Anybody use Spectran braided fishing line?

I've been looking at some braided Spectran Hi-Vis yellow, 200lb test, $36/150yds. For comparison, Kelty trip-tease is 188lb test and $15 for 50 feet. I was wondering if anyone else had gone this route for general cordage (tie-outs, guy lines, etc.) and could share pro's and con's.

Cons: Sharp as wire if strung tightly; will damage trees if used to hang gear; WILL cut hands without gloves if used under strain.

Best left on a fishing reel IMO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Better line exisits at your marine outlet...Look for the small diameter line used for small sailboat racers. It comes in purple, and, an orange color which is easy to keep from tripping on in camp, yet after you are 50 feet away it's barely noticeable. I'm wracking my brain but can't think of the name.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I think it has a Spectra core and nylon braid exterior.

Plenty strong for what you need and not heavy as 550 cord. It's all I've used the past 10 years <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, I'll sniff around Marine supply places and see what they have to offer. I take it that your biggest concern is the diameter of the Spectra braid fishing line.

Well I googled away and didn't find squat.

I think I'll just buy a spool of the 200lb test stuff and find out for myself.

Thanks anyway <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

200 lb should be large diameter line, my own experience is with much smaller diameter stuff. Sorry I could'nt come up with the name of the sailboat racing line. It works well even in the cold weather and holds knots well too.

Yea, I've been using Tuff-line brand of Spectran braid 30lb fishing line for a couple years now - good stuff. Takes some getting used to because knots that worked for mono don't work for braid. Plus you don't ever want to try to snap it with your hands or bite it with your teeth (cut hands and toothless).

I've got a 150yd spool of 250lb Hi-Vis yellow comming in the mail. I'll post my thoughts later (if I remember).

I use bulk 130 lb test dacron fishline for this purpose. I hang bear bags with it, and use it for tarp tieouts, etc. etc.

I just buy it in bulk at the fishing store.. it's used for fly line backing and other
stuff. It costs next to nothing in the amounts any backpacker would need - it's just not what all the cool kids use like spectra and stuff. but works for me (tm)

I think you will be disappointed with the color of the line. Spectra is next to impossible to dye, and the coloring you will see is in the wax coating. I know because I fly kites (The Kite Runner style kites) on fishing spectra (but 15lb). The color eventually rubs off in our hands.

Some other examples; Cuben fabric, composed of spectra fibers, is only white. Kelty used to make (still do?) a pack with 100% spectra fabric; it was all white.

Besides the color, spectra is slippery stuff. Great for sport kites (where the lines cross), but not good for tying knots.

I like the orange line over at Gossomer Gear for outdoor useage. VERY visable.

Geo, that GG line may be what I intially referred to in my post. I have some experience with spectra (not spectRAN) lines, and that's why I mentioned other lines holding knots better.

I know the dacron that Phat uses works fine for 99% of backpacking uses, as I also have some. I used it for crabbing in the past for blue crabs.

I'm curious beyond the wax dye transfer issue, how the spectran line will hold up under UV use.

I just went back and looked at what I ordered - no where does it say Spectra or Spectran. I just inferred it. Here's the link to the product I ordered:
Power Pro Line from Cabelas

"this revolutionary braided line with a protective layer that will not peel off"

So I'll find out in a couple of days when it shows up.

All eyes on your next post DLA <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

PowerPro review

According to the reviewer, PowerPro is a Spectra braid. Also said that the color does rub off. Interesting.

Here is a related discussion over at Backpacker.com.

Yikes! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I pretty much gave my opinion in the begining which I think might hold water at the end of the day, we'll see <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

If DLA finds us a better mousetrap we'll all have to thank him rightfully before extolling it's virtues everywhere <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The application is'nt far fetched, though the line is meant to be smooth and limp, which can make for tricky knot tying was one of my concerns. the other was a cut hazard, having expeirenced some with smaller diameter lines.

He makes a valid point in his final post IMO. It is possible that someone amongst us will come up with the equivilent of the first alchohol stove, and we should'nt summarily dismiss others ideas.

The following cord comparisons will give you an idea of the relative diameter of 250lb Power-Pro compared to other popular cordage.

The 250lb test Power-Pro knots well and has sortof a waxy feeling. Obviously it is outrageously strong. I like this stuff so far. I'm going play with it for tie outs and guy lines. And I'm going to add it to my survival gear.

It is much too thin to use for hanging a bear-bag.

I paid $44 for a 150yd spool from Cabelas.

Thanks for the info DLA, it could have a multitude of applications with backpacking. A person would best be using gloves with any small diameter lines that have their hands at one end, and a weight such as a bear bag, at the other IME.

Yep, it's not a replacement for rope - so you wouldn't want to be hanging with it wrapped around your hand. But it is also not so thin that it will cut you (it is after-all 250lb test ).

I think it should be very good for guy lines, ridgelines, etc. where it's high tensil strength and near-zero stretch are appreciated.

It might even make a good bow-drill for survival fire starting. Something I'm going to try.

Or maybe a snare. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Dacron at least, makes fine snares.

It doesn't make a very good drill string. The coating is a bit slippery. It works OK if you use a fat drill it will work, but fat drills are slower. The string will eventually cut through a skinny drill.

Just in case you wanted to play survivorman.....