For almost two decades, power pro braid has been on the market, an engineering marvel invented in America. Several years ago, the manufacturer of this cord became part of the Shimano company and now it can no longer be said that this is a purely American product. Although this is still considered to be the case. At the beginning of its journey, this wonderful cord made a lot of noise among fishing enthusiasts. He was recognized as one of the best and everyone wanted to fish with him.
What is happening now after many years and has this “Power Pro” fishing line, popularly called “proshka”, remained popular?
Power Pro braided fishing line is made from high-quality raw materials, SPECTRA FIBER polyethylene fibers. These fibers are very light, which is why Power Pro is a floating line. But for braided fishing line, not only the raw materials are important, but also the final product, high-quality weaving. Power Pro braid consists of 4 or 8 SPECTRA fibers. The number of fibers depends on the brand of cord. This cord is made using a special technological process - Body Technology, which does not involve sintering fibers, but interweaving them.
The manufacturer strives to make the cord perfectly round. But precisely because of its unique technology, the Power Pro did not have a perfect round cross-section. Cords that have a breaking load of 10 lb and a diameter greater than 0.15 millimeters are round in shape. The thinner Power Pro cords are flatter. Therefore, we must conclude that thin braided fishing lines of this brand are inferior to other manufacturers.
Several line color options
Power Pro has an impregnation that allows this line to absorb almost no water.
Characteristics
Power Pro markets several series of braided fishing line, which differ in different pitches in diameter, color, and number of threads (4 or 8).
Power Pro cords are used for spinning, trolling, feeder fishing, winter fishing, and bottom fishing.
Color
The range of colors is very large and is constantly expanding with the release of new types of cords onto the market.
- Green (Moss green, Aqua Green) is the most popular line color. There are several shades of green, both dark and light. They are denser to the touch and slippery.
- White color - braided line for fishing in the dark.
- Yellow color (Hi-Vis Yellow) – braided line for fishing in cloudy weather.
- Red color (Phantom red) - since the green color of the water absorbs the red, this fishing line is invisible in the water.
- Orange color - a line of this color may have black markings, which are very visible in strong winds or sagging line.
- Blue color (Hi Viz Blue).
- Colored fishing line (Multicolor) - braided line is used for fishing, where it is necessary to return the bait to the same depth, for example, for trolling.
Unwinding
Always pay attention to the line unwinding. Power Pro braided line will have it
- 92 meters.
- 135 meters.
- 275 meters.
- 455 meters.
- 1370 meters.
- 2740 meters.
Diameter
Power Pro has a diameter designation that corresponds to a certain breaking load in pounds. The diameter is always indicated in odd numbers 0.13;0.15;0.19 and so on.
Breaking load
Breaking load: 5; 8, 9, 13, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 48, 55, 75, 95, 125 kg.
Shimano began supplying this fishing braided line to Japan. If you buy from Japan, there may be confusion with the labeling. There is a discrepancy between the Japanese "#" and lb. When purchasing, you need to adjust this issue.
Peculiarity
The peculiarity of this line is that the initially hard braid becomes softer after several fishing trips, which allows you to cast smoothly. Use different reels and wind the cord evenly around them. The braided line also loses its color after several fishing trips. But this is observed not only with Power Pro, but also with other manufacturers. The color is not permanent. The part of the line that is involved in casting loses color faster. This part is usually cut off when it becomes unusable.
History of origin and characteristics
Almost 20 years have passed since the release of the first model of this braided cord, which literally revolutionized the fishing line industry. And although the braided line was created in America, it cannot be called a completely American product, because relatively recently the manufacturing plant became part of the well-known Shimano brand. From the first days of its existence, such an amazing cord caused real delight among spinners, occupying a leading position in the lists of the best fishing line options. Is it still as popular now, and does it make sense for a novice fisherman to buy it?
Power Pro braided cords are created on the basis of high-quality modern raw materials - SPECTRA FIBER polyethylene fibers. Due to their amazing lightness, these materials make the fishing line float, while at the same time it contains high-quality weaving and reliability. Commercially available models include 4 or 8 SPECTRA fibers (the exact number of fibers depends on the brand of cord). When producing the next batch, the manufacturer uses advanced Body Technology, which does not sinter the fibers, but carefully interweaves them.
The emphasis is on creating a perfectly round cross-section, although due to the use of a unique weaving technique such results cannot be achieved. However, models with a breaking load of 10 lb and a cross-section of 0.15 millimeters are always round in shape, while thinner products are flat. For this reason, some models are slightly inferior in performance to products from other brands.
There are currently several series of braids on the market with different characteristics, including:
- Diameter.
- Color.
- Number of fibers.
Such cords can be used as the main working tool for spinning, trolling and feeder fishing. In addition, they are used for bottom and winter fishing.
Features of color selection
The range of Power Pro cords includes a wide variety of offers that differ in the color of the fibers. In addition, new varieties with more interesting shades are constantly appearing on sale:
- Green color is considered the most popular shade of Power Pro braids, while it contains both dark green shades and light ones. Such fishing lines are characterized by increased density and slipperiness.
- White models - suitable for productive fishing at night or in low light conditions.
- Yellow shades are an indispensable solution for fishing in cloudy weather.
- Red braids are distinguished by their invisibility, which is due to the absorption of red color by the natural shade of water - green.
- Orange models - may have black markings, which makes the cord visible in intense wind or sagging line.
- Multi-colored products are effective for trolling fishing.
Unwinding, diameter and breaking load
When choosing a Power Pro braided cord, you need to pay attention to its unwinding. Currently, several options are available with different parameters: 92, 135, 275, 455, 1370, 2740 meters
As for the diameter, it is determined by the breaking load in pounds and is indicated in odd numbers: 0.13, 0.15, 0.19, etc.
The breaking load can be: 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 48, 55, 76, 95, 125 kilograms.
It is important to note that products purchased in Japan may be labeled differently, which often causes complications. It is important to clarify this point at the purchase stage so as not to be disappointed in the choice made.
It should be noted that Power Pro braided lines have one unique feature: initially hard lines become much softer after several fishing trips, which ensures maximum smooth casting. You can use different reels and wind the cord evenly around them. In addition, the product may lose its shades after several uses, although this property is also inherent in products from other companies.
Advantages
If you purchased a real Power Pro braided line, it will have the following advantages:
- The unique SPECTRA fiber is very strong, so the braid itself is strong. Popular testing has shown that the actual strength value corresponds to the value indicated on the packaging (applies only to the original fishing line).
- This braid shows good stability when fishing on shell bottoms. Not the most durable, but acceptable enough.
- The SPECTRA fiber from which the cord is made does not wear out the guides on the rod.
- The price of fishing line for popular models is of great importance; it is affordable for most fishermen. To be precise, I will say that new models are rising in price.
This cord consists of 8 strands
Cord Specifications
Power Pro braided cord is available in four-core and eight-core versions. The four-core model is better suited for feeder fishing, since when fishing on the feeder the cord is constantly in contact with underwater objects:
- driftwood;
- shell rock;
- stones.
The four-core modification better resists abrasive loads and loses the breaking load declared by the manufacturer even with minor damage. However, the four-core version is inferior in strength to the eight-core braided one. Eight-strand braid is woven from a larger number of synthetic threads, and therefore has an increased breaking load. This option is preferred by fans of spinning and trolling fishing. In these types of fishing, it is very important that the cord has high strength characteristics with a minimum diameter.
The color range of Power Pro braids is quite diverse, which allows you to choose a monofilament suitable for various fishing conditions and corresponding to the personal taste preferences of the angler. Power Pro is available in several colors:
- white;
- green;
- red;
- blue;
- orange;
- multicolor
The original Power Pro braid does not lose its bright color for a long time.
The white color is popular with anglers who catch pike perch using spinning rods at night. The white color reflects the light of the headlamp, making the cord easily visible in the dark. Green color is considered classic and can be used for all types of fishing. The red power cord about the phantom deserves special attention, since the manufacturer claims that as a result of the spectral refraction of sunlight in water, the red color becomes almost invisible to fish. In practice, this theory has not yet been confirmed, since the color of the braid has no effect on the number of fish bites and is important primarily for the visual perception of the fisherman.
Blue and orange colors are clearly visible in any weather, allowing you to accurately track the location of the bait during the retrieve. Spinning anglers have long appreciated the advantage of colored fishing lines, the color of which changes after a certain number of meters. Multicolor braid is great for spinning, as it can be used to accurately determine at what distance from the boat the fish bit.
Power Pro cord is available in unwinding lengths from 92 to 2740 m. A wide selection of different diameters makes it possible to fish with both ultralight and powerful trolling gear.
Why bad reviews
In principle, the braided line is very good and should satisfy fishing enthusiasts.
Why are reviews of these cords sometimes diametrically opposed?
Recently, many have noted that the quality of cords that have been on sale for a long time is falling. Not only our fishermen, but also Americans speak about this. In this case, we are not talking about fakes, but about cords made in America, as indicated on the packaging. In my opinion, this is due to the fact that after merging with a Japanese company, some Japanese factories received a license to manufacture this fishing line and produce it in countries with cheap labor. Apparently they don't maintain quality there. After all, in the reviews of offended fishermen you can often hear that it seems like you bought a “native” braided line, but it doesn’t show itself in the best way, there are many shortcomings. This fishing line is in the price range of at least 600 rubles for a standard unwinding of 135 meters and no cheaper.
It’s no secret that 70% of fishing line is sold in large reels, so it doesn’t matter in which country the unwinding is done, as long as the fishing line is purchased from a real American factory. This is just a small business and the quality of the cord is good. Unwinding can be done anywhere.
Look in this video at just the case when an American fishing line came from China in Chinese unwinding. The test showed that the breaking load corresponded to reality. So the reviews are good:
There is another option - this is a Chinese fishing line. That is, on the packaging it is written: country of origin: China. This fishing line is half the price, but its quality also decreases in accordance with the price. In China they say that this line is not “native”; the line is made for its own market. But enterprising sellers bring it to us, to Russia. In China you can buy it for 300 rubles.
The third option is a counterfeit product, where the manufacturer is difficult to determine. The packaging looks like it's real, but it's actually a fake. Such counterfeits are common in dubious retail outlets. It is better to buy braided wire in reliable stores where, in addition to the Power Pro brand, there are also other well-known companies - Daiwa, Suffix. Power Pro is a very well-known company, that’s why there are so many fakes, they won’t fake any crap.
About fake
It happens that a good fake, but it does not have impregnation, then this issue can be solved by lubricating your cord with silicone. In addition, you can return low-quality wicker. Counterfeit cords are often uneven with ripples and are not tensile strength. Just save the receipt and check when you get home, rewinding the fishing line, if there are any sagging, then return it to the seller.
To combat counterfeits, manufacturers have already changed packaging several times, the last change was in 2011. You cannot change it more often, otherwise the brand will not be recognizable. During the last change of packaging, Power Pro included additional instructions and a winding device in the box. This is also a distinctive feature of this product.
If you purchased real Power Pro braided line made in the USA, it will have the performance that the manufacturer claims.
If you bought something else, then it’s already a game of Russian roulette - you’ll be lucky or unlucky. A fishing line made in China or at a factory with a license is not always bad. There are reviews that Chinese fishing line performs well for several seasons. There are other sayings - such a braid can literally unravel after 3-4 fishing trips. Is it worth the risk?
Reading user reviews about Power Pro braided fishing line, you can understand that they only respond negatively to fakes when the fishermen themselves decided to save money or they were sold the product in an unverified store. In addition, those who use it for ultralight spinning often do not like this braid. So, dear compatriots, draw a conclusion: look for “native” braid and do not put Power Pro on ultralight tackle.
Of course, in the modern world, Japanese cords occupy a leading position, but their prices are also leading. And Power Pro braid has a good quality-price ratio.
Advantages and disadvantages
Power Pro, like most braided lines, has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages of this cord include:
- reasonable price, which is 5–7 times lower than for similar products from famous Japanese brands;
- good abrasive resistance, allowing you not to change the cord after each season;
- excellent strength characteristics, which are achieved thanks to a unique method of weaving fibers.
For the convenience of winding up the fishing line, the Power Pro reel is equipped with a plastic case.
The soft structure of the cord allows you not to worry about the integrity of the guide rings. A wide selection of colors, different diameters and unwinding lengths makes Power Pro braided line attractive to many anglers.
The main disadvantages of this cord include the fact that after 3-4 fishing trips it begins to fray and significantly increases in diameter. This factor greatly affects the casting distance, which can be halved when using light baits. Since this braid is made by weaving fibers, the cross-section of the cord is not round, which also negatively affects the casting distance.
What's new?
In 2013, Power Pro Zero Impact was recognized as one of the best at European and American exhibitions. The production used Termination Zone technology, which involves strengthening weak zones, those where the fishing line most often breaks. This is expressed as follows: every 20 feet there is a thickened section about 80 cm long, painted black. It is recommended to tie the bait to such a thickened zone; this, according to manufacturers, provides additional strength to the knot.
Folk sign: If you forgot something at home for fishing, then it’s better not to come back, there won’t be a bite!
