Smooth casting or extra tough? Differences? Suggestions?

 

Thanks

       

Welds

Guess it depends on what you plan to throw it in.  XL IMO is a good overall mono.  I use it for my topwater because it's more forgiving that XT in terms of memory.  Albeit not by a ton from what I can tell.

 

XT if you plan to be scraping your line against weeds, rocks etc more often on your retrieve.

Back when I used mono... XL (6, 8, and 10lb) went on spinning gear. XT (10, 12, and 14lb) went on casting gear, and 20lb Big Game went on the flipping stick.

In reality you could use XT for everything you just have to go by line diameter instead of lb test.  10lb XT (.014in) is more like 14lb XL (.014 in) because the line diameters are pretty much the same and will behave like 14lb XL.  If you want 8lb test use 8lb XL or 6lb XT.  Just an observation. 

I have zero complaints with XL.

Back when I used mono... XL (6, 8, and 10lb) went on spinning gear. XT (10, 12, and 14lb) went on casting gear, and 20lb Big Game went on the flipping stick.

x2

You can use them on either, but XL was made for spinning reels and XT was made for baitcasters.

XL just doesn't hold up for me, and XT has way too much memory. Go with the best of both worlds, stren original.

I never saw a difference between the 2 memory or toughness wise.  Search the board and recently there have been complaints about the newer reformulated versions that have replaced the originals.  I only buy it when I cant get the big game version.  I always use a size lighter in b.g. and its never let me down.  I find nothing on their site that says it was reformulated.

Always thought the XL to soft and never held up.  XT was to stiff.  As far as the Stren...had some bad experiences so that to is a no go.  I use Excalibur lines but thats my choice.  Lots of people will use these others and be perfectly happy.  The world gives us many choices.

As has already been suggested, use the xl on spinning gear and for more finesse techniques. The xl has better memory and a waaay smaller diameter.

I always thought they were the same. XT is just relabeled with an improper breaking strength to make it appear stronger. Get some 12lb XT and 17lb XL...same diameter, likely close to the same abrasion resistance and memory as well.

I use XT for everything.  4lb on my 1500/2000 size spinning,  6 and 8 lb on my 2500 size spinning reels 10lb on my 3000 size.  10,14 and 17 on my baitcasters.