Wes Lavergne of Let's Talk Fishing answers 3 of the most commonly asked questions for 1996, focusing on rod and reel combinations, fishing line and lures.

Question #1: Is the new fishing line from Berkley called Fireline all that the advertising says it is and why.

 

Answer #1: Over the last couple of years the hottest lines on the market have been the super braid lines. they're super sensitive so you can feel even the lightest bite when it happens. the extremely small diameter of the line simply gets you more bites. The best thing about the braided line is that the small diameter doesn't give away anything to line breaking strength. in fact, it greatly increases the breaking strength, making it far superior to monofilament lines. fifteen pound braided line has a line diameter of 6 pound test. However, there are some disadvantages: casting is more difficult and distances shorten up; it is tough to use on spinning gear; specific knots have to be used; and you always have to watch for broken braid strands.

A new generation of super line arrived for 1996, this new line is no longer braided but is made with now micro fibers that are fused together. It has all the advantages of braided line -- sensitivity, strength and a small line diameter -- but is much more limp, which definitely increases its casting ability and distance. This new line is much more usable with spinning gear, and because the line 1s fused -- not braided -- you don't have to worry about broken strands. Knot tying is also more forgiving. The drawback to the new line (as with the super Braids) is the price. Fireline will cost you about five times that of mono. However, first indications are that it should also last five times as long.

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