Hi Folks,

 

I'm looking for opinions on XL mono lines.

 

I'd like to spool up with it for cranking on this glass rod I have, using the old 5500 (non-c) reel.

 

I was perusing some last night at a local store.  They only had Berkely Trilene, but I was happy to see they had it in 12 and 14lb, which I don't recall them having years back.

 

Stuff's 10 bucks and while not expensive compared to braid, it is more expensive than I'm used to seeing mono priced at.

 

I almost picked it up on the name alone, but figured I'd get input here first.

 

Thank you!

 

Josh

XL is great line but at $10 that seems high priced to me too.  It used to be about $6 or $7.  As far as using it for crankbaits, it works great but I find it does not last long in rough cover. 

Xl is good stuff but I prefer sufix elite or seige if you need more abrasion resistance.

It's a limp formula, XT is tough & abrasion resistant, my question is, how many yards for $10?

How about Sufix Elite?  I've become a convert to Sufix 832 braid, and I'm liking the Elite reviews.

 

I'll probably run a fluoro leader on it.

 

I'm a braid user now, and am only going back to mono on this one rod because it has relatively soft guides and may groove with braid or straight fluoro.

 

Thanks!

 

Josh

I find the elite is better than xl in every way. Smoother, stronger, better knot strength and abrasion resistance. Iirc, it's a couple bucks more than the trilene but well worth it. I don't think you would regret it.

I think Dick's sells 330 yd.-ish spools of Sufix for like $7, if you have one of those in the area. Siege is a monster but it runs a bit thick diameter-wise (.356mm to XL's .33mm in 12 lb. test).

My personal advice to you is not to buy siege. Go with elite unless you are fishing heavy cover. Siege has insane amounts of memory.

I went back and looked at the XL stuff.

 

I'd prefer the XL for less memory.

 

There's now some XL stuff that is "armored".  That's the $10 stuff.

 

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

Thanks!

 

Josh

My personal advice to you is not to buy siege. Go with elite unless you are fishing heavy cover. Siege has insane amounts of memory.

 

I didn't have memory issues but I didn't go above 12 lb. 

I went back and looked at the XL stuff.

 

I'd prefer the XL for less memory.

 

There's now some XL stuff that is "armored".  That's the $10 stuff.

 

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

Thanks!

 

Josh

XL Armor Coated has a more abrasion resistant coating on it than regular XL. I tried it a little last year just to see what it was like and I'm mixed on how I feel about it. I didn't like the color and it seemed a little stiff. I'm not sure about the memory issue with it either as I haven't seen if it's all jacked up from sitting on the spool for a few months. With my limited experience with it take what I say with a grain of salt, but from what I've seen I liked the regular XL better. 

I like both Elite and XL. I have used 12 lb xl on my baitcasters exclusively for three years now. Ive been fishing out of small boats and canoes and just cant bring a dozen rods along. I have yet to break off a fish and have caught some big ones in thick cover. Matter of fact I have been  landing a much larger percentage of  big fish with 12 lb xl than I ever did with 15 lb big game , because I resist the urge to horse them in . I dont recall losing a big bass in the past three years.

OPen water, deep cranking I'd go with the XL for better line handling and casting. 10# should work. I have Suffix Elite spooled up on a Winch and like that as well. 

I've used XL for many, many years. About as good as it gets for mono, in my opinion. However, XL is a very limp line, probably a bit more suitable for spinning applications. Take a look at XT instead. A stiffer line with more abrasion resistance. Works very well on a 5500 Abu.

I can't say enough good things about Trilene XL.   I only use it in 6 lb test for ultralight applications, but that's been for 15 years plus.   I have had it hold up against numerous big fish while panfishing....from big cats, big bass, big carp, etc.   I've never used it for bass fishing as I am predominantly braid for that, but if I were you I would have full confidence in it for the application you mention.

Thanks, guys.

 

As I fish in a lot of tough stuff, I went ahead and bought some XT as it's a known quantity with me.

 

I'll be picking up some XL to try at some other time.  I respool mono often, and so I'll probably be trying XL in this application soon for that reason.

 

Thanks again!

 

Josh