All purpose fishing line

[tjsker]

I'm going to be spooling up quite a few reels for our family's annual fishing trip, and I was wondering what would be the best line to put on most of the reels. I'm thinking I'll need at least a 1000 yards of line that would be used mostly for walleyes and smallies up in the LOW area lakes. I was thinking of getting some clear 8lb Trilene XL. Any other suggestions?

[Seabass 77]

6 or 8 pound xl would be fine. For mono, I also really like Berkley Sensation as it doesn't stretch as much and has good feel.

I use fireline alot in stained water. Great for jigging and rigging. When rigging, I use a florocarbon leader.

[JimH]

I'm a big fan of Trilene XT in 8lb test too. It's cheap, especially in 1000 yd spools and it's a good "compromise" line, in that you don't have to spend a lot of money spooling up 30 different reels for specific applications. I've caught muskies, northerns, lake trout, walleyes, smallmouths, and perch on the same test line. If your family gets a couple of nasty back lashes or tangles, you won't be peeling off $10 worth of superbraid line to untangle the mess, each time it happens. Good choice.

[mr_pcb]

I've been through most of the mono's and aways fall back to Trilene XL for a general purpose spinning line. I buy the 3000yd bulk spool for less than $30 and I change line often. Iron Silk is the only mono line I will NOT buy again. Though I mostly use 6#, 8# should be OK. I prefer clear blue flourescent XL because I can see it especially where it enters the water. I wished Berkley still made the clr blue flour. in there XT. If I'm fishing clear water or sensitive fish (trout or steelhead) I tip it with 3 foot of Seaguar flurocarbon tippet material. My trolling lines are all Fireline or Power Pro but filling a lot of reels would get expensive. Good Luck on your fishing trip.

[REW]

A line that has really been working well for many folks and seems to outfish - for most folks - either clear or green line.
This is the Cajun red line.

It is readily obtained at bass pro as well as other stores.

It has just been out in the midwest for the last couple of years, and seems to be enjoying a great deal of popularity.

I have been using it for the last year, and have nothing but good things to say about it.

It is easy to see, when the line is above the water, but is really blends nicely when underwater.

Lots of folks who troll on the great lakes have switched because of their ability to get more fish in the boat with this red line.

Take care
REW

p.s.
It is quite reasonable as far as price goes as well.

[jcass]

It's a Shakesphere product. Based on the principle that the color red disappears quickly underwater. Not sold many places. Cabala's has it.
Here is the site: http://www.cajunline.com/

I have no connection with this product but would like to hear comments about it.

[mr_pcb]

REW.....I've looked that Cajun red line over and put it on my list of must try. I need to be able to see my line. That clear and low vis green don't work for me. Over the past few years I learned to love XT Solar. IMO XT Solar was a super line for throwing cranks and working blade baits. Unfortunately Berkley found that out so they stopped making it.

[REW]

As you mention, the ablity to see your line, really helps in detecting those light bits.
I think that if you give the Cajun line, you will like it.

I tried it for the first time last year, and found that it worked well for me.

--
As you said earlier, some of the nicer lines have disappeared from the market.

One of my favorite lines was the Berkley Trimax, in Photochromic. Nice line, low stretch, tough, and easy to see in the photochromic version. Alas, gone , gone, gone --- along with many other fine things over the years.

Take care
REW

[dkooser]

Agree on the Cajun. I have fished it now for three years, in the beginning had to order it straight from Cajun but now Cabelas and Bas Pro carries it, I order thru them. Their first year out, the line had too much memory, they must have changed something in the manufacturing process and it is much better now. Under most conditions, I do catch more fish that without it.

[tjsker]

I stopped by Scheels on the way home from work, and they had Trilene on sale, so I picked up a few rolls. But I know my Dad's 88 year old eyes don't work so well, so I'm going to pick up a roll of Cajun and give it a try. Thanks.

[rebs]

I totally like the berkley sensation in green, its a great line with little or no memory and very abrasion resistant
I use it in spinning as well as casting reels
after reading about the cajun red line I may buy a spool to try it

rebs

[McFish]

I've been using the Berkley 6lb Sensation the last few years and found it to be great. I've used green and Solar. I'm hoping they will start producing the Solar in the larger rolls.

[lost sailor]

i have used the cajun red line for the last year. to enhance the visibilty of the line try wearing amber shaded sunglasses. i wear prescription sunglasses with amber lenses and discovered this after the fact. the amber tint of the lenses really increases the visiblity of the line.

skip

[mr_pcb]

"amber shaded sunglasses" You bet! never leave home without them! Even in poor lighting conditions (fog,haze,rain or snow) they sure add definition where green or gray are too dark. Foster Grant used to make a pair of flip up polarized amber glasses with side shield lenses for around $10. I wore many a pair out because they had soft plastic lenses that scratched easy. Now they are hard to find and my eyes need a prescription anyway. Thinking of getting a pair of bifocals made with the amber polarized lense.

[Suzuki]

I'm a huge fan of 8lb mono as well. I have caught all sizes of fish on it and many very big fish. With good drag 8lb is like rope.
I use sensation but your choice sounds fine as well. The only thing I would not fish for with 8lb is panfish. It will work, especially for kids, but you won't get a very delicate presentation. For smallies and wallys it's a perfect size.

[Otter]

Well, I guess I'll be in the minority on this one. I catch a good number of large pike and some muskies while fishing for walleyes, so I use Power Pro on all my reels - 10/2 and 20/6 when fishing for walleyes. I use 50# for pike and 80# for muskies. No, I am not sponsored by them, but I wouldn't mind a few complimentary spools if they appreciate the plug. :P

[reelman1]

You're in luck! Berkley makes XT in Flourecent Clear Blue again!

[Gary N]

Try any of the SilverThread lines. AN40, super or Excaliber. Very high abrasion resistance and low memory.Available at Cabela's or Gander.