What Is A Fireline Fishing Line?

Berkeley Fireline is one of the newer "superlines" available on the market. Made of a synthetic fiber, Berkeley Fireline is extremely tough, stretch resistant and available in a range of line weights. While more expensive, its characteristics make Fireline worthy of consideration when looking for new fishing line for your reel.

Material

Berkeley Fireline is created from a synthetic fiber known as Dyneema. Considered the strongest fiber in the world, Dyneema has a range of industrial, commercial and even medical applications. Dyneema is unaffected by ultraviolet light, is abrasion resistant, has very little stretch and does not absorb water. This makes Dyneema a perfect material for Berkeley Fireline.

Behavior

Fireline is smooth. When casting, Fireline glides freely from fishing reels and through guides in fishing rods. Fireline is less likely to kink and does not maintain "spool memory" as other lines such as monofilament, tend to do. Also, unlike monofilament, Fireline will not stretch.

Durability

The abrasion resistance qualities of Berkeley Fireline make it very effective in rough fishing areas such as oyster beds, rock jetties, boat docks and cement pilings. Fireline is also excellent for catching fish with sharp and abrasive teeth that normally cut other lines. In many cases, a wire leader can be eliminated when using Fireline.

Weight

Compared to an equivalent weight of monofilament, Fireline is much thinner. For example, the diameter of a standard 6 lb. test monofilament line is about the same as that of 14 lb. test Fireline. This means that an equivalent length of Fireline at more than twice the strength of monofilament can be spooled onto a fishing reel, while still being workable.

Use

Because Fireline has little or no stretch to it, it is extremely sensitive, transmitting even the lightest strikes to the rod. With Fireline, you can transmit movement to your lure more effectively. Hook sets are also more powerful. Fireline is also excellent for using with jigging and drop shot rigs. Knots tie well in Fireline and will hold sometimes to the point where the terminal tackle will break before the Fireline does. Fireline also sinks more quickly than monofilament and is excellent for trolling and bottom fishing.