Ironsilk

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Greg. Avery

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Tried Berkley "Ironsilk" on a week long trip to northern Mi. last week & am wondering if anyone else has had any problem with it ? I broke it on 4 hook sets & have never done this before with other lines. To give credit where it is due Berkley did say maybe it was a bad spool & will replace it just send it to them & they will send me a new one. BTW I changed my line & never had another break off.
 
Tex , went to Stren , same # test. Granted it was only 10# test but should not break with a Med Wt. rod , lots of give, when I get the new spool I will try it again & see.
 
I was having a devil of a time with McCoy's mean green on my baitcasters, using 12lb test. If I backlashed (not a major one, but not an overrun either), then I found the line was apt to snap during the cast using heavier weighted lures (spinners or bigger crankbaits). I switched some to XT, and also went up to 17lb test McCoy's. Seemed to help.



Tex
 
I really liked the feel of it, but I was using it prefishing (granted, around some rocks) and broke one of on the hookset. The rod I tried it on ended up going overboard in rough water and I haven't put it on anything else, if that helps you.
 
Okay, for those who don't know, I am a tackle distributor (sell to bait and tackle shops), so this is something I've done some discussing about.



I'm not trying to indicate that any of these three lines are identical or even similar, except in one characteristic. The lines I'm referring to are IronSilk, McCoy's Mean Green, and Realine. They are all formulated from a copolymer base. How the chemicals work and react and all that jazz that's way over my head, coupled with the heat and extrusion process, define how the line will handle in different situations. All three suggest that they have high abrasion-resistance and low stretch as well as low memory.



The KNOT is the focal point of most failures on these lines. The abrasion-resistance is BELOW-WATER. The lines seem to have a low melting point, so a knot needs to be wetted WELL before being cinched down. If not, the lines tend to "burn" themselves, causing a weak spot in the line right at the knot from the friction of being rubbed against itself.



Changing knots or taking more time and more moisture on the line should change your experience.



My personal opinion on IronSilk is that it's much thicker than other mono-type lines in the same pound ratings. The color is also a bit odd.



McCoy's is supposed to be an excellent line, but isn't an inexpensive line. Realine is supposed to be very good as well, but not nearly as hard on the wallet. I tested some realine last night with my digital normark scale and the 4 pound line broke at just over 4 pounds with a simple loop knot (so the hook of the scale would have something to hold to).



Also, one other thing to keep in mind is the true size of the line. A lot of line will say it's 10 pound line, but have a 14 pound diameter (and a 14 pound strength). So, two brands of 10 pound test line will not break at the same point.
 
The breakage that I have had with McCoy's, is NOT at the knot. I use palomar knots almost exclusively, and always wet the line before tightening. My breakoffs on McCoy's has been coming off the reel, sometime after clearing a backlash. It 'appears' that the line get's kinked (to some degree) during a backlash, and then at the kink, in a subsequent cast, it just snaps. Of course, if I didn't experience any backlashes (chuckle), I probably wouldn't expereience the breakage.



On the heavier line, I haven't had the problem (and lighter line I use on spinning gear).



I really like the McCoy's on spinning gear, but have certainly experienced more 'loops' that I would have liked. Trying to remind myself to put good tension on the line before starting the retrieve.



Tex
 
I just took the IronSilk off of all my reels....I felt it was way too visible even in the olive green color for all the clear lakes I fish. I noticed that it would split or get nicks in it pretty easily as well. I just went back to good ol Stren Lo-Vis green.



--Corey
 
Tex, the same ideas apply in a backlash... the rubbing of the dry line against itself and the friction.
 
I use Ironsilk on most all of my rods. As of today I have not lost a fish on it yet. I had a tournament this past Sat. My frog rod and reel with Power pro braid had a major malfunction, so I had to change my frog rod to one that I have 17# Ironsilk on. The only frog fish I had was pretty far back in the cheese. Needless to say, I was able to get him up on top after a bit of a pull and get him to the boat. I too have noticed that the line tends to snap whhile re-tieing. I just make sure that the line is wet when I tie my knots.
 
Guys



For those of you who are not aware, I am a product Manager for Pure Fishing. The Ironsilk product is a line like no other. It is a molecular reinforced polymer. It is designed to handle easily while maintaining shock and abrasion resitance. It really shines when fishing rocky areas or areas with zebra mussels or clam beds. We have done tests against Stren, , Stren extra strenght, Pline, and others , and the Ironsilk is just plain sronger and more abrasion resistant.



I have been a member of this board since 2002 and I have been very careful not to promote any of our products here. But this is great line.



Greg Give it another shot. and if you still don't like it let me know.



Bill
 
Mike,



Thanks for the information. I have somewhat come to the same conclusion on why I was getting breakage, from the drift of the discussion. Guess that I need to improve my casting so that I get less of the serious backlashes, or start spitting on the reels more often!



Tex
 
Bill, promote away. As long as you're telling the truth and not pushing your product in every message, I think everyone here will benefit.



If you have something to say about ANY Berkley product, Bubble-Up, Gulp, etc, go for it.



I was thrilled when I read that IronSilk was coming out and had very high hopes for it. While the line didn't meet MY expectations. It's certainly a fair expectation that low-stretch and "bill dance style" hooksets wouldn't mix well. I still remember the dink catfish that zoomed by my head when I set the hook using Catfish Fusion... I learned something that day :)
 
ChampioN,



Is Trilene discontinuing production on the Tournament Strength mono lines? If so, how's come? I can't seem to find it anymore.



TOXIC

PS If you really believe a product is good, promote it!! Just because you work for a manufacturer doesn't mean you don't/can't have an opinion!!
 
That's an easy fix, use Berkeley "Big Game". I feel it's the best line for the money. Very strong, and abrasion resistant. 10 lb casts well, but the 12 isnt too bad. I also use Trilene XT, but I think it's the same as the big game, and more money, it just comes in lighter lb tests.
 
I recently removed the Ironsilk from my spinerbait reel. Although I hadn't had the problems I had read about with it I really didn't have a love connection either. The problems of breaking on the cast that I read about on other boards, were exactly the same as I had experienced with Spiderwire SupermonoXXX. It is a sickening feeling to see your favorite "Hall of Fame" spinnerbait go sailing of into the sunset. I am not a lover of any mono type line so I replaced the Ironsilk with Spiderwire Stealth for a trial. Since I fish heavy timber in stained water I don't know why I don't give in and go to Power Pro on all my reels except the one spinning reel I keep for light baits on windy days.

After playing around with many differant brands and types of monos I have come the opinion that plain old Trilene XL is the least worst of them all.

$0.02 please. :>)



Harpo
 
I recently removed the Ironsilk from my spinerbait reel. Although I hadn't had the problems I had read about with it I really didn't have a love connection either. The problems of breaking on the cast that I read about on other boards, were exactly the same as I had experienced with Spiderwire SupermonoXXX. It is a sickening feeling to see your favorite "Hall of Fame" spinnerbait go sailing of into the sunset. I am not a lover of any mono type line so I replaced the Ironsilk with Spiderwire Stealth for a trial. Since I fish heavy timber in stained water I don't know why I don't give in and go to Power Pro on all my reels except the one spinning reel I keep for light baits on windy days.

After playing around with many differant brands and types of monos I have come the opinion that plain old Trilene XL is the least worst of them all.

$0.02 please. :>)



Harpo
 
It's a dull day when you don't learn something. I just learned that if you refresh after you post a reply it sticks it on twice. Sorry guys.



Harpo
 
I'm not a PowerPro fan. It bleached out quickly and I broke it. I don't like to think I can break 30 or 50 pound line. I broke it off on catfish and the ones I did land were 3-5 pounds, so I have to believe I broke it off on the same sized fish (on the hookset). Of course, I keep hearing how it must have been my knot, so who knows.



I spooled up the Spiderwire Stealth, but still haven't brought myself to fish with it. I WANT to like braids, but the noise when casting just bugs me. The reeling in and hearing that grating noise is also of concern. I buy some of the best $8 rods you can find (for catfishing) and by golly, I can't let some braid ruin my guides :)
 
The Stealth is fairly quite. The Power Pro does bleach out but my understanding is this does not affect the strength. Maybe you been eating too many Wheaties. It does make a kind of zzinging noise but that doesn't bother me. The Fireline sounds like a rosined bow going through the guides and is about as limp as 8 guage wire. The jury is still out for me on Fireline.

Harpo
 
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