader on for spooks - even a short one. Straight braid will drive you batty wrapping around the front hook on walk the dog baits. Did me at least.

I'm with Wayne on the mono though. I use spinning gear with a mono leader for poppers and prop baits fishing smallies, but for walk the dog baits, or poppers around cover, I use mono - either 14 or 17# depending on which rod I happen to pick up.

[slipperybob]

I gave Fireline Braid a try and it's been wonderful. 15# on the baitcaster and I'm tossing my poppers almost as far as on my spinning rods. Best thing about it is, it's soft so you can fish it right away without waiting for the breakin period to take place. Worst thing is, it stains your thumbs green and the dye will get on everything you touch.

[Aaron Carrell]

Might want to put a mono leader on for spooks - even a short one. Straight braid will drive you batty wrapping around the front hook on walk the dog baits. Did me at least.

I've used spooks for 3 years now on 30lb Power Pro and I can't think of a single time I've ever gotten the line tangled in the hooks. I've also used that same setup with Rapala Skitter Pops, Xcalibur poppers and other brands as well without an issue. Maybe you pop your lures a lot harder than me? I dunno. Either way, I don't see how any walk the dog lure would ever get tangled in a treble halfway back on the lure. Just can't picture it.

I'd say if you're a braid guy, stick with power pro. It makes those motions so much easier with no stretch in the line as well. I can't stand using Mono for spooks cause I can't seem to get that rhythm down quite as well since the rod has to move farther.

[RK]

I was using lighter line (15 or 20#), and the fouling actually happened on the cast now that I think about it, but I do recall it making me crazy

[Aaron Carrell]

and the fouling actually happened on the cast now that I think about it, but I do recall it making me crazy

Now that would make alot more sense for sure. If its windy, you do have to be a little extra careful about rocketing some of those topwaters way out there when using light braided line. Thats one of the reasons I use 30lb now, cause it doesn't carry ahead of my lure quite as easily.

[slipperybob]

Plain and simple, if you know how to turn your lures 120 to 180 degrees, you will have a better chance of hooking up your slack line. Braids will hook tangle just a tad bit easier. If you have a constant tension on your line and your lures never passes 90 degrees, it will probably never hook tangle your line.