To begin with, it's great to be here! This is my first post, so take it easy on me! I did a search for this, but didn't feel the results fully answered my question.

Just as a little background before my question I've only been fishing regulary for about the last five years or so. By regulary, I mean at least a couple times a week (before that, it was a couple times a year). So, I apologize if all my terminology, etc. isn't quite up to par. I have 2 rods (both with spinning reels). About 70% of the time I fish rivers (usually wading) and the rest of the time I fish ponds or small lakes. Most of the water I fish seems to be of average visibility (not too dirty, not too clear, but leaning toward the more clear side). I fish with 3 Kalin grubs quite a bit, but I try to switch it up depending on fishing conditions.

Anyway, for the first few years after I really got into fishing, I mainly used Trilene XL (usually 6#) and/or Stren Original Fluor Blue/Clear (6#). I've also tried Cajun line, Trilene XT, Bass Pro XPS and McCoy's none of which I liked quite as much as the XL or Stren. I kind of prefer the Stren over the XL. After reading through this board (along with a couple others), and after reading reviews on various lines, it appears there might be much better ones out there. However, I'm a simple fisherman, and I like to keep things that way. I'm happy with my 2 rods (heck, I'd be happy with just one of them). I'm basically just looking for a really good, all-around line to suit my needs. Something I can put on and not have to worry about. To me personally, fishing is more about standing in the middle of the river casting, while the sun comes up over the fog-covered water. If I catch something, that's just a bonus.

That being said, I do like trying out new stuff. Some of the lines I've read about that sound interesting are the P-Line CX, Yo-Zuri Hybrid, and Suffix Siege.

Considering my experience, fishing habits and the conditions I fish, does anyone have any recommendations on what might be a good line for me?

Thanks in advance for any info (and for taking the time to read this post, which turned out longer than planned)! I look forward to being around here more often!

It's hard to beat XL on spinning gear. I've tried just about every brand out there, and keep going back to XL for all my spinning reels. I simply have a lot fewer line problems with XL on spinning tackle. I do use flouro and co-poly lines on my baitcasters, but we won't go there since you didn't ask about that.

All of the co-polymer and flouro lines are stiffer than XL. That means more line memory, more "hairballs", and shorter casts.

Some of them are so stiff, the only thing they're good for is making slinkies. Yo-Zuri Hybrid is one of those. Don't even try it. Zo-Zuri Hybrad Ultra Soft is quite a bit better, but still not as limp as XL. P-Line CX and Suffix Siege are OK for baitcast gear, but not so good for spinning. Suffix Elite is comparable to Zo-Zuri Hybrad Ultra Soft. Both are OK for spinning, but not optimum in my book.

You'll get a lot of opinions on this topic. My best advice would be to buy the smallest spool you can get when trying new lines, only remove about half of your existing line, tie a back-to-back uni knot or blood knot to join the new line to the old, and fill it up. I do this on all my reels, spinning or baitcasting. Saves quite a bit over time.

I like your philosophy. Welcome aboard.

Cheers,

GK

Thanks for the reply!  Very helpful and informative!  One thing I forgot to ask about - what about color?  I've tried both low-vis green and clear - does this matter much?  I've never really understood why you would use one over the other.  

Thanks again!

Welcome aboard!

I HIGHLY recommend #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft. The line is significantly stronger than XL and has virtually no memory in use. This line in a bonded fluorocarbon/ nylon copolymer which unlike monofilament, does NOT absorb water and is uneffected by UV light.

http://www.yo-zuri.com/Products/ProdLine/Hybrid.htm

You will note on the specifications chart, #6 has a .010" diameter and 11.9 lb breaking strength. If you prefer a thinner line, #4 is .009" diameter, 8.5 lb test.

Although I do not think color matters, I suggest green which seems to blend well with most water colors.

Green is a good color line for most waters. Unless you're doing a lot of soft plastics fishing, and need to be a line watcher. I always use something more visible for those applications. Part of my problem, or maybe all of it, is being color-blind. Some lines are just very hard for me to see against the water. Green is  good choice, if you can see it.

I have ZO-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft on one spinning rod. I'm going to leave on for a little longer to give it a fair trial. It has more memory than XL, but, the coils disappear after a few casts. Berkley's Transition does the same thing. The first couple of casts are kinky, then it straightens out and performs nicely. On a baitcaster that is. I haven't tried Transition on spinning gear.

Cheers,

GK

 I really try to keep things as uncomplicated as possible. I have been using reg. Stren for longer than I'm ready to admit to (decades). Use #8 on spinning and #12 on baitcasting. Have given some thought to using the Ultra Soft that RW speaks highly of.

 Maybe I didn't give it a long enough fair trial, but I tried #8 XL on my spinning outfit and I thought the #* Stren had less memory, gonna get flamed for that one !

 Glad you feel that way about fishing and wanted to say WELCOME to the forums!!

                                                   As Ever,

                                                    Skillet

Trilene XL is one of the oldest lines on the market and still one of the best. Before recommending a line to you id first like to introduce to you the main categorys of line available as well as point out the advantages (and disadvantage of each). The same best line a spinning reel might have usually is different from the best line on a baitcaster so ill try to stick with spinning line recommendations. You will find a lot of opinions and recommendations provided to you but you will soon learn how ones persons "best" wont neccessarly be yours as you go through trying different lines. With all that said and knowing this line is going on spinning gear lets get started-

Mono: Mono is what id like to consider your basic fishing line. It has a little bit of everything when it comes to visability, some stretch, pretty limp, floats, abrasion resistant, larger diameter then other lines ill mention, and good knot strength with memory varying from line to line. Its a good general purpose line for the casual angler.

Recomendation(s): Maxima Ultragreen and Trilene XL, like them equally but I do go with Maxima between them.. if price isnt a concern I highly recommend you try some Sunline Shooter Defier.

Stay away from: Unknown brands.

Braid: Braids always been a personal favorite of mine however due to their visability issues I cant always use it (because of clearer water) as I refuse to tie leaders. Its a very tough line. Braid is the toughest available on the pull and strike, has the smallest diameter of all lines mentioned, has no stretch (which makes it sensitive), very little to no memory, very limp, and sinks however its not very abasion resistant compared to other lines but does okay in this area (when compareing diameter to diameter).

Recommendation(s): Suffix Performance Braid and Power Pro with the edge going to Suffix.

Stay away from: Spider Wire Stealth, this stuff doesnt last long compared to other braids offered, loses color fast, and I just dont care for it at all.

Copolymer: These types of line are relatively newer compared to the previous listed. Memory varys from line to line, not much stretch (sensitive) in most copoly lines, small diameter, abrasion resistant, less visable than mono, knot strength is decent. Of all the lines to find a favorite between this and the two mentioned above this has been the toughest. It deffinatly performs better on casting gear in my opinion but can be used on spinning if you can find a brand that you can handle pretty well.

Recommendation(s): Sunline MachineGun cast, Gamma, and P-Line Evolution.

Stay away from: Yo-Zuri Hybrid, I just do not care for this stuff. I gave it more then one chance. Its stiffness ruins it for me and it deffinatly works better on casting gear then spinning. This one shocked me as its highly regarded by most but I really just do not like it. I havent tried the Ultra Soft but I dont want the extra stretch. I do however like the Yo-Zuri Cobra a lot but am unsure what type of line it is and if its even made anymore.

Fluorocarbon: This is the newest line to me of all mentioned has got to be the hottest type of line on the market right now and quickly becoming a favorite of mine when I just cant use braid (which is my favorite). If you see the positives im about to list it shouldnt be a suprise as to why I like it so much since its known im a braid lover these two lines share a few similar properties. Its very expensive but.. You get the least visable line of all the types mentioned, is known for its very little to no stretch (sensitive), sinks, small diameter, is known to be stiff but ive handled some limp ones, memory can be a problem but again it varys from line to line more so then other lines, and its not known to have a good knot strength compared to the rest of the lines mentioned. Just moisten your knot before tightning it.

Recommended: Sunline FC Sniper (Deffinatly this for spinning), Toray, BPS XPS (actually made by Toray), and im testing out Gammas Egde right now which seems very limp and nice so far.

Stay away from: Berkley Vanish & Vanish Transition, I simply just cant get over how much they marketed this line and its absolutely awful. Its knot strength is the weakest of all fluoros so far and its rated # strength is over rated.

Hope this helps, let me know which you end up likeing.

Spinning Gear: McCoys Flo Blue copoly & Cabela's Ripcord Si Plus braid in green.

Just starting to get into baitcasters so I can't help you there.

Thank you all again for all the information and the welcomes. It looks like I can learn a lot here!

Though it seems to get mixed reviews, I think I'm going to buy a small spool of the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft to try out. If I don't like it, I can easily pull it off and go back to XL or Stren (or try one of the other recommendations).

Thanks again!

You might want to give Maxima ultragreen line a chance.

has excellent abrasion resistant, low memory, low stretch, low visibility

we spool this line alot down here in southern california, not to mention works very well with baitcasting reels.

Who do you guys think makes BPS Excel line? I used to use it all the time especially on my clients rods. It was a little stretchy but, it allowed a lot of leeway on greenhorns fighting big smallies. Some years its the best line you can ask for but, the last two years or so has been terrible. Especially the #6 test. I figured every few years a bid comes up to make this line for BPS. It has seemed very Stren to me this last year or so. By that I mean, its very strong but, kinky. What say you?

Trilene XL is one of the oldest lines on the market and still one of the best. Before recommending a line to you id first like to introduce to you the main categorys of line available as well as point out the advantages (and disadvantage of each). The same best line a spinning reel might have usually is different from the best line on a baitcaster so ill try to stick with spinning line recommendations. You will find a lot of opinions and recommendations provided to you but you will soon learn how ones persons "best" wont neccessarly be yours as you go through trying different lines. With all that said and knowing this line is going on spinning gear lets get started-

Mono: Mono is what id like to consider your basic fishing line. It has a little bit of everything when it comes to visability, some stretch, pretty limp, floats, abrasion resistant, larger diameter then other lines ill mention, and good knot strength with memory varying from line to line. Its a good general purpose line for the casual angler.

Recomendation(s): Maxima Ultragreen and Trilene XL, like them equally but I do go with Maxima between them.. if price isnt a concern I highly recommend you try some Sunline Shooter Defier.

Stay away from: Unknown brands.

Braid: Braids always been a personal favorite of mine however due to their visability issues I cant always use it (because of clearer water) as I refuse to tie leaders. Its a very tough line. Braid is the toughest available on the pull and strike, has the smallest diameter of all lines mentioned, has no stretch (which makes it sensitive), very little to no memory, very limp, and sinks however its not very abasion resistant compared to other lines but does okay in this area (when compareing diameter to diameter).

Recommendation(s): Suffix Performance Braid and Power Pro with the edge going to Suffix.

Stay away from: Spider Wire Stealth, this stuff doesnt last long compared to other braids offered, loses color fast, and I just dont care for it at all.

Copolymer: These types of line are relatively newer compared to the previous listed. Memory varys from line to line, not much stretch (sensitive) in most copoly lines, small diameter, abrasion resistant, less visable than mono, knot strength is decent. Of all the lines to find a favorite between this and the two mentioned above this has been the toughest. It deffinatly performs better on casting gear in my opinion but can be used on spinning if you can find a brand that you can handle pretty well.

Recommendation(s): Sunline MachineGun cast, Gamma, and P-Line Evolution.

Stay away from: Yo-Zuri Hybrid, I just do not care for this stuff. I gave it more then one chance. Its stiffness ruins it for me and it deffinatly works better on casting gear then spinning. This one shocked me as its highly regarded by most but I really just do not like it. I havent tried the Ultra Soft but I dont want the extra stretch. I do however like the Yo-Zuri Cobra a lot but am unsure what type of line it is and if its even made anymore.

Fluorocarbon: This is the newest line to me of all mentioned has got to be the hottest type of line on the market right now and quickly becoming a favorite of mine when I just cant use braid (which is my favorite). If you see the positives im about to list it shouldnt be a suprise as to why I like it so much since its known im a braid lover these two lines share a few similar properties. Its very expensive but.. You get the least visable line of all the types mentioned, is known for its very little to no stretch (sensitive), sinks, small diameter, is known to be stiff but ive handled some limp ones, memory can be a problem but again it varys from line to line more so then other lines, and its not known to have a good knot strength compared to the rest of the lines mentioned. Just moisten your knot before tightning it.

Recommended: Sunline FC Sniper (Deffinatly this for spinning), Toray, BPS XPS (actually made by Toray), and im testing out Gammas Egde right now which seems very limp and nice so far.

Stay away from: Berkley Vanish & Vanish Transition, I simply just cant get over how much they marketed this line and its absolutely awful. Its knot strength is the weakest of all fluoros so far and its rated # strength is over rated.

Hope this helps, let me know which you end up likeing.

Great advice.  My only issue is that apparently the "no-stretch" aspect of fluorocarbon has been greatly exaggerated.  Check out this link for great reviews and a debunking of the no-stretch myth:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbontest.html

If you like XL, you'll love P-Line CX.

Trilene XL is one of the oldest lines on the market and still one of the best. Before recommending a line to you id first like to introduce to you the main categorys of line available as well as point out the advantages (and disadvantage of each). The same best line a spinning reel might have usually is different from the best line on a baitcaster so ill try to stick with spinning line recommendations. You will find a lot of opinions and recommendations provided to you but you will soon learn how ones persons "best" wont neccessarly be yours as you go through trying different lines. With all that said and knowing this line is going on spinning gear lets get started-

Mono: Mono is what id like to consider your basic fishing line. It has a little bit of everything when it comes to visability, some stretch, pretty limp, floats, abrasion resistant, larger diameter then other lines ill mention, and good knot strength with memory varying from line to line. Its a good general purpose line for the casual angler.

Recomendation(s): Maxima Ultragreen and Trilene XL, like them equally but I do go with Maxima between them.. if price isnt a concern I highly recommend you try some Sunline Shooter Defier.

Stay away from: Unknown brands.

Braid: Braids always been a personal favorite of mine however due to their visability issues I cant always use it (because of clearer water) as I refuse to tie leaders. Its a very tough line. Braid is the toughest available on the pull and strike, has the smallest diameter of all lines mentioned, has no stretch (which makes it sensitive), very little to no memory, very limp, and sinks however its not very abasion resistant compared to other lines but does okay in this area (when compareing diameter to diameter).

Recommendation(s): Suffix Performance Braid and Power Pro with the edge going to Suffix.

Stay away from: Spider Wire Stealth, this stuff doesnt last long compared to other braids offered, loses color fast, and I just dont care for it at all.

Copolymer: These types of line are relatively newer compared to the previous listed. Memory varys from line to line, not much stretch (sensitive) in most copoly lines, small diameter, abrasion resistant, less visable than mono, knot strength is decent. Of all the lines to find a favorite between this and the two mentioned above this has been the toughest. It deffinatly performs better on casting gear in my opinion but can be used on spinning if you can find a brand that you can handle pretty well.

Recommendation(s): Sunline MachineGun cast, Gamma, and P-Line Evolution.

Stay away from: Yo-Zuri Hybrid, I just do not care for this stuff. I gave it more then one chance. Its stiffness ruins it for me and it deffinatly works better on casting gear then spinning. This one shocked me as its highly regarded by most but I really just do not like it. I havent tried the Ultra Soft but I dont want the extra stretch. I do however like the Yo-Zuri Cobra a lot but am unsure what type of line it is and if its even made anymore.

Fluorocarbon: This is the newest line to me of all mentioned has got to be the hottest type of line on the market right now and quickly becoming a favorite of mine when I just cant use braid (which is my favorite). If you see the positives im about to list it shouldnt be a suprise as to why I like it so much since its known im a braid lover these two lines share a few similar properties. Its very expensive but.. You get the least visable line of all the types mentioned, is known for its very little to no stretch (sensitive), sinks, small diameter, is known to be stiff but ive handled some limp ones, memory can be a problem but again it varys from line to line more so then other lines, and its not known to have a good knot strength compared to the rest of the lines mentioned. Just moisten your knot before tightning it.

Recommended: Sunline FC Sniper (Deffinatly this for spinning), Toray, BPS XPS (actually made by Toray), and im testing out Gammas Egde right now which seems very limp and nice so far.

Stay away from: Berkley Vanish & Vanish Transition, I simply just cant get over how much they marketed this line and its absolutely awful. Its knot strength is the weakest of all fluoros so far and its rated # strength is over rated.

Hope this helps, let me know which you end up likeing.

Great advice. My only issue is that apparently the "no-stretch" aspect of fluorocarbon has been greatly exaggerated. Check out this link for great reviews and a debunking of the no-stretch myth:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbontest.html

I frequent that website and have read that article a few times. You are right its no stretch does seem to be over rated according to that preview. When comparing fluoro and other lines (braid aside) it seems to have less stretch overall. Like I said if I could fish one line and one line only itd be braid because I love its charecteristics. Aside from the handling aspect (of some fluoros) the fluoros ive tried so far seem to give me a lot of the same qualitys as braid while being nearly invisable.

In my opinion I think fluoros in general got branded "no-stretch" because the density of the line is so great (which is why it sinks), maybe the sensitivity is generated because of line density and not because of no stretch? Copolymers in general seem to have that no stretch charecteristic I love but some reasons the fluoro just feels better on my casting gear.

If you like XL, you'll love P-Line CX.

That's a very good recommendation. I cant believe I forgot to include that, its one of the limpest copolys youll ever use.

Sorry about the slight hijack but its on topic.

What are your thoughts on P-Line Floroclear ? for casting?

P-Line Floroclear is manufactured by placing a fluorocarbon topcoating over a copolymer (nylon) core. The line is relatively weak and is prone to random breaks. By that I mean, it breaks while casting without apparent cause. Tried it for awhile, couldn't trust it.

As an aside, P-Line CXX was my main line for a couple of years. I quit using it when I moved to Yo-Zuri Hybrid and then to Hybrid Ultra Soft. The only knock against P-Line CXX is terrible memory, especially in cold weather. For me, that is a huge issue.

thanks RW. I tried it a little at the end of last season but didnt get much of a chance to really use it. WIll have to try the Yo-Zuri. Any isuue with casting on a baitcaster?

Welcome OSdave, you've picked a winning forum

Technically speaking, no line is "non-stretch" per se, however braided spectra (polyurethane) comes the closest.

Second on the ladder is "fluorocarbon" (polyvinylidene fluoride), which is significantly more stretch-resistant than nylon.

To capture the beneficial properties of both polymers (fluorocarbon and nylon) manufacturers use many forms of copolymerization.

To touch on semantics, when both polymers are blended into a single strand the result is a "Monofilament" copolymer.

When a nylon core is jacketed with fluorocarbon for example, the result is a "Cofilament" copolymer.

Manufacturer's claims will take us to the moon and back, but no combination of nylon and fluorocarbon

can escape five realities that are baked into the cake. All Copolymer Line Is:

> More "Stretch-Resistant" than pure nylon

> More "Abrasion-Resistant" than pure nylon

> "Longer Lasting" than pure nylon (but not as long as braided spectra)

> "Less Visible" than pure nylon (of unknown significance)

> "Substantially Less Manageable" than pure nylon (A Big No-No).

Like yourself, I use spinning tackle almost exclusively (save trolling, shiner fishing and saltwater angling).

In spite of the advantages of fluorocarbon (polyvinylidene fluoride), its wiry behavior is the kiss-of-death.

My spinning line for decades was Berkley Trilene XL but today I use Power Pro braided spectra.

Braided polyurethane is virtually non-stretch and is virtually memory-free, it's a godsend to spinning tackle.

Roger