Trilene XT vs. Trilene XL

[riverbasser]

Which do you prefer and why? What's the difference?

[WIGuide]

I used to use both depending on situation. Back in the day the XT stood for Xtra tough, and XL was for Xtra limp. XT was designed to be used on a baitcasting reel as it was more abrasion resistant, but that came at a trade off that it had more memory. XL was a limper line designed for use on spinning reels and is a good line, but it doesn't have the same abrasion resistance that XT has. 

Before I started using fluoro, I would use them both the way they were intended. 

[Turtle135]

I prefer XT. My baitcasting reels get 14 and 17 pound test and my spinning reels get 8 pound test.

I believe XT is more abrasion resistant and has less stretch than XL. The catch is XT is a much fatter line than XL in the same pound test (17 pound test XT has a diameter of .017 inches compared to 17 pound test XL at .015 inches). So to a large degree it is hard to compare the two lines apples to apples. I also know both the 14 and 17 XT actually break at over 20 pounds because I can lift 20 pounds of weight lifting plates with a single strand of XT.

If I was a heavy crankbait user the fatter line might be an issue with limiting the diving depth of cranks but I'm more of a spinnerbait/jig fisherman so line diameter does not bother me.

My heavier XT is manageable on baitcasting gear. I have sometimes bumped up to 10 pound XT on spinning gear and did not have a line management issues.

 

 

 

[jtharris3]

With the type of cover that I fish, I've always used XT. As far as line memory, that pretty much goes away after a couple of casts. It's never been a problem for me. I use XT on both my baitcasters and spinning reels.

[WRB]

Take a look at the line diameter; XL is one line size smaller than XT: 10 lb XL is the same as 8 lb XT. When you compare line by diameter in lieu of "rated" lb test you can't tell any difference between XL, XT and Big Game except price.

Tom

 

[scaleface]

37 minutes ago, WRB said:

Take a look at the line diameter; XL is one line size smaller than XT: 10 lb XL is the same as 8 lb XT. When you compare line by diameter in lieu of "rated" lb test you can't tell any difference between XL, XT and Big Game except price.

Tom

 

Yep . I have been using 17 lb test xl on my worm rod and its the same diameter as 15 lb xt . I dont know if they are the same formula or not .

[riverbasser]

I wonder if they are the same then? I've only ever used XT and I like it but I've heard others prefer XL which is why I made topic. Need a new spool for crank setup and figured I'd see the difference, maybe there is no diff.

[Jeff H]

I just stick to XT, because I've been using it for 30 yrs or so now and I have complete confidence in it .  I even have 4lb XT on my little Daiwa Presso finesse caster.   Amazing how strong that stuff is!

[OnthePotomac]

I fish my spinnerbait on 17lb XL.  For the last eight years it has worked well.  I pick it up when it goes on sale.

[the reel ess]

I used to use 10 lb XL for deep cranking when I fished the big lakes because it was thinner and stretched well.. I liked 14 lb. XT for the T-rigs, spinnerbaits, etc. I no longer fish the big lakes so I don't need to crank much. A friend turned me to on to 15 lb. Berkley Big Game and I've been using it ever since for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwaters as well as the occasional crankbait. Big Game is so cheap you can afford to replace it a couple times a year (I don't). And it's so strong I got a trailer hook on a buzzbait hung on a log the other night and bent it out. It also stretches well for use with trebles and floats for use with topwaters. I had a situation once where a 6 pounder swam under the right side of my kayak and was thrashing around under a boat dock on the left side of me. I had to lock the spool down with my thumb and simply drag the fish back. No problem with Big Game.

I use straight braid for most single hook, bottom-bumping applications and on both my spinning combos.

[riverbasser]

45 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

I used to use 10 lb XL for deep cranking when I fished the big lakes because it was thinner and stretched well.. I liked 14 lb. XT for the T-rigs, spinnerbaits, etc. I no longer fish the big lakes so I don't need to crank much. A friend turned me to on to 15 lb. Berkley Big Game and I've been using it ever since for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwaters as well as the occasional crankbait. Big Game is so cheap you can afford to replace it a couple times a year (I don't). And it's so strong I got a trailer hook on a buzzbait hung on a log the other night and bent it out. It also stretches well for use with trebles and floats for use with topwaters. I had a situation once where a 6 pounder swam under the right side of my kayak and was thrashing around under a boat dock on the left side of me. I had to

45 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Phone is doing some weird stuff with the quote function.

My main purpose will be deeper cranking and some top water so after using all 3 which would you prefer for this purpose?

[the reel ess]

Given that XL is thinner, probably XL. But I don't know how much difference you'll really be able to tell in the same lb test. I was using 10 lb XL for cranking and 12-14 XT for other presentations. You can tell a difference in stretch properties between the two and I would not want to be setting the hook hard, the way you do with T-rigged worm, with XL.

Check the line often after catching fish, or even if you aren't catching. Don't want to lose that $6 or $7 crankbait to a really good fish.