COLUMBIA, S.C.– In today’s age of angling, advances in technology are now allowing anglers to locate fish more readily and interact with them in more ways than ever before. With the utilization of forward-facing sonar more anglers are increasing their usage of “finesse techniques”, which require baits that are much smaller in presentation. The challenge for the angler then becomes how to cast farther and with more precision so they can get their baits where they need to be, when they need to be there.

The faster anglers get their bait into the strike zone, the more they increase their chances at getting a fish to bite. To do so, anglers must have a capable rod, reel, the right bait, and often overlooked – the right line. Current conventional braided lines have limitations in smoothness, sensitivity, sink rate, and casting distance which can pose some challenging hurdles for anglers utilizing many finesse techniques.

Until now.

Introducing the all-new Berkley FORWARD Braid. Purpose-built and optimized for use with forward-facing sonar by the team at Berkley Labs, FORWARD Braid’s proprietary technology provides the angler with a new tool that overcomes common pain points experienced when using forward-facing sonar – casting distance, sensitivity and sink rate. With Berkley FORWARD Braid anglers now have complete control of how they present their bait to fish.

FORWARD Braid’s unique longitudinal construction differs from standard braided line in that it is smooth and round in shape allowing for zero resistance when traveling through the guides of a rod, thus providing the angler with optimal castability. Where traditional braided lines flatten out, FORWARD Braid keeps its shape through the guides giving anglers using forward-facing sonar the ability to cast farther, placing their bait right where they want it at the right time, without any resistance.

Sink rate and sensitivity are also key concerns for many FFS anglers. The smaller diameters offered with FORWARD Braid allow it to cut through the water column faster, getting smaller, finesse-style baits to the fish faster. An additional, unique benefit of FORWARD Braid’s proprietary longitudinal design is that it reduces fiber crossover to increase sensitivity and provide a stronger, more direct signal back to the angler when compared to standard woven braid.

“Anglers use specific tools to accomplish specific tasks that optimize their catch rate on the water,” said Berkley’s Director of Global Fishing Line Research and Development, Joe Meyer. “We needed to create a product that gives the angler complete control of their baits and allows them to cast ultralight baits effortlessly a long distance. Our new FORWARD Braid does exactly that for the angler. Here at Berkley, we pride ourselves in being the industry leaders in science and in true innovation for angling technology. Being purpose built for FFS finesse techniques, this line casts far, effortlessly and accurately. It’s proprietarily constructed to be smoother and more sensitive, and the smaller diameter cuts through the water column to help smaller baits get to the fish faster. This allows anglers to dial in how they present their baits on FFS better than they ever have before.”

Berkley Labs continues to lead the industry and the development of products specifically designed for use with forward-facing sonar with the introduction of Berkley FORWARD Braid. Scientifically tested in the lab and proven on the water, FORWARD Braid is the premier line solution for FFS anglers looking to make the most out of every cast.

Key Features – FORWARD Braid
• The longitudinal construction provides additional advantages compared to conventional braid:
- Higher sensitivity due to reducing the fiber crossover which increases the signal back to the angler
- Maintains the line’s cross section integrity allowing for longer casts and more longevity over time
- Smaller diameters and weight ratios that create less wind resistance when casting a lure
- Ability to pack more line onto a reel
• Colors: Lo-vis Green • Crystal • Flame Green
• Spool sizes: 150-yards • 1,500-yards
• Pound tests: 150-yards (4 – 17-pound test) • 1,500-yards (8 – 17-pound test)

MSRP: $29.99 – $299.99
Available: November 2024

To learn more about Berkley Fishing, click here.

For an exclusive look at the Berkley FORWARD braid and the entire lineup of new offerings from Pure Fishing, please consider joining Berkley and the rest of the Pure Fishing brands for an exclusive preview of its New Product Showcase entries at On the Water from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) North Building Ponds. Also join us at the Pure Fishing press conference in Room S310 A-B of the OCCC, at 3:30 p.m. to view the new products and hear directly from Pure Fishing executives and product developers. And finally, please consider voting for the Berkley FORWARD braid in the Fishing Line category at the ICAST New Product Showcase starting Tuesday, July 16. For more information about Berkley, click.

About Pure Fishing
Pure Fishing is a collection of the world’s favorite fishing brands. Every day, all around the world, someone experiences the joy of catching a fish with one of our products. From gear for epic battles at sea to a relaxing day with family at the lake, our portfolio includes the most recognized and admired brands in fishing tackle, lures, rods, reels and storage. Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, DAM®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Frabill®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Madcat®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Prologic®, Savage Gear®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik® and Van Staal®.