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best mono line on a budget??

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ok... i am a relatively low budget guy.  you know... married...kids.. :-?

i do not own a boat.  i have 4 low cost ($40) spinning reels and $40 rods.  i fish as often as possible.  3-4 times a week.

i have always used  10-12lb mono line.....  for a couple reasons....what i am used to and the fear of the unknown for knots/abrasion/etc.  and the general versatility of mono.

could i get some suggestions for what mono you might use?  

currently i use Trilene XL.  would you choose different?

thanks...

  • Super User

Trilene Big Game.

I have used XL for years and XT before that but last year I tried some BPS XPS and like it just fine. I tried it because I tried and liked the BPS fluorocarbon which is also fine.

  • Super User

Line and hooks are the most important equipment we use.

Don't skimp, but use what you like. The cost for most lines

is nominal and often on sale. Trilene XL is fine.

Step up a notch and buy "expensive hooks". Gamakatsu, Owner,

Mustad, Xpoint and VMC are all good.

8-)

well i'm discouraged to say this on here but IZORLINE XXX is pretty cheap and a good line but there is probably nothing wrong with your trilene

a good line that will spool a couple of reels is berkley big game. but my new favorite is about $9 for 330yds is suffix seige

  • Author

thanks...

i was hoping the XL was ok/good enough

yes, i do "step up" for the hooks. using Owner, Gamakatsu and Mustad

thanks for the others suggestions too... i may try them if given the chance

  • Super User
thanks...

i was hoping the XL was ok/good enough

yes, i do "step up" for the hooks. using Owner, Gamakatsu and Mustad

thanks for the others suggestions too... i may try them if given the chance

I wouldn 't describe XL merely as a good enough/ok line, it 's one heck of a line and long time proven, however and even though I am an XL user I do see the line has some limitations; it 's not a good line for abrassive environments ( wood, rocks ) reason why I prefer Big Game, where I 'm at Big Game is a much better choice for most of the places I fish. It 's more abrassion resistant than XL, still quite user friendly and an in between in properties between XL and XT.

best bang for a low budget buck bps xps mono line

  • Author

raul,

thanks... i appreciate your detailed feedback.  i have never seen or heard of the "big game"  of course the largest bass i have ever caught is between 5-6lbs.  so maybe even i'm over doing it with the 10-12lb test i use now.   :-/

i guess i use the higher lb line for when/if i get hung up i can pull harder to get through or un-hooked... or.... if i do latch on to the MONSTER i hope for.. 8-)

i'm glad the XL is a good line.... since i bought 3 spools about a month ago when it was on sale.

Trilene XL for sure

  • Super User

You can't go wrong with XL but with big game you can pull stumps out.

A tad stiff but put on some KVD L&L and you won't regret it, especially if you latch onto a hog in heavy cover.

Big Game is a great line and a better value. You can find it just about everywhere, including Walmart. It comes in the big 1,000+ yard spools, and sells for under $9 here. Stronger than XL, but not quite as manageable.  

  • Super User

Big game 8 10 12 15 all have over 1000 yrds or more for 7 bucks

I found out about Trilene xl on accident and I love it. I went to buy Berkley's vanish flourocarbon sp? and in the box was the xl so I used it and it was great but I had to get the flouro so I went back to Wal-Mart and Got Berkley vanish again and hated it. Went back to Wal-Mart Got 10lb Xl and I love it. Cast smooth and far and has so far proven durable.

  • Super User
Trilene XL is fine.

I thought you spit on anything with the Berkley name on it??  ;)

  • Super User

If it ain't broke, don't break it.  XL is great line, and I used it for years.  I still use it for leaders on my Fireline Crystal.  I don't recomend the Crystal unless you have some patience to break it in.

If you look at my name of course im going to recomend stren original its the best mono ive ever used. I dont know how people can recomend berkley big game its the worst line ive ever used, it has more memory than an IBM. I might have gotten a bad batch of line i not sure.

  • Super User

cajun red cast if you want limp line or cajun advantage if you want a baitcaster line like big game.

  • Super User

Bass Pro Shop.

  • Super User

Berkley Big Game 15# Mean Green: $6.99 for 990 yds ;)

I'd go with Trilene XL for spinning reels.  Fairly inexpensive and high quality.  

BPS Excel mono is another great line and very reasonably priced.  I'm not sure who makes that stuff for BP, it is very strong.  

I love Big Game but it is stiffer and seems more suitable for B/C reels.  

  • Super User

10-12 lb on spinning gear?  In my opinion, your doing just fine with the xl.  At the suggestoin of others on the board, I have now spooled a couple of my baitcsters with Big Game and think the baitcasters handle it pretty good.  I think xl would be more manageable on the spinning reel though.

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