Best mono for spinning reels?

[Bob Senior]

I've been using fireline and Riptide SI on spinning reels since May. Riptide doesn't work on my spinning reels at least, unless the roller rolls EVERY rotation--it twists outside the bail and turns into a ratsnest as soon as you get a strike (it seems)--it's great stuff on conventionals, though. Fireline is pretty reliable but tends toward wind knots, even when there's no wind, but most monos do too!

I ran into a guy last summer who was using a limp (little memory), small diameter mono in all his reels, and he raved about it. He was a plugger and frequent night eel tosser. I can't remember the brand name that he told me he used. I haven't seen him again since that night at Galillee to get the brand of line he uses.

I want to switch to a smaller-than-usual-diameter mono on my small reels to avoid the problems I've had with 10 to 14 lb. braids (which I started using to get more of it on the reels).

QUESTION: What brands of monofilament line have you folks had the best experience with on smaller reels (Sustain 4000, Prion 1800, SS 4400 or 4500, and those sizes), in the 10 to 15 lb. range????

[Tattoo]

Trilene XT - for the light stuff

Big Game - for the heavier

[Slipknot]

sounds like you need some Tectan mono.

[Crafty Angler]

I'm strictly a plug and eels guy - for me it's been Berkley Big Game Inshore - I've been pretty happy with it, low memory and pretty abrasion resistant.

It's available in all sizes up to 20 # - I have it on all my reels from the 4500 SS, 5500 SS, 2 6500's and my 704.

[JohnR]

I use Big Game Green 12-15# on my smaller conventional reels, 30/6 Spiderwire on my lean mean soft plastics spinning stick (Thanks to GS ) and 20 - 30 pound Big Game on my bigger eeling & plugging conventional reels... I'm gonna give braid a whirl next year. What I will say is, IMO, Ande has high memory, especially when cold and is not good for conv reels... That Yozuri Hybrid is pretty weak too. My favorite mono - spin or revolving spool, is without a doubt Berkely Big Game green...

[Mr. Sandman]

In the past I used a Trilene Xl (extra limp) 25 lb and it casts pretty well but weakens too quick among rocky situations. If you let the line lay on the ground (among rocks)... 1 wave and you would have to cut all that off. (it has major "dents" an Knicks in the line) . However it has low memory for mono.

This year I used Yozuri...25lb on everthing for most of the season. I rate this line as stronger but wind knot prone and not so good in cold weather either. It did not cast as well as the XL but was good among rocks. I probably will not use it next year and don't think it us worth the money UNLESS you are fishing from a boat.

I late in the season I loaded one spool with this spiderline (fusion) 30 lb/ after talking to other guys who sware by it.....I have not used it enought to comment. It feels and looks weird though. But it seems to cast OK for the few casts I made. I lays weird on the spool. I think I would like it better on my boat rods that target bottom fish. I have not gotten wind knots yet but it looks like they would be a nightmare with that coating they have on there. Again, I need to use it more before I decide. I will say one thing..that stuff is real strong and it appears not to have near the memory of mono. I worry about abrasion too, but most say don't worry about the coating and the line should last several years (I would not push it...I change my line frequently) In the big picture of fishing....line is cheap.

I have some fireline on a spool too but have not used it. I am trying everthing out...I know one of the new super lines will be the ticket I seek.

Forget Ande in cold weather. Stoneage stuff is like leader material when the temp drops. OK in the heat but it still has memory and does not cast nearly as well as XL.

I have also used Stern for a few years too. Again I think this is a decent casting and middle of the road mono, but I don't like the flor. color.

Early next year I plan to make a decision on these new lines and then buy the bulk spool to outfit everthing.

I don't know about you but I fish pretty hard generally all night 12-14 hours sometimes, and sometimes in some harsh in-your-face condintions and it takes a toll on my index finger. I have always worried about my finger esp with this super thin lines. I have always used waterproof medical tape for the last 20 years but this year I tried and wore through 6 or 8 batters gloves. I can't cast well with the "finger protectors" made for casting ...I like to feel the line. Tape will fall off eventually and the gloves had a fabric portion that wears out quick..the leather holds up OK. I also tried a golf glove, all leather but too soft..wore it thru in 1/2 a night.
I like the glove concept..far fewer cuts and nicks in my hand from hooks and it is comfortable and warmer even when wet on cold nights. Someone needs to make a quailty casting glove with replaceable leather index finger.

[Got Stripers]

I've been a Trilene XT green guy forever, but did get turned on to the Tectan last year. It's unreal how thin that stuff is, but it's strong....BUT it's wierd at the knot. I'm using 8.8 lb, which is like 4-6 lb Triliene in diameter and you really have to work to get a good knot and then you must test it. Once you have a good knot your good to go and the stuff is tuff.

[10x10]

Berkeley big game gets my vote.I like the 17lb.test.I only use plugs,metal and bucktails occasionally.

[AnthonyN]

Every fishing line has its advantages and disadvantages. Everyone has there own favorite line, just because someone else swears by it doesn't mean it is a better line than another brand. I personally think you should use your own judgement in determining the type of line to use. Go by what you will be using the line for. Different types of fishing applications demand different types of lines also I feel fishing line is like a comfortable pair of shoes it may be comfortable for me but may feel uncomfortable to you, that is my own personal opinion.

I can tell you what i use for line I stick to 2 types.
For pluggin Trilene Big Game Inshore which gives good casts, good abrasion restiance and its got a low memory. It May not have as low a memory or cast any better than Trilene XL but it can withstand abrasions twice as good as XL can. I don't know about these guys but personally my line on my pluggin rod sees a lot of rocks!! So that ability to withstand abrasions comes in handy,

Now fishing with chunks i stick with Trilene Big Game In my chunkin rod line memory and casting dont mean much to me strength and abrasion resistance mean more. I also use it to fish eels but i use a lower pound test so i can overcome the casting disadvantage.

Those are the 2 main types of line i stick to for stripers except this year on my schoolie rod i got a deal on some spiderline Big water mono which is pretty good. But i will stick with Trilene. With any brand of Trilene you can't go wrong!

[bloocrab]

....I believe that Berkley's Trilene Big Game starts at 12# test, and runs through 50# ...I had asked for 8 or 10 # and the clerk told me that they didn't make that test...?...I haven't looked them up on here though...and I hate to take a clerks word on it ...they're not always right...10x10 mentioned 17#...so maybe the clerk WAS mistaken...

...I started the season with Power Pro...ended it by experimenting with Fireline...but I always have some Big Game hangin around...Used to use Ande's..but Big Game surpasses them all...

...Question: ... earlier on in the season...Sports Authority or MVP Sports had a sale on Big Game...buy one ~ get one free... INCREDIBLE SALE!!...ANY #test in 1/4 lb. spools...I loaded up on em'..( careful though, cuz that stuff has a shelf life )...anyway, I had one spool that I was having difficulty with...there seemed to be some weak spots in the line....you could see it with the naked eye!...I didn't think about this at the time but, do you think they had that sale to get rid of a " Bad Batch "..maybe mix it in with the Grade " A " stuff... { 1 bad spool for every 3 good ?? }...anyone else take advantage of that sale ??...anyone have any problems with Big Game recently??...

[AnthonyN]

I may be mistaken but i could have swore i seen 10# Big Game I am certain there is 12#

[bloocrab]

..I don't think that clerk knew what he was talking about...

..I just checked out their website...

..they list 1/4 # spools starting from 10# to 30#..but I know they have 40# and 50# in 1/4 # spools...cuz I own some

..the 1 # spools start at 10# and go to 60 #..

..the 3 # spools start at 40# and reach up to 150# test..

..and the 5 # spools come in 100# test...

[10x10]

I got 3 mile spool of 30 big game at a blowout.It's fine.Stores often blow out the lighter stuff because it does go bad on the shelf eventually.Line companies don't sell defects.

[bloocrab]

...10x10...

..I have manufactured " line " in a sense, and your right, we never mixed a few bad spools with the some good ones ..yeah right.....so don't be surprised!...every company makes "defects"...but not all employees cull or inspect the same......and your right, the lighter line seems to " dry out "...

[ragfly]

another vote for trilene big game and XT. Up here in Maine you have to deal with a rocky coast and this line has proven itself time and time again.

[Flounder]

GREAT THREAD!

I thought there would be MORE divergent opinions.
Many people think the same, hopefully from individual experience.

I like "Big Game" as well, but only above 15 # test.

Gor 12 # test and under I like XT.

But thr REAL sleeper is STREN.
Try a spool of 14 # test, "low-vis green".
GREAT LINE!

I never used ANDE for spinning, but it's decent on Conventional tackle...easier to tell when it's time to replace it.

Speaking of "replace" I have 30# test Fireline on a few reels. The oldest one is in it's 4th year. Almost white now, the line shows no sign of weakening! My only complaint about Fireline is that it's an environmental disaster! But ANY line is trouble when not disposed of properly. Fireline just lasts longer.

Flounder

[TheSpecialist]

Big Game!

[AnthonyN]

Bloocrab was talking about defects in fishing lines there may be truth to that. About 2 weeks ago while i was fishing I brought in 2 blues and threw out again and hooked another only for my line to snap 20 ceconds in the fight no problem i thought rigged up again threw out and the line snapped again after i hooked into another fish. It was dark so i figured my knot was fouled i ended up hooking into a fish and snap. so i took off 30ft of line and it happened again. I went home inspected the line and i didn't see anything wrong with it. So i respooled it went back and had no problems the line itself was 3 weeks old and i used it about a dozen times. I don't know what went wrong could have been a defect or it could have been the blues were schooled up tight while chasing the bait fish and just kept grabbing the line.

Now i have a question. I have never kept line on my reels during the winter on reels i am not using, I always spool them 3 times a year or as needed. I feel bad i gotta get rid of some line on my reel that I used about 3 times in the past 2 weeks. My question is what happens to line when you let it sit on your reel during the winter?? Does it weaken or is it just as good?? I change the line on my freshwater rods about once every three years i don't use them often and the only thing i noticed was the line was dry i am not sure if it is any weaker.

I will end up taking it off just in case but I was just curious as to what might happen to the line from sitting after its seen the water.

Thanks

Anthony

[JohnR]

If you are using mono, the cost isn't that much of a concern when you buy a 1# bulk spool like Big Game or something. I usually get a 20# for the season and I keep a 15# and a 30# for 2 seasons. I change the line frequently whether I need it or not (after a half dozen times in saltewater & around rocks, it's best to change it anyway). Not worth worrying about the condition of your line when you are fighting the fish of the season or even better, the fish of a lifetime....

[bloocrab]

OOOPS...... a double post...!

[bloocrab]

..Anthony... I'm not sure what kind of " rod " eyes you have..but the porcelain type inset rings tend to crack.. and the line will get caught in that crack and will mysteriously break...so check out your " eyes " now and then, when experiencing constant breaks in your line..the crack in the ring is very hard to detect some times, so check it out good!..

MY OPINION ON LEAVING (MONO) LINE ON REELS:

...about leaving line on your reels over the winter months ( offseason months )..try your best to keep them at room temperature...64 -70' ..somethin like that, If I believe my line to be healthy ( meaning It was fairly new!! ) I check a good portion of it for burrs/scrapes and such...and leave it alone , just cleaning the reel itself, that IS VERY IMPORTANT! ..salt and sand gets into places you woudn't think of ... if the line has been on there all season...( which rarely happens ) it is replaced..during the cleaning...

..it definately dries up some and with cold storage its even worse, but as far as weakening a great deal.... I've never noticed a great difference...When its BIG FISH TIME....I WILL HAVE FRESH LINE ON HAND...during the schoolie days...last years line will do...

....this year has introduced Braided lines to me...I'm not sure how they will hold up, and I won't find out this winter...the fireline spool has only 125 feet on it...and I was casting the knot out the last few times out.....I need to buy the bigger spools!!....the braid doesn't seem to dry out as fast though...I think, due to its construction...

..something I rarely do... Some people "reel" the used-line onto another reel....so that the underlying line ( which is usally fairly new, and not dry ) is now on the outer part of the reel, with the used mono underneath...as backing...this will gain you few outings...if your lucky and your'e a gambler...

2 IMPORTANT Things to note:

First: LIKE JOHNR. STATED....quote: ~" Not worth worrying about the condition of your line when you are fighting the fish of the season or even better, the fish of a lifetime...."

Secondly:..." WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT !!! " ...

[chris L]

for spinners
in the salt big game
in fresh Berkeley XT
on conventionals ande premium ( easy to pick out backlashes do to its memory )

[JohnR]

What backlash?

[chris L]

well I guess it only happens to those of us that cant fish , oops cast

[Bob Senior]

You have all been very helpful. I loaded one reel with Trilene XT the other day, but all I could get was 17#. It's good stuff, but it's too heavy for the little Prion that it's on. I'll replace it with 10 or 12# if I can find some. That should cast better than the 17#.

But it's sure strong has very little memory for a mono, and I haven't had a wind knot or cascading spool, or any of those nightmares, and I've been fishing a lot before dawn lately (in the dark), and you know how windy and surfy it has been during the last week.

But I have to say that it doesn't compare with Fireline in terms of either casting distance capability or diameter. Nonetheless, the absence of foul and weird little knots in the XT makes it a winner when compared to Fireline.

[Bob Senior]

Now, where's the fish???????

[Canalratt1]

Never had a backlash but overruns

[LINESIDES]

I have seen bad line from the get go. "Get rid of it!"
If it were something you see allot of in a Manufactures line,
I would not use that line again. It's about risking the line you believe in "Old" or "New', on the, "Fish of a life time!".
It’s about "Color".
What to use and when to use it?
"Ande."

[derf]

if you get a chanch to try some ; Suffix tritanium (sp) plus...

[BroncoRick]

Hey! I'm new to the board -first post. I also use Big game on my spinners for bait fishing. Power Pro 50# for my pluggin' setup. Has any one heard of or used P-Line mono?