Sufix: New Sufix Siege is designed as a supple but tough mono with extra abrasion resistance. Line is spooled with Sufix’s G2 Precision Winding process, so it flows off effortlessly with minimal memory. Four colors are available (clear, silver, smoke green, and neon tangerine) in tests starting at 4-pound. Ice fishermen will like Sufix’s Ice Magic, available in 1-, 2-, and 3-pound-test spools in addition to higher tests, in transparent and orange fluorescent colors. It’s built to stay supple and manageable in the coldest conditions.

The Latest Braids

Through the efforts of line engineers, braided lines continue to be easier and more pleasant to fish, while retaining the brute strength and longevity of original formulas. I know anglers who haven’t changed their spools of braid for four years. While initial cost is high compared to mono, its longevity levels the longterm cost comparison.

Within the braid category, a wide range of products is available, differing in stiffness, shape, and finish, along with color. The good news is that most companies are striving to offer braids in thin and supple formulas for panfish applications.

Berkley: New FireLine Crystal and FireLine Micro Ice Crystal are the world’s first translucent braids, as light is able to pass through them, thanks to a new thermal-fused technology. Micro Ice Crystal is available in tests from 1-pound (diameter of .25-pound mono) to 10-pound (diameter of 4-pound mono), including 2-, 3-, and 4-pound spools. Crystal runs from 1- to 20-pound test.

Power Pro: Innovative Textiles, maker of Power Pro braided line, has jumped into the red line craze with Phantom Red Power Pro, taking advantage of the reported reduced visibility of that color. Also, a new 5-pound-test version has been added, ideal for panfish applications.

Rapala: Rapala entered the braided line market in a big way with three new categories of the Titanium Braid brand. Titanium Braid is composed of spectra braid, bonded to a resin matrix that’s reinforced with microscopic particles of the super-metal, titanium. This formulation virtually eliminates rod-tip wrapping, and adds knot strength and abrasion-resistance. Titanium Stretch Braid, on the other hand, represents a mix of spectra and Dacron fibers wound tightly into a line with about 7 percent stretch. Titanium Core contains a single strand of spectra fiber coated with two sheaths, one to add color and the second to increase abrasion-resistance and to make it smoother.

Shakespeare: Ugly Braid has a special coating called “Ugly Armor” to provide strength, durability, and castability, along with a round shape for easier spooling and handling.

Spiderwire: Ultracast is a new formulation made with a cold fusion process to make the line thinner, yet with improved knot strength and casting distance. It’s available in tests from 10 (diameter of 2-pound mono) in lo-vis green or hi-vis yellow.

Stren: For vertical jigging or trolling, Stren Sinking Braid offers advantages over typical floating superbraids. Tests from 10 (diameter of 4-pound mono) to 50 (diameter of 14-pound mono) are available in this green camo line.

Sufix: Sufix Performance Braid and Performance Ice Braid are produced with the company’s Y-6 Digital Braiding process that results in more braids per inch and a tighter weave. The result is a thinner line that sheds water, while retaining its round shape. Performance Braid comes in lo-vis green or hi-vis yellow in tests from 6- to 130-pound. Ice Braid comes in blue or neon fire colors, in tests from 6- to 30-pound.

Never before have we been offered such an array of lines built with tactics in mind for perch, crappie, bluegill, and white bass. While old favorites may still work fine, you’re sure to like what you see (and feel) with these new products.