Which Braided Fishing Line Is Best: 4-Strand Or 8-Strand?

What's the difference between 4-Strand and 8-Strand braided fishing line?

You may think there is an obvious answer...

But there’s SO much more that goes into making braided lines.

And these factors may determine the type of braid that is best for you!

So in this new video, you’ll learn:

- How braided line is made
- The biggest differences between 4-Strand & 8-Strand
- Benefits versus downfalls of the two types of braid
- And more

Have any questions about how braided fishing line is made or which one may be better for your style of fishing?

[MJ-kmqz]

Luke needs to test V2 eight strand against J-braid eight strand(s) for abrasion, strength, knot strength as well as cost & availability. I know it wasn’t your intention, but this video came off like an infomercial for Daiwa.

[dreamfly]

After trying various lines over the years, I have always come back to the 4-strand power pro. 8-strand lines always started good but after a few trips, the strands would separate and swell the line than the 4-strand would so would cast shorter distance.

[urmailingalen]

I use Sufix 832 for surf shark fishing for years and it’s the best line I’ve ever used. I use Sufix 131 for my bass set up and it’s absolutely amazing.

[tag_]

I exclusively use Daiwa J Braid x8 and not only have never had a problem but I absolutely LOVE it. Nice and soft and easy to cast miles!

[ZachBinder]

Power pro slick v2 for wreck fishing 100% - also 8 strand

[J-Rod]

The Daiwa J-Braid Grand is A-mazing!! Stuff is legit. I have all my spinning reels with the 20lb gray light color. 👌

[MattsKennels]

I use both and love both. Although I personally just use x8 regular j braid on my spinning and x4 power pro on my bait casting. Don’t know why…I feel like x4 wraps around baitcasters better. x8 a little too smooth of a line to dig inside the spool of my baitcasters. Both 20 lb test. I have used higher test. Both cast really far. Now the sound of the x4 going through the rod guides kind of annoy me. Some people like it but I don’t lmao! Feels like it’s scratching my rod guides.

[jimmyjaimes]

Thanks for clearing things up for me. I like the j-braid line . Been using it for about a year now. Be Safe Brother.

[BallinRiceBowl]

Power Pro Slick has always bled a lot. But the sound and feeing of it flying through the guides is superior to any braid I’ve used in the past (j braids, Nomad, Sufix, spiderwire, maxima).

[richardgreene]

Providing a chart as to the pound breakage would be most helpful. Some may think a 10lb. braided line will only hold a 10lb. fish. Thanks! Well done!!!

[LagunaPadre]

I love that sound of power pro going through my guides. <3

[johntregidgo]

Braid is made from ultra high molecular poly ethylene dissolved in a solvent normally mineral oil then heated and spun through a spinnerette after which the solvent is extracted using chlorinated solvents then dried and heated and stretched. Ultra high molecular polyethylene cannot be spun through a spinnerette because the viscosity is so high I.e. million of centipoise! I worked on equipment to make Spectra material.
John T.

[tinman]

Crazy how picky folks get about braid… I’ve used just about every brand out there and I’ve never had an issue with any of them… worst complaint is most don’t hold their color… no big deal. Some may cast a little further, but not by much… The 4 strands make more noise but cut through vegetation better… 8 strand cast a little better and is a little quieter, but doesn’t cut through grass as well. I pitch/punch with chartreuse 50lb J- X8 as I feel I get more bites with quieter line… and I frog, swimjig, and swimbait, etc with Green 50lb J- X4 because it definitely cuts through vegetation better. Spinning reel is chartreuse 15 lb X4 because most of our northern Wisconsin lakes are full of grass, so jig worming, tossing finesse swimbaits, etc slice through better and land more fish. Casting distance is over rated when fishing grass… I’m not bombing casts… I’m making short to medium presentations to break it down efficiently and effectively to maximize my catch. One bite on a long cast can spook and ruin all the fish right in front you… On our rocky Smallie lakes, we use Green 30lb X8 to a fluoro or mono leader for casting, and chartreuse 15lb X8 to a fluoro leader on spinning applications. Slightly more casting distance and the promise that 8 strand is a little more abrasion resistant… that’s the deal. We catch thousands of fish every year and I can’t remember the last time I broke braid… braid to leader, or line to hook… other than the a big Muskie or Pike that decides to play. I’ve landed a 46 inch Muskie on 15lb X4 with no leader with a finesse swimbait on a deep milfoil line… so put on some braid that fits the majority of your fishing and forget about it ~ Use a green or black permanent marker to color a few feet of chartreuse braid if your running straight braid in clearer water.

[charleslim]

I would take the Power Pro over the Daiwa 8 strand any days of the week. I have to re-spool my 100lb test 8 strand jbraid because it breaks so easily even though it was brand new. Save your $ n go with Power Pro or the Max Cuatro.

[buhda]

"there is less material in a 4-strand"- wrong, diameters/breaking strength are the same, equals same amount of material; less material equals lower breaking strength. The reason why a 4-strand may break before an 8-strand, has to do with the number of strands. One stand of a 4-strand breaks, line loses 25% of strength. One strand of 8-stand breaks, line only loses 12.5% of strength. Having more, small diameter, strands makes 8-strand smoother and more supple/flexible. I use 4-strand Power Pro over 8-strand whatever, for on reason...cost; I can be a bit of a cheapskate. Never had any problems with it. Happy fishing...Whatever you choose to use!

[calallen]

J braid I tends to avoid, had bad luck with them due to kinks plus strain being broken off. I've always stick with power pro and spiderweb camobraid.

[crudeu]

If the line diameter is the same (.15mm) then the strand used for a 4 strand is thicker than the strand used for the 8 strand. To me this means that the 8 strand is going to be more flexible and not as stiff as the courser strand used for the 4 strand. .15 divided by 4= .0375 diameter per strand whereas .15 divided by 8= .01875. So the fiber used for the 8 strand is much finer than that used for the 4 strand. Seems that the 8 strand would remain more flexible and would actually be stronger pound for pound than a 4 strand. IMO

[jacksoncampbell]

Another thing about the coarseness of PowerPro braid is that if you’re using it with a bait caster, it can very easily burn your thumb when trying to keep tension during a cast. Not sure if that is universally noticed, but with me and my group of friends it’s a very relevant issue.

[Thepondguy]

I haven't ever had any problems with sufix 832

[danielrimer]

I just put 10 lb J-Braid on my Sustain 3000 and my Vanford 2500 and I love it! I put the 8 lb 4 Strand J-Braid on my Vanford 2000 and it casts a mile!! So do my 3000 and 2500. They are both super smooth. i highly recommend the j-Braid..A great braid at a great cost!