02-12-2005, 12:04 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Braided lines, like Power Pro, definitely have their places. Their positive features are the small diameter and their no-stretch properties, for greater feel and hook-setting capability...especially when you have a lot of line out.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The Excalibur IS a monofilament. However, it is a "copolymer", which gives it some enchanced features over plain old everyday "string". By blending different polymers into the line, you get just the properties you want. Some go for super limpness. Others sacrifice limpness for toughness and abrasion resistance, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have boxes full of partial spools of many other lines I have put to rigorous tests, on the water. As I have stated before, I have been using the Excalibur almost exclusively since I discovered it in the late 90's. I first tried it to find a solution to the problem of losing fish to line failure...from rocks, fish teeth, broken knots, etc. And, as I have also claimed before, I have not lost a fish to line failure since.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Excalibur is a monofilament. You spool it up and use it just like any other one...Stren, Maxima, Cajun, Trilene or whatever. The diameter per break strength ratio is comparable (or less) than most others. It is supple and stays that way...with little or no "memory" (coil spring) problems. It survives both high heat (Arizona) and cold (ice fishing) conditions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Even though it is a monofilament, it has less stretch than most others and provides good feel and good hook-setting, even at the end of long casts. But, most importantly to me, over the years, has been the abrasion resistance and knot strength. It has stood up to the teeth of many many big toothy fish, the sticks and rocks of bass habitat and the rough edges of ice holes. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Both TubeBabe and myself have taken many large catfish on both 4# and 6# Excalibur. My best was a 30 pound flathead on 6#. The small crappie jig it hit was well inside its mouth, and the line rubbed across its nasty teeth for about 45 minutes before I netted it. I retied after landing it, but mostly because the jig was trashed. The line was still in good shape.[/#0000ff]
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=8321;]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=8321;)
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[#0000ff]I have also landed large cats and largemouths that powered their way back into piles of abrasive water weeds. Some of the shallow coves on Saguaro Lake, in Arizona, get to be full of that stuff for several months every year. It has rough, abrasive stalks that quickly fray regular lines. On more than one occasion I fought 6# to 10# catfish to the tube, after they had "mowed" an acre of those weeds. The Excalibur cut through the tough weeds and they floated to the top. In some cases, I almost had to use a hay baler to net the fish. Most of the time, I was using only 4# line, while fishing for crappie or yellow bass.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=8322;]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=8322;)
[#0000ff]This will be my last plug for Excalibur. I like it and use it. I have formed my own opinions and I have offered them. Use it or don't use it. Makes no difference to me.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The Excalibur IS a monofilament. However, it is a "copolymer", which gives it some enchanced features over plain old everyday "string". By blending different polymers into the line, you get just the properties you want. Some go for super limpness. Others sacrifice limpness for toughness and abrasion resistance, etc.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have boxes full of partial spools of many other lines I have put to rigorous tests, on the water. As I have stated before, I have been using the Excalibur almost exclusively since I discovered it in the late 90's. I first tried it to find a solution to the problem of losing fish to line failure...from rocks, fish teeth, broken knots, etc. And, as I have also claimed before, I have not lost a fish to line failure since.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Excalibur is a monofilament. You spool it up and use it just like any other one...Stren, Maxima, Cajun, Trilene or whatever. The diameter per break strength ratio is comparable (or less) than most others. It is supple and stays that way...with little or no "memory" (coil spring) problems. It survives both high heat (Arizona) and cold (ice fishing) conditions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Even though it is a monofilament, it has less stretch than most others and provides good feel and good hook-setting, even at the end of long casts. But, most importantly to me, over the years, has been the abrasion resistance and knot strength. It has stood up to the teeth of many many big toothy fish, the sticks and rocks of bass habitat and the rough edges of ice holes. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Both TubeBabe and myself have taken many large catfish on both 4# and 6# Excalibur. My best was a 30 pound flathead on 6#. The small crappie jig it hit was well inside its mouth, and the line rubbed across its nasty teeth for about 45 minutes before I netted it. I retied after landing it, but mostly because the jig was trashed. The line was still in good shape.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have also landed large cats and largemouths that powered their way back into piles of abrasive water weeds. Some of the shallow coves on Saguaro Lake, in Arizona, get to be full of that stuff for several months every year. It has rough, abrasive stalks that quickly fray regular lines. On more than one occasion I fought 6# to 10# catfish to the tube, after they had "mowed" an acre of those weeds. The Excalibur cut through the tough weeds and they floated to the top. In some cases, I almost had to use a hay baler to net the fish. Most of the time, I was using only 4# line, while fishing for crappie or yellow bass.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]This will be my last plug for Excalibur. I like it and use it. I have formed my own opinions and I have offered them. Use it or don't use it. Makes no difference to me.[/#0000ff]
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