i picked up a spool of the 65 pound high vis green pro cat braided line because it was cheap. looking at the stuff and feeling it, it feels like a total rip off. any other opinions?

Tournament Choice makes really low end stuff, in my experience anyway.  

Original PP is cheap when you consider it will last you at least a few seasons if taken care of. I've got 80 and 130 on my flathead rods that's several years old and still going strong.