I,m a decidedly average caster but was able to see the backing coming out of the tip ring.
Thats because they are 28 yard lines
....(33 yards really
)
A lot of the PFFA lot use them and like you say, they are a cracking line...rumours have it that they will not be available for much longer..hence the reason they price has dropped to a tenner.
Rumour also has it that they are the no longer available Shakespeare "Predator" lines reboxed, which is certainly no bad thing.
Also worth looking at are the Airflo (its ok...keep reading, they are not like the freshwater lines) Cold Water Striper lines. I have the floater, clear intermediate, glow in the dark intermediate and the slow sink 3. Made for the US market for surf casting Clousers and baitfish imitations to Stripped Bass.
They are extremely good lines and really do work well in cold salt water, no coiling or memory. If you get from Tacklebargins they are £14 brand new or £8 if you dont mind ex-display without the box. Retail is normally £45 so a HUGE saving.
If you are feeling rich, then the Rio Outbounds are superb for casting heavy flies a loooong way into the wind.