PowerPro, Suffix Braid, Fireline? Which one??

["another IT GUY"]

Hey guys I need some opinions (experience) here about braid! I've used Power Pro (80lb on Bait casting rigs) and swear by it for my bass and musky fishing. But Power Pro tends to fade (bleed) and get soft over time and lose its shape. Although they all work the same. Anyone have expierience with the other brands, I've been wanting to try Suffix, any one with experience? Thanks!

It was nice to meet a few of the Cat guys at Cool Cats! I learned a few things. Big thanks to Hanson and Flaco!

[Flaco651]

In the last few years I've used Power Pro and Stren super braid and they have both performed well for me. The only experimenting with line I'll be doing this season is different brands of mono for my channel cat/circle hook set ups.

So, did you end up signing up for the KOTC?

["another IT GUY"]

Flaco, I just signed up! I sent you an email. Thanks!

[Flaco651]

Try this email. [email protected]

[Ralph Wiggum]

As far as braids go, I've never had a reason to go away from Power Pro. I have heard great things about the Suffix, though.

I plan on starting the season running 25lb Trilene Big Game, though. I like the abrasion resistance and the stuff is tough as nails. I also like the high visibility. I've used it on channel cats and sturgeon the past couple of years and am going to give it a go for flatheads, now. Who knows, I may switch back, but I figure it's worth a try.

[Shack]

 Originally Posted By: Ralph Wiggum

As far as braids go, I've never had a reason to go away from Power Pro. I have heard great things about the Suffix, though.

I plan on starting the season running 25lb Trilene Big Game, though. I like the abrasion resistance and the stuff is tough as nails. I also like the high visibility. I've used it on channel cats and sturgeon the past couple of years and am going to give it a go for flatheads, now. Who knows, I may switch back, but I figure it's worth a try.

I pretty much second what Ralph just posted.

[UncleKes]

Power Pro all the way!! I have never tried other braids. Why look further when you already have perfection!

[ec30_06]

Everyone has a favorite line. I used power pro for years and it is still on some of my rigs. However, I have found other braids to be better. I would say that power pro, spiderwire stealth, and stren suber braid are all about the same. By far the best braid I have ever used is sufix. It is a lot harder to snap 80 lb suffix than the above lines. It has better shock resistance. I have had 80lb power pro break like nothing with a hard enough quick snap. I sure most of us have seen it happen wher you make a cast and the line is dug in or a birdsnest forms and 20lb power pro snaps. The sufix and spiderwire ultra cast (not stealth) are much smoother, quieter, fade less, stonger, and rounder. That said they are also a lot more expensive. I was lucky enough to get a bunch of different lines to try at an amazing price. I am not in anyway knocking the die hard power pro guys, as they are great fisherman and know what they are doing. Everyone has there reason for using what they use. I caught my two biggest flats with 80lb power pro and it did not fail, even when a 45lber got tangled up bad in a snag. I just like the sufix better. I don't think that too many people that have used sufix or ultracast, will argue that any other braid performs better. I would suggest buying a small spool of a few different kinds to try and see what YOU like the best. No one can tell you which one you will like the best. I just preffer the roundness(less line dig in when the drag is cranked down and your horsing a fish away from cover), and quietness of sufix over the other braids. Report back which lines you try and what you liked or disliked about them. Power pro has been talked about forever on this site, and some input on other lines would be nice.

[Farmboy1]

I Agree with ec about everyone having their own preference. It seems to me all the rest is garbage if you don't check your line after a night of fishing for abrasions, kinks or bad spots. And as soon as you loose one fish to a type of line, it then is the lines fault that you screwed up.

My advise to you is try a couple different lines. See which one holds up best to the abuse you put it through. Check it often for problems and keep it in good shape. If you do that, you will be happy with any line you use.

[slipperybob]

I'm still using Berkely Whiplash on some reels, must be getting up to close 10 years now. Check your line and cut your damaged line off.

Going to use more Stren Superbraid, Suffix Y6, and Spiderwire Stealth this year.

[cjac]

I used sufix last year for muskies and was really pleased. No issues at all. Little cheaper than P Pro, less fading, etc.

Any catters try the Cortland Bronze Masterbraid? Right now after my tests last year I'm at a coin-flip between the sufix and the cortland, but I never hear the cat guys mention the Cortland. Awesome line, doesn't hold water, fishes very well.

[stam34]

If you have the room on your reel i find Berkley big game 50# mono is hard to beat for flatties.

[ec30_06]

Plenty of room for big game on a good flatty reel. I have some 30 spooled up for a channel cat/circle hook combo.

[icehousebob]

I use spinning reels so I have trouble with mono that is too heavy. 30# Big Cat is as heavy as my spools will hold without going SPROINGG. I have 50# Power Pro on two spools, but for my new heavy reel I bought 80# Tuf Line. It looks similar to Power Pro and the box gives similar materials. Any of you ever used Tufline??

[Wiskers]

I have tried almost every heavy line out there and many are good and some are no so good. My line if choice that has not let me down and holds up very well is Tuff-line. Black and white braid. Hands down I love it. Plus it lasts more than one season.

[namtkd1]

Berkley Big Game in 30 lb. test is my choice as well! For cats, I prefer mono over braid.

[Newguy06]

I have a question is the Sufix braid the same diameter of Power Pro of the same pound test?

["another IT GUY"]

Suffix

PowerPro

[EBass]

Yup I say Sufix as well and here's why.

I had at least 4 bad spools of Power Pro. 2 spools had lil resin balls every so often and would tick the eyelets. Way annoying and messes with the casting distance. Gander replaced though. Other time I'll make a hard cast and the line would break resulting in a double buzzer soaring into the next county.

I heard about Sufix from a friend and he liked it and I tried it, ok I switched. Compare the feel of the two lines side by side. Sufix is smoother, also costs the same.

I dunno man, I think that once Power Pro became popular their quality suffered.

I haven't used Stealth, not a big fan of Berkley lines. Oh the back lashes on fire line were unreal to untangle.

[slipperybob]

IMO

Fireline Smoke is not a good choice for baitcasting reels, it works wells with spinning reels. Crystal is better with baitcasting reels.

[Katman]

I like stren's durability and strength for mono and pp for braided. I've tried spiderwire in the past, but it kinda breaks up funny...maybe its because it is fused together? PP seems to do it for me. It isn't as smooth as the others, but it has held its own. My personal favorites!

["another IT GUY"]

Ima give Sufix a try atleast one of my spools will have PP just in case. All we need now is warmer weather! Thanks for the input guys!

[slipperybob]

 Originally Posted By: icehousebob

I use spinning reels so I have trouble with mono that is too heavy. 30# Big Cat is as heavy as my spools will hold without going SPROINGG. I have 50# Power Pro on two spools, but for my new heavy reel I bought 80# Tuf Line. It looks similar to Power Pro and the box gives similar materials. Any of you ever used Tufline??

When you use large diameter lines, sometimes you have to change the position of your spool. Put more washers in the spool shaft and it will make the line lay cone downwards.

[new_kid]

I use tufline i like it for cat fishing but that is about it as it holds water and gets you wet with spray if you are casting a lot but i have found it very strong