Spinning line: McCoy Mean Green vs Silver Thread AN40 vs Sunline Super Natural?

[Guest Lynchburger]

I'm not yet ready to venture into braid for my spinning outfit, but need to spool up a new Daiwa BG and want to use something different.  It's gotta be limp and manageable (for example, I often get frustrated with twists using regular ol' Trilene XL)...  10lb for general use.

 

If you had to pick one line from only these choices, which one and why?

• McCoy Mean Green copoly  (10lb = .305mm)
• Silver Thread AN40 copoly  (10lb = .287mm)
• Sunline Super Natural mono  (10lb = .260mm)

 

Thanks!

[Todd2]

I used to only use McCoy and its very limp and manageable. I haven't tried the other two.

[new2BC4bass]

I think you are SOL if Trilene XL is isn't working for you.  Are you closing the bail by hand?  Tying direct to a lure that spins on retrieve.  A few hours of casting a spoon on braid tied direct twisted my line so bad I had to remove it and respool with fresh braid.

 

I've used every line you mentioned except for Mean Green and have some of that in 12# on a baitcast reel.  All reviews I've read on Mean Green mention how limp it is.  Give it a shot.  If that doesn't work I don't know what else to suggest for a mono or co-polymer.

 

EDIT:  Sorry.  Have only used XL out of that list on a spinning reel.  Was using it over 60 years ago on a spinning reel.

[NHBull]

If the Xl isn't working, I do see you being satisfied with the others.

 

I am sure you have your reasons for not going to braid, but every teenage beginner, LOVES braid over the other options.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

30 minutes ago, NHBull said:

If the Xl isn't working, I do see you being satisfied with the others.

 

I am sure you have your reasons for not going to braid, but every teenage beginner, LOVES braid over the other options.

 

 

Did you mean "I do NOT see you being satisfied with the others" cuz I seriously doubt the 3 lines from that list that I've used would make a difference.

[earthworm77]

1 hour ago, Lynchburger said:

I'm not yet ready to venture into braid for my spinning outfit, but need to spool up a new Daiwa BG and want to use something different.  It's gotta be limp and manageable (for example, I often get frustrated with twists using regular ol' Trilene XL)...  10lb for general use.

 

If you had to pick one line from only these choices, which one and why?

• McCoy Mean Green copoly  (10lb = .305mm)
• Silver Thread AN40 copoly  (10lb = .287mm)
• Sunline Super Natural mono  (10lb = .260mm)

 

Thanks!

Not sure what type of water you are fishing, but I'd likely drop to 8lb line. I'm in Fl. and can't see needing 10lb on a spinning outfit for bass fishing. It wouldn't do anything for me that I couldn't do with braid and casting gear. I am a light tackle guy, I'd likely opt for 6lb as I currently do. I also think as you increase lb test you increase diameter and line memory.

 

I would opt for Seaguar invizx it is extremely limp and manageable.

 

I don't care for straight mono.

 

Anything McCoy is pretty good.

 

I liked regular Silver Thread back in the day, I haven't used the AN40. But, I like its diameter and if the breaking strength isn't sacrificed, I might give it a shot over the McCoy. I use McCoy clear often.

[Guest Lynchburger]

Thanks, guys.  I'm 41 and have been bass, striper and trout fishing since I could walk.  For the past 10 years, my career kept me so busy that I only went out a couple times per year.  However, things are better now, and I am updating my older gear and back at it like a teenager!  Technology certainly has changed since I last was hardcore into the sport.  For example, I have a couple baitcasters from the early 90s that were +/- $200 back then -- but likely feature tech now available even on bottom-line offerings.  We are spoiled now!  I love researching all of the new stuff.  I've never fished much with spinning outfits, always preferring baitcasters -- but have bought three spinning reels to expand...

 

In any event, my concerns re: line management stem from some issues I had last winter with a tiny Okuma Ceymar 10 ultralight I set up for native brook trout fishing.  Trilene XL 4lb test (could've been 6lb, I forget) would get fussy sometimes (not unbearable, but not easy like bass fishing on baitcasters) - of course, tossing trout lures (including spinners) in stream current probably had something to do with it.  While I can cast baitcasters in my sleep, I found I was regularly muddling with my line on the little Okuma -- and I don't want to have to mess with line with the new BG 3000 on the boat.

 

I've never used braid (neither on a baitcaster nor on a spinning reel), but am intrigued by it...  I'm a little intimidated to venture away from mono/copoly simply because I am 100% ignorant about braid (how to select it, how to handle it and how to fish it).  I'm also leery of using a leader for the same reasons.  That's why I was thinking about sticking with mono/copoly - it just seems easier.  

 

That being said, if I could find a braid that could be fished (at least initially) without a leader AND STILL CATCH FISH like on mono, I'd probably give it a shot.  But, the brands and options are pretty bewildering.  Cost isn't a concern - I just don't have any knowledge or experience to make an informed decision about the best type and test of braid for my applications.

 

 

10 minutes ago, earthworm77 said:

Not sure what type of water you are fishing, but I'd likely drop to 8lb line. I'm in Fl. and can't see needing 10lb on a spinning outfit for bass fishing. It wouldn't do anything for me that I couldn't do with braid and casting gear. I am a light tackle guy, I'd likely opt for 6lb as I currently do. I also think as you increase lb test you increase diameter and line memory.

 

I would opt for Seaguar invizx it is extremely limp and manageable.

 

I don't care for straight mono.

 

Anything McCoy is pretty good.

 

I liked regular Silver Thread back in the day, I haven't used the AN40. But, I like its diameter and if the breaking strength isn't sacrificed, I might give it a shot over the McCoy. I use McCoy clear often.

 Thanks.  I typically fish small municipal reservoirs and Smith Mountain Lake.  90% bass, 10% stripers.  Nothing rocky or heavy vegetation.  Waters are usually olive green and fairly clear (not Lake Castaic, but not muddy).  And, FWIW, would probably grab this reel for the once-a-year beach trip for casual fishing for pompano and blues in the surf.

[NHBull]

52 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Did you mean "I do NOT see you being satisfied with the others" cuz I seriously doubt the 3 lines from that list that I've used would make a difference.

Yes, and thanks for the correction, not sure if it is fat fingers or tablet setting.

we agree!

[The Fisher]

I've been using AN40 on spinning reels for a long time with no line twist but 6 & 8#

[smalljaw67]

Silver Thread AN40 is really good, I always liked that line. The abrasion resistance is good as is the diameter but the main attraction is the handling. AN40 is one of, if not the best handling line on a spinning reel, Mean green is good too but the AN40 handles better and my only experience with the super natural was 1 spool of 8lb line that seemed to break easier than the 2lb line on my trout rod but it may be better by now.

[new2BC4bass]

36 minutes ago, NHBull said:

Yes, and thanks for the correction, not sure if it is fat fingers or tablet setting.

we agree!

 

Figured that was what you meant.  Lots of times I find myself not adding the "n't" so I wind up with the opposite of what I meant to say.

[JustinJ]

Trilene xl is the answer, make sure when you spool the reel the line comes off the spool  counter clockwise. 

[dsqui]

I like my sunline super natural but I only have it on a bait caster.  So far I'm very impressed.  When spoiling make sure the line comes off the bottom of the spool.  Some guys try and do a reverse twist but I find it to be a waste of time just come off bottom keep it tight and use a line conditioner

[chasegal88]

I started using silver thread AN40 last year and its impressed me. Use 8lb on my spinning rod and 20lb on my Jig/worm rod. I fish a lot of clearer water so wanted something tough and manageable and low visibility. I was considering flouro but decided on the Silver thread based on reviews and price above all else. One thing i will add is not to use a cinch knot when tying. Learned this lesson first trip out when i lost a few bass in the 3-5lb range throwing a fluke on the 8lb line. The line does have some stretch but its extremely tough. With the 20lb line I've yet to be able to break it on hang ups, have straightened and broke hooks trying to rip lures free. Was actually just about to order a new reel of 20lb and some 14lb for my jerk/spinnerbait rod.

[Tywithay]

I like Super Natural and Mean Green quite a bit. One thing to keep in mind is that Sunline properly rates their line's breaking strength. So, 10lb is 10lb. McCoy, you could step down to 6lb and it breaks at around 9.5lb. Their 10lb line is actually closer to 14lb. A lot of folks think Super Natural isn't as strong as other lines, because they're so used to using underrated american lines.

[LAO162]

While I have not used McCoy or SilverThread, they are both on my list to try.  I used to use both 10 lb and 6 lb Gamma Copoly on my Daiwa 2500 reels.  I never had many line twist problems with 10lb Copoly.  I don't think a bass could break the 6 lb Copoly in open water, and I would have to wrap the 10 lb line around a stick to break it when I was hung up on the rocky quarry bottom. 

 

BTW, I used Copoly for the same reasons as you.  Whichever route you go, you should try KVD Line & Lure to soften (but not weaken) your Mono or Copoly.

 

[WRB]

Evaluate the line by the diameter.

10 lb Trilene XL is .011D, 8 lb is .010D. Sunline Super Natural 10 lb is .010D.

Either drop down to 8 lb test for the mono/copolymer lines mentioned or try Super Natural. Spinning reels twist line as it wraps onto the spool.

KVD line conditioner doesn’t soften line, it allows water to wet the line.

Tom

[Fishin Dad]

It sounds to me by your last post that you have some unfounded intimidation of braid.  Braid is very user friendly.  I use straight braid and catch plenty of fish on spinning gear.  Put 20 yards of cheap mono on your spinning reel, tie on some Suffix 832 10 lb. braid to the mono, use a Palomar knot to your lure, and go find the joy if braid!!   It is so much more sensitive you won't believe it.  

[fishwizzard]

On 7/21/2017 at 1:03 PM, Guest Lynchburger said:

line management stem from some issues I had last winter with a tiny Okuma Ceymar 10 ultralight I set up for native brook trout fishing.  Trilene XL 4lb test (could've been 6lb, I forget) would get fussy sometimes (not unbearable, but not easy like bass fishing on baitcasters) - of course, tossing trout lures (including spinners) in stream current probably had something to do with it.

I think this is it.  I used to have a pair of tiny tiny Okuma reels that I used to throw inline spinners for white perch.  Even with 4lb XL, I was getting awful line twist, I would have to respool like once every 2-3 trips.  I really don't like braid, but moving to a larger 1000 size reel and 8-10lb braid was a night/day difference in how everything handled.  I still keep trying different thin monos and floros, but always come back to braid for small spinning reel use. 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

Evaluate the line by the diameter.

10 lb Trilene XL is .011D, 8 lb is .010D. Sunline Super Natural 10 lb is .010D.

Either drop down to 8 lb test for the mono/copolymer lines mentioned or try Super Natural. Spinning reels twist line as it wraps onto the spool.

KVD line conditioner doesn’t soften line, it allows water to wet the line.

Tom

I hardly ever use a line conditioner.  However, I do hold the rod tip in the water on the first few casts of the day with each combo in order to get the line wet quicker so it is more manageable faster. 

[WRB]

Monofilament line is Nylon with additives to protect it from UV and copolymer osca blended Nylon line. My point being nylon absorbs water naturally, not only on the surface, the water penetrates the Nylon.

FC or fluorocarbon line doesn't hold water on the surface or absorb water, it sheds water and stays dry. KVD bonds to FC line surface allowing water to stick so it doesn't shed, FC doesn't absorb water. Dry line tends to spring off the reel spool.

Tom

[PatrickKnight]

8 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

It sounds to me by your last post that you have some unfounded intimidation of braid.  Braid is very user friendly.  I use straight braid and catch plenty of fish on spinning gear.  Put 20 yards of cheap mono on your spinning reel, tie on some Suffix 832 10 lb. braid to the mono, use a Palomar knot to your lure, and go find the joy if braid!!   It is so much more sensitive you won't believe it.  

I will 2nd this whole post. I am currently using 8 and 10 lb 832. I use straight braid 90% of the time and its rare I can not see the bottom of the river I fish. I catch plenty on straight braid. I have tried mono and fc the last couple of seasons and I just cant go back after getting used to braid.

[Djohn]

I've used AN40 copoly with good results but braid is the way to go. 

[iceintheveins]

McCoy mean green is amazing line. 

[fishindad]

I echo the posts about McCoy Mean Greeen. It is the most manageable mono and the limpest you'll find for spinning reel use. The only other line that I've found as manageable is Damyl Tectan but I don't think you can easily purchase it any more. Trust me and others, try the McCoy's. Much better than Trilene XL. And I've been spin fishing over 50 years.