Let's Discuss Mono Line

[Kevin B]

I often see threads complaining about monofilament line. Reading topic #37665 has prompted me to bring up the discussion. Personally,I've never had any serious complaints about any monofilament line I've used. I've had them all break when I didn't want them to! But often, somebody gets mad at line "X" because they think the line is breaking too easily. Having friends who own a mom/pop bait shop for 27 years now, I asked them whether they really think brand "X" is better than brand "Y" or "Z". After prefacing their responses with numerous statements (similar to Mike Michalak's in thread 37665 - - especially regarding drag settings)they sighed and both said: "NO". They could name just as many fisherman who love brand "X" as who hate it. "Sometimes two fishermen, one who hates X because . . . and one who loves it because . . . are partners fishing out of the same boat in tournaments . . . for years!"

So, sit back, cool down before you respond, and tell me why you like or dislike a particular mono line. (Let's stick to monofilament, not superlines). Cite specific examples to support your beliefs if you can.

[bountyhunters]

OK ,you opened the worm box.lol I don;t like any of them .if it gets nicked they don;t forgive like a braid will .just me

[Burr]

I'll take a stab at it Kevin B.

Generally, I don't comment for the same reasons you list. For everyone that likes this, there is someone else feeling just as stong on the other side.

I made a change from 10 lb XL to 10 lb Stren a few years back for my rigs. Quite consistently, I found my Berkley XL was good for about 3 fish, then was due to break on one of the next fish. I couldn't count on it after 3 catches.

The 10 lb Stren rigs remained durable through 8,9,10 caught fish.

I retire my XL rigs after 3 fish, take them home, cut off the hooks etc, and tie with new line. I retire my Stren rigs after 8 fish caught and do the same.

Having said that, I will say I made my comparison base on 10 lb test lines of Berkley XL and Stren Mono. It latter came to my attention, the diameter of 10 lb Stren is larger than 10 lb XL. If I would have been comparing lines of similar diameter, I don't know what my results might be??? And now, they are all Berkley.

I do believe when making a comparison, line diameter might be a better indicator of comparable lines than the lb test.

I haven't condemned either brand, but I have been using Stren and like it.

Recently, I have become more interested in a low stretch mono, and Berkley Sensation. I know several fisherman that have become big believers in Sensation. The application is more for the reel than for a rig. I will be replacing superlines on a couple of reels with Sensation.

[Box]

I am a fan of Trilene XL for most mono uses on a spinning reel. I do feel it nicks fairly easily, and I always run my fingers on the line after a catch of any sort of fish. If I feel a nick I change it. I don't use it on my bait casters, as it seems to strech more than others.

We tried XT some time ago, and I might use this for trolling, but it just doesn't cast well on any reel, as it wasn't really designed for that, I guess.

We also have tried Cajun Red the past few years, and that stuff is great. One thing about it, however, is just like the XL vs. XT comparison - - there are two kinds of Cajun Red, and one is absolutely horrible on spinning reels, but casts like a dream on bait casters. I can't recall the name difference between the two, but it is very apparent as one seems to have no looping memory and the other is a twist fest right off the spool :) I have had GREAT luck with the 12 pound on my casting reels, and the 8 and 10 pound "smoother" type on my spinning. I honestly can't recall one line break, though mostly catching nice smallies and smaller pike (and lots of them).

For whatever reason, I haven't used Stren much, so can't comment. The limp Trilene gets my vote for day in and day out, and Fireline or Power Pro for the superlines, with Power Pro seeming to cast better for us, though we use more fireline.

-Box

http://www.walleyecentral.com/photop...&ppuser=103808

[Terroreyes]

If someone held me down and forced me to go back to mono, I'd go with Trilene XL. I still use it for my harnesses and have never had a complaint about it except that it's mono after I discovered braids. I really liked "fresh" Iron Silk, but it seem to deteriorate over time and started breaking real easily. I've had a big spool of XL for about 4 years now and it's just as tough as the day I bought it.

[rabbit]

When I was a kid I used the $1 special out of the local dept. store (about 1000 yards) and was happy to have it and it performed flaulessly! Since then of course we have all been around the line spectrum...From the finness 1# test to salt water stuff you could pull a car out of the ditch with...
My opinion is this... If the line is used for the intent it was made for and taken care of the way it should be it all of it is wonderful...I have found that any neglect due to ie... too many fish on one leader, rocks that cause fray, not replacing your line when promted to do so,(I do my mono every year and my super lines every two. I wind the super lines on opposite to a new reel every year to bring the unused line to the top.)will cause failure!!!
THE BIGGEST CULPRIT FOR LINE FAILURE FOR ME IS SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE WHEN NOT IN USE...SUNLIGHT DRAINS THE LIFE AND COLOR FROM ALL FISHING LINES AS CHEAP OR EXPENSIVE AS THEY MAY BE...
I have stuck with Tri-Lene XL and Power-Pro for super line...These 2 lines have proven themselves to me....
Good post Kevin...........Paul S.

[Kevin B]

Let me first say that this is not a trick question nor am I trying to coax a Ford vs. Chevy type of debate. I have no problem with a guy sying he won't buy Stren ever again if he substantiates his position with concrete examples and rules out extraneous factors that might have contributed to the line failure. We all have our likes & dislikes. I just see so many posts, here and on other fishing websites, whereby a fisherperson says "I'll never buy another spool of . . ." Then the next Poster says "That's funny, I'll only use ___". It just makes me wonder. One of the things that makes me inquisitive about this line topic is that I am aware of the quality control standards in today's manufacturing and I find it difficult to believe that huge amounts of line could "slip by" inspection methods. But that does not mean it is not possible and we have lots of examples (other than the fishing industry) to prove that things indeed slip by. But it does mean that the likliehood is far less than 1 percent. But there seems to be more than 1 percent of complaints. Perplexing isn't it.

What I surmise from the respones so far is that you guys seem to beleive that line has progressed to the point of specialization (XL for when I'm . . . and Stren when I'm . . . Tectan when I'm . . .) Although not what I expected, it does make sense in today's world of specialized everything. It (specialization)would also partially explain why so many guys have gone to superlines. But here again, I am inquisitive. Mostly because I do not personally note the fine distinctions you guys bring forth. Yet, I do not doubt that they are present because the technology of plastics has indeed advanced to the point of specialization. And I see no reason why certain manufacturing recipes would not change the characteristics of line. (Pepsi, Coke and RC are all colas, yet their taste is distinct. Similarly, distinctions probably exist between Stren, XL, Silver Thread, etc.). I just don't know if those fine distinctions are really there or if some of us just think so (due to marketing, hearsay, whatever).

For me, line failure has been due to my negligent use of the product- - including trying to use too light of line for the conditions. But I am not the barometer for the world, so I like to hear what others say and conclude.
Thanks for responding.

[j9f]

I run 14# Silver Thread Excalibur for eyes off big boards and 25# Ande for Salmon of riggers, leaders on leadcore, slide divers, etc.

I choose both because of their abrasion resistance, durability and ease of tying knots, but most of all... I'm comfortable with them.

[perchjerker]

When I do use mono, which isnt very often anymore, I have been using Trilene Big Game. Works fine for me and is priced right.

Having tried almost every line out there. I have always been a fan of Stren. I do a lot of finess fishing for big trout in streams. This means I need to use tiny little jigs. Innevitably the really big trout are going to inhale the jig. Usually this isn't a problem until I put 8lb Trilene on my trout rod. After three trips and four losses, I was very irritated. Everytime I had the fish on, it bit me off. Now I don't use some heavy duty rod. I use a 9 foot rod with tons of bend to prevent breaking. I have my drag set loose and use more of my hand to control the drag. All to prevent breaks on lite line. Stren is the way to go in my given situation.