Thread: Product Review

So I was tired of the 6# Trilene I had spooled up on my ultralight. Don't know what version it was, Top Gun put it on for me. Caught a lot of fish on it, but was only able to use a double uni knot(guess that is what it's called, double the line before threading and wrapping). Any other knot would snap while trying to tighten. So I was in Academy Sports getting a few things and decided to get some new line. After looking a while, I decided on a brand I haven't used before and am unfamiliar with. It is H2O Xpress. Picked it up for $4.99 for a spool of 330yd 6#. Reel holds roughly 175 yd so I will have more to splice on later. Spooled it up for use today and I have to say I am pleased. Pretty limp, very clear, great stretch and recovery, excellent knot and line strength, and best of all, excellent abrasion resistance. Fought roughly 10+ sheepies on it. Landed 5, lost a couple to hook pulls, choked some, and lost a coule to line breaks due to wrapping around the pilings. A couple of those I landed ran into the piling with my line. I got them to turn and after landing them, when I checked my line, there was very little fray. Very impressed with it and will continue to use. They carry 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and I believe 50# tests. Would be curious how the others are, but am currently extremely pleased with the Illusion I use. Just wish they made less than 8# test.

though I doubt I'll ever try it, thank you for the product review...I'm just an Ande fan, but I have tried a few of H2O's lures and was impressed with the action they make and they do catch fish!

With total agreement on the smaller lb tests. However the larger sizes tend to coil more after sun time and minor use. Much the same as BPS Saltwater series of line.

Just a little update on this product. Been using the 6lb for a few months now. I have landed tons if fish on it by now including an 8 lb king. This stuff is absolutely amazing. It does have some memory, but I have definitely seen worse. I know it holds up well to splicing. There wasn't enough line on the spool to fill up the spoil again, so after losing some line, I would cut it back to fresher line and splice brand new line on. Just bought a new spool again today. Never noticed it before, but I have a new reason to love this line. The 330 yd spool I bought before is $4.99. However, I browsed the rack a little more and found they had 1/4lb spools(2,500yd). Cool! But it gets even better. That 1/4lb spool is only $5.99, $1 more! That's a difference of 1.5cents/yd to .002cents/yd! Definitely worth it at that price.

I've used this line along with suffix mono for a few years now for crappie and bass fishing up here in NW Arkansas and love both of them. I use suffix hi vis and love it but it gets expensive. The H2O is great for pulling crappie out of deep brush. For the price you can't go wrong with the H2O

I bought two 1/4# spools (8# and 15#) of this line a few years back and tested the breaking strength of the lines using a uni knot and found it to break at roughly the rated strength. I have known that what I had called an improved uni knot increased the breaking strength considerably on certain lines, but was amazed to find that this knot broke at nearly 150% of the rated strength on both sizes. In an attempt to find an image of this knot I discovered that it has a different name, Fish-n-fool knot. [img width=464 height=470]http://www.netknots.com/files/4413/2980/7289/Fish-N-Fool-knot.jpg[/img]

[quote author=DRH link=topic=461.msg12216#msg12216 date=1338559760]
I bought two 1/4# spools (8# and 15#) of this line a few years back and tested the breaking strength of the lines using a uni knot and found it to break at roughly the rated strength. I have known that what I had called an improved uni knot increased the breaking strength considerably on certain lines, but was amazed to find that this knot broke at nearly 150% of the rated strength on both sizes. In an attempt to find an image of this knot I discovered that it has a different name, Fish-n-fool knot. [img width=464 height=470]http://www.netknots.com/files/4413/2980/7289/Fish-N-Fool-knot.jpg[/img]
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The fish n fool knot is the only knot i will use on hooks a nd swivels, etc. I have used it for years, and will continue to endorse it for years to come. You can also make it even stronger as a double or triple fish n fool knot by adding 1 or 2 extra loops through the eye prior to step 3.

Great advice DRH! Highly informative as always. :headbang: :headbang:

I never thought of a real need to further improve this knot since it already is a knot that is at least 101% if tied correctly. "Tied correctly", being the two important words and tying this knot correctly is easier said than done, yet not impossible or all that difficult. Paying attention to friction when cinching this knot is fundamental and the extra pass through the eye requires a bit more time and lubrication than is required with a normal uni knot. When I tie a less than perfect knot, I know it and would rather cut it and try again than try to further improve it by adding an extra pass or two in advance. However since you mention a 2x or 3x f-n-f knot I will test both in a hastily tied fashion to see how they do.

[quote author=DRH link=topic=461.msg12221#msg12221 date=1338565102]
I never thought of a real need to further improve this knot since it already is a knot that is at least 101% if tied correctly. "Tied correctly", being the two important words and tying this knot correctly is easier said than done, yet not impossible or all that difficult. Paying attention to friction when cinching this knot is fundamental and the extra pass through the eye requires a bit more time and lubrication than is required with a normal uni knot. When I tie a less than perfect knot, I know it and would rather cut it and try again than try to further improve it by adding an extra pass or two in advance. However since you mention a 2x or 3x f-n-f knot I will test both in a hastily tied fashion to see how they do.
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DRH, that is great advice. I completely agree.

Making the extra pass is quite simple, but the problem, as you stated, is the proper cinching. If you don't do it properly, you'll be caught with a tiny loop you cant get out.

Way I found that helps is this:

Get your 2 or 3 initial prime loops together, and then work the loops so that they are smaller (less than 3/4" across the circle) and all of equal size. If loops are different sizes, then you'll likely get a small annoying loop upon cinching.

Then apply your 5 twist center wraps.

Make sure to lubricate. Otherwise, the main line will weaken and become dented.

Now the key is cinching by pulling all three directions at the SAME time.

That means hold hook in one hand, holding main line in other, and holding the tip end in your teeth, or other stationary object that can apply good pressure.

Pull slowly all three directions, and the knot will work its way secure.

Does take a few attempts to practice and get it down, but the knot strength virtually doubles in this fashion. I often have main line, hook barbs or swivels break in half before the knot itself fails.

The effect this knot gives is the bottom 2 or 3 twists will widen slightly, and give a better cupping at the metal loop so there is less friction during actual use with a fish turning and twisting. At least, that is the theory.