Top braided cords: alternative version

In spinning fishing, every little thing can be decisive, so not only the basic ingredients for success – rod, reel and bait – but also such an important element as line are of great importance.

This is a general concept that includes three main types of fishing line: monofilament, braided and fluorocarbon. All of them are good in their own way and are applicable in spinning fishing. But the most universal is braided fishing line (aka “braided” or cord).

It is stronger, thinner, more sensitive, has less “memory” and stretchability. Maybe someone will argue, but the cord is much more universal, and if you do not take highly specialized types of fishing, and much more practical.

But how to choose a decent cord in all the diversity of the market and not to go broke? In this text, I will share the best “braids” in the ratio of price and quality of those I have fished with.

YGK G-Soul PE X8 Upgrade

If you choose any one cord from the whole variety of the subject, then the choice will stop exactly on Upgrade, which I have had the opportunity to use in almost all diameters and sizes. It has several generations in the form of the classic G-Soul, the later New and the latest X-Braid. Some significant difference between them I didn’t notice.

It is a bright green cord with quality impregnation throughout. It is well noticeable when wiring, it is convenient to track the direction of movement of the bait and control its position. And, importantly, the “braided” does not fade for a long time and retains its color. To the touch, it is smooth, slippery, with a wonderful outreach and great sensitivity, is not demanding to knots.

The choice of sizes and diameters is very large and ranges from #0.6 to 3.0 according to the Japanese classification, from 0.128 to 0.285 mm, which corresponds to the declared breaking load from 6.4 to 22.7 kg. Perhaps, in fact, it is somewhat overstated, but the cords are still very strong and reliable. Wear resistance is also at a high level, largely due to the eight-strand weave and reliable coating on top. If you cut off the working sections in time, there will be no problems with them. Unwinding is available in 150 and 200 meters.

This is one of the most versatile cords I have ever used, from trout or chub fishing with the lightest lures to traditional pike jerk fishing.

Varivas Avani Eging Premium PE Milky

Definitely the most glamorous member of the braided fishing line society. Although the pink coating looks flashy, it is clearly visible when fishing. It fades a bit over time, but not critically.

This is one of the brightest representatives of the Varivas squid family in four-strand version. It has an old version, taken off the market, and a new one. It is strong, reliable, perfectly resists abrasion. By sensation, the cord is not as smooth as eight-strand competitors, but still feels the high quality of the coating.

The choice of sizes is much scarcer: #0.6, 0.8, 1.0, diameter 0.128, 0.148, 0.165 mm, breaking load 4.5, 6.8, 8.2 kg. But it is logical, taking into account for what purposes the cord was created. In our conditions it is also universal and suitable for fishing on wobblers, blades, jigs, etc. The working range of weights I would designate from 2 to 40 gr.

Milky has one reel – 150 meters. It is suitable for winding on small and medium spools. The wear resistance of the cord is a little worse than that of the first “braided”, but it is also at a good level, moreover, its price is lower. This is a good braided fishing line for universal spinning fishing, with good reach and strength, it knits without problems. The best suits the knot “Palomar”. In similar “weight” in quality with it are, alas, discontinued Sea Bass Premium PE, which I successfully fished for many years in different sizes, and High Braid PE, slightly less wear-resistant than Milky and Sea Bass.

Sunline Super PE

I couldn’t help but mention this “braid” as well. The first batch of cords could be used for a long time and lift trees from the bottom with them. Then the quality felt worse, and at some point there were fakes, but now the situation has stabilized. It is still a quality cord at a very affordable price.

The choice of Super PE models is very large, which differ not only in thickness and related characteristics, but also in colors, of which there are several variants: dark and light green, white, multicolor. The number of sizes is even difficult to comment on, because they are presented from thin #0.6 to jerk #8.0. A large selection and unwinds, at different times I met spools of 150, 200 and 300 meters.

If we compare it with its predecessors, then in strength and durability Super PE will yield to them a little, but at the same time the first place comes to the issue of price, and in its ratio with the overall quality of the gap will not be clear in whose favor. The classic Super PE also has a younger series with the mark New in front, it is a bit higher level, but also more expensive, so the price-quality ratio is about the same.

Varivas Avani Jigging 10×10 Max Power X8

Another representative of the Varivas braided cord family, but already of a different price category – this is a rather expensive cord. But this is where its disadvantages end. If we talk about direct characteristics and fishing sensations, I would put Jigging 10×10 on 1-2 place in my absolute rating.

It is very durable, smooth, thin, sensitive. You catch with it and don’t think about the possibility of something unpleasant happening due to the cord. Like most cords, has an old and updated version with the marking New. Externally, the “braid” is multicolored, during use almost does not change its coloring. It is pleasant to the touch, the threads are not palpable, due to which the throwing range is one of the best.

In the catalog there is a whole set of unwinding from 200 to 600 meters. I did not use more than 200 meters in the absence of such a need, the others are more for sea fishing. Sizes are also presented “with reserve” from #0.6 to 6.0, diameter from 0.128 to 0.405 mm.

Due to Max power impregnation this cord has a high breaking load. I think, like the others, it is somewhat overestimated, but this does not detract from its reliability and safety margin when fishing. I can safely call it one of the strongest and most wear-resistant. From the name it may seem that the cord is designed for targeted jig fishing, but this does not prevent you from fishing with it in any other way. In addition, you should keep in mind that the manufacturer when specifying Jigging most likely meant plumb fishing in the sea, and not the usual 2 turns / pause with touching the bottom. Therefore, you can safely take it and fish with jigs, wobblers, trollers, etc.

Avani Jigging 10×10 Max Power X8 from Varivas is a very cool cord without flaws, which does not lose its characteristics for a long time and is applicable anywhere! I use it in all my fishing trips.

Varivas Avani Jigging Power Braid X8

In all its characteristics this braided line resembles the above mentioned cord, with the only exception that at first it is noisier when wiring. This is due to the fact that it is more impregnated and stiffer to the touch. Otherwise, it is a similar cord both in price and in its performance values.

There was a moment, when I just tried it, when I didn’t want to fish with other cords at all. In case of a dead hook, you had to sweat a lot to tear off the bait, and in most cases you managed to bend the hook. This cord had only 2 unwinding – 200 and 300 meters, with a smaller choice of sizes. I really like #0.6 and the most versatile “single”, 0.8 is also on par. In its sizes, the 1.0 is the strongest of all the competitors I fished with, the 0.6 is on par with the 10×10 Max power.

The only problem with this cord is that it is almost impossible to find it on the market. It is rumored to be replaced by just New Avani Jigging 10×10 Max Power X8. I have fished with different braided lines from different manufacturers, both cheap and expensive. There were among them good and frankly bad, but they still could not get to the above described on the aggregate characteristics in relation to the price, so, in the end, bought something from the proven and calmly catch.

In this review it would be possible to note other cords, much more narrow specialization, which also showed themselves with the best side, for example, Varivas Light Game PE X4 in size #0.4, which perfectly fit in my fishing with micro-jig and pond trout. Or my favorite jerk rope Kosadaka Super Line PE X9 in size #6.0, which I would not trade for any Sunline with Varivas. But to draw conclusions about the whole series on one size I consider wrong. I have fished with at least three of the others described. These cords have been tested for years and I have not been disappointed in them.

They are different in level, cost, quality and durability, but braided fishing line is a consumable, especially if you catch often. Therefore, it is important to understand what tactics of buying cords to choose: to buy the best quality for expensive and hope for a long life or to save on inexpensive options and change them more often. Who likes what better. I use both! And the cords presented above are just from both camps, there is a lot to choose from.

Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.