Summer/Fall 2006

Reviewed By: Capt. Skip Montello

Line and Lure Saltwater Line Conditioner

Introduction

(RMR Industries info)

Visit their web site: Line and Lure

Line and Lure Saltwater Conditioner is designed to improve the performance of all types of fishing lines. Adding yards to your casts, reduces casting effort, and virtually eliminates the frustrations associated with backlash and line twist. Line and Lure Conditioner leaves no oily residue and it doesn’t make a mess on your tackle or hands like other silicone treatments, resulting in more accurate casts with increased distance. Line and Lure Saltwater Conditioner repels salt contamination, corrosion, and sun damage from rods, reels, and tackle. No matter what line you use: mono, fluorocarbon, or braid, you will cast farther with less effort and your line will last much longer with fewer wind knots, backlashes, and tangles. To learn more about RMR Industries Line and Lure Conditioner visit their website at RMR Industries’ chemist Isaac Moore stated, “Line and Lure Saltwater Formula not only allows you to cast up to 30% farther, but also greatly reduces line memory which in turn makes your casting more accurate. All this adds up to anglers catching more fish, more consistently.” Adding, “Line and Lure Saltwater Formula also protects your fishing line and equipment from UV radiation and salt corrosion. The hi-tech polymers in Line and Lure’s “super slick” formulation protects your fishing line from abrasion and therefore, keeps your line in “like new condition “ much longer allowing the line to retain its original strength and softness. The last thing you want to happen is for your line to break because of deterioration or friction damage, resulting in another fish story of how “the big one got away

First Impressions

I received an 8 oz sample of Line and Lure Saltwater formula in July of 06 to evaluate. Based on the manufacturer’s claims, I set up a series of tests that would enable me to empirically measure the products performance. The characteristics I tested were; casting and line handling, corrosion control and longevity/durability of the applied formula on various fishing lines, rods and reel surfaces.

On the Water Testing

Casting and Line Handling Performance: I set up two spinning reels, one with new 10 lb monofilament and the other with new 30 lb gel spun. The two reels were set up to cast on a single 7’ 6” med action spinning rod. Rather than risk getting the new lines wet and dirty, I set out for the local football field and conducted a casting distance evaluation. The wind was for the most light and variable, ideal for testing. I tipped the monofilament filled reel with a 1 ½ oz plug (hooks removed) and made several casts. I marked the locations with a stake and walked off the distance. I repeated the test with the gel spun filled reel. The data was collected. I then applied L&L directly to the spools as directed in the info packet and allowed the liquid to penetrate and dry (approx two hours). I repeated the testing scenario for both lines and recorded the data. The reels/ lines treated with the L&L produced casts that were, in the best case 15% farther than the untreated test scenario. So for a 160 foot cast, I added an additional 24 feet. I observed no difference in line handling; line twists or other. Next up was a fly line. I chose a fresh out of the box 400 grain weight compensated line. I spooled up the line and mounted the reel on a 10 wt fast action 9 foot rod and headed for the football field. The wind was light and variable. I tipped the 6 foot leader with a hook-less fly (that I normally use to test fly lines and rods with) and proceeded to make several casts. I placed a stake at each “landing” and walked off the distance. I then applied the L&L directly to the line using an applicator cloth that was soaked with L&L. This is the method that is typically used with other fly line dressings. I allowed the fly line to dry on the grass for 15 minutes and then retrieved the line back on to the fly reel. I repeated the casting scenario and collected the test data. In this case, the cast distance achieved was only slightly better than the untreated line, at best 5% or 4-5 feet. It should be pointed out that a fresh out of the box “state of the art” fly line has a surface finish that contains embedded polymers that reduce friction. So I was not disappointed or surprised at the result. As with the other fishing lines I observed no difference in line handling, again no surprise as new fly lines usually handle well in these ideal conditions. The true test for the L&L Saltwater conditioner would be on the water, where wind and saltwater add reality! So, a few days later I set out on the water with two spinning reels set up with virgin gel spun and monofilament lines (same lines as in the field test above). Each reel was matched to identical 7’ 6” spinning rods and tipped with the 1 ½ oz plug from the field test. I anchored up approximately 200 feet from the beach with a cross wind of 10 -15 mph. I made several casts with each line and noted the approximate distance of the cast relative to the beach front. I then made the same number of casts with the L&L treated lines from the field tests and noted the distance from the beach front. The cast distance difference was about 15 feet longer as compared to the untreated lines. Next, I wanted to determine whether or not casting and retrieving (water immersion and abrasion from the rod guides) of the treated lines would impact the integrity of the L&L coating. After 20 -25 casts, I clearly noted that the monofilament line casting distance had reduced to a level consistent with the untreated line. The gel spun casting distance also reduced after 40-45 casts. To convince myself of this observation, I repeated casting the untreated lines for a fair comparison. Within a reasonable margin of error all lines were casting about the same distance. It would appear that the L&L line conditioner coating was wearing and or washing away with use. This finding was not surprising since the L&L info literature stated that continued application of the conditioner was required to maintain the “super slick” surface. Also, I did not observe any line handling (line twisting) issues one way or other with the treated or untreated lines. For the fly line, I decided not to test the virgin fly line since I did not note any real advantage in the field test, rather, I set up a test using an older fly line that had pretty much lost its factory slick surface. I first cast the line as is and then cloth dried the line and applied a generous amount of L&L line conditioner to the fly line. I let the fly line dry on the boat deck for ½ an hour before spooling it back up on the reel. The L&L treated fly line behaved much better. Casting distance was improved on average, 15 feet with fewer line tangles than the untreated line. Again this finding was not surprising since many other “fly line conditioners” would also improve an older lines performance. But as with the “other” conditioners that I have used, they all wear/wash off after continued use and need to be re-applied frequently to maintain any advantage. To determine the effectiveness of L&L conditioner as an “anti-corrosion” and UV blocker agent requires considerable time and testing to offer a reasonable assessment. The only assessment that I can offer is one of properly rinsing your rod, reel and line spool in fresh water after each use and applying L&L between uses. I have set aside some equipment that I have treated with L&L and will compare to other equipment that has only been fresh water rinsed.

On the Bench Testing

I wanted to determine the water solubility of L&L Saltwater conditioner. I set up a series of “bench tests” and added equal amounts of L&L to both freshwater and saltwater to observe their solubility behavior. The L&L was completely miscible and soluble in fresh water and somewhat less so in saltwater (see photo). Secondly, I spread (coated) L&L on to a clear plastic surface and let it dry for an hour. The dried L&L coating was slightly milky in appearance (by eye) after drying (the milky appearance is barely visible in the bottom photo). I then placed the treated plastic in a room temperature glass of freshwater and swirled it for 20 seconds. I removed the treated sample and allowed it to air dry. The slightly milky appearance had completely vanished, validating its water soluble nature (see photo). Again no surprise since the on the water testing revealed the same characteristic.

Mixed 1:1 with salt and fresh water

Test sample, rinsed (top), control sample,(bottom) not rinsed;note slightly milky area

Conclusion

The real advantage of L&L Saltwater conditioner over many others on the market is the cost/ oz (and application). L&L costs about $2/ oz where as most others are in the $3-6/ oz price range. The L&L is a good choice of line and other surface conditioner, but understand that frequent applications are necessary to realize the stated effectiveness.