About the line

I’ve received some line from three different folks to try and report on, and I’m very happy to give these reviews as they’ve all been good lines. The fish may not be as happy. First was unitika night game in 2lb. I e always compared lines to the Nanofil which I both loved and hated. It’s casting was second to none, til now. The night game casts very close to what the Nanofil offered but with so many more positives that the Nanofil and I are officially done and it’s coming off of all my reels. The night game is supple and casting is a pleasure with my tiny jigs of less than 1/32. It’s also tougher and more abrasion resistant with no issues with knot strength.

Next up is the Varivas infinity pe x8. I’m told this is the smallest 8 strand braided line in the world and I believe it without a doubt. Casting is very good, maybe even better than the night game. It’s a darker color with bright pink or orange markings every few meters that made it easy enough for these old eyes to follow. Sensitivity is great and knot strength had no issues. Double uni knots connect my line and leader and held just fine. As with any braid this size, tying knots takes some getting used to but with a darker background I can see and handle them very well.

Next up is the Varivas twitchmaster VLS nylon in 4lb. Being a muted gold in color it’s visibility is great without the boldness of fluorescent yellow. It’s a very different feel than the PE I’ve been using but I had no problems with feeling soft bites and setting the hook with authority. The VLS stands for very low stretch. I tried some other nylon line in the past but the stretch factor was too extreme for me and the way I fish. I put it back on the spool and will revisit it some day. I also have a spool of this in 3lb that I haven’t tried as yet and I expect it to be as good with a little better casting distance than the 4lb. Comparing this in 4 lb to the domestic 2 lb I’ve used for years is no contest, it wins hands down. The domestic has more memory and with that comes less casting distance. I’m a fan of this line.

I also have a spool of Varivas bush master super strong and another of Varivas Avani saltwater finesse to try in the future. The Avani has my interest peaked, I may do that first. This is my progress so far and I’ll update when I have more testing done. I have no line breaking guages or other higher tech equipment so my reviews are more of a man on the street opinion for how they work for how I fish. I hope this helps someone and I’ll answer any questions I can. Thanks everyone……Skeet

Awesome report Skeet. Helps me, I’m sure it will help others. Thank you for sharing

I had a chance to try some Varivas lines and I agree, excellent line.

I think the avani is the same line as the Infiniti but comes in a larger spool. I fished the .2 Avani today for the first time. Great braid, I’ll need no larger diameter. Was fishing into the wind and had no issues with it. I think casting distance is similar to the 2lb blue moon fluorocarbon and limoni ester I’ve used. Tied straight to the jog and landed everything that bit. Sensitivity is better than any other I’ve tried. Nanofil casts just as well but is not nearly as abrasion resistant. I think Varivas makes the best lines available whether you’re fishing pe, nylon, fluoro or ester.

Good info….I have all the lines you mentioned. As to breaking strength…they break at what their rating states. I have tested them all….one thing I’ve learned is true when Varivas labels a line as breaking at X pounds, that is what it breaks at. I have not used the Avani as I cannot see it. I have reels spooled up with the different lines to be used in different situations. I was supposed to be a backup fisherman in a trout tournament on the White River this weekend but my nephews co-angler showed up. But I was packed ready to go…..2 reels spooled with Double Cross PE and 2 reels spooled with 4# test Twitch Master. I’ve been fishing Varivas lines for several years now. Been fishing their Ester lines for about 5 years….and if I am out targeting bluegill and crappie Varivas Ester is my line of choice. They make fantastic products and their customer service is to shelf.

Regards


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Thanks Randy. You have lots more experience with these lines than I do, maybe more than any of us. I’m sold on their quality and personality, knot strength and so on. I’m looking forward to trying the others I have waiting in line.

They make some very good line

“Man on the street” reviews are just fine, skeet. These are some terrific lines. Glad you have a chance to try them out.
Bob

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Thanks Randy. You have lots more experience with these lines than I do, maybe more than any of us. I’m sold on their quality and personality, knot strength and so on. I’m looking forward to trying the others I have waiting in line.

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You know it was Chris Stewart who suggested I may not be getting the full benefit of my high end JDM rods due to the line I was using. At that time I had been using Ester for a number of years but no JDM nylon or braid. So I went on the search for lines. And it was Stan who really got me to try JDM braid. Then another member here, Yodi, provided a ton of info on many JDM lines that he used. I wish I had made the switch a long time back. For those of us who cast and retrieve micro jigs these Varivas lines really outperform all other lines.

Regards


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Nice review thanks


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Thanks for the review I'm "slowly" learning.

DWILL, I’m slow coming around too. As long as the line lasts the expense isn’t as bad as one might think. I’ve read what Alphahawk has to say about these lines for a good while now and I’m not at all disappointed in their performance. I’m glad that everyone is enjoying the posts.

Glad to read the reports, particularly the 4# Twitchmaster. I put some on a couple of reels and am eager to get a chance to try it out. Thanks for the info.

Does anyone tie esterline (ES2 in particular) straight to the jig head? Or is a shock leader pretty much a requirement?

Good question. That one is still on my to do list.

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Originally Posted by TXPanfisher

Does anyone tie esterline (ES2 in particular) straight to the jig head? Or is a shock leader pretty much a requirement?

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I have tried it and do not recommend it. I’ve landed a lot of large fish with Ester and without the shock leader not sure that would have been the case. Even a large shell cracker can easily pop Ester in a heart beat without the shock leader and proper drag setting. I’ve been fishing Ester a long time…in all likelihood the first person in the US to use it…if not that certainly one of the first. The folks who invented the stuff always recommend a shock leader and I figure they sure know their lines and limitations. Having said the they would not use Ester like I do.

Regards


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Nice review of some quality lines. I still prefer braid in salt and only salt but I am an odd nylon lover. I guess the twitch is about as good a nylon as I’ve ever used. I have a beach trip coming up in less than 2 weeks and it will be a braid fishing bonanza. Haha. Oh and I’ve never been a fan of ester.

When the salt trip happens you’ll have to bring us up to speed with what you used and how it performed as well as how you liked it. My opinion is that most braid is fairly stiff when new, maybe from the coating used. After it’s used it tends to soften some, some faster than others, and then you find out what you’ll have for the next couple of years. I’m liking braids In general for the thump and feel of the super light contact before the hits I get with these coppernose.