Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 1, 1993 TAG: 9308010028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That changed at the recent American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association trade show in Las Vegas. Dominating that event, like few things have before, was word of a radically new braided fishing line made of DuPont Kevlar and other high-density polyethylene.
Leading the way was the giant line manufacturer Stren, with a product called STREN Kevlar. The company, which in 1939 was the first to manufacture nylon fishing line, says its Kevlar product is five times as strong as nylon monofilament, yet considerably thinner than nylon lines of equal pound test. What's more, it has little stretch.
One brand, Fenwick IronThread, will provide 6-pound line that has the cobweb-thin diameter of 2-pound monofilament. Fishermen will be able to buy 80-pound line that will look, cast and feel like 20-pound.
Let's reflect a bit on what this development might mean:
A fisherman seeking striped bass can use a smaller line to vertically jig a Hopkins spoon at Smith Mountain Lake. That will give his lure better action and allow him to be more sensitive to strikes. And when a strike comes, the low stretch means he can set the hook more quickly and firmly.
A trout angler, dealing with super-sensitive fish in clear water - Douthat Lake is an example - will be able to fish with line that looks like 2-pound test but has the power of 6-pound test.
A bass angler flipping and pitching on Kerr Lake can use heavier line, yet still give his plastic worm better action and be quicker on the trigger when a strike comes. The line will be less likely to nick on brush.
A troller after trout at Lake Moomaw will be able to use smaller line to get his lure down quicker and deeper, yet have improved hooking ability.
A muskie angler on the New River can double the poundage of his line without sacrificing size. If he snags his lure, he'll be able to pull it free by straightening the hook.
There are a couple of drawbacks: The lines are going to be expensive, and they are going to be tough to find at first.
One price comparison made at the tackle show had the new braided lines selling for about $15 for 110 feet, while 350 feet of mono sold for $6.
As for the supply, the Chicago Tribune reported that a Fenwick representative said anglers' response has been so intense "we sold two years of planned inventory within three weeks."
When you can find it, sizes could be limited. Stren is offering only 30-, 70- and 110-pound test.
One thing kicking interest into high gear was Randy Dearman's victory at the Texas Bassmaster Invitational. Dearman, who has Lynch 'Em Lines as one of his sponsors, used braded 80-pound line that had the diameter of 20-pound mono.
Tournament bass fishermen like to jerk bass into the boat the instant they strike. With the new line, they will have to exercise care not to fling them over the boat.
And that's not the only challenge. Rods are going to pop and reels are going to explode unless fishermen ease up on their reflexes when using the new line. Some rod makers - Berkley being one - are offering a new breed of rod designed to accommodate the braided line. Others are rewriting warranties. After years of lines being adapted to rods and reels, it's the other way around.
You can get an idea of how tough Kevlar is by observing some of its commercial and industrial uses. Like brake pads, clutch linings, cables for towing satellites in space and bullet-proof vests.
by CNB