BLACKWATER International Inc.

BLACKWATER

In 2007 BLACKWATER created a big splash at the Long Beach Fred Hall Show, introducing a new braided line product and innovative fluorocarbon leader. They backed up their U.S. introduction by field testing their products in the demanding long range arena. Blackwater International is the U.S. Agent for Toray (the number one selling and most technologically advanced manufacturer of fishing line in Japan).

 

In the past FL lines have all shared a few characteristics, they were stiff and offered very low stretch. Well, there are times when a bit of stretch is something desired, and times when it's not. One thing for sure, when you've got a large fish on the other end of your line, a bit of stretch can be a welcomed shock absorber. This is especially noticeable when you're fishing Spectra. Over the past couple years we've seen some of the better anglers using shorter and shorter topshots for their rail rigs. Fishing live bait with a short topper offers less resistance in the water, the bait doesn't have to swim as hard, presents itself much more naturally. That gets a guy bit. But, if you're trying to run straight fluorocarbon leader from your spectra the lack of stretch is a disadvantage for a couple reasons. You loose the shock absorber, you also run a risk of pulling the hook more often. It's good to have a little give, not too much mind you, but a little. You'll also notice that their FL line ties a pretty good knot. Again, a touch of stretch can improve knot strength. Blackwater's Shock Leader achieves this characteristic, and by so doing offers anglers an advantage.

Blackwater Shock Leader
100% Fluorocarbon Leader
Super Clear
High Abrasion Resistance
Great Knot Strength
Lower Visibility
Faster Sink Rate than nylon
Excellent UV Protection
HIGH RATE OF ELONGATION!

I'll add a one more positive point about BLACKWATER'S fluorocarbon leader that goes well beyond the stuff's strengths when used as a short topper. You can match your specific fishing conditions better. I really like having a 35# option.  It's one more advantage on a competitive rail or picky bite while fishing a long range boat. This may seem like a small point, but if you fish long range much you well know that there are times when a small difference in line diameter helps, and we tend to fish a lot of 40 + or - 10#'s. That's a 20-30% difference in line diameter (which is a function of line test).  Cutting that difference in half by fishing 35 instead of 40 makes a lot of sense, as does bumping up from 30 to 35#'s to gain some abrasion resistance.

Please visit our Fishermen's Journal Article section for a review of Fluorocarbon leaders.
This article may help to define whether or not they claim of greater elongation/stretch is marketing or reality...

 

Buy	Description	Price
	Blackwater Shock Leader 15 lb 25 meter	$10.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 20 lb 25 meter	$11.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 20 lb 50 meter	$19.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 25 lb 25 meter	$13.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 25 lb 50 meter	$22.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 30 lb 25 meter	$17.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 30 lb 50 meter	$28.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 35 lb 25 meter	$19.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 35 lb 50 meter	$32.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 40 lb 25 meter	$21.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 40 lb 50 meter	$36.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 50 lb 25 meter	$25.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 50 lb 50 meter	$42.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 60 lb 25 meter	$28.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 60 lb 50 meter	$47.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 80 lb 25 meter	$38.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 100 lb 25 meter	$52.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 130 lb 25 meter	$67.50
	Blackwater Shock Leader 150 lb 25 meter	$72.00
	Blackwater Shock Leader 200 lb 25 meter	$77.50