Berkley Fishing Line Review, X9 and Fireline Braid

[Attila]

Hi everyone,

This year I decided to experiment with some different lines at the start of bass season. I spooled a Daiwa Tatula HSL baitcasting reel with 30lbs Berkley X9 braid to use with any walking style or large poppers such as the PopMax. I also filled a Daiwa Exceler 1000 spinning reel with 4lbs Berkley Fireline braid to use for my marabou jig presentations for smallmouth.

Berkley X9 Braid -- Admittedly, I had a very bad relationship with Berkley Trilene XL and XT growing up, so I was leary to try a new product from the company. On the box claims that the line is designed for maximum strength and casting distance. Right off the bat I did notice an increase in my casting distance versus the previous braid I used. As a shore fisherman, being able to cover water is important and this line allows me to do that in spades. Finally, the line is strong and I never experienced any breakage issues either on the line or at the knot. The line came into contact with various weeds containing zebra mussels, rocks, wood, and even metal siding on a boat house.

Berkley Fireline Braid -- so how light is too light? Well, how about using 4lbs braid (1lbs diameter) with a 6lbs fluoro leader around rocks and weeds to throw a 1/16oz black marabou jig for tank smallmouth? The really light line allowed me to cast that small jig a country mile and it held up exceptionally well against the rocks and weeds that I was fishing around. I did a lot of research before dropping to such a light line, and if you have the time, I really suggest reading In Fisherman magazine and following pros like Gussy or the Johnston Brothers online. They provide a lot of information and even took the time to answer a couple of pm's I sent to them. Long story short, I really like how well this braid is working and am going to buy another rod specifically for throwing marabou jigs while continuing to use this same rod for dropshotting and spybaiting.

Here's a couple of pictures to give you an idea of the fish I'm talking about...

Berkley X9 Braid smallmouth bass caught on a Popmax

[Attila]

One of many smallmouths that was hooked, caught, and landed on 4lbs Berkley Fireline smoke coloured braid.

[colanut]

Nice job on the changes and how you set up your rigs. I bought some Berkley X9 I got on sale, and also was pleasantly surprised on how good it was. My go to is Sufix 30 lb braid, which I find to be excellent for most of what I throw. After reading some of your threads over the past couple of years, I also upped my game and decided to go all in on baitcasters. I have had them in the past, but usually get a backlash so bad I have to go back to spinning. Over the past year, I purchased a number of more expensive reels and noticed a big difference. I used the 13 fishing Defy white medium 7" with the matching reel (8.1:1 ratio). This is a very nice reel and it has landed my a bunch of walters, pike and bass this year (it helps to get new gear on sale too). My latest purchase is a Rapala R-type Medium fast 7'3" rod with a 6.2:1 ratio baitcaster. I still spooled it with a Sufix braid, and the first trip out is tomorrow. This is the old model currently on sale at Gagnons (I got the rod and reel for about $200, normally more like $400). I don't know if the new model is out yet, but they are clearing out the older version.

I have also had decent results with another spinning rod set up with Trilene XT. I find other Trilene line to be terrible, usually jamming up my reel. It may just be me, but I get plenty of wind knots with other Trilene line. Now I bring a few rods with me, so if one rig is causing problems, I just grab another one.

I have narrowed it down to the following, for me. I use Sufix 30lb braid for my baitcasters (mostly), where I want to cast out as far as possible, and usually use larger, heavier baits. I have a drop shot spinning set up with 8lb Trilene for drop shotting, or ned rigs. I have a third spinning reel with Sufix 30 lb braid for my worm harness hair jigs, and smaller lighter baits.

I find it fun to try different rods and reels, but I need more time to use them all!

[metalbuckle]

Great review and nice fish.. Thanks for the incite.

I have to agree, since the introduction of braids, its been a game changer out there.. The age old problem of thin diameter and strength that has plagued the mono line world for so many years has been solved. Braid is superior in that regard. I still use lots of mono line thou, especially in winter and coldwater fishing. My favorite monos to use are Strens, and PowerPro for braids. But I will admit haven`t tried many of the Berkley and Suffix braids yet.

[sabmgb]

I switched all my lines to fireline a few years ago. I found it amazing, almost to strong. i troll or jig for walleye and was used to using mono in the 12 lb range. I now use 8 or 10lb and it never breaks. I have to use a mono lead now as I couldn't break the 10lb or the 8, had to cut at the boat. I do find it good for about 2 years which isn't bad, than reverse the line and use the other end for another 2 years. only issue I have is with the yellow line, it loses it colour but it still a off white so i can still see it against the dark water while jigging.

[Attila]

colanut -- very cool, it sounds like you've changed your approach and that it's paying dividends for you. I hope that you have continued success, and don't be afraid to drop down in line size to 15lbs or even 10lbs braid...it really is strong stuff.

metalbuckle -- glad to provide information when I think it might help people catch more fish. After all, if we can't learn from each other, what's the point? Braid really has been a game changer, what I find though is that even this year I'm using different braids for different applications. What I use for marabou jigs is different from what I use for jerkbaits which is different from what I use for frogging, etc...I doubt I'll ever switch over to one specific braid as they all have different qualities which I find bring out the best in the presentations I use the most. Finally, I still use Micro Ice for ice fishing on Simcoe. Granted it's only 3lbs test, but I haven't had any troubles with it in the couple of seasons I've used it. I don't think I could ever use mono when it comes to any bass/pike/walleye presentation anymore...even for crankbaits I use fluorocarbon. Changing times I guess...

sabmgb -- I tried trolling with braid once...again, just once..I don't know how you do it! lol I prefer fluoro as I get more abrasion resistance and there is still some stretch in the line which allows the fish to inhale the bait more when it strikes...personal opinion of course. If it works for you, who am I to judge! lol I think as I get older I might try some yellow line, but for now I'm okay using smoke, moss green, and grey for my presentations. Cheers, and have a great season!