The Latest Lines Will Put More Bass in Your Boat This Year

After patenting a new extrusion process 10 years ago, Yo-Zuri produced Hybrid, a mix of nylons and fluorocarbon. It’s more UV- and water-resistant than mono, qualities saltwater anglers had sought. This mix also has reduced underwater visibility and costs only slightly more than premium monos. While not willing to claim it’s the best of both worlds, company representative Dave Bertolozzi points to its continued strong sales record as evidence of its value to anglers.

For spinning tackle, Yo-Zuri formulated the more flexible Hybrid Ultra-Soft, with a tad more nylon in the mix for reduced memory and more stretch. Last year, they added 100% Fluorocarbon H2O, intended for tournament fishermen. It’s a greenish color, intended to cut the shine or “light-piping” that’s emitted by some clear fluoros. And in their H.D. Carbon Leaders, a new Disappearing Pink has been added.

Since entering fluorcarbon production with Vanish in 2000, Berkley has continued to study fluorocarbon lines and work with materials to add innovative products, with Wiedow joining their staff three years ago to work solely on line development. “We’re emphasizing expanding fluorocarbon offerings,” he says, “as it’s presently a growth industry.

“Vanish was designed for walleye fishing and other techniques that lack the repetitive casting of heavy lures, fast retrieves, and crushing hook-sets you expect in bass fishing,” he says. “The gold and red Vanish Transition lines have basically the same formula, but with added colorants to help anglers detect bites. Both those colors offer good contrast above the surface but fade faster underwater.

“Our new Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Professional Grade is designed to fill a lot of fishing niches,” he continues. “It’s tough yet supple enough to spool on a spinning reel in 2- to 8-pound tests. We produced it in response to demands from our pro staff, who wanted a line that was tougher and more shock-resistant than Vanish and formed good knots, too. It’s available in clear and green tint, which reduces the line’s sparkling in sunlight.

“Stren 100% Fluorocarbon is a different formula, stiffer than the Trilene and more abrasion-resistant. It’s for baitcasting not spinning, and comes in clear and blue tint, in the tradition of Stren. Both lines were extensively tested by more than 80 members of our pro staff. We’re not done and will continue developing new lines for bass and other species.”

One thing that’s kept some anglers from trying fluorocarbon lines is the price. The least expensive products cost about twice as much as mono, with high-end lines more than 10 times as much. On the plus side, a spool generally lasts longer than monofilament before losing character and requiring a change. Pros are known for changing monofilament line every night during competition if they’ve made considerable use of that rod. With fluorocarbon, they generally forego that task.

If you’ve tried fluorocarbon lines and haven’t been satisfied, there’s hope, as new products have come to market with new characteristics to match your fishing style and preferences. And more are on the way. When the world’s best bass anglers use it with half a million dollars on the line, there’s bound to be something to it.