BRAIDED LINES IN JAPAN

[NECLOUGH]

Hi, I wonder if someone can help me with this question. Who are the biggest fishing line companies in Japan who make a braided PE product ?. I thought this was Power Pro who are owned by Shimano but from some of the discussion threads, there seems to be many more. I'm doing some research into this market - any information would be very helpful - who has the greatest market share, the best range of braided products etc ?. Many thanks Norman

[Aki]

I think Gosen introduced the first PE line into Japanese market back in 1987.

Here is some other popular brands:
Morris (Varivas)
Toray
YGK yoz-ami
Sunline
Unitica (Silver thred)
Kureha (seaguar)
Daiwa
Shimano
Duel

I maybe missing some other brands.

[NECLOUGH]

Thanks for this information - any idea who has the biggest market share - Shimano with Power Pro ?. Thanks again Norman

[Maineman]

I don't know a lot about the braided line market in Japan but I do know that PowerPro is not marketed much here. It may be under a different name but it can be hard to find in the chain tackle shops and certainly not in the variety or quantity of other makers. I believe PowerPro is a 4 carrier braid. A lot of the other Japanese makers are using a 8 carrier, or more, braid, which tends to be more flexible and less abrasive. The actual number of strands per carrier and the coating varies quite a bit between makers. Also, the Japanese makers develop many different variations of thier lines for specific applications such as fresh water, saltwater, casting, jigging, trolling and even species specific lines.
I have used PowerPro and Fireline in the past but I prefer other brands now, especially for light/medium casting applications. I use mainly Sunline, Varivas, P-line and Daiwa.

[Aki]

Shimano bought power pro on the new years eve 2008.
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content ... uires.html

They just started selling power pro here in Japan. I started seeing TV commercial this early summer and started seeing actual products just recently, so let's see how they do here. But unfortunately, Japanese version of Power pro carries Japanized price tag. And the line class is kind of wired. I think they tested the line and the breaking strength is kind of too off from what they say, so they correct the number or something because I don't think they made Japan version of power pro. Well, they made new package for Japanese market. And the price bumped up...

I'm not sure if people likes it or not, but I don't think I'm going to buy them. With all the high quality PE lines available in Japan, there is no point of buying power pro unless they start selling at reasonable price (similar price as US). If I were to buy power pro, I would ask my friend in US to send me bulk spool (1500 or 3000 yard) which is much cheaper. But then, I like suffix over power pro anyways...



As for market share, I'm not quite sure, but sunline, varivas, and maybe toray is pretty popular PE line brand for lure guys. Bait guys has their own preference, so I'm really not sure about who is at the top.

[Fisherkingnigel]

On a side note I just spooled some Crystal Fireline 25lb (white) on my suzuki reel and man it's nice. I got into about 30 suzuki's last week and I was like an American Bass angler lofting those bass onto the boat! Tackle Berry has 100m spools in the tin can for 1,800 each...

Nigelman

[Maineman]

25lb line for sea bass ??? Sounds a bit overkill or maybe the seabass in Fukuoka are quite a bit bigger then around Tokyo. Come on Nigel, at least give them a fighting chance.

Everyone has got their own preference when it comes to lines but I've tried Fireline Crystal and don't care for it. Too stiff and flat right out of the box, reminds me of thick dental floss. I used to use Fireline EXT which was a little better but have gotten away from that too. They claim the Crystal "disappears" in water. I suppose that may help under certain conditions but because I always use fluorocarbon leaders with all PE the color, or lack of it, doesn't concern me. I have found some of the Japanese 8 braids are much more castable and durable but on average but I suppose the differences are'nt enough to squabble about.

I see Shimano has repackaged the Power Pro and is getting it into shops now. Re-priced it too, quite a bit more then in the US. Guess we will see how it competes with the Japanese 8 braids.

[Fisherkingnigel]

MM, I'm using the 25lb because from Sept-Nov we get millions of Sawara or Spanish Mackerel and they'll cut your line like butter. There are so many at times that when you think you got a bite you give your rod a pull and --POP-- your line is cut. I was using 14lb Tuffline XP for years because I bought a spool of 1500m, so that's why I made the change. Also sometimes my bail has been closing on me when I make long hard casts, it's a Daiwa reel problem. Like you I use fluorocarbon leaders of 16-20lb so really the crystal part I couldn't really care for. Overall I can cast just as good as the lighter braid so I'm happy. And I've heard some horror stories from my suzuki friends that November has some monster 115cm class seabass that they've lost because the line was breaking!

Not me big guy

But still it's fun when you know you have have a smaller 50cm seabass and you can just pick it up and toss it on the boat with out a net...

Nigelman

[Maineman]

Nigel, I'm just pulling your line The newer braids are so light and small there's no reason not to use higher lb test especially if it means less lost fish and tackle. You know I'm an ultra-light freak so I keep everything to a minimum. Plus I like the extra cast distance I get with small stuff like PE.8~PE1. The times I have snapped those lines the most are when I try to pull fish out of the water without a net, so I know what your saying.

OK, get out there and catch one of those 1m+ suzuki and post it's ugly mug right here.

[chineseguy_1979]

if u all need power pro lines, can drop me a pm for bulk order

[Mick B]

Spectra (Dyneema/PE) braid was invented and developed by DSM of Holland.
There are only two licienced producers of this braid in the world, one in the USA and the other in Japan, all the Spectra braid sold in the world comes from these three producers.
In my experience (using and testing nearly 50 different lables) the Japanese made WX8 (?) and Seabass (Varivas) come closest to perfection in suppleness, abrasion resistance and breaking load, they are also costly.
For a low cost and reliable braid nothing beats Dynon 3000 (from DSM I think).

[Reesy]

Power pro is not Japanese it is made in America. Shimano bought the company that makes it a while ago.
Its ok, fades a bit after a while and goes white when the coating rubs off.
Its not popular in Japan AFAIK.