Unraveling the Braided Line Confusion

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Published: 27 February 2024

By Louie Stout

Which braid should you choose?

If you’re like me, trying to discern differences in fishing lines is not only overwhelming at times, but also very confusing.

That’s why I called Brian Evans, marketing manager at Seaguar, a guy with whom I have known and shared a boat while bass fishing on the Niagara River a few years ago.

The big question in my mind, and probably in the mind of other weekend anglers, is what is the difference between 4 strand and 8 strand braid?

You can see the smoothness of 8-strand braid in this photo of Smackdown tied to a leader. (Seaguar photo)

Evans says you should think of 8 strand, such as Seaguar’s Smackdown, as a performance braid that is smooth, casts well and is thin. It’s ideal for finesse applications.

The four-strand braid, on the other hand, can be equated to the forerunners to performance braids. It’s very strong, sensitive and more textured than 8 strand. It’s best suited for pitching into grass or wood and for frogging.

Four-strand braid like this close-up of Seaguar TactX offer a more textured feel and more stiff which anglers prefer for frogging and flipping. (Seaguar photo)

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It’s Official! Zona among Five Selected for Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

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Published: 23 February 2024

BFHOF Report

2024 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee Mark Zona

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announced today that Mark Zona will be among five inductees into the 2024 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame this fall.

Other inductees include Fred Arbogast, Mike McKinnis, Skeet Reese, and Alfred Williams. They were selected in balloting conducted by the Hall of Fame’s 30-member Selection Panel and living Hall of Fame inductees. The new additions will bring the total number of Hall of Fame inductees to 100.  

The new class was chosen from a 12-man ballot that included a mix of dynamic personalities, on-the-water competitors, off-the-water innovators, and trailblazers. Seventy-seven ballots were circulated to those with voting privileges and 59 were returned, the most since the Hall of Fame began allowing living members of the Hall of Fame to vote in 2022.

Zona, 51, makes his home near Sturgis, Mich. and has been one of the leading voices and personalities in bass fishing since the early 2000s, either in his role as analyst for Bassmaster tournaments or as host of the popular “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.” Known for his spontaneity and high-energy manner, Zona will join longtime broadcast partner Tommy Sanders (2018) in the Hall.  

The Class of 2024 will be honored later this year during Celebrate Bass Fishing Week, which will be highlighted by the induction banquet on Sept. 26 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Mo.  

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