We are very fortunate in fishing today that we have the best equipment. We have the best electronics, the best rods and reels, and the best in baits. We also have the best in line and no question Sunline has elevated their position in line over the last couple of years with their Shooter and FC Sniper Fluorocarbon entries. Sunline is a Japanese company that hit the US market several years ago and the following across the country continues to strengthen. Mike McClelland, Dave Wolak, Tommy Biffle and recently Dean Rojas has joined the fold at Sunline. Their living is made with a rod and reel and their line has to hold up.
When we test line we put it through the test. We have several tests including knot strength, ease of spooling, and castability that we test in the office but the real test of any great line is on the water. Sometimes we go fishing with the sole purpose of testing a product and other times we run the product through the ultimate test....tournament competition. It can be a bit scary using an unfamiliar line for the first time in competition but at the end of the day that may be the best way to test it.
We tested Sunline FC Sniper in tournament competition this year and our results were off the charts. Initially spooling 14 pound Sniper in July, we were a bit leary. Deep water, rough bottom applications had called for 16 to 17 pound test before but because we had heard that Sunline FC Sniper was super strong we wanted to see for ourselves. Two things happened. We got more bites and didn't have any break offs.
Even though the line tested was provided by Sunline for the test we are very cost conscious. We don't ever want to recommend a line that doesn't meet on the water testing but also we want the average angler to be able to afford it. At $32.99 for 200 yards it is at the upper levels of affordability but because of its softness and abrasion resistance we feel it is a great investment. We are still spooled up with the original 14 pound line still today and this past weekend fished docks with metal posts, cables and bolts and it held up admirably. Staying power dampens the initial cost concerns. You can use it longer than other fluoro's with confidence and that actually makes the pricepoint attractive.
We put Sunline FC Sniper in the premier category and recommend it for anglers who want toughness yet want the properties of invisibility and fishability. It is very soft and has low spool memory. That is a true testament to a premier fishing line.
