Rumor has it that the J in Daiwa J Braid stands for jail. More often than not, fish hooked with J Braid end up going in the slammer. While there’s absolutely no truth to the first claim, the second statement is backed up by fact. There’s a lot to cover so scroll on through. Whether your interest lies in the x8 Grand, the original x8, or the x4 strand, all the detail are in the following review.
Daiwa J Braid PE Fishing Lines
Product: Daiwa J Braid x8 – Daiwa J Braid x8 Grande – Daiwa J Braid x4
Overall Ranking: x8 – 88 out of 100 | x8 Grand – 91 out of 100 | x4 – 85 out of 100
Price: Mid to a high middle range.
Owner/Company: Globeride, Inc.
Website: Daiwa.com.
Intro To Daiwa J Braid Fishing Lines
Almost every angler alive knows the Daiwa name to be synonymous with fishing gear. From coast to coast, fishermen turn to Daiwa for their saltwater reels and offshore rods. Offshore anglers are well aware of their 8-carrier J Braid line, as they’ve been using it for years.
Due to popular demand, Daiwa made the later decision to add the 4-carrier J Braid. Though the 8-strand features a smoother profile and the 4-strand is thinner, both use the strength of Dyneema fibers. But that is now changing!
With the new introduction of Daiwa J Braid x8 Grand, Daiwa will no longer be using Dyneema. As the parent company of the polyethylene material, Toyobo will discontinue the Dyneema TradeMark and switch to the IZANAS TM. What does this mean?
You can read about IZANAS for more info, but the x8 Grand offers an improved braided line. The stronger molecular makeup of the new IZANAS material gives more body to the braid. It has a better lay on the reel spool and enhanced abrasion resistance.
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Daiwa J Braid Spools, Specs, & Features
Spools By Color, Test, & Length
Daiwa J Braid x8
The original Daiwa J Braid x8 comes in spools of Dark Green, Chartreuse, White, and Multi-Color. Choose from filler or bulk spools in tests starting as low as 6-pounds, and up to 150. Spools come in lengths of 165, 330, 2735 (for 150 lb tests), and 3300 yards. Check below for full details:
Filler Spools
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- 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, & 65 LB Test x 165 & 330 Yards: Dark Green or Chartreuse
- 30, 40, 50, & 65 LB Test x 330 Yards: White
- 80 LB Test x 330 Yards: Dark Green, Chartreuse, or White
- 100 & 120 LB Test x 330 Yards: Dark Green or White
Bulk Spools
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- 6, 8, 10, 15, & 20 LB Test x 3300 Yards: Dark Green or Chartreuse
- 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, & 120 LB Test x 3300 Yards: Dark Green, Chartreuse, or White
- 150 LB Test x 2735 Yards: Dark Green, Chartreuse, or White
Multi-Color Spools (Colors change every 10 meters)
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- 20, 30, 40, & 50 LB Test x 165 & 330 Yards: Filler Spools
- 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, & 120 LB Test x 3300 Yards: Bulk Spools
- 150 LB Test x 2735 Yards: Bulk Spool
J Braid x8 Grand
Daiwa offers their J Braid x8 Grand in filler and bulk spools. Choose from three different colors of Dark Green, Gray Light, or Island Blue. Line test ratings start as low as 6-pounds and go up to 150. Spools come in lengths of 150, 300, 2500, and 3000 yards. Check the list below for full details:
Filler Spools
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- 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, & 65 LB Test x 150 & 300 Yards: Dark Green, Gray Light, or Island Blue
- 80 LB Test x 300 Yards: Dark Green, Gray Light, or Island Blue
Bulk Spools
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- 6 & 8 LB Test x 3000 Yards: Dark Green or Gray Light
- 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, & 120 LB Test x 3000 Yards: Dark Green, Gray Light, or Island Blue
- 150 LB Test x 2500 Yards: Dark Green, Gray Light, or Island Blue
Daiwa J Braid x4
Daiwa manufactures the thinner 4-carrier J Braid in spools of Dark Green, Fluorescent Yellow, and Island Blue. Tests are available in filler and bulk spools between 6 to 80 Lbs. Choose from lengths of 150, 300, or 3000 yards. See the list below for complete details:
Filler Spools
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- 6 & 8 LB Test x 150 & 300 Yards: Dark Green or Fluorescent Yellow
- 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, & 80 LB Test x 150 & 300 Yards: Dark Green, Fluorescent Yellow, or Island Blue
Bulk Spools
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- 8, 10, & 15 LB Test x 3000 Yards: Dark Green or Fluorescent Yellow
- 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, & 80 LB Test x 3000 Yards: Dark Green, Fluorescent Yellow, or Island Blue
Specifications Of Daiwa J Braid
Daiwa J Braid x8 And x8 Grand
Though stronger and with heightened abrasion resistance, the newer Daiwa J Braid x8 Grand has the same diameter as the original x8. Daiwa provides the line diameters in inches and millimeters, as well as their mono equivalents.
- 6 LB: 0.10 (MM) 0.003 (IN) – 1.5 LB mono | 8 LB: 0.13 (MM) 0.005 (IN) – 2 LB mono
- 10 LB: 0.15 (MM) 0.006 (IN) – 2.5 pound mono | 15 LB: 0.19 (MM) 0.007 (IN) – 4 LB mono
- 20 LB: 0.23 (MM) 0.009 (IN) – 6 LB mono | 30 LB: 0.28 (MM) 0.011 (IN) – 8 LB mono
- 40 LB: 0.32 (MM) 0.013 (IN) – 10 LB mono | 50 LB: 0.36 (MM) 0.014 (IN) – 12 LB mono
- 65 LB: 0.41 (MM) 0.016 (IN) – 16 LB mono | 80 LB: 0.43 (MM) 0.017 (IN) – 20 LB mono
- 100 LB: 0.50 (MM) 0.020 (IN) – 25 LB mono | 120 LB: 0.55 (MM) 0.022 (IN) – 30 LB mono
- 150 LB: 0.66 (MM) 0.026 (IN) – 50 LB mono
Daiwa J Braid x4
Using only 4 strands of Dyneema, Daiwa J Braid x4 comes out thinner than its 8-strand brethren, Check the line tests in millimeters and inches, plus their monofilament comparisons below:
- 6 LB: 0.10 (MM) 0.003 (IN) – 1.5 LB mono | 8 LB: 0.13 (MM) 0.005 (IN) – 2 LB mono
- 10 LB: 0.17 (MM) 0.007 (IN) – 2.5 LB mono | 15 LB: 0.19 (MM) 0.008 (IN) – 4 LB mono
- 20 LB: 0.21 (MM) 0.008 (IN) – 6 LB mono | 30 LB: 0.25 (MM) 0.010 (IN) – 8 LB mono
- 40 LB: 0.29 (MM) 0.011 – 10 LB mono | 50 LB: 0.33 (MM) 0.013 (IN) – 12 LB mono
- 65 LB: 0.36 (MM) 0.014 (IN) – 16 LB mono | 80 LB: 0.42 (MM) 0.017 (IN) – 20 LB mono
Key Features
Strong Dyneema Or Ultra Abrasion Resistant Izanas Fiber
Whether you opt for the original Daiwa J Braid x4, x8, or the newer Grand, you receive the strength of an ungiving fiber. Daiwa may change over to Izanas fiber for all J Braids in the future. For now, the x4 and the x8 use the high-strength of polyethylene Dyneema fiber.
Splurging for the Daiwa J Braid x8 Grand gives anglers access to a newer, stronger fiber material. Using the same tight weave but with Izanas on the carriers more than doubles the abrasion resistance of the braid. Add 3 points to the development team over at Daiwa!
Tight Weave With 4 Or 8 Strands
Though the 4-strand weave of the Daiwa J Braid x4 has a rougher profile, anglers benefit from its thinner diameter. Especially in higher line tests, the reduction in diameter can add precious yards to your reel spool. Daiwa J Braid x8 or x8 Grand have a smoother profile. The weave has fewer edges and a more circular shape.
Using a tight weave helps to smooth out the profiles of both 4 and 8-strand braids. It uses more material as there are more weaves (pics) per inch. Besides having a smoother profile, tightly woven braids reduce friction on the line guides and have a longer lifespan.
Soft & Supple Untreated Braid
While many anglers prefer the Enhanced Body Technology of Power Pro or the Fluoropolymer Treatment of SpiderWire Stealth, others like a limp feel. Daiwa J Braid goes without a fiber treatment process resulting in a softer supple line. Limp braid can be tougher to tie with, especially when wet. As a general rule, however, it performs better on spinning reels than with baitcasters.
Super Sensitive Non-Elastic Line
Like all quality polyethylene lines, Daiwa J Braid doesn’t stretch. You’ll feel every bite down to the smallest nibbles with J Braid. The strength and sensitivity of braid don’t come without drawbacks. Be certain to tune in your drag or suffer the fate of pulled hooks. Watch out for nasty under wraps on your conventional reel and practice your casting.
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Pros & Cons Of Daiwa J Braid
Pros
The Daiwa J Braid series offers affordability in comparison to many name brand lines. With almost no memory, J Braid lines perform best on the spools of spinning reels. That limp quality holds better on an upright spool and isn’t as prone to forming wind knots.
Though braided fishing lines that use a treatment process are slicker and better for inline casting, Daiwa J Braid is still a quality product. All three offerings in the series use high-quality materials and a superior design. Their tight-knit weaves offer more pics per inch, adding to durability and reducing abrasion.
Cons
That same limp characteristic that lends itself perfectly to spinning reels isn’t preferable for use with inline reels. Treated braids tend to offer a touch of memory, which can aid in casting and reduce bird’s nests. Daiwa makes no mention of any color lock technology and the new line may bleed. A good soak before use may be in order if this is the case. Line digging can also be more of an issue with untreated braids.
Best Uses / Fishing Applications
As mentioned, the best use for Daiwa J Braid is on a spinning reel. It’s not a bad idea to use it for filler with monofilament on top. Besides the reel considerations, any choice in the series follows the main attributes of braided line. They offer strength with a smaller diameter that leads to more line on the spool. If you fish open water conditions, extra length sure helps.
As with other quality braids, the series of J Braid lines are ultra sensitive and abrasion resistant. If you cut through growth, the added molecular strength of Izanas fiber makes Daiwa J Braid x8 Grand an excellent choice. J Braid lines are also quiet and cast without a noisy disturbance.
Daiwa Customer Service
Though Daiwa doesn’t extend the same warranty on their braids that they do on their rods and reels, they do offer superb customer service. You can find your nearest Authorized Warranty Center on their website along with their mailing addresses and phone numbers. Their technicians are happy to field questions or help in any way possible.
Tying Up The J Braid Review
88 out of 100 anglers approve of J Braid x8
91 out of 100 anglers approve of the x8 Grand
85 out of 100 anglers approve of J Braid x4
Each Daiwa J Braid gets its own score according to its useful application, cost, performance, and durability. The thinner x4 J Braid works well for lighter fresh or inshore saltwater applications. Offshore anglers might use it for extra length in backing due to its thin diameter. Daiwa J Braid x8 scores higher with its smoother profile, and the x8 Grand scores highest. Its superior abrasion resistance seals the deal.
If you have any questions about Daiwa J Braid or personal experiences to share, please don’t hesitate to use the comment section below. Til next time, wet hooks and tight lines!
Hello, so… if I’m reading this correctly, I shouldn’t be using the J-Braid on my Daiwa Bait casting Reels? I have 4 Tatula’s of different varieties. Please inform me as to which line I should go with. I fish primarily Lake St Clair in Michigan for Bass. I’m patiently awaiting your response. Thanks for Listening, Daniel J Scheppman
Hello Daniel. I wouldn’t say you shouldn’t be using the J braid on your baitcasters. More that the thin suppleness of the line lends itself better to spinning reels. You can use it as a backing on your baitcasters or fill up your spool with it. But a bad backlash can be impossible to clear, so be careful while casting.
I use both J braid and J braid grand on my bait casters. It’s my favorite braid for them. I really like the 30# test, any smaller and it tends to get knots and becomes a problem. I switched a buddy over to it as well. He was a mono only guy and he says he’s never going back because of the casting distance and the feel is unmatched. We fish in mostly brackish water targeting red drum, speckled trout, and flounder.
Sounds like you found the perfect match for your baitcasters with the conditions you fish. I yet to move from 15 pound PLine when fishing our local lagoons. Using the J braid for my lighter setups is next on my list.