The other day I went looking for a soft, low memory mono/fluoro. Basil at BHP Tackle recommended that I look at Soft Steel Ultra (a co-polymer), which I did, and ordered some. The line arrived, it is very soft and nicely stretchy (what I was looking for), its diameter is small for the strength. Here's what I measured for 80# Soft Steel Ultra: Specs: 80# Test 0.029" Diameter 50 Yards: $11.49 Measured: Actual Breaking Strength: 88 lbs. 4 Turn Uni Breaking Strength >73 lbs. (80% of Actual) Line Fit inside 60# Mono DaHo splicing Needle (and it looks/feels like 50# line) Ande 50# Premium Monofilament is specified to be 0.028" in diameter. So this line is only a little bigger than 50# Ande, similar to 60# Seaguar Premier, and has a knot strength that would suggest that it is a true 20%-over-rated 80# line. However, because the diameter is small like 50/60# line you give up some abrasion resistance. So my question is this, if it were you, would you think of it as a very strong 50/60# line (because of its thinness and abrasion resistance) or would you think of this as a true 80# line because of its actual knotted breaking strength?
If it walks like a duck..... Sounds like a great find, would work out nice for chunking especially if the fish get leader shy....Always hate it when I have to drop all the way to 50# just to get bit, much more comfortable being able to drop the hammer on a fish and not worry about leader rating so much!
Sounds like nice stuff! The softness / suppleness is huge for me because I like to tie, not crimp. Do they have a 100 pound test?
Sounds like nice stuff! The softness / suppleness is huge for me because I like to tie, not crimp. Do they have a 100 pound test? It looks like they have many different types of lines and strengths from 40-300#, including 100#. I have heard that the line is made in Italy but the only information that I have seen on the web is at Soft Steel. I bought samples of 80# and 125# line and will probably also buy the 100#.
It looks like they have many different types of lines and strengths from 40-300#, including 100#. I have heard that the line is made in Italy but the only information that I have seen on the web is at Soft Steel. I bought samples of 80# and 125# line and will probably also buy the 100#. Awesome. Thanks Pamet. I will probably give it a go myself.
only issue with supe soft leader line is abrasion Very true, but I am still looking for that one product that is a happy medium between supple and abrasion resistance. Best I have found as of yet is plain old Jinkai mono.
with conventionals i prefer fluoro just about all the time, other than when i may lose a lot since its more $$. otherwise i dont see any disadvantages. tying a PR is fine, i've not had any slippage......knots are OK too. casting with a spinner can be a pain with a lot of fluoro if you have a long leader......bc its still sometimes it can wrap itself around the rod on a cast. last couple trip i used a short 3-4' leader and got bites plus improved casting distance.
with conventionals i prefer fluoro just about all the time, other than when i may lose a lot since its more $$. otherwise i dont see any disadvantages. tying a Page Ranking is fine, i've not had any slippage......knots are OK too. casting with a spinner can be a pain with a lot of fluoro if you have a long leader......bc its still sometimes it can wrap itself around the rod on a cast. last couple trip i used a short 3-4' leader and got bites plus improved casting distance. Have you had problems with chaffing on the spectra above that short (3 - 4 foot) leader though? I have been using a 8 - 10 foot leader lately because I was having a chaffing problem on the spectra while fighting the fish.
i use anywhere from 8-12 feet of leader. I'm starting to like 8 more than 12. I've experimented with 6'. That length covers enough distance to safely handle the leader and not the braid when boatside.
ive seen a bit of chaffing, but not terrible. the increase in casting distance is very convenient. im not 100% decided yet but have been pleased thus far. one issue is if/when your leader gets frayed youll need a new knot.
Have you had problems with chaffing on the spectra above that short (3 - 4 foot) leader though? I have been using a 8 - 10 foot leader lately because I was having a chaffing problem on the spectra while fighting the fish. I too use a short leader. My p-r knot is always outside the guides. I haven't had any problems with chaffing on fish or even large boats like the big E. The softest mono leader I have used is the varivas, but for the money and availability nothing beats jinki and momoi. d-a
