Monofilaments

[Heron]

I need some new line on my river jiggin rod so thought I may try something new. Been using the same ole Berkley XT for years. Not the same spool, but just kept buying XT as it works. I will be using it in sub-freezing conditions so it can't be braid and fluorocarbon gets really coily in the cold as well. So I want to stick with a monofilament line. I was thinking about trying the Sufix Siege, Berkley Sensation, or the Gamma Copolymer. Was going to try the Gamma in 6 pound as it has a really thick diameter and I believe breaks at 10 pound or something anyway. The Berkley I was going to try in 8 and the same with the Sufix. Any comments on these lines or suggestions on others? I am open to anything here and just may buy a few different kinds and eventually try them all.

[Jimmy Jig]

Its hard to beat XT, but XT 6# is really more like 8-9#. Sensation 6# is thinner that 6# XT. So what ever weight XT you are using I would suggest Sensation in the next higher rating. Sensation is a very good limp line and the knot strength is also good. But XT is rugged.......

[Heron]

Yeah I was using 6 pound XT for that exact reason. I like a line that breaks around 8 pounds. Seems to be a good balance between strength/abrasion resistance and still working well in lower clear water situations.

[Heron]

Would you say that the Sensation is considerably less abrasion resistant than XT? Does it seem to have more or less stretch? Thank you.

[Hawker]

No doubt about it, Sensation is way way less abrasion resistant than XT and it does have more stretch than the XT but not as much as XL.

When using mono for extra cold weather fishing, I've switched over to Spider Super Mono XXX after trying most all the others and am very happy with it. It's smaller diameter (example: 8# = 0.009) versus XT (8# = 0.012) it's toughness (abrasion resistance) and it's lowest stretch percentage of most all other mono lines made it my go to choice. I of course am using mostly 12, 14 & 17 lb line for my winter time striper fishing, so the applications are not exactly the same, but if you are going to actually purchase and try different lines, I highly recommend giving the Spider XXX Super Mono a try!

Good luck with your search!!

[Heron]

Thanks for the suggestion! For starters I ordered two different lines to try. The Spiderwire mono sounds very good and I will definitely give it a shot after I use these for a few weeks.

1) Berkley Sensation/ 8 pound/ Clear

2) Gamma Copolymer/ 6 pound/ Clear

I am going to use these two lines over the next few weeks and see what I think. All of my fishing will be done below dams both from a boat and wading from shore. Mainly wading. Just casting jigs and working them along the bottom back to me and some vertical jigging from the boat when I take it out.

Abrasion resistance is not a huge issue as I can always just blood knot 3' of high quality fluorocarbon to the main line and tie that to my jig. That would give me very good abrasion resistance near the jig and where I would need it the most. Would also allow for a stealthier approach in clear water situations.

Thanks again for the suggestion and I will definitely be giving it a shot. I don't mind trying several different monofilaments as the filler spools aren't too expensive. For me if I find a line I really like it's worth it.

Still very interested to hear about Sufix lines. I notice that their diameters are the same as Gamma lines. Anyone who has used the Sufix Siege or Elite what would you say the 6 pound or 8 pound line actually breaks at roughly?

Thanks again!

[went522]

I run 6lb. Sufix elite on several jigging rods. I switched from XT a few years ago, I wouldn't go back to XT. It's tough line with good abrasion and low stretch qualities. It has very low memory, it's been good.

BIRDDOG

[jsteiner1]

I've been asking myself the same thing for line ,except for " bright green fireline" is my line of choice, for the past few years.

I like to line watch. Are the mono's in the bright colors "opague " to the fish for a stealthy presentation?

Is Big Game line an option vs. XT, etc?