Good advice,with the JB I am sure that the 100lb is actually thinner than the 80lb so bare that in mind if you go heavier than 60lb.

 

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I got mine through swordfish steve, I went for 100lb over 80 as the 100lb is thinner.

 

I've been splicing my top water leaders now for a while. Cast like a dream. Practically indestructible. Whipping the end does nothing to hold it together, it simply stops the braid from unravelling at the end.

 

Using JB 100lb hollow with 100lb Suffix leader. I only insert the leader about 25cm into the braid and it will not pull out, even without whipping. Have tested it to destruction several times.

 

Only problem with JB is that it gets harder to work with after it has been used a while. It is very hard to open up to let the splicing needle inside, hence why I'm only getting about 25cm in.

 

Some other brands are much easier to work with. I have played with Power Pro Hollow Ace and TufLine Guides Choice. Both of these are much easier to splice with.

Myself and friends have had issues with splicing JB in the past but found most of these were down to poor splicing technique. If done incorrectly the braid will tighten up soon after beginning the splice and be impossible to continue. 

May sound stupid but try pushing the braid over the needle, not the needle through the braid. Have done all manner of splice connections in #40 through 130#JB and never had any probs since doing this, no matter how well used the braid is.

if it's not binding but just tight try running a smaller needle without anything attached up through the braid to loosen it before performing the splice

The ratioanle for JB 100 over 80 might be spool capacity with the JB 100 having a smaller diameter

0.457 for 80 where as 0.433 for the 100.

 

the 100lb jb hollow is thinner diameter than the 80lb other brand I had previously and it casts really well.

 

its really good stuff.

I dont know what application Johno has in mind?

Personally speaking I have a few different rigs for different jobs. From what I gather a lot of acomplished anglers who regularly target big fish use P.E 10, but I do hear what ya saying regarding the merits of using a line with a breaking strain well above what the rod and reel can handle.

I've been using hollow braid for a couple of years now and am convinced it is the way to go. Splicing produces the best braid to leader connection possible. 100% knot strength. Awesome for casting and much easier than tying FG or PR knots. That whipping technique Tony mentioned above is even simpler again.

 

Also, the ability to top shot if you happen to loose some braid is another huge avantage over solid braid. I'm really surprised the jigging fraternity haven't cottoned onto it quite as much.

 

One thing that is surprising is the lack of uptake in NZ of Hollow Braid. Very few retailers / Distributors stock it. I am told that Composite Developments are actually dropping the Tuf Line Guides Choice from their product range. Why on earth Douglas Johnson doesn't distribute the Power Pro Hollow Ace here is a mystery to me. It is only marginally earer than the normal Power Pro overseas. And the retailers wonder why so many fishos buy tackle off overseas internet retailers. 

JB100 hollow is a 12 carrier braid whereas the 80lb hollow is 16 carrier.  This is the reason why 80lb is slightly thicker than 100lb hollow and is easier to splice than any of the 12 carrier hollow braids.  80lb hollow is also more expensive.

 

 

The main reason why it is not available through NZ retailers is because US retailers are buying directly from JB and are happy with small profit margins.   NZ retailers simply cannot compete.