Eight is Great… P-Line is a brand well known to steelhead and salmon fishermen, starting with its tougher-than-nails monofilament. That’s not to say that its fluorocarbons are slouches because they are just as good.
Of course, the Spectrex braid has been holding its own in the superline market, especially the saltwater/big-game scene.
P-Line has upped its game again, by turning out two new braids, both of which are Teflon coated, a fact that makes a big difference in how the lines perform.
DuPont’s Teflon Surface Protector makes these two braids, the XTCB and XTCB-8, extremely slick. That means they cast better as there is less friction when the line passes through the guides. You’ll get increased distance when compared to uncoated lines. And, obviously, there is better abrasion resistance because of the properties of Teflon. Things don’t stick to Teflon (as a rule), and Teflon doesn’t stick to things, so there is less chance you’ll get those annoying nicks in the line when fishing over sharp rocks, oyster shells and the like.
The slickness of Teflon also helps in tying tighter knots, and that usually means better knot strength. But don’t take my word for it.
Mike Bogue is a guide on the Sacramento River (www.MikeBogue.com or 530-246-8457) and has been fishing the XTCB lines for some time as they were in development.
“I think they’re great,” he says. “They are such a step above the usual run.
“These lines do hold up really well; I fish the Sacramento backtrolling and backbouncing, and I haven’t had to change my line all season.
“The coating makes the line smoother, I think, and that means I tie better knots. There is less fraying than is the case in other lines, and they’re just better all around.”
He also adds that he uses the lines in 20-pound test for steelhead, and finds the same things.
While the addition of Teflon is major, the change in the braiding process also is different. These two lines have an extremely tight weave, and that makes for better performance as well.
The difference between the XTCB and XTCB-8 is the number of carriers or groups of fibers that are woven into the line. The two additional carriers result in a line that is extremely tight and compact—meaning you get a line that is very smooth and round.
For more information, go to: www.p-line.com