Review: Yo-Zuri Hybrid 2024
BASSclary reply :
Yo-Zuri Hybrid review.
Info-
Sizes used – 8, 10, 12, 15
Intro-
Yo-Zuri hybrid is a line that’s very popular here on the Bass Resource boards. Now I’ve been here for a while, and sat here for far too long to have not tried it. I’ve recently acquired some varying line sizes for my personal fishing pleasure. I’ve been using Yo-Zuri very heavily for the past 2 months, and occasionally using mono and fluorocarbon lines for comparisons sake. Want to know what I thought?
Price-
First off, let me start off by saying the price on this product is superb. When you can buy 600 yds. for $13-20, that’s a deal you’ll never see with a Premium fluorocarbon, considering they run about $20 for 200 yds. For the price, it’s very easy to pick this line for an upgrade over mono, or a cheaper alternative for fluorocarbon lines.
Memory-
When I first peeled a few yards off of the spools, I could tell the memory on this line would not be a huge issue. However, when jumping from 12 to 15 lb. test, I felt there was a large jump in the memory of the product. I am very wary of going any higher than 15 lb., even with a nice dose of KVD L&L, the memory on the 15 lb. was just too much for my tastes, and many premium fluorocarbon lines have equal or less memory than this. But this is where it gets better folks, 12 lbs. and below are some very nice handling lines. Nice and supple, with relatively low memory compared to fluorocarbon lines. And once you put a couple sprays of KVD L&L on, the line really shines and comes to life.
Knot Strength-
Not much to say about it, except that I’ve never had a knot fail on me. And until I do, I can’t really rate a product on knot strength. I think it’s more about how good you are at tying knots, and the type of knot used. However, I used the Uni knot and snell exclusively.
Strength/Diameter-
If you want probably the best strength-to-diameter line out there (Other than Superlines), Yo-Zuri really takes the cake. The 12# line breaks at a whopping 19.5 lbs. on average, which is really just incredible. And lets not forget this is with a relatively average line diameter per the lines rated strength of 12 lb.
Sensitivity-
While this line is not a 100% fluoro, this line isn’t amazing in sensitivity, but I did not expect it to be other-worldly. When fishing bottom contact techniques, I could feel difference in bottom contour, and decipher cover; however it did take some feel and was not an instant recognition like I feel with a good Fluoro. But is it close? Yes. I thought the sensitivity was actually better than I thought it would be, considering its price tag. If you don’t want to spend $20 for a spool of line, this is your answer.
Lasting- Other than a few snags and hang-ups, I have had no need to change line on any of my reels. However, a few months isn’t all that much and I will see based on how it holds up, but so far, my expectations are very high.
Final thoughts-
I really enjoyed fishing this line in the various sizes, and I was pleasantly surprised by how this line performed. The memory was very respectable in the sizes under 15 lb., and the sensitivity was much more than I expected for the price tag of this line. However, for bottom contact techniques, I’ll still take a 100% fluoro line. What will I continue to use this line for? I really like it for moving baits, where a mono is traditionally used, but you want to use a fluoro for added depth and sensitivity. I found that for crank baits I really enjoyed using the 10# and the 12# for spinner baits. However, if you care about line sinking with top water, this line does. But I could care less If my line sinks on top water. Gives it a little different action 
Final Rating 8.5/10 – a BASSclary Writer’s Pick
The views expressed in this review are solely those of Collin Clary’s (BASSclary) and may or may not reflect those of BassResource staff and/or members.
iceintheveins reply :
Has anyone here fished the Yo Zuri Hybrid soft line?
LgMouthGambler reply :
Great review! I, myself, love this line. For the $ its hard to beat. Its strength is outstanding. I used to fish with only superlines, but realized that with this stuff I am plenty confident that I will not lose a fish. For example, I do a lot of Snakehead fishing down here. I usually use a 65# braid, or a 20# mono or fluoro. Well. I wanted to see what it would be like to try and fight one on my 50E with 12# YoZuri on my M action Claurs rod. This fish took me through lillypads, under heavy cover, around pipes, and the line never broke. Soo many times did I cringe thinking its going to break. I could hear the line being put to the test along the cover, sounding like a guitar string as it held up to the test. Now that I have that confidence again, I now fish the crap out my 50E, and challenge any fish to beat me!
00 mod reply :
Per RW, the resident expert on Yo-Zuri:
Both Yo-Zuri Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft
float. Technically, they are not buoyant
like a bobber or PFD, they will not rise
once submersed. However, the line "floats"
as a result of surface tension. The line
has absolutely no impact on weightless soft
plastics and it will not pull the nose of a
topwater lure down.
Jeff
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Hybrid has become my go to choice in lines. Sure I still experiment from time to time, but I usually come back. I was sold on the strength of it after watching Bassn Blvd pull on it as hard as he could to free a lipless crank from some bullrushes. Ended up having to bring the boat over to it and free it by hand.
As far as topwater goes, the line floats until the surface tension is broken. Then it sinks slowly. If you're having problems with it, rub a little wax on the last few feet of line. It'll float like a champ then. Mono will do the same thing, especially after its been fished enough to soak up a little water.
SausageFingers reply :
Nice review! Hybrid is a staple on all of my casting outfits.
craww reply :
Best overall line there is all things considered IMO.It excels at a lot of things, at a great price.
It will not pull the nose down on a topwater like 100% flouros.
NebraskaBasser reply :
On 5/15/2012 at 10:09 PM, SoFlaBassAddict said:As far as topwater goes, the line floats until the surface tension is broken. Then it sinks slowly. If you're having problems with it, rub a little wax on the last few feet of line. It'll float like a champ then. Mono will do the same thing, especially after its been fished enough to soak up a little water.
Wax? What wax are you putting on fishing line? Maybe the same stuff they put on fly lines to make them float??
Thanks!
Goose52 reply :
On 5/15/2012 at 12:26 PM, iceintheveins said:Has anyone here fished the Yo Zuri Hybrid soft line?
Yes! Great line with basically the same properties as regular YZ Hybrid. YZ does not have a tensile strength chart for the UltraSoft on it's web site so I don't know if it's as strong as the regular flavor...but it's plenty strong with good abrasion resistance...and VERY inexpensive. These 1 pound spools cost me about $25 each.
I use 6lb on spinning, 10lb on casting, and have a spool of 8lb to use on light-casting or heavy-spinning.
craww reply :
On 5/16/2012 at 12:27 AM, NebraskaBasser said:Wax? What wax are you putting on fishing line? Maybe the same stuff they put on fly lines to make them float??
Thanks!
Exactly.
shackman reply :
I just recently purchased some yo zuri hybrid in 12-15#... stripped fluoro off of 5 reels before a tournament because I didn't wanna have any reels with fluorocarbon with me so I would just fish this stuff...what I found was, low memory,smooth casting,strong,good abrasion resistance and almost as sensitive as the fluorocarbon that I had been using..It's good stuff!
only power-pro and yo zuri hybrid are on my rods now and in my opinion,that's all you need.
rubba bubba reply :
Welcome to 2003.
Ima Bass Ninja reply :
On 5/16/2012 at 2:49 AM, rubba bubba said:Welcome to 2003.
:laugh5: Thats funny right there!!!Seriously though , good right up and thanks for taking the time to post your results on here. I'm not gonna try and shoot holes in your review but i do disagree with some of the points made. Yo-zuri is some good stuff and i used it for years and never had a problem, so the line is good for what it is.
One thing i get confused about is why everyone seems to compare it to Flouro line? Its like comparing Apples and oranges to me. A better comparison would be to mono seeing as how it has more of the characteristics of mono. Just IMHO
fishinkeebs reply :
Good review. I have this line in several sizes and love it. For the price point its Great.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 5/16/2012 at 12:27 AM, NebraskaBasser said:Wax? What wax are you putting on fishing line? Maybe the same stuff they put on fly lines to make them float??
Thanks!
Old candle, chap stick, etc. Take your pick.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I must have got a bad spool. I bought a spool from TW about a month ago and it was some of the nastiest line I've used in a long time. I bought 10lb for my shakeyhead rod, you would have thought it was 17 from the amount of memory it had. Water was really clear and I could see it almost glowing below the surface for farther than I could see my bait. I fished it for about 3 hours and took it all back off and threw it all away, very disappointing. I tried it because a lot of guys on here swear by it but I won't be risking getting another spool of it anytime soon.
hatrix reply :
On 5/16/2012 at 10:47 AM, Bluebasser86 said:I must have got a bad spool. I bought a spool from TW about a month ago and it was some of the nastiest line I've used in a long time. I bought 10lb for my shakeyhead rod, you would have thought it was 17 from the amount of memory it had. Water was really clear and I could see it almost glowing below the surface for farther than I could see my bait. I fished it for about 3 hours and took it all back off and threw it all away, very disappointing. I tried it because a lot of guys on here swear by it but I won't be risking getting another spool of it anytime soon.
I think line conditioner is a must. I forgot to get some originally and any imperfection in my cast or the wind made it tuff to deal with. Once it started it was hard to clear before it hit the water. I found my self constantly swinging my arm after it landed to get those last loops out. I found some off brand stuff and wal-fart and after using it the game had changed. It stayed tight to the spool and I was whipping baits easily. I picked up 15 and 8 # and the 8 worked flawless on spinning with conditioner. I never tried spinning with out conditioner only casting. I think I am going to give 12# a try and see how that goes. It is dirt cheap and outrageously stong. I tried to break it and couldn't I ended up pulling the boat in against the wind.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 5/16/2012 at 8:24 PM, hatrix said:I think line conditioner is a must. I forgot to get some originally and any imperfection in my cast or the wind made it tuff to deal with. Once it started it was hard to clear before it hit the water. I found my self constantly swinging my arm after it landed to get those last loops out. I found some off brand stuff and wal-fart and after using it the game had changed. It stayed tight to the spool and I was whipping baits easily. I picked up 15 and 8 # and the 8 worked flawless on spinning with conditioner. I never tried spinning with out conditioner only casting. I think I am going to give 12# a try and see how that goes. It is dirt cheap and outrageously stong. I tried to break it and couldn't I ended up pulling the boat in against the wind.
If it really is a limp, easy handling line it shouldn't need line conditioner though, especially in a 10lb test. The stuff I got was seriously like trying to fish 17lb fluoro on a spinning reel with a shakeyhead.
roadwarrior reply :
Nice review!
After experimenting with a number of lines for the past 18 months, I'm back to Yo-Zuri
for almost everything except my jig rod, The Rig and jerkbaits. I recommend #6 for
spinning tackle; #12 for baitcasting gear. I ALWAYS us KVD Line & Lure Conditioner.
bassin is addicting reply :
so the Ultra soft doesn't have the same lb test rating? ie. 6lb = 11.9 strength
BuckyKat reply :
On 5/16/2012 at 12:36 AM, Goose52 said:Yes! Great line with basically the same properties as regular YZ Hybrid. YZ does not have a tensile strength chart for the UltraSoft on it's web site so I don't know if it's as strong as the regular flavor...but it's plenty strong with good abrasion resistance...and VERY inexpensive. These 1 pound spools cost me about $25 each.
Printed one quite a few months ago from www.thelongfin.com, just looked and they still show it but in looking at the tables under both Hybrid and Ultra the specs appear to be the same.
Hammer 4 reply :
I have been using Yozuri Ultrasoft for about the last 2 yrs. I have tried others, including Izorline, and the ever popular fluro lines. In the end, I'm back to Yozuri. I might mention that I do a bunch of salt water bay fishing from my float tube, and target Spotted Bay Bass. On both of my set ups, 1 being a baitcaster and the other a spinning rig, both are set up with 8 lb ultra soft, even pitching in around docks, rocks and muscles, this line has proven to be a winner even with the semi toothy fish. I have less break offs then my friend who uses 10 lb Izorline xxx.
The bad part is, I wasted so much $$$ on the other lines that I could have almost bought a decent reel..lol Also re; line conditioner, according to the Yozuri reps, no line conditioner can penetrate this line, so while it may leave a temporary coating on it, it does little else to loosen the line up. If you have a spool with a lot of memory in it, it's likely an old spool, I have run across that before with some 15lb on a 300 yd spool.
I'm back to buying filler spools, seems the line is fresh and I haven't had any issues in the last year, I also get all my line from the Long Fin here in so. cali..you can order it online.
hatrix reply :
Well I used it quite a few times now and I thought it was good but I am very fond of braid. One thing that was weird was how it floats and sinks at the same time. I could feel it sink and it seemed similar to when a fish grabs your bait as soon as it hits the water. I think in the end braid will always be my preferred line of choice. I like the line and still have reels spooled with it but I don't see it becoming my go to for line. I am some what biased from using braid for so long and for me braid can't really be beat for how I like to fish.
Zeeso reply :
How does this line stretch? Is it a co-polymer line? I was using P-Line Fluoroclear for a while but got turned off of it when I had some issues with it. I then witnessed a fishing buddy have the exact same issues, and figured that it must be a common problem. I am looking for a line that has less stretch then mono but can't seem to find a good one. You guys think Yo-zuri hybrid might be my answer?
roadwarrior reply :
Well, I don't think it really matters to the fish, but it makes me feel better!
For gin clear water, Green is virtually invisible.
Stained water: Purple Smoke
For black reels, Clear (white) is prettier!
roadwarrior reply :
Get some KVD Line & Lure Conditioner and you will like the line even more!
fish-fighting-illini reply :
I tried the regular Yo-Zuri (12#) on a baitcaster and didn't care for it. I did not try KVD though but I don't care for that hassle.
I use the remainder of this line as a leader on any setups that I have braid on.
The Ultrasoft is a completely different matter though, I love it. I use it on spinning reels exclusively and love it. I never use any line conditioner and it works fine. I also introduced a friend of mine to it and he loves if as well.
Maybe the best line that you can buy in my opinion and with the price it is definately #1.
Note: This same friend was fishing in a boat with another buddy of his one day and the other guy was getting about 5 to his 1. My buddy was using the same lure etc but was using braid. He added a floro or mono leader and immediately started to match the catch rate of the other guy.Hence my leader on braid.
TNBassin' reply :
I hate fluorocarbon, and like mono except for the water absorption. I'm not gonna use braid because in my lake I don't have to, and I'm not gonna spend a lot on line if I don't have to. How does this stuff compare to say Trilene XL when it comes to manageability and soaking up water? Thanks.
roadwarrior reply :
I think you will find the line user friendly, especially if you treat it with
KVD Line & Lure Conditioner when spooling.
TNBassin' reply :
Thanks. I will have to give this a shot then.
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