Advice on choosing the best PE parachute cord? An introduction to some well-known brands

The advent of braided line marked a major shift in the sport of angling; this thin, smooth line can withstand far greater loads than monofilament, enabling anglers to catch large fish.

 

Advantages of braided line

Braided line has a tightly woven structure, giving it excellent tensile strength. It has a high load-bearing capacity, meaning that even when subjected to strong jerks or pulls, it does not snap or fray. It is considered more durable than other types of fishing line.

 

 

Fishing for mackerel with Bulava Win Max LS8 PE braided line

Furthermore, the line’s very small diameter allows anglers to accurately sense and assess the situation, as well as the movements and behaviour of the bait. Its slim, compact size also makes this line suitable for use with a wide range of reel spool sizes.

 

The structure of braided line

Braided line is made up of multiple strands, which are twisted together.
You will often see specifications such as: PE X4, X6, X8, X20... The ‘X’ symbol here indicates the number of strands in the braided line; for example, PE X6 means the line contains six strands twisted together. Similarly, X4, X8, X12… are interpreted in the same way.

 

Which fishing line is the best?

There are currently two main types of fishing line on the market:

 

• Monofilament line: this was the first type of line to be developed and has been a staple for anglers for quite some time. This type of line is inexpensive but has many drawbacks: it is prone to snagging and breaking, it stretches and loses its shape, and it has poor load-bearing capacity, resulting in a short lifespan.
• Braided line (paracord, braided line, PE line, etc.): this is a sturdy type of line that rarely gets scratched and is durable. With this line, anglers can execute long-distance casts with precision and experience the most authentic sensation of the fish’s every movement when it takes the bait. The line is reasonably priced, compatible with almost all reel models, and suits the budgets of many anglers.

 

 

Daiwa J Braid X8 New 2020 Model, genuine Japanese product

 

 

When considered from various angles, braided line is highly regarded for its quality and popularity. It is also widely considered the most suitable of the two types mentioned above.

 

Depending on the type of fishing and the target fish, you should choose the appropriate PE line.

 

• For example, for snakehead fishing or lure fishing, you should opt for smaller-gauge PE lines such as X4, X6 or X8.
• For sea fishing or when targeting larger fish, you will need PE lines of larger sizes, such as X9, X12, etc.
• In fishing environments with few obstacles, where the water is clear and calm, you can opt for a smaller PE line. However, in areas with large waves and many obstacles, a larger-sized PE line is the best choice.

 

Top-quality PE fishing lines currently available

There are many different types of PE fishing line on the market today. However, the following models remain the most popular choices amongst anglers:

 

• Shimano Pitbull X8 PE line. Price: 650,000 per reel
• Varivas High Grade PE X8 line. Price: 500,000 VND per spool
• Daiwa J Braid X8 New 2020 Model PE line. Price: 390,000 VND per spool
• Varivas High Grade PE X4 braided line. Origin: Japan. Sizes: 1.5 to 2.0. Price: 360,000 VND per 150m reel
• Bulava Winmax LS8 PE fishing line, a brand from Japan. Sizes range from 0.8 to 3.0 mm. Price: 350,000 VND per 150 ml reel.

 

 

Varivas High Grade PE X8 fishing line – quality speaks for itself

 

 

Suitable for a wide range of fishing disciplines: lure fishing, snakehead fishing, single-hook fishing or lancer fishing...

 

 

Lure fishing line

Lure fishing involves trolling lures across the water’s surface, requiring the angler to be extremely quick and agile. Lure fishing involves frequent impacts and generates significant recoil; therefore, the line must be very fine yet sturdy, whilst retaining a certain degree of flexibility. The most suitable line for this style of fishing is PE monofilament.
You can practise lure fishing in a variety of environments: rivers, the sea, canals and streams… Each different fishing environment corresponds to a line with different sizes and specifications. Let’s take a closer look at this together!

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1. Sea lure fishing

The ocean environment is quite vast, with choppy waters featuring large, continuous waves, strong winds and deep water. Added to this are obstacles such as rocky outcrops, razor-sharp barnacles clinging to the rocks, and a fair amount of debris. The fish in these areas are typically large and quite aggressive. Anglers should therefore opt for high-strength PE line in sizes ranging from 2.5 to 3.0 mm. We recommend the Varivas Avani Jigging 10x10 X8 PE line. This is the standout model on the market and is favoured by professional anglers.

 

 

There’s no need to discuss the quality of the line; the only point to consider is the price. Indeed, whilst the quality is excellent, the cost is rather high. One reel of Avani Jigging line costs 1,280,000 VND

 

 

2. PE lure line for streams

If you’re lure fishing in narrow stream sections where the current is quite strong and constantly moving, The fish in these areas are small species such as ro mo, muong and chay. Furthermore, as small fish are caught using ultra-light lures and small reels, anglers should opt for PE line in smaller sizes ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 mm, which is sufficient.

 

 

 

 

The genuine Japanese Bulava Win Max LS8 PE line costs 350,000 VND; for stream lure fishing, a 0.8 line is sufficient. This Japanese-made line, utilising Japanese technology, is much smoother and finer than the cheaper 0.8 lines from China

 

3. Freshwater lure fishing

Freshwater fish are generally docile by nature and not as aggressive as their marine counterparts. They also tend to be lighter in weight than sea fish. However, the real challenge in freshwater fishing lies in the terrain. There are simply too many obstacles, such as tree roots, grass and duckweed... All these obstacles make the fishing process difficult. They directly affect the fishing line, which can become snagged on these obstacles, leading to twisting, abrasions and even breakage. Therefore, when lure fishing for freshwater fish, anglers should choose PE braided line with a diameter of between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm; a breaking strain of 28 lb or more is suitable.

With this gauge, anglers can confidently cast into thickets of grass or patches of duckweed without fear of the line being damaged or snagged.

 

Fishing line for bottom fishing

Fly fishing is the most basic and popular form of fishing in the north of Vietnam at present. With this method, you can use various types of fishing line: monofilament, braided line and fluorocarbon. However, monofilament line has several drawbacks: it frays quickly, is prone to breaking and has poor durability. This has a negative impact on the fishing process and the success of the session, as well as reducing the angler’s enjoyment.

Fluorocarbon line is durable, strong and superior, but it is far too expensive. This line is usually used as a leader.

 

 

Catching black carp weighing 20–25 kg is no challenge for the Varivas Max Power PE 10x10

In the past, anglers often used monofilament for catfish fishing, but PE braided line is now the preferred choice. Consequently, the best line for catfish fishing is PE braided line. In fact, the vast majority of anglers today are using this type of line very effectively.

Catfish fishing usually takes place near the riverbed, so the line needs to be as thin and fine as possible. Only with a thin, fine line can the angler sense the movements and behaviour of the fish. This allows for the most timely and accurate responses.

In this case, a fine PE braided line is the most suitable choice. You should opt for a PE braided line with a diameter ranging from 0.20 to 0.28 mm. Furthermore, using a PE braided line allows anglers to cast further.

 

PE braided line for sea fishing

When it comes to sea fishing, the nature of the terrain involves vast expanses. The water’s surface is never calm, constantly disturbed by large waves, wind and the movement of passing boats. Consequently, this type of fishing places very high demands on the fishing line.

 

It must be a high-performance line that is not only strong and sturdy but also very fine and slender, whilst remaining highly flexible. The most suitable fishing lines for sea fishing are PE braided lines with a high breaking strength of 40 lb or more, in sizes ranging from 2.0 to 4.0.

 

 

Affordable fishing lines

The current market offers a wide variety of fishing lines, differing in both type and price. You can easily choose the line that best suits your needs whilst staying within your budget.
If premium fishing lines are beyond your budget, don’t be disheartened – consider Chinese brands offering affordable options such as:

 

• Max 9 PE braided line. Sizes range from 0.1 to 2.0 mm. Tensile strength: 5.7–11.3 kg, 100 m spool. Price: 145,000 VND per 100-metre spool. Suitable for various fishing disciplines: lure fishing, snakehead fishing, bottom fishing, etc. This line offers excellent durability and high abrasion resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of reels, from side-casting to vertical-casting models.
• Private X12 PE monofilament line. Sizes range from 0.8 to 2.0 mm. Price: 150,000 VND per 100-metre reel. Ideal for snakehead fishing, lure fishing and freshwater
  fishing PE Paracord X12. Sizes: 1.5 to 2.5 mm. Price: 160,000 VND per 100-metre roll. Suitable for lure fishing, single-hook fishing or lancer fishing
• Aishang PE fishing line. Sizes: from 2.5 to 4.0 mm. Price: 160,000 VND per 100-metre reel. Suitable for lure fishing, lancer fishing and bottom fishing

 

 

I hope the information in this article has helped young anglers gain a better understanding of the different types of fishing line. I’m sure you’ve already spotted the lines that suit you best, haven’t you? On your journey to becoming a top-ranked angler, you’ll need even more practical experience. You’ll need even better, more suitable tackle and, most importantly, your own unique ‘tricks of the trade’.

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