What line are you using?

[Amdahl]

Have been using Trilene XL for rigging/jigging the past few years. Just started noticing all the problems I was having compared with everyone else in my boat. Mostly line twist, but other problems as well. I don't think it's my setup, b/c I've got it on 2 or 3 different middle or higher quality spinning reels. So what is everyone using? Been thinking about Silver Thread. Pros? Cons?
Thanks in advance!

Amdahl

[JerryA]

I have used Trilene XL for a long time. I swore by the stuff. However, I am firmly convinced that at somepoint in the past several years they changed something in their manufacturing process. It is not the same line. New line off the spool has twists in it and uneven spots which you can feel with your fingers. The line has very poor knot strength no matter the type of knot nor how careful you are in tying it. When catching smallmouth, the line will often break after 2 or 3 fish - just love that. I also found the line would not hold up for a whole season as it had in the past - it would begin to take a set on the spool.

After experiencing this for a couple of years and reading of other people on this board having seen the same thing, I corresponded with the brand manager at Berkeley. Bottom line: he was interested but insisted that nothing had changed and I must have just gotten a bad or old spool. I told him I was disappointed and would probably switch brands. I referred him to this site to reinforce the idea that experienced fishermen had spotted the difference and, with all the other brands out there, they were at risk of losing their market position.

I think they have cheapened their product and think they can overcome any product deficiencies through advertising and mass marketing.

I'm trying other brands of line but haven't really locked in on one yet.

I don't usually bash products but I had to get some of my frustration with Berkeley off my chest. Sad to see a longtime brand like this go down the tubes. Kinda like the fiasco with the Hot-n-Tots. Maybe others want to email Berkeley to get their attention.

[Borch]

Yes they changes the formulation on their XL product. At least that is what I was told by those in the know last spring.

I have been using the Silver Thread the past three years with no complaint. Good fishing line at a reasonable price.

[eyedoktr]

I too am happy with Silver Thread. Last spring a dealer rep from Cortland spooled up a new reel for me with their Camo line. He said to give it a try and let him know what I thought. I absolutely love it. The only problem is that I cannot find it in anything other than the soft, limp style. I think they call it XL (maybe XS) but I can't remember for sure. Even the rep told me not to buy that because it's too soft and stretchy. As soon as I can get my hands on some, it will become my line of choice. My only complaint is, that being a camo pattern, it's really tough to see when jigging.

[Homer]

My line choice depends on the application:

Tectan for shallow jigging and rigging
Fireline for deep jigging and dipsey divers
Trilene Big Game for all other trolling

[Amdahl]

Homer-
Never heard of Tectan. Who makes/carries it?

Amdahl

[Homer]

It's an imported (German?) line carried by Cabela's:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jhtml?id=0003106&navAction=jump

Very small diameter relative to strength. It's pretty pricey, but it's real good.

[Cangl]

Limpest line I have come acrooss since XL is Cabelas pro, stretches real well if a line does not stretch it is not limp. Sunlight and copolymers don't mix so well, saltwater fisherman very rarely use copolymers. The Cabelas is half the price of Silver Thread, and just as durable. When I went out to Dundee they where practically sold out of all of it?

[Amdahl]

Just went to the Cabelas website. Am I reading this correctly? 1450 yds of line for $6.99? Good Deal!

Amdahl

[woodsdweller]

I used to use Berkeley, then switched to Stren, now back to Berkeley. Have also noticed line twist, etc. with 6# XL. I troll with 10# XT and haven't had a problem. Talked with a couple of pros recently who are really impressed with the new Berkely Sensation line. Seems to have a nice balance between stretch and sensitivity, along with abrasion resistance. I plan on trying it this summer. The one line I tried and really didn't like was P-Line. Even though I always wet my knots before tightening, I seem to lose a lot of knot strength with this stuff.