Trilene XL

[Mobasser]

I've used trilene xl a lot over the years. I always use it for spook fishing. 12lb. Haven't had any problems, but I think Stren is just as good 

[islandbass]

7 hours ago, Wurming67 said:

I just used braid today for the first time since it came out and it made a big difference imho, it was more sensitive,casted great but I can see why guys use line conditioner,but the biggest thing I noticed was my hooksets we're right on,the  power of the line really penetrated the hook I was noticing with mono the stretch from it I was missing some fish so I think I'm gonna keep using it,but I can see using big game for my spinner bait, buzzbait,rattle trap though  I might give fluorcarbon a try on senko setup.Thanks for all the suggestions for using braid made a huge difference today.

I recall learning the same things about braid. I remember being blown away at the feedback braid transmits, so much so that I jokingly say it would turn an ugly stik into a Loomis.

 

The only “bad” thing, not really bad but to be mindful of is that same zero stretch trait can backfire on you in one way. You could actually yank your bait away from the fish — and that risk increases when you can see the take. So when I use braid and can see the take,  I make sure they have it first. 

[BassThumb]

In general, it's not a good idea to judge a fishing line (or any other product) based on one issue.

 

A lot of things could have caused that breakage. Could have been a bad knot, nick in the line, tiny nick in rod guide, bad spool (it happens), abrasion from bass teeth or an underwater object, etc.

 

Best to let a consistent pattern develop before making judgement. Trilene XL is one of the softest, least abrasion-resistant lines on the market, after all.

[Wurming67]

I'm entertaining the idea of putting braid on my weight less Texas rigged senko or fluorocarbon

[Fishingmickey]

I used 14lb XL exclusively on my bait casters for many years. Never had any problems with breakages. I had many bass run me through a field of Lilly pad stems and not break off. I did re-tie and check after each fish. I have switched to using fluorocarbon and braid on frog and flip/pitch rods.

FM 

[WRB]

Trilene XL mean eXtra Limp, XT is eXtra Tough, softer verses harder line originally marketed spinning verses baitcasting reels. Big Game came out decades later as salt water line, finding it's way to fresh water. What is interesting XT is 1 size larger then XL per lb test.

Tom

[Pkfish49]

After trial and error, I've settled on Triline XT 10 LB test.  I mostly shore-cast and found that this handles abrasive contact with rocks and general repeated contact with heavy weeds and obstructions much better than the same test XL.  I don't get the "smooth casting" marketing lingo for the XL series.  I don't have any problems casting with XT line and didn't find the XL line to have casted any better.

[Hulkster]

Quote

What is interesting XT is 1 size larger then XL per lb test.

I think its 2x larger. I think 8 pound XT is the same as 12 pound XL. something like that

[thinkingredneck]

You can buy Maxima online from a number of sources.  Walmart has 1000 yd spools for less than $20.  Free delivery for store pickup.  Cabelas, BPS, etc

[Cak920]

Personally I will never put Trilene line on my reels again. I’ve tried it twice and it was terrible. The memory was the worst I’ve ever had. First time I thought I must have just got a bad spool but after the second time I was not happy. Then a friend had the same experience so I won’t buy it.

[Wurming67]

I just put braid on all my reels,should have done it years ago but when braid first came out it cooked my reels and shattered my rods so I was gun shy.Guess the rods and reels are now made to handle braid.

[JustinJ]

i have been using trilene XL for years and never had an issue. while it can have some memory, (especially in cold weather/water) it is by far the best handling mono to use on a spinning reel.

[puddlepuncher]

I just switched one of my setups to Trilene XL and have been impressed with it's lack of memory compared to other mono's.  I'm a braid guy but I do enjoy the silence of mono especially when cranking.  I was suspicious of this line as it is very supple but it has hauled in some decent bass, and some lumber without any break offs.  

[scaleface]

I use 17 lb XL  blue fluorescent on my worm rod . Its only .015 inches diameter .

 

 I lost a large fish on a crankbait last year using 12 lb Big Game . I'm not going to stop using it  . I figure it was a bad knot , nick it the line or maybe even a walleye with sharp teeth .

[sully420]

On 4/17/2018 at 8:04 AM, Wurming67 said:

I'm entertaining the idea of putting braid on my weight less Texas rigged senko or fluorocarbon

If you are useing spinning gear i recommended 10-20lb braid to a 8lb floro leader. Make sure you put 10 to 20 yards of mono backing on your spinning reel.

[Wurming67]

7 hours ago, sully420 said:

If you are useing spinning gear i recommended 10-20lb braid to a 8lb floro leader. Make sure you put 10 to 20 yards of mono backing on your spinning reel.

Thanks for info but I don't use any spinning reels,heavy grass here in Florida so I stick with baitcasters and heavy rods.

Not knocking trilene XL at all depending on the application I was using it in the wrong application.

[Dranrab]

On 4/18/2018 at 10:46 PM, JustinJ said:

i have been using trilene XL for years and never had an issue. while it can have some memory, (especially in cold weather/water) it is by far the best handling mono to use on a spinning reel.

Justin, just out of curiosity have you ever tried P-line CX Premium?  If so, how do the two lines compare?

[Big-Bass]

BPS Excel is pretty decent for the price.  I have used Trilene XL for as long as I have been fishing (30+ years).

[Wurming67]

Tried the braid on senko I didn't like it couldnt stay in good contact with it and it didn't sink the way I like it so i put big game back on senko but braid is staying on trig weighted and big eze but mono on spinner bait, rattle trap and buzzbait also gotta buy heavier gauge hooks for braid it bends them up pretty good?

[Bankbeater]

How was the XL doing while tying on different baits?  Sometimes the line will break while tightening down knots if the line is bad.

[Wurming67]

6 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

How was the XL doing while tying on different baits?  Sometimes the line will break while tightening down knots if the line is bad.

I noticed that,lost confidence in it so I'm using braid and big game

[Beetlebz]

On my topwater rod I went to 15lb big game. I feel like it has a little more memory than the XL that was on it last season but man, the difference in abrasion resistance makes it worth it. That stuff is tough. Maybe not whopper plopper in pike water tough... but tough 

 

I'll throw a c-rig on it all day without any sign of any kind of wear from the tungsten bullet weight even. Stuff is ok in my book. I didn't have many issues with XL but I did find occasion to retie my c-rigs from time to time from the weight (including a couple break-offs on casting).

[Tywithay]

11 hours ago, Beetlebz said:

On my topwater rod I went to 15lb big game. I feel like it has a little more memory than the XL that was on it last season but man, the difference in abrasion resistance makes it worth it. That stuff is tough. Maybe not whopper plopper in pike water tough... but tough 

 

I'll throw a c-rig on it all day without any sign of any kind of wear from the tungsten bullet weight even. Stuff is ok in my book. I didn't have many issues with XL but I did find occasion to retie my c-rigs from time to time from the weight (including a couple break-offs on casting).

15lb big game should be pretty abrasion resistant...it's over 20lb test diameter.

[Beetlebz]

6 hours ago, Tywithay said:

15lb big game should be pretty abrasion resistant...it's over 20lb test diameter.

Yeah, I could definitely downsize. A little L&L does big things though.