Article: Using Power Pro & Other Superbraids

Aside from the pure enjoyment that comes from being out on the water or ice in the great outdoors, the goal of fishing is to get the fish from point A (in the water) to point B (in the Frabill). Much discussion is given yearly to the ‘latest and greatest’ rods, reels, lures, and hooks and for good reason – they are crucial elements of angling success. An area often overlooked in the pre-season fishing discussion, however, is that of fishing line.

Fishing line has evolved significantly in recent history as new colors, manufacturers, and even types of line are being produced today. Almost anyone who has gone fishing is familiar with monofilament fishing line – it’s versatile, easy to tie knots with, has come in a wide variety of strengths for many years, and is generally cheaper than other types of fishing line. Monofilament line, while popular, does have its share of limitations; for example, monofilament line has memory, meaning that over time the line will develop a tendency to loop in the same size as the spool it’s stored on. In addition, monofilament line stretches, breaks down over time in the sun and heat, and does not have the knot-holding power or abrasion resistance of braided lines.

Braided line, in contrast, is made up of multiple tiny fibers woven together to form one line. In recent years, manufacturers have utilized new fibers such as Spectra®, coupled with updated technology, to create “superbraids”. The superbraids have a much higher strength-to-size ratio than monofilament line, tie more easily, and hold knots better. In addition, superbraid lines have zero stretch, no reel memory, and are quite abrasion resistant.

I began using superbraids years ago for musky fishing; their toughness and durability far surpassed any monofilament or braided Dacron line on the market at the time, and I continue to use Power Pro almost exclusively for my musky fishing yet today. Superbraids are not limited to musky and other large game fish however, their high strength-to-size ratio allow anglers to use smaller diameter line while maintaining adequate strength; this smaller diameter often lends to more finesse and natural presentations of lures or live bait.
The compact quality and smaller diameter of the line also allow anglers to get lures quicker down deep, making them a good choice for fishing in current or deeper fishing situations. Plus, the zero stretch makes superbraids incredibly sensitive, even with large amounts of fishing line out. Superbraids such as Power Pro come in strengths testing from 5#-250# - a range able to accommodate any situation in freshwater fishing; this range allows me to match a size of Power Pro to any fishing situation – from jigging early season walleyes to pitching slip bobbers for crappies.

While superbraids such as Power Pro are incredibly versatile and adept to almost any fishing situation, there are a few keys to keep in mind when using them to ensure optimum success. For starters, the same zero stretch that makes them so sensitive and allows for powerful hook sets, can also potentially lead to problems. Depending on the situation, your rod and/or reel may not be rated to handle the same load as your line. To compensate for this, try matching your drag to the weakest component of your tackle system (such as leaders, split rings, etc.). If you’ve just begun using superbraids, try setting your drag to match the size of monofilament line you normally use.

It is also imperative to leave backing on your reel before spooling any superbraid on to it. The backing can be attached to the superbraid with a knot such as the blood knot, and will provide the ‘bite’ necessary to prevent the line from actually slipping on the spool. Due to the tough nature of superbraids, it is a good idea to keep a sharp scissors along as many cutters and clippers will have a hard time cutting through the line.

Enjoy the open water season that’s just beginning in our area! I’ll see you on the water…

Tight lines,