The subject of today’s in-depth review is Yo-Zuri’s Hybrid. This line is a co-polymer that uses a patented fluorocarbon/nylon technology that claims to make the line both waterproof and UV proof. So before we get it on the water, we’ll start with a short discussion of why you would want something like this over some other alternatives.
We all know that mono has certain characteristics that can be a pain.
To begin with, they absorb water. Yup, they sure do, although today’s mono’s are vastly improved over older lines, they are still absorbent. Mono’s also stretch.
This makes them a good choice for some applications where you want the fish to have a little more time to take the bait all the way into their mouths but can be a detriment when it comes time to set the hook or on a long cast. Monofilament lines have good abrasion resistance but here again, once it gets saturated, any little nick in the line can cause a break-off.
Copolymers
Co-polymers effectively address the drawbacks of mono through using more than one monomer in the extrusion process. They tend to have less stretch, are more impervious to the elements, tend to be less visible, usually are smoother, have somewhat better knot strength, better abrasion resistance and will serve the angler in more situations than mono.
However, they too have their drawbacks. They can be harder to handle, have more line memory, tend to sink somewhat and can be more expensive. The kicker in all this is the quality of materials used. Like most things, you’re going to get what you pay for.
Yo-Zuri Hybrid uses nylon and fluorocarbon monomers in their manufacturing process to produce a line that is a good all-around choice for anglers.
We obtained the 15 pound test just to see how it performs with a good variety of lures including, but not limited to, top-water plugs, jigs, swim-jigs, swimbaits, heavier cranks and even un-weighted soft plastics. We’ve been throwing this line on casting gear as well as spinning gear. So how does it measure up?
Fishing With Yo-Zuri Hybrid Line
It is now early August and the top-water bite is just getting hot here in So-Cal. We make very long casts cause we also have a lot of slop on the surface of the lakes. You have to be able to put the wood to the fish when they hit and the Yo-Zuri has been up to the task.
It hasn’t negatively affected the action of any of the plugs that we’ve thrown which was a concern we had. The other part of the equation is setting the hook on long casts followed by dragging a fish through slop. We have been pleasantly surprised by the line in both respects.
When it comes to the sensitivity of the line, the Yo-Zuri has proven to be well above average. Possibly due to the fluoro element in the line the Hybrid aids the angler in their ability to feel what’s going on with their lure during a retrieve.
Where this was real apparent was fishing medium to deep-diving cranks. There is a noticeable heightened sense of the lures movement underwater as well as when it comes into contact with obstructions. Let’s face it, the more you can feel with your hands, the better off you are in most situations.
In the time that we’ve been testing the line, we have deliberately run it into, through and over all kinds of submerged obstructions. We did this ‘cause that’s where the fish hang out and we wanted to test its abrasion resistance. The Hybrid has shown itself to be pretty dog gone tough. Yes, you can put nicks in the line but it will take a lot of abuse that some other lines just wouldn’t be able to handle.
Knot strength has been a non-issue with the Yo-Zuri. Once you lock it down, it ain’t goin’ anywhere. On top of that, this line is good and slick so tying a variety of knots is easy.
Conclusion
While we haven’t had the line for a full season, we haven’t experienced any noticeable breakdown. The Hybrid continues to perform as though it were new trip after trip. This is not to say that it hasn’t developed some memory over that same period but nothing horrendous. If anything, it is less than the majority of lines in this segment.
The Yo-Zuri has acquitted itself very well as an all-around line. The versatility of lures and techniques that can be used with this line will cover most of your fishing requirements. So from the stand point of an all-around, every day line, the Hybrid really does shine.
| Yo-Zuri Hybrid Line, Copolymer | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |   |
| Fantastic everyday line for most fishing situations | |
See ya’ on the water …