The other morning I got a PM related to hollow-weave Spectra. Since I wrote so much about it during the winter and spring, I thought I would post the question and answer along with my observations after several months of use on my four spinning reels.
Quote:
Have you used Cortland's C16 hollow-braid yet? I have a [12 strand] and really like it, just wish it was a little thinner.
Also, have you had any problems casting or jigging with the hollow core lines?
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I've made a lot of comments on my experience with hollow-weave Spectra but here are some mid-year observations of JB and Cortland hollow Spectra used on spinning reels.
First, I've used the C16 braid. Like JB, it is very strong for its rating. Late last year I got a sample of JB 60# that broke between 67.5 and 70 lbs., as expected. This year I got samples of JB 60# and Cortland 80#. Both samples broke above 105 lbs. I decided to load four spinning reels with with JB 60# hollow and use Cortland C16 80# for making my new Wind-On leader design.
You pay a little more for hollow-woven Spectra (which in truth is not hollow when you're using it, the inside fully closes) but after that, it is a "free lunch". Since you can splice it, I've found it MUCH stronger than other lines in actual use since there are no knots to fail. Other than that, I can't tell the difference.
And just to be specific, I add four yards of doubled 80# hollow on top of my 60# hollow, then I add a 10' windon leader, trimmed to keep the windon Splice a little above the reel. Because there are no knots and no mono to come whipping off the reel, it casts great. I've had no casting, wind-knot or other issues that have happened with the hollow-weave design--it just cost a little more to buy.
One of the reasons that I chose the 60# JB is that it is 12 carrier (12 threads in the weave). I didn't want the silky smoothness of 16 carrier and 12 carrier hollow-weave is a little less costly. (A note: all Spectra--hollow or solid weave--should be wound onto spinning reels under a lot of pressure, it casts much better when packed tightly. I used 12 lbs to start and tuna have now packed it to 18-30 lbs.)
The size of all Spectra lines are directly proportional to their strength. Most hollow-weave lines use more Spectra (for lines in the 60 to 130# range) to make them easier to splice. As a result, I have found them to be stronger and thicker than the package label. I got about 400-450 yards of 60# JB onto my Stella 20Ks and Penn 950 SSMs. That is consistent with PE8 or so. It breaks above 105 lbs. that too is consistent with PE8+ line.
After last season, I started splicing hollow-weave Spectra for the first time. At first, it took a while to get the hang of. Now, in spite of having 50 years + of experience tying knots and fairly large hands, I can produce a better quality connection in less time by splicing--with knots you wonder about did you make it right or will it slip, with splices, when you're done, they work.
After using hollow-woven Spectra my thoughts are if you want strength, go with hollow-weave and eliminate the line-weakening, bad casting, guide-damaging knots. If you want thin line, find a line of the thickness you want and test its strength. Then make sure you can tie a strong enough knot for the drag you're using and for where the drag will get to during the fight, as line is pulled off.
I hope this helps. After testing hollow for most of the last year and fishing it for the first half of the season, I found a lot of benefits, the only cost/downside being the added purchase price.
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