Impressions: In a simpler time all anglers had to do was decide what lb mono to use, but today a plethora of mono, hybrid, fused, and braided lines can make just picking out a line a challenge in itself. The real winner are anglers, as we have the opportunity to truly match the line to the application our fishing adventures demand.

PowerPro Spectra fiber braided line is tough but has a thin diameter.  30lb test with an 8lb monofilament diameter

PowerPro, a well known brand in braided lines, produces an assortment of durable lines. PowerPro braided line feels strong, and yet is fairly limp.  It comes in 3 different colors and in a wide range of pound tests to meet the needs of both fresh and saltwater anglers.

Construction of Braided Lines: Braided lines are exactly what they sound like...strands of fiber forming a regular diagonal pattern down the entire length of the spool. PowerPro is braided using 4 strands, each is composed of scores of exceptionally thin Spectra fibers. While a 3 strand line comes out to be flat, PowerPro comes out square but appears relatively round due to its thin profile. Prior to braiding, each strand is coated and with closer examination you will notice the individual braids.  Coating the line gives it a harder and thinner profile that has a number of advantages and disadvantages, and we'll explicate more on these factors during our tests.

Real World Tests: For a line that features an extremely fine diameter and enhanced  strength, the PowerPro works well in various types of fishing conditions. We put PowerPro through an assortment of freshwater and saltwater tests that really assessed the true muscle of this braided line.

This braided line features a hard coating but is still surprisingly limp

Casting: To some, casting braided lines translates into increased distance, but it really depends how you compare it to other types of available lines. Because the PowerPro 50 lb test line has a diameter of 12 lb test monofilament, you can say it casts exceptionally well relative to its tensile strength. 

PowerPro 50/12 versus 12 lb test mono. So how do they really compare in casting when you're considering the diameters? We went head to head with PowerPro and standard monofilament fishing lines with similar diameters and over time this is what we found. Standard monofilament such as the Sufix DNA casts better than the PowerPro and other braided lines. The coating on the PowerPro  has a relatively hard finish. Harder lines tend to generate more friction on the surface of rod guides while casting, which reduces overall casting distance. What's great about PowerPro is that even though it has the durability of hard lines, it's still limp and low in memory, and the harder coating prevents the braided line from digging into the spool, helping prevent lapses during line lay, reducing annoying backlashes. Even though PowerPro does not cast as well as monofilament, it does cast better than many other types of braided lines we have fished with.

PowerPro casts well for a braided line and lays evenly on the spool thanks to it's limp nature, hardened surface, and small diameter

Retrieving: Retrieving with PowerPro braided line is smooth under light or heavy loads, but the line is definitely noisier than I'm used to. The braided line rubs against your guides and produces a rattle-like hum.  When I heard that I was worried that the PowerPro line was sawing into my guides, but at the end of the long day hauling up lingcod and cabezon, not even a scratch was made on the guide at the tip of the rod. I pulled up large rockfish from 100ft down with a Kistler (Hardloy guides), AiRRUS (Hardloy guides), and Quantum (Alconite guides) rod without causing any damages while using PowerPro 50/12.

While some braided lines will dig into the spool, there are no problems with PowerPro. Every retrieve the line laid nicely onto various baitcast reels, even when pulling a 25lb lingcod up from 90ft below the surface. 

Even though PowerPro is extremely durable, it will not harm your guides in any way

 
Strength & Durability: PowerPro is extremely strong and durable! This braided line will cut your fingers if you're not careful. It will cut the sides of your boat and anything else that gets in the way of fast retrieves. Handle with care and if you're snagged, either cut the line or wrap it around something solid and put enough force to separate the line at the swivel, or hope to straighten a hook to get your lure back.

When you start using this line, even when new,  you will start noticing the color will begin to come off as it rubs against your rod and levelwind guide. This didn't seem to cause any problems with PowerPro's line durability or affect other performance factors.

Types of knots to use with this braided line are Palomar, Uni, and when joining two lines, Uni to Uni splice. Palomar is easy to tie and the knot I recommend when attaching straight onto the lure or swivel. If possible, double loop through the eye twice for increased strength. With these knots, not once did the PowerPro line slip at the knot, even when trying to free up snagged jigs caught while going deep for rockfish.

Application: PowerPro's Spectra Fiber braided lines can be used in all types of fishing, but here we will mention some applications where this line really excels.

After many trips on the water, the PowerPro line remains braided, whereas I have seen other types of line come apart

This superline is able to take on much abuse and should be used when fishing around structure, cover, or when a thin tough line is needed where visibility of the line isn't a major concern. Some freshwater applications where I like to fish PowerPro is when I frog fish. You can pitch or flip it into heavy cover and the line will be able to withstand plenty of punishment that would normally fray mono, but beware because the line isn't best in abrasive type of structure. When you hook a hawg and it decides to take a run into deep heavy vegetation, you'll know that with PowerPro, you will be able to muscle the fish through the nastiest stuff to boat this fish.  When using PowerPro, be sure to use a moderate action rod because this line has almost zero stretch.  Or if you're experienced, quickly drop your rod tip and let the fish entirely mouth the frog until you set the hook, and do so gently! When using PowerPro you need not to set the hook like you're using mono. Other freshwater applications that PowerPro will also perform great is when fishing for toothy fish, when deep cranking, flipping and pitching jigs, bait fishing for cats, and trolling.

PowerPro isn't just good for freshwater fishing but is also terrific for many saltwater applications. PowerPro is extremely sensitive and I love to use this line for deep dwelling rockfish. The superline will transmit every bump as the jig is bounced off the sea floor. And the best thing is the ability to be able to use light tackle to jig all morning without getting too fatigued because I can use 50lb PowerPro on a reel normally spooled with a monofilament 12lb pound test diameter.

PowerPro 50/12 spooled on the TICA CA150 using a Kistler bass rod hauled this monster from the deep ocean

Because of its thin profile and excellent water absorption resistance, PowerPro works wonders in other saltwater applications especially when you need to reach those really subterranean depths.

Though PowerPro is tough, it might not be too well suited for some species of fish.  Since this line has almost no stretch, it doesn't do well on fish that hit and run hard like tuna, stripers, and others. When I was fishing for stripers tied directly onto my Strike Pro deep diving jerkbait, the line didn't produce enough give to allow the fish to take and run.  Instead the fish just slammed the lure and started to bash around erratically, until it finally threw the hook, all the while delivering a fury of vibrations to my arm. Tuna will quickly dart up, take the bait, and then shoot back down. When fish hit hard, I recommend using a shock leader, and match the length you require to type of quarry.

 
Ratings:

 
Pluses and Minuses:

 
Conclusion: Today it really seems that each piece of fishing tackle is built to be application specific. From delicate to monstrous reels, rods, lures... and of course the enormous amount of fishing lines to shuffle through.  PowerPro, a Spectra Fiber braided line was developed to be an extremely tough line but without sacrificing much of the other characteristics we are so accustomed to when fishing with high quality mono lines. Overall PowerPro is a good braided line, and does an excellent job in certain specific applications in both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Go deep, go through rough cover and structure, or go the distance, PowerPro's thin diameter will get you there and deliver the tensile strength to bring home those hawg fish.