Braided Fishing Lines
I did some research on braided fishing lines and I thought I would share some thoughts with you. Braid is polyethylene (PE) fishing line, and as you will see, thread count matters. Braid lines are “gel-spun”, meaning they are spun together while in partial-liquid form to create “carriers”, or “strands.” Carriers are woven together to create braided line, forming what is known as “pics” at points where they intersect.
Manufactures make thinner and thinner lines for better reel capacity and castability, but the price is higher. All PE lines are chemically identical. The only difference is in the bundles of microfilaments that make up the yarn. Manufacture’s PE microfilaments might measure 50 to 100 “denier.” A “denier” is a measurement unit for the “fineness” of yarn, equal to about one single strand of silk. For example, if a particular braid requires 800 denier microfibers to reach a certain strength, it can be created by a four-carrier braid with 200 denier microfilaments or an eight-carrier braid with 100 denier microfilaments. Both are the same but the eight-carrier is smoother and rounder since the individual fiber bundles are smaller.
A four-carrier braid has rigid strength and brute force capabilities which will cut through tough vegetation and is good when fishing rough cover when bottom fishing. An eight-carrier braid has less friction and noise and will cast better. Eight-carrier braids are known as diamond braids because of their two-over, two-under construction. Four-carrier braids are called “basket weave” which is one-over, one under which causes nubs on the surface of the line producing a “singing” noise when cast. Basket-braid line has more fiber integration, so yarns are held firmly in the line for better abrasion resistance. The eight-carrier diamond braids are smoother due to their twill construction, quieter through the guides and more sensitive during retrieve. However, the disadvantages with diamond braids are they can “bury” on the reel spool and be more expensive because of the higher cost of smaller denier yarns. Basket braids are made by taking out half of the eight carriers, hence termed “half-occupied.” However, it is possible to make an eight-basket braid by removing half the carriers from a 16-carrier braiding machine. As we know, different fishing applications demand different lines. For example, an eight-carrier braid will good when fishing jerkbaits, top-water and soft-plastics. When fishing tough vegetation and rough bottom structure, a four-carrier braid may be better.
In the future, can we expect a 12 or 16-carrier braid that is not hollow core? A 16-stand braid most likely with so many fibers would tend to cut itself, flatten out, have less abrasion resistance and be cost-prohibitive. However in the future, manufactures may research materials with finer denier to improve castability. In fact the FINS company says they are researching a nine-carrier braid which is Spectra High Tenacity fiber with eight ends of PE wrapped around it. Spectra HT is 25% stronger and 30% smaller than traditional deniers of spectra fiber.
Roy L. (Bonefish) Nave