Your Favorite Mono

[UglyStick]

Let's give this thread a try here - I threw this up in bait & tackle - 125 views and only 1 reply from someone who likes a brand that hasn't been made in years.

What's your favorite mono?

I'll start - No matter which new ones I try, I always seem to come back to Trilene XL (red pack) which has never done me wrong...

I got some Suffix Elite to try this year as well - we'll see...

[Delawareriver]

I've been a big fan of Berkeley trilene xl smooth cast for years. Casts well and holds up. From what I've seen the majority of guys that get line twists don't understand some basic proper line care and use. Such as spooling it on with twists, flipping the bail over by reeling after a cast, reeling while a fish is taking drag etc...

[NJSquatch]

Another vote for Trilene XL. Never had any problems and is consistent from spool to spool.

I have tried Suffix Elite and didn't really like the way it performed.

Not Mono but I bought some Izorline XXX copoly to try out on a friend's recommendation this year.

[stevejordan]

trilene xl

[Heronimo42]

Stren Magnathin...that is all.

[FASTEDDIE29]

1. Suffix, red box.
2. Pline CXX, green box.
3. Stren.

[bunker dunker]

from 10 to 17lb test I like trilene.20 on up I like ande and the 2-8lb I use cheap Charlie because I change it after every 2 trips.

[Eskimo]

.

Trilene XL

http://media.scout.com/media/forums/emoticons/12/fish2.gif

[Wilson]

Me Too XL green

[catfishonthelake]

I'm a fan of XL too.

I've used Sufix Tritantium in the past and liked it a lot too. I don't use mono too much anymore, but when I do use Trilene XL.

[Esox Luciano]

I've also got some poles rigged with the XLsmooth casting but might be switching to stren after seeing how well it performed over this past season. The strength is no comparison between the two in my opinion.

[briansnat]

Trilene XL here. It's inexpensive and does the job

[Loose Neutral]

now what about fluorocarbon line? does anyone use it. I have a buddy that swears by it but I have never made a comparison on mono to fluorocarbon. you guys seem happy with the mono. whats your thoughts on it?

[tradingfrank27]

Let's give this thread a try here - I threw this up in bait & tackle - 125 views and only 1 reply from someone who likes a brand that hasn't been made in years.

What's your favorite mono?

I'll start - No matter which new ones I try, I always seem to come back to Trilene XL (red pack) which has never done me wrong...

I got some Suffix Elite to try this year as well - we'll see...

P-line CX for Spinning and CXX for baitcasting. Buy the next lower lb test than your normal size for the CXX, the 10lb handles like 12lb test.

Both lines are great but like most mono's, it gets tricky over 15lb for baitcaster and 8 and up for spinning, usual line memory issues.

[tradingfrank27]

now what about fluorocarbon line? does anyone use it. I have a buddy that swears by it but I have never made a comparison on mono to fluorocarbon. you guys seem happy with the mono. whats your thoughts on it?

Save your money and use thin braid with a Flurocarbon leader, it can handle probably everything you want to use for spinning.

I am personally going away from using FC now, it's a money issue for me. I know the industry and endorsed pros beat it into our heads every year how superior it is to use FC for jigs and CB fishing. At an average of $20+ a spool, I just cannot justify spending that kind of money for 10 rods and reels. Done it with mono for years, no reason why I can't do it again.

But if you really want to jump into the game, my top 3 brands

1) Gamma (expensive)
2) Sunline Sniper
3) p-line (best value)

Found Trilene 100% and Seagar to be just as good, no complaints. Use the Dick's 10 off 50 coupon for those.

[Delawareriver]

now what about fluorocarbon line? does anyone use it. I have a buddy that swears by it but I have never made a comparison on mono to fluorocarbon. you guys seem happy with the mono. whats your thoughts on it?

For different applications it can be useful as it has different properties than mono and braid. Leader material is stiffer, has a higher abrasive resistance, sinks faster and has low stretch as its very dense where as main line flouro has a mixture of mono and leader material traits it isnt quit as stiff but also lacks the abvrasion resistance. I mostly only use flouro leader material for making leaders for Ice fishing and musky fishing. For the price I think the main line flouro is a rip off but if you cast a lot of suspended jerk baits and want it to get down deeper it would be a good option.

[AndyS]

Trilene XL, won't go with anything from DuPont as they pollute the world.

[Mikey topaz]

Im big stren guy like how it turn that bluish color like to think most people see it when before casting over my line hahah also im a big fluro guy seaguar red label on some other occasions, for salt i like the ma moi

[nate01]

I'm with Mikey on Stren. Never had a problem with it (I use 8 lb test for most applications) and they make a color called clear blue fluorescent that is easier to see which helps a lot even at night...I add a fluoro leader for line shy fish.

[UglyStick]

For the guys asking about Fluoro as main line - I use it for light finesse fishing and through my years of research only 1 has stood the test of time, especially on spinning reels - Seaguar Invisx - it's the only one that has NEVER given me the typical fluoro / spinning issues.

[Adrenalinerush]

Trilene here as well, however unlike anyone else so far I like the XT

[jimmythegreek]

I buy the 5000 yd spool in 12lb of either XL or XT for my 12 linecounter trolling setups, been using it for 4 yrs now and handles anything Ive caught. for my baitcaster for bottom bouncing I like 15lb mono for the stretch factor and all my spinning setups I run 15# powerpro in regular and superslick.

[Dave B.]

I was never a fan of trilene. The xl has zero abrasion resistance and rather poor UV resistance, and the xt is just too stiff. I've long been a fan of Stren but for a number of years I used strictly Silver Thread until they went out of business. Stren has very good abrasion resistance and UV resistance and is nearly as limp as trilene xl but with much better knot strength and overall tensile strength.

BTW I use mainly 6lb line for everything from trout to smallies, lmb, walleye, even small to medium stripers in the Delaware. I do keep a couple poles strung with 10lb for those times when conditions and/or location warrant heavier tackle, i.e. chasing fish larger than 9-10 lb.

[SplitShot]

Been using Stren for many years and never had any problems with it... :D

[Loose Neutral]

I recently bought two new rods and reels. an ultra lite and lite rod and spinning reel. I figured I try some main line fluoro. I bought the Berkley vanish. 4 and 6lb test. after casting and retrieving my line my rooster tail or any lure im using just spins in circles for a minute or so. its as if the line is all twisted. I spooled it on my reel just like I always have. im not sure if I did something wrong or its the Berkley vanish line I purchased. any advise will be much appreciated. thanks guys

[tradingfrank27]

I recently bought two new rods and reels. an ultra lite and lite rod and spinning reel. I figured I try some main line fluoro. I bought the Berkley vanish. 4 and 6lb test. after casting and retrieving my line my rooster tail or any lure im using just spins in circles for a minute or so. its as if the line is all twisted. I spooled it on my reel just like I always have. im not sure if I did something wrong or its the Berkley vanish line I purchased. any advise will be much appreciated. thanks guys

Vanish has a history of line twist, from the intro till now. If you like the Berkley brand, their 100% Trilene FC XL is made for spinning and I had no issues with 8lb test.

Only thing I can tell you is try line conditioner, soak the spool in water and make sure the line is coming off the spool to your spool correctly, usually label side facing you. FC for me has always been tough on spinning gear once you go over 6lb test for me, but the Berkley 100% FC XL worked great, remember, it's not the gold 100% FC, it's the gold and red packaging

[UglyStick]

I recently bought two new rods and reels. an ultra lite and lite rod and spinning reel. I figured I try some main line fluoro. I bought the Berkley vanish. 4 and 6lb test. after casting and retrieving my line my rooster tail or any lure im using just spins in circles for a minute or so. its as if the line is all twisted. I spooled it on my reel just like I always have. im not sure if I did something wrong or its the Berkley vanish line I purchased. any advise will be much appreciated. thanks guys

Check this thread - I added a lot of commentary on fluoro

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74190&highlight=invizx

[Loose Neutral]

thanks guys, I appreciate the info. I should have researched it before I went out and bought the first fluoro line I seen. well im glad I got to experience it for myself. I just went out and bought 4lb trilene xl smooth cast. I am going to respool my reels tonight and give it a try tomorrow. going to hit a stream that I have been catching rainbows in all winter.

[Jigman13]

P line. Green box. Ccx I think. 6 lb is an animal. But that's only on one set up--which I use for trout and live lining Herring. I don't use anything else.

Everything else gets 12-15 lb power pro super slick or sufix 832 with a uni to uni to 8-15 lb seaguar blue label fluoro.

[Mikey topaz]

Yea. What was mentioned above make sure the line goes off the spool as if it were coming on the spool hard to do it for spinning reel best thing you could do is soak it as mentioned. Next time you buy the spool just let the tackle shop put it on the line winder machine will put it on better and pack it tighter when i worked at efingers we did it all the time for customers free of charge.

[Loose Neutral]

thanks for the advise. im actually going over to efingers today. I will bring my reel and line with me

[briansnat]

now what about fluorocarbon line? does anyone use it. I have a buddy that swears by it but I have never made a comparison on mono to fluorocarbon. you guys seem happy with the mono. whats your thoughts on it?

I tried fluro on spinning reels and hated it. It was tangle city for me so I switched back to mono. On my bait casters I prefer braid with a fluro leader.

[NJSquatch]

I tried fluro on spinning reels and hated it. It was tangle city for me so I switched back to mono. On my bait casters I prefer braid with a fluro leader.

Had the same experience with 6# vanish gold last year. I am going to try some seagar invizx with some kvd line conditioner as recommended by uglystcik.

[Lard Almighty]

I used to use Stren exclusively. It worked fine, but then I switched over to Berkley Big Game since it was cheaper, and I never had a problem with it. I just wish it was also available in lighter sizes than 8 lb. test. I tried Ande for 4 and 6 lb. test, and it has horrible knot strength. Going back to Stren for my light setups.

[UglyStick]

Had the same experience with 6# vanish gold last year. I am going to try some seagar invizx with some kvd line conditioner as recommended by uglystcik.

Don't forget the part about stretching the line out on a regular basis - this goes for mono too.

[cantcatchme]

I use McCoy Mean Green and will never use another line. Barely any line twist and it is super smooth. 1100yd spools are very cheap.