P.V.D.F.  Japan’s Edge by David Swendseid

Whether it’s 200 hundred dollar reels, fifteen-dollar jerkbaits or, fifty thousand dollar bass boats, tournament anglers are ever-seeking an edge over the bass they pursue.  If you are willing to pay for good technology, you will benefit.

Bass Angler’s Guide got a rare opportunity to “talk shop” with TORAY, one of Japan’s top fluorocarbon extruders and their distributor, Blackwater International, also creator of Shock Leader and Hollow braid to the US.  On the JB circuit (Japanese professional bass circuit), Toray is known as one the most technically advanced line companies in Japan. With fluorocarbon introduced to the US fairly recently, anglers are slowly becoming students of PVDF.   However, Toray is not the only Fluorocarbon company. Companies like , Varivas, Sunline and Khureha (Seagaur Japan) have line products widely used by the Japanese bass professionals

In 1971, a stark discovery came to the surface. Poly-vinyl-i-dene Fluoride technology was put into production by the Khureha Chemical Company of Tokyo, Japan.  Although the first P.V.D.F. application was only leader construction, it was the first time a filament of this type was used for fishing.  What followed shortly was the refinement of fluorocarbon as line for reel applications.

The company Toray was founded in 1921 as a producer of viscose rayon and quickly became a world leader in fiber, textile, plastics and other chemical technologies.  Today it is the world largest producer of carbon fiber and global leader of nano-technology (the study of controlling matter on a molecular or atomic scale to create stronger and lighter structures). To bring a little insight to what we are talking about… think about it like this….   Atoms are below a nanometer where as molecules range from about 1 nanometer and up.  This gives technicians the ability to manipulate molecules to precision and to have remarkable strength in relation to size.

Toray began building fishing lines in 1941. Forty-four years later Toray introduced fluorocarbon and by the early 90’s it developed the first fluorocarbon actually designed for lure and spinning application.

Note:

Two-time Japan largemouth record holder, Manabu Kurita has been using Toray line for years. An interesting fact, Manabu isn’t endorsed or sponsored by the extruder, maybe a true testament to high-end fluorocarbon all together. Recently Kurita’s world record largemouth was accepted by IGFA (an official WORLD RECORD-tie).

So What Is PVDF?

PVDF’s full name is Poly-vinyl-i-dene Fluoride, commonly called Fluorocarbon.  Fluorocarbon’s chemical structure comes from Carbon, Hydrogen, and Fluoride.  It is part of the Fluoropolymer family and has many applications.  The properties of Fluorocarbon make it extremely durable, resistant to solvents, acids, smoke and variances in temperatures (especially extreme cold).   Fluorocarbon not only is thermally stable, it has a high heat deflection and unaffected by UV and Gamma radiation.  This makes it excellent for creating protective barriers of insulation, membranes, coatings, or linings.

In a powder form Fluorocarbon has been used in expensive paints to create high gloss durability.  Fluorocarbon can be injected, molded, extruded, sprayed and welded. It is also used in biochemistry in a technique called protein immunoblot where proteins are transferred to a PVDF membrane for antibody detection.

So what does all that have to do with fishing?  Because fluorocarbon is a strong, dense, pliable material with excellent resistance to chemicals, and abrasion, it’s a natural for line application.

Fluorocarbon Line Advantages

Low Optical Density

Compared to nylon, a high quality fluorocarbon has distinct advantages.  It is the only line material presently with a refractive index closest to water, meaning it is a closer match to the clarity of water.  This has immense benefits to stealth fishing, thereby helping an angler get more bites.  Don’t believe it?  Pure Fishing debated entering the fluorocarbon market. One convincing study they cited was a line test in which they attempted to determine if fluorocarbon was more transparent than other lines.  Their researchers were under the same consensus that to the human eye, fluorocarbon looked as transparent as nylon lines.  Their test proved otherwise. They hung strands of monofilament and fluorocarbon lines in a large aquarium and monitored how often fish ran into each line. The researchers were astonished to discover that over a lengthy duration more fish more often bumped into the fluorocarbon. Since then there have been other convincing side-by-side trials.

Surface Structure & Longevity

Another clear (no pun intended) advantage is the apparent harder shell of pure PVDF.  Fluorocarbon is designed to resists abrasion better than nylon.  PVDF lines have denser surfaces and do not absorb water or light, where as nylon structures degrade, especially over time when exposed to moisture, sunlight and heat.  In a recent interview with B.A.S.S. Elite professional, Yusuke Miyazaki identified “longevity” as an important consideration when choosing a line. “I fish many days per year… before fluorocarbon, I had to change line each tournament day.  If you have high quality fluorocarbon line you will keep your line on your reels longer” said Yusuke. Yusuke has seen his professional peers change out their line every night during a tournament. TackleTour.com who conducts product reviews spoke of benefits to PVDF line. In one product study they use the same spool of Japanese fluorocarbon (Upgrade) for nearly a year

Specific Gravity Increases Sensitivity

Professional anglers have caught on to fluorocarbon’s sensitivity.  This is due, in part to the hardness and density of the material. In fact, PVDF nearly weighs twice as much as nylon.  This allows angler to fish his bait deeper faster.  Its density also attributes to its ability to have better elongation at lower tension, transmitting vibration better.

Does Fluorocarbon Grow On Trees?

Granules, Hopper& Extrusion

Toray specialists report the integrity of a high end more expensive PVDF line begins with the integrity and selection of the raw materials.

To get what we call fluorocarbon fishing line, a process called extrusion takes place.

 The company’s resin is made in pellet form, mixed with proprietary raw materials  to create batching. Each company has their own recipe of raw materials to produce their specific strengths ratios, particulate clarity, and manipulation parameters. These batches go through evaporation, into a melter at a certain consistency then through a tool and dye at the specified circumference and specified stretch, finally cooled fairly quickly on cooling flats.  The line is place on to giant spools and in some cases eventually precision wound for better protection against line impressions or crush zones.

 There are approximately five resin manufacturers (Kureha, Daikin, Atonfina, Solvay, and 3M Corporation) and about 10 extruders (Kuraray, Kureha, Duel, Unplass, Sunline, Unitika, Toray, Rhombic, Pure Fishing and Monfile-trechink) globally. Believe it or not, your fluorocarbon formulas and lines most likely come from one of these entities. With 35 plus labels selling domestically you can see how fancy marketing can mislead the angler.  Second, be assured, your private label line is not going to be of the same generation as the original manufactures.  Recent tests have shown a difference between the expensive lines and lines specifically designed to for the budget minded.

Are There Really Differences Between Lines?

Professional Help From Japan’s Big Guns

Input from Japan’s best is always considered in the advancements of bass lines.

Japanese Professional, Katsutaka IMAE, is considered Japan’s most decorated tour professional and has captured nearly every award a pro-angler could capture in Japan.  Some say shortly after his birth in 1964 he was bassfishing.  He is considered a technical expert in line management and tournament presentations and is consulted on Toray’s line advancements. 

Toray also seeks consultation from the man who was credited with inventing drop shotting (Tsunikichi Rig); now a global presentation, Haruhiko Murakami is a light-line expert.  His expertise obviously found favor in the USA. From Aaron Martin to Zell Rowland, B.A.S.S. and FLW pros have been employing the drop shot technique for nearly 20 years.

Yusuke Miyazaki, a Japanese pro now fishing in the US has become a B.A.S.S. Elite Tour regular purported Japanese fluoros receive regular assessment for the purpose of advancement.

Discrepancies in line integrity and manageability varies significantly between company brands and can even vary with in a company, said the US distributor of Toray.  As we know fluorocarbon is different from nylons but differences between other fluoro manufactures comes from selection processes (the quality of raw materials), advances in technology and stringent manufacturing. “Some companies offer two types of fluoro (commonly, a leader and mainline).  While another manufacture may offer a series of technique specific lines, catering to the angler who faces multiple fishing scenarios,” said Mr. Kuroye

Additional Benefits of PVDF

Surface Tension

Diameter and density affect line and lure performance.   Water is a dense medium, actually significant barrier to material like nylon.  Lines that are slower to penetrate the surface tension of water are also slower to descend through the barrier.  A quick observational study is to cut 2-inch lengths of nylon and fluorocarbon, carefully place them flat on top of water, you will discover both lengths will float, not breaking the water’s surface (a.k.a. surface tension). Turn the lines on end and they will continue to float (vertically).  However, push lengths below the surface and both sink, but at distinctive rates.  The fluorocarbon sinks nearly twice as fast as the nylon (diameter has little to do with it).  Whether you cut 4 lb. test or 12 lb. test lengths, the fluorocarbon sinks faster than (for example) 8 lb. nylon.  How does this translate into better angling?  Your bait descends deeper quicker with faster sinking line. 

Fluorocarbon is more effective at breaching water tension, making a great difference when cranking, drop shotting, and ripping.  Lighter density lines float, suspend, or slowly sink, causing trouble with strike detection.  When making long casts, nylon line tends to float, creating a belly in the line.  This “bowing” of line can cause latent reaction times to strike detection.

A Pro’s Edge

US anglers have spoken (historically) about the importance fluorocarbon has to their game.

 Yusuke Miyazaki, has reeled in over 34 top 50 finishes and most of those successes coming from using fluorocarbon.  Yusuke strongly recommends, “When studying fluorocarbon you must understand the important relationship between raw material quality and stringent production assurances. Not every manufacture will endure the expenses or cost to complete this.  Even today, PVDF is an expensive material to produce. You will feel more comfortable fishing fluorocarbon designed for balance and longevity”.

Fluorocarbon advancements of today give us more options.  With high-end 100% fluoro you change lines less, gain sensitivity and provide stealthier presentations. In addition, you now can fish deeper (faster) with smaller diameters without increasing elongation. Enough evidence is out there showing technically advanced line development can now provide an edge to all anglers.