Power Pro vs Spiderwire

cport · March 30, 2017, 01:22:01 PM

I am so over Spiderwire. I am a budget fisherman so I was using the regular 9.99 Spiderwire. Spooled 30# on both my spinning and my BPS Tourney Special (that I picked up for 49.95, yes!). I haven't had any issues with breakage, although I did notice it separated and frayed rather quickly. I retie after every fish and after tangling with a snag or after fishing for squirrels. Recently I have snapped off 2 chatterbaits and a jig while casting, and then I read some reviews of the line on BPS, with other anglers complaining of the same thing.

So in a fit of pique, I ripped all the line off and bought some regular Power Pro in the 30# test for $3 more, with 25yds more on the spool. Right away I noticed it seems smoother, rounder, and smaller diameter than SW, but it did seem a bit stiffer. Can any of you guys give me your opinions on both, and did I make a good choice? Will I have to bite the bullet and buy some of the more pricey lines? Thanks in advance.

bigjim5589 · March 30, 2017, 02:06:26 PM

I've never used Spiderwire braid, only used their mono, which was OK, similar to Berkley Big Game. Used PP for some years, and never had any issues with it, although I do know of some guys who had problems with it breaking for no apparent reason, both bass & saltwater anglers. I switched to Sufix 832, when it came out, and have been using it ever since. IMO, it casts better than PP, but I primarily use braid for flipping & pitching jigs, and for some topwater frogs, so don't do much distance casting with it. This is with baitcasters, although I have tossed big Striper lures with braid, and no problems doing so, but on heavy spinning tackle. This being lures that may be up to 5 oz in weight.

IMO, braids are something you have to experiment with to see what you like best, and not get too concerned about the price. If price is the primary concern, then perhaps stick with a good heavy mono type line. Frankly, I feel like braid pays for itself, as mono will need replacing more often if you fish often and you still spend just as much money in the end.

Braids all have their "tendencies", such as the noise they make, how round they may be, or amount of stiffness. New braids all seem to have some stiffness, but each brand becomes more flexible with use. They all seem to show some fraying, and color fading, but for me that's not been a concern.

Of course, everyone is different in what they'll tolerate when it comes to these tendencies. So far, I have no complaints about the 832. PP was OK, but I do like the Sufix 832 better.

BTW, I don't use leaders when using braid, just tie direct to either jigs or frogs. Cannot say that's been a problem either.

LgMouthGambler · March 30, 2017, 02:24:27 PM

Good choice going with Power Pro.

SFL BassHunter · March 30, 2017, 02:48:39 PM

I used spiderwire at one point and got tired of losing fish. Lost a nice snook, and a few bass. I could snap that line with my hands. GARBAGE!

Now I use PP and I am happy with it!

Lee Smith · March 30, 2017, 03:45:21 PM

Nuttin' but PP on my stuff!

Smallie_Stalker · March 30, 2017, 03:47:15 PM

cport, I had the same problem as you - except in the opposite direction. I had been using Spiderwire for awhile wen a friend suggested I try Power Pro. I did. I didn't like the feel in the hand and I started breaking off lures and fish. I thought maybe I just got a bad spool, or maybe the place I got it from had gotten a bad batch which does happen from time to time. So I bought 3 more spools from 3 different retailers. Had the same bad results. I eventually went back to my old reliable Spiderwire and that is what I still use to this day.

To be fair, that was about 10 years ago. Power Pro may have improved in those years but for me I see no reason to switch when something is working for me.

In the end you need to go with whatever YOU feel is the better choice. That's what matters.

Lipripper · March 30, 2017, 04:05:02 PM

I use Power Pro also and haven't had any problems with it. I don't know why but several years ago I found out you can't fish for Steellheads and them big Lake Michigan Brown Trout with braid cause for some reason when they leaped out of the water and trashed from side to side they would break the line. I lost several nice ones like that but when I used my 8lb mono everything was ok.

Capt. BassinLou · March 30, 2017, 04:30:26 PM

I have been a PP guy for years. If it ain't broken why fix it. 0 complaints.

cport · March 30, 2017, 04:51:20 PM

Thanks for all the responses, I love this forum. Well, I broke in the power pro, went to a local apartment pond. Really windy, and not much access because of cat tails. I did find a break in the tails, made the hole a little bigger, and

and behold, spotted a fry guarder on a bed when the wind momentarily died. Tossed a havoc craw for what seemed like an hour, but was really only 15 minutes, blind fishing due to the wind. Finally felt the slightest tic on my line, and saw it barely move. Boom yanked him out, a nice 14 incher.
No problems with line tangles, I was pulling off line and flipping, smooth as silk. So far, PP is ok.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

cport · March 30, 2017, 04:55:07 PM

Quote from: cport on March 30, 2017, 04:51:20 PM
Thanks for all the responses, I love this forum. Well, I broke in the power pro, went to a local apartment pond. Really windy, and not much access because of cat tails. I did find a break in the tails, made the hole a little bigger, and and behold, spotted a fry guarder on a bed when the wind momentarily died. Tossed a havoc craw for what seemed like an hour, but was really only 15 minutes, blind fishing due to the wind. Finally felt the slightest tic on my line, and saw it barely move. Boom yanked him out, a nice 14 incher.
No problems with line tangles, I was pulling off line and flipping, smooth as silk. So far, PP is ok.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Forgot the pic

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Lipripper · March 30, 2017, 05:12:42 PM

Quote from: cport on March 30, 2017, 04:55:07 PM
Forgot the pic

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Nice Bass

j102 · March 30, 2017, 05:17:52 PM

PowerPro is my preferred choice. I have used Spiderwire and other braids in the past, but kept coming back to PowerPro. It's the only braid I use now.

cport · March 30, 2017, 05:29:58 PM

Quote from: j102 on March 30, 2017, 05:17:52 PM
PowerPro is my preferred choice. I have used Spiderwire and other braids in the past, but kept coming back to PowerPro. It's the only braid I use now.

I know I've only fished with it once, but I think I'm going to like it better than spiderwire. The roundness of the line as opposed to the flat line the spiderwire is for whatever reason appeals to me. Maybe because it just resembles monofilament. It seemed to cast really nice and I didn't notice any memory

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j102 · March 30, 2017, 06:12:35 PM

Quote from: cport on March 30, 2017, 05:29:58 PM
I know I've only fished with it once, but I think I'm going to like it better than spiderwire. The roundness of the line as opposed to the flat line the spiderwire is for whatever reason appeals to me. Maybe because it just resembles monofilament. It seemed to cast really nice and I didn't notice any memory

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

I like its roundness too. It makes it easier to work the knots and everything else.

Princeton_Man · March 30, 2017, 06:44:29 PM

Quote from: Lee Smith on March 30, 2017, 03:45:21 PM
Nuttin' but PP on my stuff!

x2

kadas · April 03, 2017, 08:24:39 PM

Been a Power Pro user for years and until it lets me down have no reason to look anywhere else. Never have had a minutes trouble--good stuff

fishballer06 · April 04, 2017, 11:34:59 AM

I haven't used Spiderwire in about 5-6 years, but like you, I quit using it because I was having line breakage during the cast.

I have since moved on and found that Suffix 832 is my favorite all around braid. My father is a big fan of the Power Pro and it seems to work well for him. So I would recommend either of those lines over the Spiderwire.

cport · April 04, 2017, 11:45:14 AM

Thanks to all for the input. So far, no issues with the PP, and I found that it casts better on my spinning rod.

FlatsNBay · April 04, 2017, 05:41:42 PM

Been a big fan of Power Pro for years! I won a spool of Tufline Ultra Cast and liked it so much for spinning applications that I bought some Tufline XP. I really like it too. Very affordable. Still no complaints about PP. Good line!

merc1997 · April 04, 2017, 06:36:30 PM

i am kind of odd man out here, but i use stren braid. if it stands up to the bass as falcon, i think it will hold up anywhere. i also like it for its limpness. it also does not make much noise. i have also used spider wire and not really had any issues with it either. it does seem to fray easier, but it is also a softer line, and with that, it is to be expected. anytime you see "fuzz" on braided line, retie. the name braid does not mean "never have to retie".

i have discovered that many that have "break off" issues with braid either do not tie a good knot to begin with or do not pay attention to frayed line just as you would with mono or floro. braided line is slick and often takes a different knot or more wraps in the knot then you would use with mono or floro.

just what i have learned from lots of experimenting, but always use what you feel will do the best for you.

bo