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 IZORLINE
SPECTRA, JERRY BROWN SPECTRA, Cortland SPECTRA,
Accurate SPECTRA, BlackWater Braided Line, POWER
PRO SPECTRA, Daiwa Saltiga Boat Braid...
Before we
talk about the various braded line products on
the market, it's good to go over the basics. We
distinguish Spectra verses "braid." Spectra is a
particular type of gell-spun line made in the
USA. It was developed for military applications
and brought to the sportfishing scene by
Izorline. PowerPro also was a pioneer in
bringing this product to fishing, but they came
in the back door. Initially PowerPro was used as
a high end kite product. Offshore manufacturers
came into production with a similar product,
Dynema that was essentially similar to the first
generation Spectra product used here in the USA.
The Spectra that's sold now is not quite the
same product as it was several years ago, it's
advanced considerably in terms of long term
strength and diameter. The production of this
product is pretty amazing. It can take literally
weeks to produce one 2500 yard spool of 65#
line! There's a lot of weaving, tight QC,
micro-thin threads, wrapped under some pressure.
It can take several pounds of raw material to
produce a pound of finished product. Note, the
stuff is expensive, it's expensive to produce.
But, it has some qualities that can be downright
priceless in application under certain specific
circumstances. Also, it does not degrade over
time like a monofilament or Dacron.
Video Demonstration
for Hollow Spectra Rigging
Max from our shop shows how to make a Spectra loop
using Daho needles, and use of the Sato crimping method for Spectra
to mono or fluorocarbon leader. Best resolution on a computer will be from
the Windows format, but the Iphone compatible MP4 file will prove a fast load on
your Ipod or Iphone. Click the link below to view the vid.
Instructional Video Files
Thumb Dinger
Spectra Burn
Prevention!
 Here's
a strange new product that just might find a home with some of our
clients. Slicing through a finger, or getting spectra burn while
leveling line on a conventional reel is not uncommon. Some guys use
Izor's Flex Wrap, some use a glove, some take their chances... But, for
I think this little device might be something well worth considering.
It's a one-finger-glove, just covering up to the first joint with a
small leather cap. The product is MADE in the USA, designed by
fishermen, works on either the left or right hand, and available in
three sizes. The large size will work for most of us, the small for
women and kids, the extra large for guys with major league mitts.
CharkBait
Flexible Finger Tape
Our new Flexible Finger Tape is a surgical grade
product, designed to accomplish many things. Our
new Flexible Finger Tape is a surgical grade
product, designed to accomplish many things.
It's stretchable,
non-absorbent, self-sticking and long lasting. It
will not absorb water and it retains stretch and
adhesion under harsh conditions. We use this tape
here at our shops as a cushion on the reel's spool
when loading Spectra. It provides the line
something to dig into, so it's less likely to
rotate on the spool. It's also been used by
fishermen for years (though typically in inferior
form) trying to prevent or minimize Spectra cuts
and burns on their thumbs and index fingers while
fishing. From our experience, this is the best
product of its type. There are two other similar
products on the market, one from our friends at
Izorline, another from Strikemaster. No knocks
against these guys, but our tape is a heck of a
lot better. Ours is thicker, and it has better
adhesion. We've been using and selling this stuff
at our shop for years, never made it available
on-line. Well, based upon feedback from folks who
have used it, we're now selling the product. We
package the tape, two per pack. You get one 1 inch
by 5 yard AND on two inch by five yard rolls. Our
two pack sells for $4.99. Izorline's single pack
goes for $3.50 and that's for one one inch wide x
5' roll. (Compare 1"x5 yd, verses our deal 3"x5
yd - three times the Flex Wrap for an extra buck
and a half) The Strikemaster version sells
for about $2, and is so much inferior that it does
not warrant discussion. Just like our lures, by
cutting out the middleman, we are able to pass
along a significant savings to you.
(This product contains natural rubber latex, if
you are allergic to latex don't buy it, you won't
like it.)
View Your Shopping Cart
Jerry Brown's Ideal
Scissors
 Cutting
Spectra isn't so easy sometimes, like when you're trying to
splice lines and need a clean cut. There have been a number of
scissors on the market, and we've used 'em at the shop...all for
limited duration. Once the blades dull a bit, their
effectiveness diminishes rapidly. Typically the scissors we've
seen were not really intended to cut Spectra for any length in
time, they were probably designed for thread... That's one
reason we haven't posted them on our website - they really kind
of sucked and a blade worked better. We sold some at the shop,
for those that wanted 'em. We hadn't come across anything that
really pleased us until Jerry shipped us a pair of his pliers.
They are darn good. I like their larger handle, better grip,
made for a man's size hand not the delicate fingers of a gal or
kid. They have been with us for over a month's time and still
perform well. (a month for us represents a lot of
rigging/spooling/cutting-time). At almost $30 they're not
inexpensive, but when compared to other products claiming
to do the same thing, but quickly falling short, JB's Ideal
Spectra Scissors are worth the money.
Spectra Scissors
Cutting Spectra isn't so
easy. The stuff has many fibers, is skinny and tough. If the line
is held taught a sharp blade will work well, even a quality set of
dikes. But, to make a really clean cut you need something better.
The cutters offered by Dennis Braid do get the job done.
The largest and best new device from
Braid is their Multi-Plier. This one pretty much does all
the frustrating tasks we have need of, and does it in one tool.
The Multi-Plier can open up light and heavy rings, cut braid and
mono, cut wire, tie hooks, release line...and also has a safety
lock. It even comes with a nylon sheath! It has a soft grip handle
and like the other tools is corrosion resistant.
View
Your Shopping Cart
CHARKBAIT SPECTRA ADHESIVE!
Here's
another GREAT exclusive. In the past ALL products used as an
adhesive for mono/spectra connections have been two part formulas
costing about $25. Two bottles, EXTENDED drying time, hassles...
We learned of another product that was a one part formula, NO
ACTIVATORS REQUIRED. (It
pays to know the right people.)
The new product is FAST DRYING. The CharkBait Adhesive is also
thin, for better penetration through the line. Further, the new
product allows some flex without cracking and flaking-off. This is
a major long term benefit. In all ways:
IT'S BETTER, EASIER TO WORK WITH, AND IT'S A
BETTER VALUE!
This is not your basic "super-glue," it's a
unique new product that will work in water and retain some
flexibility when used as directed. For best long term storage
please keep in the refrigerator or freezer.
Momoi
-New Diamond
Braid
 The
Verifier
Momoi just shipped us a new product
we've been waiting to introduce since we first
saw it at ICAST in July 2011. Using their
Generation 2 Technology, they have produced a
line counter version of their popular braid
(SPECTRA - meaning USA produced true Spectra
braided line). The new line is four color,
changing every 25 feet. So, if you see the
same color, you know you've dropped 100' -
pretty easy to recognize, and to count. These
are all "solid" lines, typically that's the
preferred product for deeper water drops. At
present we have 30, 50, 65, and 80 lines.
We will also see some lighter lines and
heavier too in coming weeks.
View Your Shopping Cart
 | Cortland |
 Cortland is new manufacturer
to our stable of great products. Some may be unfamiliar with these
folks, but to our friends who are unfamiliar with Dacron or high
end fly lines Cortland is an old friend. Over the course of the
past year we've been talking quite a bit to Cortland, you might
say we've been courted. We were ahead of the curve, years ahead
when it comes to Spectra rigging and sales. We introduced the
product, in the saltwater scene to a lot of folks. With one rather
small exception, the use of Spectra in saltwater was a West Coast
innovation. Izorline and Jerry Brown were on the scene quite
early, Izor really being the first with a product specifically
designed for saltwater application. Power Pro was originally
designed as a high end Kite line, believe it or not. Then the
folks in Colorado took that product to the freshwater side of
things. PP is still used as a bottom fishing line, but it's design
really isn't up to snuff when it comes to use as backing or in
most saltwater applications. Based on our 10 plus year background,
and rigging thousands of miles of Spectra for saltwater use,
Cortland came to us. They were interested in what we felt was
necessary for offshore and inshore applications of Spectra. They
listened, and what they are doing is right-on!
Here's how the Spectra game
is played. True Spectra (not the offshore produced "braid") was
invented and patented by Honeywell Corp. They make the raw
materials, and sell them to the braiding firms, who in tern
manufacture the product for sale to distributors of the Spectra
lines. Of the folks supplying Spectra to us fishermen, none of 'em
make the stuff from start to finish, and the vast majority have
little control of any step in the production process. The key step
in production is the weaving or braiding of the line. Cortland is
one of three manufacturers in the USA with the braiding capability
to manufacture Spectra lines. They make the lines that some other
well known suppliers offer for sale. So, they've got a significant
advantage in making the product, and pricing it without added
overhead or mark-up. What they needed was an incentive to get into
the game directly/under their own name. What they lacked was
saltwater background - their expertise has been producing IGFA
Dacron lines, high end fly fishing lines, but not saltwater
Spectra fiber lines. Given other suppliers having Cortland
manufacture their product, learning the market, talking to
retailers who specialize in the field of offshore fishing, they
learned, and in my opinion, learned quite well. They've been
selling Spectra lines for several years, but have recently become
very serious about it and have come up with some unique things in
the manufacture of these great lines that makes them even more
positioned for serious growth and recognition in this category of
product.
|
(note to name names, but their initials
might just be along the lines of PP...) |
 |
Fiber Tech Superbraid
Protection: Cortland's proprietary Fiber Tech Superbraid
Protection treatment was scientifically developed and tested to
ensure consistent performance and extreme durability. The Fiber
Tech formulation and application process penetrates the entire
braid, not just the surface to ensure the braid is treated and
protected inside and out (something Power Pro should learn
from...snap!). This process is so darn good, it's been licensed
back to Honeywell. Please note the images below, mentioning a
couple other suppliers. Aha, things begin to make sense.
Brand "PP"
- you can figure that one out... |
Brand "S" |
Cortland Master Braid |
Courtland has also developed
a new C16 Spliceable Superbraid, new for 2009. They raised
the bar with super braid construction and technology. Cortland is
proud to introduce C16 Spliceable Superbraid. Constructed using
high-tech Spectra fibers in a 16 carrier construction for an
extremely small diameter to strength ratio. C16's 16 carrier braid
construction and uniformed pick count (wraps per inch) is the
perfect match for allowing you to quickly splice a few feet o
mono, while maintaining line strength between the braid and the
top shot. Add to this the proprietary Fiber Tech superbraid
protection which increases the braid's durability and ensures
consistent performance over time. Cortland also makes a hollow 12
strand, which can be spliced...but not nearly so easily as their
16 strand.
Master Braid,
Cortland's upgrade 12 strand product is a bit less expensive and
probably the correct choice for most fishing applications and most
anglers. But, if it's your intent to run the mono into the Spectra
- the C16 will prove well worth the added cost. Please also
remember that Spectra is not something you change out each year.
It's a product that can stay on your reel for a decade. So, a
little added cost should not be too big a concern, if you need the
benefits the C16 achieves. Otherwise, the 12 strand Cortland
Master Braid will be your line of choice. The Master Braid is
constructed in a way that makes it rounder, which means less
twist, greater accuracy, longer casts and extended life. A
proprietary Cortland process bonds the color and finish into the
fibers of the braid, eliminating fading or flaking of the color.
With only 4% stretch, small diameter pound/test ratio and unique
hydrophobic coating that slices through the water and comes back
dry, this new Master Braid is very easy to use and works equally
well on both spinning and conventional reels.
Lines used as backing should
be uncolored and uncoated in our opinion. The line will be more
visible to you, the angler, and the line will be a bit softer in
feel and will pack better. For use bottom fishing the uncolored
natural white colored line with a topshot or leader will not be
something the fish will notice. However, many guys prefer a
colored line in this application. For those situations, or when
tying off directly to the Spectra the bronze colored line is
favored.
Cortland colored lines do not use the typical waxy coating and
coloring (which rubs off) like some competing lines.
View Your
Shopping Cart
For
folks making up wind-on leaders, or other
splicing techniques, Cortland offers their
hollow spectra in convenient and economical
100 foot spools. Their Master Braid is an 12
carrier Spectra, while the C16 is 16 strands
of state of the art Spectra. The C16 is very
easy to work with, and it's excellent stuff!
View Your Shopping Cart
| |
 First
on the list of great new product innovations from Izorline is their
fantastic SPECTRA. This is the super line you've been hearing
about, it's incredibly strong for it's diameter. It is
redefining the way we think about fishing - both in terms of equipment
and the potential for accomplishing things beyond our reach prior to
it's introduction. Izorline's Spectra offers anglers some
excellent benefits: it's incredibly strong, has a tiny diameter,
and extremely long service life. While it's expensive, and
for good reason (due to the manufacturing process), it will save you
cash over the long run. What the long range fishermen discovered, was
that they could use smaller gear, higher test strength, and still
maintain excellent line capacity with this product. It's common for
folks to use 300-500 yards of 50-80 lb. Spectra on a 16S, then put on
a top-shot of 50-60 lb. mono, up to 100 yards, or more. Then when it's
time to change the mono, keep the Spectra. By the third time, you've
evened the cost differential. After the third line change, you are
making money. And, you will find yourself using the same Spectra for
well over EIGHT years! (I only say EIGHT, because that's the oldest
we've been able to check - the stuff has been field tested by Izorline
for eight years now). Spectra is another product designed for Space
and Military application, that's now hit the consumer market. It's
space age science in fiber construction. It is awesome stuff, well
worth the money.
HOLLOW-CORE SPLICEABLE SPECTRA
This version of Izorline's great spectra product deals with the
only negative I've ever encountered with the product. If you are
planning on running heavy mono, like 130# to 200# stuff you are going
to have some issues with standard size guides. There are two
solutions, either go with pre made wind-on leaders or use the hollow
core spectra and make your own wind on. Spectra is not as easy
to work with in this regard as dacron, frankly it's a pain in the
keester since you really need to insert the mono way up into the
Spectra and still whip the line every 6" to 1' or make the investment
in Sato's crimping system. Izor's standard 135# Spectra (listed above)
is hollow-core. So, you can use it for making wind on style
connections if desired. The primary reason Izor went with the
hollow product for 135# is the fact that the line will lie down
flatter for higher capacity winding.
IZORLINE TOP-SHOTS
 Well,
as we've come to expect, here's another great idea from Izorline.
They've just introduced pre-made Top-Shots! Use these leader coils to
quickly and efficiently attach mono leader to your Spectra. The only
knot you'll need to tie is the Bimini Twist at the termination of your
Spectra. Then just use the pre-tied Spectra loop from the new Izorline
Top-Shot to quickly get ready for action. The Top-Shots come with
Izorlines First String mono in various tests and lengths, attached to
a Spectra loop for making your connection to your Spectra's bimini.
Another nice feature of this product lies in it's flexibility. You can
use various leader tests, without going through the bother of retying
line. Click
here to see a diagram showing the appropriate top-shot spool for your
reel
| 30lb 125yds mono |
50lb 75yds mono |
Order
Now! 60lb
200yds mono
[P30VSW] @ $27.38 |
100lb 50yds mono |
| 30lb 225yds mono |
50lb 150yds mono |
80lb 50yds mono |
100lb 125yds mono |
| 40lb 50yds mono |
Order
Now! 50lb
225yds mono
[P16S] @ $26.55 |
80lb 100yds mono |
Order
Now! 100lb
200yds mono
[P50VSW] @ $33.07 |
| 40lb 100yds mono |
60lb 75yds mono |
80lb 150yds mono |
130lb 125yds mono |
| 40lb 200yds mono |
60lb 125yds mono |
Order
Now! 80lb
225yds mono
[PV50SW] @$30.57 |
(other
configurations available up to 300 lb.#) |
(BOLDFACE indicates typical
topshot used for Penn International 16S, 30SW and 50SW with
appropriate Spectra backing. Other configurations available as listed.
Please contact us for pricing.
We stock JB's
line in several forms: Hollow Core, "Solid",
White, Green, Blue, HiVis Yellow and their new
Line Counter Hollow
New From Jerry
Brown - Decade Line One Spectra.
 Jerry Brown, the most innovative producer of Spectra
geared for saltwater anglers has a new product. He's now come out
with a "line counter" series. The new line is color coded, each 10
yards is a different color, 10 colors in all. It's the same GREAT JB
Hollow Core Spectra that we've come to love, but now it's in
"indicator" form for greater ease in determining the depth you're
fishing. If you are working jigs, working the bottom or suspended
fish, a color coded line can be of great benefit. In the past you
had two choices, either go with a more limited thread count Dynema
(Daiwa's braid - note I said braid and not Spectra) or an American
produced Spectra from a secondary player with line that's much
coarser and of a more limited thread count. For a colored line, JB's
is the best. Unlike Powder Pro (yes I know it's supposed to be Power
Pro, but their darn coating does indeed produce a powdery
residue...and the color bleeds). JB's line's color does not drip off once the Spectra gets
wet and there's no waxy coating. It's been well tested prior to being on the market.
It's the best Spectra indicator line made to
date.
JB
produces the hollow core in a
hi
vis yellow, which we stock in limited
quantities. If you'd like to order this
product in that color, not a problem. One thing to keep in mind,
multi color,
hi
vis or
blue,
the colored hollow core lines are not as
easy to work with as is the non-colored
Spectra, if you are making wind-ons. It's
harder to get your needle/line into the
colored lines. That's why we
recommend going with the white hollow core
if you intend to do some splicing.
It can be done with the colored lines, but expect a bit higher
frustration level opening up the line. So,
why go hollow if you're doing knots instead
of making use of rigging needles? One big
advantage is the way the line packs, hollow
core will lay down better and you'll end up
increasing your line capacity.
JB added
100# Spectra to their line in 2009. It's a bit more
expensive than their 130#, but it's even easier
to work with than their 80 hollow - which is
great for inline work. The stuff packs like 80#,
in truth even a bit better capacity can be
gained with the 100. It's also good for use in
IGFA circumstances, since it will test under
130.. That
makes it a wonderful product for gaining line
capacity, and is a great option if you are
packing your 30 or 30 wide size reel with the
intent of using of 80# leader, even 100# leader.
The 80 is a 16 strand, the 100 is a 12 strand,
like the 60 in that regard.
Need to make up some leaders
or wind-ons? We also stock smaller lengths of JB
hollow, in 25 yard spools - white of course.
JB also produces a solid
core spectra, with similar properties to their
hollow core line. There are times when a hollow
core is preferable, for instance if you are
inserting the mono or fluorocarbon leader into the
Spectra. Or, if you are attempting to gain a
little more line capacity. But, there are also
situations when the solid is the better way to go.
I prefer the solid for bottom fishing, for
instance. In the past we've shied away from the
solid JB, since Izor was much more recognized and
popular in this neck of the woods, and Power Pro
was an option, as well (though that stuff has some
properties we really aren't too keen on...). Jerry
continued refining his line, introduced some
additional flavors/colors. Specifically, JB's red
struck me as the perfect bottom fishing line. So,
we've expanded the base of Jerry Brown's products
to include more of their solid lines.
View Your Shopping Cart
| Momoi Diamond
Spectra Braided Line |
Two firms were most
responsible for bringing Spectra to the fishing
community. PowerPro essentially offered their
high-end kite line to fishermen. That's a fine
line for bottom fishing, but left much to be
desired for folks wanting better knots, less
abrasion and for use as a backing. Izorline was
the other pioneer in the field, offering a line
better suited to what we needed in terms of thin
diameter, high test and long life. Since
those early days other manufacturers have
entered this field, most failed miserably
offering a coarse line that proved difficult to
work with. Jerry Brown was one major exception,
but he too based his product on Izor's
pioneering efforts (in my opinion). Jerry did
better than most simply because he too was a
long range fisherman and understood what we
wanted from a Spectra line. By far the worst of
the "super braids" have come from offshore, and
some "freshwater" focused spidery-type lines.
The critical thing in my opinion is the thread
count, carriers, coating (or preferably) lack
thereof, and pics (or weaves per inch). These
characteristics determine how easy the line is
to work with, how coarse it is, knot strength,
grip, ability to splice, and acceptability for
saltwater use. Having said all that, Momoi did
get it right. Their line is colored,
similar/same as JB's blue. It is a coated line,
but that coating is imperceptible and actually
improves the lines long term performance rather
than degrading it like Power Pro's coating which
comes off with wear...or spooling. Momoi has a
very good Spectra braid product to offer.
The
manufacturer's pitch: Diamond Fishing
Products is proud to announce the next advance
in braided line technology, DIAMOND BRAID.
Diamond Braid joins the best monofilaments in
the world. Momoi's Braid incorporates the latest
braiding techniques which improves strength at
diameter, 3% stretch and bonded color-fastness
that prevents flaking or fading. The product is
made in USA and uses true Spectra fibers and
technology. This is not an offshore copy of
American design.
This process produces a
round line that ensures greater reel capacity,
decreased twist, distance casting and longer
fishing life. Our perfect roundness allows
tighter spool winding, prevents line from
"knifing" through spools and significantly
improves knotting performance. Also, this
braid is a hollow core from 80lb. through
200lb - perfect for splicing.
Saltiga Boat Braided Line
 It
took me a while to warm to this product, multi-colored lines have
earned a pretty poor review over the past years. But, it seems to me
the folks at Daiwa have a good thing going with their version of a
"super braid." Their Saltiga Braided line is a bit different
from the norm. It's a "super line" along the lines of PowerPro,
Izor, Jerry Brown... The thing that sets it apart is that it's
actually a darn good version of the super braid genre, and it offers
bottom fishing anglers a nice advantage. It's a five color line,
providing a distinct color break each 10 meters and with five and
one meter indicators so you know your depth with accuracy. It's a
smooth braid, not the stiff coated stuff you've come to dislike...
It really does have more of a feel like Izor or JB. It is an 8 braid
line, of thin diameter. (JB, BW and Izor are typically 12 or more).
It's not stiff, with an abraisive coating. It will deal with line
guides more kindly that at least one popular braided line we know
of. Daiwa introduced this line as part of it's
Dendoh style power assist reels which were designed to fish deep.
But, this accessory product has a great future ahead on any reel
who's owner happens to do some bottom fishing.
We stock the line in reel filling 300 and 500
meter lengths as well as bulk spools of 1800 meters.
|
Power Pro -
We are
discontinuing this line based upon several
factors. First, customer feedback which has
been increasingly negative - probably more a
factor of recognition that there are better
products now on the market. Secondly, Power
Pro has not kept up with newer innovations,
contrast that with Cortland and Jerry Brown.
And, finally, these guys are now owned by a
nameless bike company which we don't support.
To further understanding, we now have been led to understand that Power Pro will
now move production overseas, using an inferior Spectra copy. They'll try to belatedly jump on Jerry Brown's innovations of hollow core, with a knock-off product. No innovation, just parasitic marketing. Nope, we won't stock the stuff, and suggest to our clients that their money is better spent with those firms that offer true innovation.
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