Article by Larry Jock
Western Filament, makers of the TUF-Line series of high performance fishing line, took first place in the Best New Braided Line division of the 2009 European Fishing Tackle Trade Association show for their TUF-Line DuraCast line.
The DuraCast line is a coated, braided line made specifically for spinning reels that eliminates tip wraps, wind knots, rod guide noise and common bail trip issues that have been associated with other superlines, but delivers the sensitivity that anglers have come to rely on with braided lines.
The line is engineered to be tough and abrasion resistant with the use of Spectra and Dyneema fiber in their line. The line is thicker and stiffer than your normal braided line due to a waxy coating over the line, which reduces rod guide noise. Comparing 30 lb. test braid, the TUF-Line DuraCast braid is .16” thick compared to traditional 30 lb. braid which is .11” thick. This also makes it a little harder to tie knots with the DuraCast line. A nice feature is the permanent coloration due to the color being engrained into the line and will not fade over time like PowerPro. The line also utilizes ultra round Tri-Axial Construction, reducing wind knots and tip wraps as well as increasing the lines abrasions resistance.
The company claims that the line is engineered for “superior casting ability and explosive distance”. This is due to the thicker, stiffer line, which will really move off the spool once it gets going.
Overall, if you don’t mind a thicker, braided line that may make tying knots a little more challenging, then the DuraCast line may be one you want to tr. If you are fishing inshore around rocks and structure, this line’s abrasion resistance will definitely make your life easier. Check with your local tackle shop for availability. The line comes in 6 lb. to 30 lb. class with monofilament equivalents ranging from 2 lbs. to 15 lbs.
Another offering from Western Filament is their TUF-Line TufLeader line.
This line is unique, incorporating T-304 extruded stainless steel around a Spectra fiber core. This leader is designed to be knotted with standard knots rather than having to use crimping techniques associated with standard stranded wire. The company claims that TUF-Leader is the first braided tie-able stainless leader on the market.
The leader comes in 10 lb. to 100 lb. test spools with a monofilament equivalent ranging from 10 lbs. to 50 lbs.
Readers of this column know that I am a big fan of Costa del Mar sunglasses, now known just as Costa sunglasses.
A recent addition to their line-up is a style called Tag, which has a 360-degree co-molded technology, built-in side shields and durable integral hinges. The glasses are extremely light and come in tortoise, black or silver frame colors in Costa’s full array of 580 lenses. You can also get them in prescription lenses, which Costa now offers through their website, eliminating the need to find a local optician to perform the service.
Like all sunglasses, it all comes down to the lenses, and the 580 lens blocks yellow light in the light spectrum, creating visual clarity, the highest level of polarization efficiency and sharp color enhancement.
The Tag style is definitely made for those with smaller faces and comes with Costa’s lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects. It also derives its name in honor of the many tagging programs that Costa is an active supporter of with a portion of Costa’s revenues each year going to support these and other marine conservation programs.
The Tag style retails for $149 to $249 depending on your lens choice. Prescription lens prices will vary.
