IBASSIN: The 9 Lives of Line

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The 9 Lives of Line

XBRAID’s new FULLDRAG X9 brings big game fishing the pinnacle in 9-strand braided line technology and advanced manufacturing techniques

Not so long ago, 8-strand – aka 8-carrier – braided lines were all the range. New offerings were popping up like prairie dogs. Now, legitimate fishing line brands offer at least one 8-strand variety. But no, 8-carriers weren’t enough. It was inevitable that somebody would push the envelope and develop a 9 strander.

But like the goldrushes for who could pack the most ball-bearings in a reel or slap the most X’s on a graphite blank, smoke and mirrors are aplenty. Just because a spool reads 9-strand, doesn’t mean it’s worth the tiny cardboard box it’s packaged in.

Fortunately, the fishing world has dependable and time-honored brands like XBRAID... Its parent company, Japan’s YGK, traces its lineage back to 1945 and the pioneering company’s first braided line to 1953 – spun threads for hand fishing. Over the decades, YGK has earned a reputation with anglers worldwide for producing the highest quality fishing lines, especially those sporting the XBRAID name. And now, the fishing line master craftsmen present XBRAID FULLDRAG X9, a technical and purposeful 9-carrier braided fishing line that surpasses all others.

Sizes and strengths below

Why 9-strand? DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin, explained.

“Believe it or not, 8-strand braids do have one Achilles Heel,” teased Martin. “Over time, especially when subjected to big fish after big fish, an 8-strand braid can flatten, which can create a weak spot that encourages fraying. Flattened line doesn’t lay as smoothly and evenly on a spool, either. And when casting, the damaged line has more surface area to rub against the guides and blank. That means more friction.”

On the other hand, XBRAID FULLDRAG X9 staunchly maintains roundness because of its novel 9-carrier construction. “It’s about how the 9 strands are configured rather than just the inclusion of one extra strand,” said Martin. “With XBRAID FULLDRAG X9, 8-carriers are wrapped with exactness around a center strand, which acts as the line’s inner core and fortifies the line’s longtime roundness.”

The rounder profile is also smoother and more compact, which reduces friction against the guides for quieter, longer, and more accurate casts. Moreover, stretching is further minimized, delivering heightened sensitivity for better bite detection and more effective hooksets. The tightly woven construction and high-quality fibers provide increased resistance to abrasion, too.

XBRAID FULLDRAG X9 FEATURES: