I�ve been using the brand new FluoroHybrid Pro (FHP) line, now available at the Lake Fork Trophy Lures pro shop in Emory. I�m using 12 lb test on a spinning reel for my drop shots and the 20 lb test on bait casters for my TX rigs, jigs, and Carolina rigs. While their PowerSilk and regular Fluorohybrid lines are good for moving baits like cranks and spinnerbaits, the FHP is truly revolutionary. Stronger and much lower in stretch than regular FluoroHybrid line, FHP is the first and only line that combines the sensitivity, abrasion resistance, and invisibility of fluorocarbon line with the strength and ease of handling of mono. This innovative line is made with an exclusive co-extruded process instead of a fluorocarbon coating over mono like all of the other hybrids on the market, resulting in its unique characteristics.

Their line maker was in town last week and I had the opportunity to sit down with him for a half hour. He�s truly on the cutting edge of fishing lines and the FHP is his best invention so far. He shared independent lab testing data by government regulatory agencies in Europe (similar to UL test for consumer products in the US), and FHP regularly tested 40% stronger in linear and knot strength than premium 100% fluorocarbon lines!! What really impressed me is that the refractive index of the new FHP is much closer to water than mono, and as good as a number of the fluorocarbon lines on the market today. That means FHP is as invisible under water as many fluorocarbons. FHP is much stronger than any fluorocarbon line and much more manageable for easier handling and longer casting. At the same time, it has very good feel due to its low stretch. Not quite as sensitive as 100% fluoro, but much better than mono. For big fish around heavy cover or for finesse fishing in clear water, FHP is a great alternative to standard fluoro, unless you need the ultra sensitivity and clarity of 100% fluoro. For the extra strength and ease of use though, I�m spooling the FHP on more of my rods every day.

The line doesn�t respond well to Palomar knots, so I recommend the San Diego Jam Knot, an easy but sure knot for FHP and fluorocarbon lines: http://www.netknots.com/html/san_diego_jam_knot.html . For an even stronger knot, double your line when you tie this knot.

The FHP is now in the LFT store in Emory and will be on their website and in stores soon. In the meantime, you can call to order it at 800-408-2028.

I�ve also started fishing with LFT�s final prototype of their new 100% fluorocarbon line. It will be the world�s first 4-core fluorocarbon. Essentially, there are 4 different formulations of fluorocarbon inside the same line that allows it to have a very tough outer core, while inner cores are designed to allow easy handling and good knot strength. A couple specialty fluorocarbon lines have 3 cores, but most on the market today are 1 or 2 core. The result of the 1 or 2 core lines is often a fluorocarbon that is either tough and sensitive but spools like wire, or a soft fluorocarbon that is less sensitive and weak. After using the 15 lb test on worms this week, it appears this line will be the new best in class for fluorocarbon line, maximizing sensitivity and strength in a quite manageable 100% fluorocarbon line. This line is not available for sale yet, but will be in the coming weeks.

These are a couple truly innovative lines from Lake Fork Trophy Lures. I think you�ll find both of these lines to be good tools for some of your most demanding fishing applications.

Good Fishing,

Tom

Sounds good Tom.

Thanks.

Quick story. Had a customer this week who had to borrow one of my spinning rods for a drop shot. He used my spinning rod with 12 lb FH Pro. I pulled out another rod with brand X 8 lb 100% fluoro that I still have spooled from my Champlain trip. He's an average bass fishermen, fishes a few tourneys, not a pro but not a novice either. We were fishing right under the boat and he outfished me at about a 3:2 ratio that afternoon. That impressed me, as I thought maybe 12 was too big for a drop shot. Although the bass were too inactive that day to chase a worm or a jig, they had no problem eating the drop shot. Apparently the thin diameter of the line and low vis qualities made the 12 lb test a non-issue for the bass. I expect he probably caught more because he was working the worm slightly differently (don't think the line made him catch more fish), but was pleased to see that it didn't cost him any fish, either.

Very interesting. Do you know if they stock it at Academy? I would like to "test drive" some.

Is the new line marked correctly now? Not European! I was quite disappointed that I bought so much line to find out that 20lb is not 20lb but 14lb American. Spent a lot of money for the wrong line.

LFT just received their first shipment a couple weeks ago and not in any stores yet.

They are in the process of relabeling all of their lines. They will have 2 ratings now, similar to braided lines. For instance, a braided line might say 50 lb strength/12 lb mono equivalent size. Similarly, all LFT lines will have labels going forward that have ISO certified break strengths & US line equivalent sizes. If you buy them by the US equivalent, it'll match up with the lines that you're currently using. For example, the US 12 lb that I am using for drop shots is also labelled ISO 17. That means it is about the same diameter as most US 12 lb lines, but it'll break at 17 lbs.

The previous labelling was done with the best of intentions, but this will make it easier for folks to pick the best size. If you have some unused spools, I'm sure Ernie at LFT will swap you out for the correct size.

Tom

One thing to check on fishing line is if it is "Class Line". (Some of the European lines are labeled like this, because they like to be precise for IGFA records.) In order for a fishing line to meet record standards it can't break above a certain lb test. Remember the old Bagley Silver thread? It was a class line and guaranteed to not break above the printed test line. The other's would break above the printed lbs test. Bagley used this to say they had a smaller diameter as their advertising push. They would say that Silver Thread was a thinner diameter line (and it was!) and was more sensitive, etc.... But unless you realized you were ACTUALLY fishing with 8lb (instead of 12lb) you could not understand WHY you were loosing fish.

With the dual labeling, should be easy to pick the right one now.

A quick update. Been using this line pretty much exclusively the last few weeks and the more I use it, the more I like it. Really a durable line that stays easy casting after a lot of use. I'm using the 20 lb for my c-rigs and TX rigs, while the 12 lb is working great for deep diving cranks and drop shots.

Also there are bait demo and knot demo videos up now at www.lftlures.com with more to come soon.

Here is some more great info

Yes! Go by line DIAMETER rather than pound test rating.

Excellent!

TFP