Hard Bull 8+

In lure fishing, the requirements for fishing lines are diverse.

The development of the HARDBULL8+ began in order to meet the high demands of a rod that can withstand a fight with a big fish, has the abrasion resistance to be used to confidently cast near structures where fish are likely to be, has trouble-free performance, and provides an exhilarating casting feel.

Through extensive material testing in the lab and numerous test fishing trips in real fishing environments, the wisdom of instructors and Shimano's technology were refined on-site.

As a result, its exceptional stiffness and resilience, which have the potential to overturn conventional wisdom about PE lines, deliver a fishing experience unlike any other PE line before.

And now, the HARDBULL8+, which will completely change the conventional perception of PE lines, is finally complete.

We compared the float from the spool of a baitcasting reel with that of a typical PE line.

The fact that it's less prone to getting tangled in guides is another major strength of the Hard Bull.

We want to reduce line troubles.

PE line is an indispensable part of today's fishing scene. It's no exaggeration to say that the evolution and widespread adoption of PE line has brought about the biggest changes in modern fishing tackle. Its linear strength sets it apart from nylon and fluorocarbon, which is why anglers can use smaller line sizes, and many have benefited from PE line's advantages such as increased casting distance and sensitivity. However, PE line is susceptible to abrasion, and there has been a demand for stronger PE line with higher abrasion resistance. Another issue was the time it takes to resolve line troubles when using PE line. What elements are necessary for PE line to withstand abrasion and be less prone to trouble? We concluded that one answer lies in stiffness and resilience. In fact, in actual fishing tests, we have felt the effect of suppressing backlash not only with spinning reels but also with the increasingly popular combination of baitcasting reels and PE line in recent years.

Features the powerful material "Spectra®"

HARDBULL8+ uses Honeywell's polyethylene yarn "Spectra®". This "Spectra®" is approximately 15 times stronger than steel and is used in applications where absolute strength is required, such as bulletproof vests and shipboard ropes. By using this material in PE lines, which are composed of countless fibers, each individual fiber is strengthened.

The reason Spectra fibers are suitable for the MX2 method lies in the thickness of the raw fibers. As shown in the diagram above, for PE lines of the same thickness, the fibers that make up the line are thicker than those in conventional PE lines. The thickness of the raw fibers contributes significantly to abrasion resistance.

The MX2 method forms a highly crystallized layer on the fiber surface of the PE line. Applying a silicone coating to the outermost layer makes it water-repellent and improves line handling.

We compared its underwater durability with that of a typical PE line. In an experiment where it was subjected to friction until it broke, it showed approximately three times the durability.

Since fishing lines abrade underwater, we focused heavily on developing abrasion resistance not only in air but also underwater. One solution to this is the combination of the aforementioned material "Spectra" and manufacturing method "MX2". Please experience the abrasion resistance for yourself during actual fishing.

Anglers who want to make accurate casts and fight aggressively around structures.
Anglers who want to minimize line trouble as much as possible
Anglers who target the bottom precisely
Anglers who haven't yet found the right PE line to use with baitcasting reels.
Big baiters using PE line
Overseas expedition anglers who pursue exotic fish such as peacock bass, snakehead, barramundi, and Papuan bass.

While superior linear strength and sensitivity are privileges of PE lines, "minimal trouble" cannot be ignored when aiming for comfortable fishing. Conventional PE lines are soft, and in strong crosswinds, they slacken considerably, making it difficult to drop the jig smoothly, and they have been a source of trouble with tangling in the guides during casting. Hardbull 8+, with its moderate stiffness and resilience, solved all of these problems for me at once. A stiffer line is less prone to backlash and tangling in the guides, and even in some wind, you can drop the jig straight. However, if the line is too stiff, it interferes with the movement of the jig, making it difficult to perform operations such as twitching to make the jig dart quickly or taking up a lot of line slack to make it bounce. In development, we were conscious of what level of stiffness is best. The stiffness of the completed Hardbull 8+ is exquisite. The jig responds well to rod movements, and when the jig falls, the line follows the sinking jig as if being sucked in. The improved abrasion resistance means you can use even thinner lines with confidence. Previously, I often recommended 0.8号 (size 0.8) to beginners to prevent line abrasion, but with Hardbull 8+, it's a good idea to try 0.6号 (size 0.6) right from the start.

With the increasing use of large lures these days, the situations in which baitcasting tackle is used in offshore fishing have also increased. Wind is an inevitable part of offshore fishing. Wind is a major enemy of baitcasting tackle, especially in headwinds, as it causes unnecessary slack in the line, making it easy for the line to get tangled in the guides, reducing casting distance and frequently causing problems such as backlashes. Until now, anglers had to rely on spinning tackle in strong winds, but with the release of Hardbull 8+, it has become possible to use baitcasting tackle without worrying about the wind. The stiff Hardbull 8+ releases smoothly from the spool, allowing you to cast lures cleanly without their trajectory being disrupted by the wind. Being able to cast full into the wind is a big advantage. It's amazing how much casting performance can be improved by a line. This difference is especially noticeable with big lures that have a lot of air resistance. Another thing is that the line itself is highly durable and frays very little. Line is an item that gets used particularly hard, but with this, you can use it with peace of mind for a long time. The thread's perfect balance of being neither too stiff nor too soft makes it a great match for both baitcasting reels and spinning reels.

The biggest advantage I see in PE line is its "strength." Because it allows for thinner lines at the same strength, I'd ideally wanted to use PE line for all my tackle, but that wasn't possible until now. Why? Because most conventional PE lines are soft, and especially with baitcasting tackle, they often get tangled in the guides, and if you get a backlash, it's a real pain to untangle. For someone like me, Hardbull 8+ is a long-awaited PE line. Hardbull 8+ has a stiff texture, making it easy to handle and less prone to backlash. Even if you do get a backlash, it only slackens slightly, making it easy to fix. Until now, I've mainly used PE line for lure fishing, but with the arrival of Hardbull 8+, I can now actively use PE line in other types of fishing that involve manipulating the line. Hardbull 8+ has extremely high abrasion resistance, so you can cast it aggressively around structures like laydowns and submerged logs. Even those who have given up on the combination of baitcasting tackle and PE line due to frequent problems should definitely try Hardbull 8+. You'll surely be amazed by its evolution.