Power pro V2

Looking to grab a few spools of the Duel Hardcore Super X8. Anyone used them?

1 hour ago, WetBlanket said:

How long has the UPGRADE X8 lasted for you? From mid last season to early this year, this braid was perfectly for me, then, around mid May, in a single day, i've had FIVE line breaks on a hookset in a single day. Lost tons of line and lures with it. It was so weird that i thought something was wrong with my guide inserts, but nope, the rod was perfect. Ever since this happened, i just don't use it anymore. Such a good caster, but super disappointed of the line snapping like that (it was a 25lb test one).

Just in case, I use the JDM stuff. I heard the US version is not the same.

It's going on its third year. I haven't had any real break offs with it. I use a San Diego Jam knot.

It does seem to fray around cover and if you get in wood, forget it (but most other braid is the same for me though). I cut a little off when necessary. I have it in PE #3 and #1.2. The #3 is used for topwater frogs, punching, and heavy jigs. The #1.2 is for senkos and soft plastic with a leader. With that said, based on the big price hike on it in Japan, I will probably move over to using all Varivas in the future. I still have about 3 spools of YGK lines (including Upgrade X8) to go through so it may be a while.

I want to try Varivas Avani Casting Max Power X8 next. Seems to be a quality, reasonably priced line.

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

Just in case, I use the JDM stuff. I heard the US version is not the same.

It's going on its third year. I haven't had any real break offs with it. I use a San Diego Jam knot.

It does seem to fray around cover and if you get in wood, forget it (but most other braid is the same for me though). I cut it a little off when necessary. I have it in PE #3 and #1.2. The #3 is used for topwater frogs, punching, and heavy jigs. The #1.2 is for senkos and soft plastic with a leader. With that said, based on the big price hike on it in Japan, I will probably move over to using all Varivas in the future. I still have about 3 spools of YGK lines (including Upgrade X8) to go through so it may be a while.

I want to try Varivas Avani Casting Max Power X8 next. Seems to be a quality, reasonably priced line.

Hmm, mine is the Japanese version as well, and i use a 1.3m fluoro leader, so i really don't know how the line frayed, but it was very annoyed losing 5 fish on a hookset. And i know that it's not related to my knot because some of the lures i lost on a hookset i later cought drifting, and the breakage was far from any knots. Disappointed because otherwise this braid was excellent.

This for spinning

On 6/15/2026 at 7:07 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

Basic, boring power pro , but admittedly I search for more exotic stuff. right now it is JBraid, I think.

I am trying to get back to Brazil. last time I used power pro and it was awesome. only dude that didnt have to respool was me!!

this time? I might try JB Line One. I heard that stuff is smooth!!

If trying JBraid - choose the JBraid Grand version as it’s a better line than standard JBraid.

J braid, 131, 832, sunline almight, tactx, varivas super finesse trout (I believe is the name) and probably a few others…those are all currently spooled on one reel or another. I like J braid and 131 particularly. When time to respool, I’ll probably start switching over to j braid exclusively unless something else comes along that I want to try.

Super Trout Advance coating is made for coldwater toughness, and it's very good braid, but warmwater abrasion resistance is not great.

The toughest I've found is YGK WXP1 (filled several reels when 1st version was closing out), Varivas Si-X, and newer Varivas Seabass X9.

I have tried many, and never found one I that I thought was bad. For bass fishing, I have been using J Braid for a few years now. It works well and costs less than other brands I have tried. In Saltwater I use hollow braid, and Jerry Brown is expensive but worth the cost. When I do use solid braid for saltwater fishing, I prefer J Braid.

Daiwa Samurai 8 is very good, but pricey, so I only have it on a few of my reels -- I also like Daiwa J-Braid Grand but only purchase it if I can find it at a discounted price

Sufix 832 is good and on the majority of my reels, durable

I just purchased some X-Braid (X8) to try but cannot give feedback on it yet

I use Smackdown and TactX, and PeX8 on spinning. You just can't go wrong with them.

That said, braid is a tactic-specific line, not an all-purpose line. It's best suited for vegetation and heavy cover presentations such as flipping and pitching. Braid isn't as abrasion resistant as fluoro, especially around rocks and cement. So if you're having problems with braid, it might because you're using it as a multi-purpose line and could be using it in situations where fluoro is a better choice.

I mostly only use braid for spinning rods, and use it on all of my spinning reels. 80% of them are loaded with 10 lbs braid and use 6, 7, or 8 lbs leaders of either mono or fluorocarbon. I have a lighter duty combo that uses 8 lbs braid and a medium plus combo that uses 15 lbs braid.

Types I have tried include:

• PowerPro

• Daiwa J-Braid/Samurai

• Seguar Smackdown

• Suffix 832

• Sunline

• (GASP!) KastKing Hammer Alpha 9

The only one I probably wouldn't use again is Smackdown. It didn't fare well in the environment I fish in (trees and rocks), and the incredible limpness was a PITA (. . . . for me) when rigging.

Suffix 131 is the best of all the different braids I have sampled. My previous favorite was Suffix 832.

For a couple years I used power pro 10lb for fishing a Ned TRD. And it held up good. Got 2 years out of it fishing 3-4 times a week

This year I’m dabbling with Power Pro slick V2 10lb, Seaguar PeX8 18lb and TactX 20lb.

Probably TactX is my least favorite this year. Has Given me casting problems ,but has held up.

Suffix 832, 6lb to 40lbn

Sufix 832

I’ve fished a lot of powerpro and suffix 832 over the last 15 years. A lot of it in salt and freshwater.

This next year though I think I’m gonna make the switch to Berkley big game braid. I’m so happy with normal big game. I’m gonna try it.

I just put some Zalt’s “Bass Hard” 8 carrier (10lb) on one of my spinning rods - all I can say so far is that I kind of dig the silver/gray color.

On the others, it’s a mix of 832, Smackdown, Tufline, Fireline, Yozuri and Kastking. All work well, I haven’t really picked one to commit to yet.

Been using original PowerPro since it's introduction and I'm sure there's better but haven't had a reason to change.

I'm braid on every spinning rod and braid on baitcasters with moving baits and straight flouro on bottom contact.

So many to choose from these days, don't wanna go down the rabbit hole.

On 6/27/2026 at 10:30 AM, king fisher said:

I have tried many, and never found one I that I thought was bad. For bass fishing, I have been using J Braid for a few years now. It works well and costs less than other brands I have tried.

First braid I bought years ago was 40# Sufix Performance. It's cheaper than J-braid. Lost color rather quickly but that didn't hurt performance. Was on my STXL for several years before I had to replace it due to line twist. Reel went with me several times on visits to Florida for use in lily pads.

I don't have a favorite braid at the moment. Recently purchased several spools of Berkley X9 based on fellow members opinions. Have Fins in 3 of their lines...Windtamer, 40G and Original PRT. I like all three. Fireline 30# turned my fingers green when I spooled it on from the coating flaking off. I've also used original Power Pro, 832 and Spiderwire. Got a spool of 10# Sufix Fuse in orange at Ollies years ago. It's on a Pixy. Purchased some WXP1 for a couple BFS spools. Untried spool of 10# orange Sufix Performance to try on a ML spinning rod.

I think you would have to work hard to find a bad braid.

Currently, Bulk spools of Berkley Big Game braid from WM.

On 6/15/2026 at 10:23 AM, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

Most of my reels are running 131 at this point. The smoothest braid that I’ve ever tried and I like it for my braid to leader set ups. For frogging I just run 832. I tried Maxcuatro for the first time this spring and I like in so far also.

Maxcuratro 50lbs is a special line. I punch the thickest stuff with it. Frog, braid to leader spinnerbaits, swimbaits. Fantastic line. I’m playing with 20 & 30lb now for straight braid whacky rigging

On 6/15/2026 at 3:51 PM, WetBlanket said:

How long has the UPGRADE X8 lasted for you? From mid last season to early this year, this braid was perfectly for me, then, around mid May, in a single day, i've had FIVE line breaks on a hookset in a single day. Lost tons of line and lures with it. It was so weird that i thought something was wrong with my guide inserts, but nope, the rod was perfect. Ever since this happened, i just don't use it anymore. Such a good caster, but super disappointed of the line snapping like that (it was a 25lb test one).

25lb upgrade is is equal to 15lb power pro which is crazy thing on a bait caster.even upgrades 50 is like power pro 30. That might have something to do with it

On 6/15/2026 at 3:51 PM, WetBlanket said:

How long has the UPGRADE X8 lasted for you? From mid last season to early this year, this braid was perfectly for me, then, around mid May, in a single day, i've had FIVE line breaks on a hookset in a single day. Lost tons of line and lures with it. It was so weird that i thought something was wrong with my guide inserts, but nope, the rod was perfect. Ever since this happened, i just don't use it anymore. Such a good caster, but super disappointed of the line snapping like that (it was a 25lb test one).

HItenna Silky and Gosen are awesome, but very expensive.

Been using Almight since Feb and really like it. Lots of people complain that it was breaking too easy, but so far its been great for me. I really like it for BFS.

X9 is a good budget braid that can be found anywhere.

For casing gear, I like 832. It can cut vegetation, knots really well and takes a beating.

On 6/15/2026 at 12:08 PM, Peacedivision said:

Pline endurx on casting

I have a spool, but im not going to put it on a reel until I wear out what im using now.

I really like #10 TCB. Its slick, casts really well and handles great.

How you like it so far?

Is it similar to any other braid?

@GetFishorDieTryin I think endurx fishes pretty similar to 832 but it doesn't seem to have much of a break in period, and the color doesn't bleed at all. It will fade a little bit over time with sun and water exposure but you can drag brand new line through a wet towel and not a single speck of color bleeds out.