80: Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier Field Test

Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier

Test Drive

Berkley Fireline fishing line series has been a well established favourite of professional anglers. One of the things that Berkley did was to introduce Dyneema into the world of fishing many years ago. This stamped Berkley as the leaders in fishing line technology till now. A new addition to Berkley’s Fireline family of lines is the Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier.

Fused Line

There are basically 3 categories of superlines; braided lines, nanofilament, and fused lines. Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier is a fused line. Fused lines are thinner lines made of Dyneema (Berkley Firelines), grouped together, and then fused together. They are somewhat similar to braided lines with the difference being that they are not braided together. They are put together in straight lines and then fused together.

Quality Dyneema is used to make these superb lines.

Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier uses 8 carriers (thin or small diameter lines) to make one tough and strong line. This makes the Ultra 8 Carrier a tough and durable line. Berkley claims that the Ultra 8 Carrier is at least 4 time more abrasion resistant compared to other lines in its class. The only to find out how good it is is to test them out. We did just that at our usual testing ponds in Jugra, Selangor (Malaysia).

To test the Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier we filled up two spools (two reels); an Abu Garcia Revo X and a Penn Passion. The Revo X (X10 / size 1000) was paired with an Abu Garcia SeaCaster II rod (Ultra Light – Finesse). The Revo X was spooled up with Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier (10lb). The Penn Passion (3000) was paired with the Abu Garcia Salty Nova Colors Summer Blue rod (PE 2 Light – Med action), and was spooled up with Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier (17lb).

Tackle Used During Test (1)

Main Line: Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier

Line lb: 10lb

Leader Line: Berkley Vanish

Line lb: 17lb

Rod Brand: Abu Garcia

Series: SeaCaster II

Model: SIIS662UL -Finesse

Action: Ultra Light (Finesse)

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X

Reel Model: X10

Reel Size: 1000

Baits / Lures: Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad / Berkley Powerbait Power Grub

Size: 3 inch

Hooks / Jig-heads: Owner (for Grub)

Test Conditions: Sunny afternoon with slight wind / cloudy evening

Tackle Used During Test (2)

Main Line: Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier

Line lb: 17lb

Leader Line: Berkley Vanish

Line lb: 17lb

Rod Brand: Abu Garcia

Series: Salty Nova

Model: Summer Blue

Action: PE2 – Slow / light – Medium

Reel: Penn Passion

Reel Model: 3000

Reel Size: 3000

Baits / Lures: Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad / Berkley Powerbait Power Grub

Size: 3 inch

Hooks / Jig-heads: Owner (for Grub)

Test Conditions: Sunny afternoon with slight wind / cloudy evening

Line Smoothness

Berkley’s Fireline is well known for smoothness and the Ultra 8 Carrier too has such qualities. The Ultra 8 Carrier cast our baits really well giving very good distances. We had slight wind during our test and had to cast into the wind. Despite that we got really good distances with our baits easily reaching the other side of the pond. We did not have to cast hard to get such distances. Perhaps it is the coating that helps make it smoother.

Super tough lines.

Sensitive

The Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier has no stretch and this transmits vibrations easily making it a very sensitive line to use. As I dragged my bait (Berkley PowerBait Swim Shad) at the bottom of the pond I could feel the difference in terrain, the bumps, etc. When a fish took the bait I easily connected and set the hook well every time despite using an ultra-light rod with a slower tip. No fish was lost during our test on this setup (we lost one on the 17lb line setup due to an open hook).

Sensitivity is good with this line.

Toughness And Abrasion Resistance

During this test of ours I had a scary ordeal (in terms of losing the fish). A hard fighting mangrove jack took my Swim Shad and shot straight for these two PVC pipes that were about five feet away. Using a Ultra Light rod I just could not stop the fish. Within seconds I saw the line go around both PVC pipes in a figure 8 fashion. I could then feel abrasion on the line.

I thought I lost the fish. I could still feel it swimming away dragging line off my spool but within seconds it stopped moving. I then decided to tighten the drag further, wrapped some line around my inhaler, and tried to break the line. I had given up hope thinking that was it. Instead of breaking, the line actually unwrapped itself as I pulled it. I saw it going reversing the loop and the fish was still on. A short while later I brought the fish. Impressive feat for a 10lb line.

Upon checking the line to see if it had frayed, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was still in good condition. I continued fishing without cutting any part of the line, fighting a few more mangrove jacks, groupers, and a good number of golden snappers with it.

Lots of hard fighting fishes were landed on the Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier.

Conclusion

Personally I am impressed with the Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier. It has proven itself to be a tough line during our test. It is somewhat stiff as with all fused lines but is very manageable and easy to cast. The Ultra 8 Carrier is sensitive, has no stretch, is smooth, handles abrasion well, and cast good distances. Certainly a good fishing line to use especially in fishing conditions that require some toughness such as with heavy cover fishing.