Visiting a Renewed Old Friend : Berkley's Fireline Ultra 8

Total Score: 7.75 - GOOD

Introduction: If you're familiar with our 2018 Casting Reel Shootout, you'll remember the superline we relied upon for that head to head comparison was Berkley's new eight carrier Fireline. Berkley's original Fireline is actually the very first superline I ever used and it was my go to choice for several years, so when the manufacturer came out with this new, eight (8) carrier version, I was very anxious to check it out. Here now is our review of Berkley's 8 carrier Fireline.

Background: Berkley's Fireline is where the term "superline" came from when referring to fishing line made from synthetic fibers. The tendency is to refer to these types of line as a braid, but as that term infers, braided lines are woven together like a micro rope. Berkley uses a thermal process to fuse the individual fibers (Dyneema) within their Fireline together, so it's not a "braid". The result is a fishing line that's smoother than braid, but with virtually the same characteristics.

Berkley's Fireline Ultra 8 was the superline of choice for our 2018 Low Profile Reel Shootout

Impressions: This new Ultra 8 Fireline features eight carriers, fused together in the same process as Berkley's original Fireline. To be honest, I can't tell the difference between Ultra 8 and the original. I did not have any original on hand for a side by side comparison, but Ultra 8 handles the same from what I can remember and has that same kind of waxy coating as the original.

Fireline is fused rather than wound or braided hence the term "superline"

Performance: Back in the day, when I first began using superlines, Fireline was my line of choice but I used it primarily on casting gear. Over the years, I recall reading member comments in our discussion forum on how many liked to use Fireline on spinning gear, so I was sure to fish Ultra 8 on both spinning and casting for these tests.

The chatter on our discussion forum opened my eyes to using Fireline on spinning gear

Fishing with Fireline for me, was like getting reacquainted with an old friend. The line is rather unimpressive off the spool because it has a very stiff texture and sticky, waxy feel between the fingers. Yet despite all this, it handles quite well.

I've not fished another line with this same dynamic and true to our discussion forum member comments, Fireline Ultra 8 actually fishes better on spinning gear than it does casting.

Fishing Fireline was like getting reacquainted with an old friend