YGK X-Braid Upgrade X8 – 8-Strand Japanese Braided Fishing Line

In my opinion, the YGK X-Braid Upgrade X8 is quite simply one of the finest braided fishing lines available anywhere in the world.

I've used an awful lot of different braids over the years, fishing both here in Jersey and overseas, and this is the braid I choose for my own fishing. I could use pretty much any braid on the market, but I keep coming back to YGK X-Braid Upgrade.

Now, I always tell customers that choosing braid is a very personal thing. What suits one angler might not suit another, and there's no single braid that everybody will agree is the best. However, having used this braid extensively myself, I genuinely believe the YGK X-Braid Upgrade range is as good as it gets.

Manufactured in Japan, X-Braid Upgrade X8 is an exceptionally smooth, tightly woven 8-strand PE braid. Its fine diameter, excellent casting characteristics and sensitivity make it particularly well suited to modern lure fishing, where line control and direct contact with your lure are so important.

Whether you're working a soft plastic close to the bottom, twitching a hard lure across shallow ground or casting larger lures at powerful tropical fish, this is a braid that gives you confidence in your tackle.

Why I Rate YGK X-Braid Upgrade X8

• Japanese 8-strand construction – a tightly woven, smooth braid designed for excellent casting performance.

• Fine diameter for its strength – helps with casting distance, line capacity and reducing water resistance.

• Excellent sensitivity – allowing you to feel subtle takes, lure movement and contact with the bottom.

• Smooth through the rod rings – particularly noticeable when casting lighter lures.

• Excellent line control – an important consideration when fishing soft plastics and working hard lures.

• High-visibility green colour – useful for watching your line and detecting subtle movements.

• GP processing technology – designed to improve the braid's surface finish and overall performance.

Mick's Tip – The Braid I Actually Fish With

I don't just sell this braid, I use it myself, both at home and abroad.

PE#1.0 ~ 22lb – Inshore Soft Lure Fishing

This is my choice for fishing soft plastics around Jersey. Whether I'm working worms, sandeels or other soft lures, I want a braid that casts beautifully and gives me direct contact with what's happening at the other end.

PE#1.5 ~ 30lb – Inshore Hard Lures and Shads

For my hard lure and shad fishing around Jersey, I step up to the 30lb. It's an excellent all-round choice for the sort of bass fishing I enjoy, particularly when fishing around rougher ground.

PE#2.5 ~ 45lb – Light Tropical Fishing

When I'm fishing in Panama, I use the 45lb Upgrade X8 on my light tropical setup, paired with my Tenryu Red Light rod rated 40-100g. It's a fantastic combination for throwing lures at the powerful fish we encounter over there.

I have enormous confidence in this braid, and that's something you only really develop after spending plenty of time fishing with a product.

My advice? Don't choose braid purely by the breaking strain printed on the spool. Think about your rod, reel, the lures you're casting and the ground you're fishing over.

There are plenty of excellent braided lines available, but for my own fishing, YGK X-Braid Upgrade X8 remains my first choice.