This year has been an odd one for me. A year long temporary relocation has me fishing surf, brackish, and freshwater regularly. I have to worry about sand, oyster shells, cyprus, pine, live oak, and toothy fish. On top of all that I got a mess of hand me down retro surf casting equipment from the 70s to 80s I had to fill with line. 

 

I started the year fishing braid to fluro leaders. However after several heart breaks where my braid snapped from abbrasion and bluefish, and the need to fill a lot of giant reels, I have converted entirely to mono for everything. 

 

Specifically, after reading this forum, to Berkeley Big Game. I've got spools in everything from 8 lbs to 50 lbs for various applications. 

 

It's been pretty eye opening fishing quality mono. I still have good sensitivity. The stretch lets me hurl giant weights. I can bring in big fish without really worrying. Big game particularly seems like it's built like a tank when it comes to abbrasion. I've had no issues (that aren't bluefish related) since swapping. It's dirt cheap. Heck, I think I even prefer the feel of a fish on mono as it reminds me of panfish as a kid. 

 

I feel like I way underrated mono and am now probably a full convert to it. I had got it in my head it was only good for backing braid. Anybody else experience this?

In your situation, it’s entirely appropriate. In mine, the only “reconnecting” going on is its use as leader at times and the occasional top water…more like an amicable tolerance 😆

My only complaint about mono is that line memory causes tangling and birdnesting. That and it gets pretty thick if you want heavier line, which can complicate things. But I use mostly mono. Only one of my rods has braid on it. 

I have had braid do things that defy the very laws of physics. I have made 4-dimensional knots just by simply "over casting".  It is for those reason that all my reels are back to mono. 

 Big Game is tough . Especially if your fishing rocky bottoms. Been using it forever 

I hadn’t used Big Game in over 20 years but grabbed a spool of 15lb and filled two reels.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it handled. It is strong for sure.  I think it’s back on the team.👍

I like and use plenty of mono

but almost always as leader material.

However I see no need to be singular in my fishing line needs.

So I use a little of everything except braid on casting reels. 

For me that's like crossing the streams in Ghostbusters.

 

 😎

A-Jay

Reconnecting with Mono?  That would imply that I left at some point...

 

Mono is my primary line for casting rods.  I'm as light as 8 lb supernatural on my BFS rod up to 20 lb big game on my big stick.  14 and 16 supernatural are my primary lines for my moving bait rods.  But Like Ajay, I see no need to be singular.  Spinning rods are braid to leader.  My swimbait rod is 22lb fluoro.  I've recently swapped my normal texas rig rod to 18 lb fluoro.  About the only thing that is consistent across most of my lineup is sunline- the fluoro is sniper and the mono is supernatural.  And even the leader is Leader FC.  

+1 for supernatural. I’ve been putting mono to the test and am loving it so far. Aside from braid to leader on spinning gear, mono is on all of my casting gear. I was warned that it would get unruly but have yet to encounter it.

I love mono 

I’ve been predicting that mono will eventually go away and then it will be reintroduced under a new name (Single Filament Nylon?) at a cost of $1 per foot and people will love it.

I stopped using mono on casting rods in the early 1990's. Moved to braid and never looked back.

 

Stopped using mono on spinning rods 2020 when I found this site, and was enlightened to the benefits of braid-to-leader. Game changer for me!!

 

I have stashed some mono in my boat for use on Carolina rigs, but strictly as a leader material.

Sunline SuperNatural has ALMOST replaced fluorocrabon for me lately; its thin, strong, VERY inexpensive, low stretch, low memory, decent abrasion resistance......what's not to like.

 

I like it FAR BETTER than Seaguar Red Label!

 

23 minutes ago, 00bullitt said:

Sunline SuperNatural has ALMOST replaced fluorocrabon for me lately; its thin, strong, VERY inexpensive, low stretch, low memory, decent abrasion resistance......what's not to like.

 

I like it FAR BETTER than Seaguar Red Label!

 

I agree it is miles better than red label.  I'd disagree on the decent abrasion resistance (or at least list that as my only caution).  It doesn't like wood by any stretch.  And docks are going to scuff it up pretty good if you're skipping under them.  For those applications I would choose something different (or up the poundage).  For grass and open water though?  rock and roll.  

2 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I’ve been predicting that mono will eventually go away and then it will be reintroduced under a new name (Single Filament Nylon?) at a cost of $1 per foot and people will love it.

 

I was thinking the same thing. We're probably one YouTuber "discovering" the joys of mono away from it becoming premium product. 😂

I use primarily mono.

I love mono! Sunline Supernatural was my choice in the "Metered" color.

 

I still use 8lb Big Game as my leader when using braid. 

Really interesting to hear so many of you still committed to mono or even coming back to it. I’ve been mostly braid-to-fluoro the past few years, but between abrasion issues and how much line I go through surfcasting, I'm seriously reconsidering my setup.

Berkeley Big Game keeps coming up — is there a particular lb test you find most versatile? I’m usually targeting reds and drum, but occasionally hook into bigger stuff. Also, any tips on managing memory in mono when you're doing a lot of casting from shore?

Always thought of mono as more “old school,” but y’all are making me think I’ve overlooked a solid option.

I probably sound like a broken record but, I only have two rigs with braid on them. One is my flipping and pitching in the ruff stuff and the other is for docks. 
I have mono, Berkeley Big Game, or Bass Pro Excel, on everything else. As for how to manage mono, I use line conditioner, use it when I’m spooling it. Frequently after that, I I will put it on the day before going fishing.
I’m not a fan of braid, it a personal preference kinda thing. It’s too noisy…..Whirrrrrrr every time I cast, and when retrieving your line under a load. Nope don’t like it.

Never left. Use mono on all my reels. Mostly Big Game and BPS Excel with 12 and 8 pounds on the bait casters and spinning outfits, respectively. 30lb braid on a spinning set up. Now, if I were on lake Okeechobee this morning, I'd be using a lot more braid presentations.

Good Fishing

5 hours ago, EchoHorizon23 said:

Really interesting to hear so many of you still committed to mono or even coming back to it. I’ve been mostly braid-to-fluoro the past few years, but between abrasion issues and how much line I go through surfcasting, I'm seriously reconsidering my setup.

Berkeley Big Game keeps coming up — is there a particular lb test you find most versatile? I’m usually targeting reds and drum, but occasionally hook into bigger stuff. Also, any tips on managing memory in mono when you're doing a lot of casting from shore?

Always thought of mono as more “old school,” but y’all are making me think I’ve overlooked a solid option.

 

Big game runs thick for a given rating, so buy it based on the diameter.  15# is a good all around for bass line.  If you're fishing the flats for reds and more medium inshore tackle then have a look at the 12#.  The 12# is still 0.013" which is the same diameter as 16# supernatural.  

6 lb mono on every spinning rod I’ve ever used with the exception of ultra light, which gets 4 lb. Tried braid on spinning, no thanks 

I love mono. Big game and Maxima. Lots of heartbreaks with flouro but I still use it.  Mono takes the abuse. I can trust it more with a blood knot and an FG knot. if I'm flipping bushes I re-tie flouro 10 times a day and no problems. but if there's a nick I don't see or I forget cause I need one more cast.....

i've spent crazy amounts of hours tying knots in the garage testing for strength and reliability.  

Big game has my heart.  20 lb for heavy cover.  15 lb for medium cover and moving baits like lipless or spinnerbait. 8-12 lb for spinning rods and Jerkbaits and small cranks and stuff.  Braid for frogs and buzzbaits and backing.

No, because we keep in touch