Product Review: Sunline FX2 Braid

Line Review: Sufix FX2 Braid By Joseph Alfe Retail Price as tested: $38.99 300 Yd Spool Category: Braided Superline Specifications: Circular vs. Oval shape Eight strand braid with circular cross section smooth surface Excellent abrasion resistance Improved color processing Polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate combination Blue-Grey Camo Color Applications: Frogging Flipping Pitching Heavy Jig Heavy T-Rig/Worm Observations: Sunline teamed up with the grandmaster of Frog Fishing, Dean Rojas to develop a braid of uncommon suppleness, castability, and toughness. The result is Sunline's FX2. Upon first examining this line, you can see that it is a bit thinner than comparable test braids from other brands, and it has a slick, smooth coating. The braid felt tight and the blue-grey camo color was different and welcome. Performance: I spooled the 50# FX2 on my Shimano Curado 100D paired with my favorite pitching rod, the powerful 7' 3 Airrus Co Matrix 2.0 and went to find a mess to pitch in. The worry with thinner braids is always abrasion resistance, and I can tell you that after a season worth of Frogging slop, pitching docks, and flipping brush, the Sunline FX2 is as pristine as the day I spooled it. There is no color bleed, there is no fraying or unraveling of fibers that plague other braids. The smooth suppleness of this line ensures precise, tangle free pitches and casts, and there were zero backlash issues, unlike many of the coated lines out there. I was very impressed with this line, so impressed as to seriously consider replacing my current heavy braid on my Muskie gear. I have no doubt that it's not only tough enough, but that the castability will be a great improvement over my current Muskie brand. Overall, the Sunline FX2 has quickly become my favorite braided superline for almost all applications. In fact, I can't really think of an application that this wouldn't excel at. Conclusion: Sunline FX2 is an impressive line by any measure. It is thin, well made, and very smooth casting. The effective colors do not bleed, and it was a joy to fish with and deadly effective at hauling fish out of the worst of cover. After a full season, its durability is near perfect and it has earned its place as my preferred braided line. My only, tiniest of deduction comes at the price point. Almost $40 is a lot for the average angler to spend on line, but seeing as how well the line held up all season, I have no doubt that it will do just as well all through next season too. Scores: 0-10 Suppleness 10 Durability 10 Castability 10 Abrasion Resistance 10 Sensitivity 10 Average: 10 Deductions: Price -.20 Deduction Total: -.20 Total Score: 9.8