Want to try big game mono

[LCG]

I am interested in trying out some big game mono for my mh-f casting rod mainly used for jigs, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits. 

 

What lb test would be best for baitcasters? Mainly used from shore some laydowns and rocks. Was thinking 12-15lb.

 

Also clear vs green line, Any advantage either way? 

 

Used to braid with leader but curious to try straight mono, something without too much stretch. 

[Deleted account]

Yeah, either will work. I like 12 for smaller baits, 15 for larger ones and heavier cover. Chatters I always go with 15. Clear or green is a personal preference thing, I use green 12 and clear 15, so I can tell them apart at a glance, the fish don't care.

[NYWayfarer]

12-15lb Big Game sounds good. I even use 10lb from time to time as I try to get away with the smallest diameter line I can. I fish clear waters so I like lighter, clear line.

[CroakHunter]

15lb big game would work well for the applications mentioned. Thats what I would prefer, although 12lb would probably do the job just fine

[Boomstick]

I would usually use 15lb for those lures so I'm ready if I'm throwing in some weeds. If you know you only fish clear water and don't have to worry about weeds, then 12lb is fine.

 

I personally almost always stick to the clear line but green is fine too, I don't think it's a big deal.

[Tyler.]

Man everyone is all about this stuff. I may have to try it out or the Berkley Trilene XL smooth casting line. How does the Big Game hold up for memory? Comparable to similar market price mono.

[ratherbfishin1]

1 minute ago, Tyler. said:

Man everyone is all about this stuff. I may have to try it out or the Berkley Trilene XL smooth casting line. How does the Big Game hold up for memory? Comparable to similar market price mono.

It definitely has some memory.  I would be very skeptical about using it for spinning, however, I don't even notice it when using bait casting.  Pull the trigger on some big game, if your looking for great value you won't regret it.

[Fishingmickey]

13 minutes ago, Tyler. said:

Man everyone is all about this stuff. I may have to try it out or the Berkley Trilene XL smooth casting line. How does the Big Game hold up for memory? Comparable to similar market price mono.

Tyler,

    Both are the XL and the Big game are good line and have been around for years. 15-20 years ago Berkely and Stren were the two major players in the fishing line market.

    The big game normally punches well above it weight class meaning 12 lb has a 15lb breaking strength and 15 lb may be 18-20#'s. The XL is also tests above advertised just not as much over as big game. Big game is more abrasion resistant and stiffer, XL is less abrasion resistant then big game but a more limp and manageable line. Both are very reasonably priced.

    Take the above for what it is worth if you decide to try some out. 

Tight lines,

Fishingmickey

   

[Tyler.]

1 minute ago, Fishingmickey said:

Tyler,

    Both are the XL and the Big game are good line and have been around for years. 15-20 years ago Berkely and Stren were the two major players in the fishing line market.

    The big game normally punches well above it weight class meaning 12 lb has a 15lb breaking strength and 15 lb may be 18-20#'s. The XL is also tests above advertised just not as much over as big game. Big game is more abrasion resistant and stiffer, XL is less abrasion resistant then big game but a more limp and manageable line. Both are very reasonably priced.

    Take the above for what it is worth if you decide to try some out. 

Tight lines,

Fishingmickey

   

So the XL Smooth Cast in the red box may be more versatile for spinning and bait casting gear. It's easier to get a 6 or 8# test in the XL smooth cast vs big game.

[Fishingmickey]

1 minute ago, Tyler. said:

So the XL Smooth Cast in the red box may be more versatile for spinning and bait casting gear. It's easier to get a 6 or 8# test in the XL smooth cast vs big game.

Yes, I think the XL is much more applicable for spinning then Big game. I myself personally would not go down to that low of a pound test on a bait caster (gonna get jumped for that comment). Bait casterfor me is 10lb and up, spinning 10lb and down. 

FM 

[NYWayfarer]

57 minutes ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

It definitely has some memory.  I would be very skeptical about using it for spinning, however, I don't even notice it when using bait casting.  Pull the trigger on some big game, if your looking for great value you won't regret it.

The little memory issues I have with Big Game on baitcasters is solved with a little KVD line and lure or Reel Snot application.

 

I am skeptical about using it on spinning gear as well. I prefer 8# Sufix Elite mono for my spinning gear.

[tholmes]

I've been using Big Game for decades. I like the Solar Collector (12# or 15#) for bottom contact baits like jigs and T-rigs because I'm an incurable line watcher and it's MUCH easier for my old eyes to see. I use 10# clear for crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater and spinnerbaits.

Lately, I've been trying BPS Excel mono and I'm liking it pretty well also.

 

Tom

[LCG]

Well 15lb it is then. Thanks for the replies. How do you guys find the sensitivity? 

[the reel ess]

I use BG 15# for all my baitcast trebles (including topwaters) and spinnerbaits/buzzbaits/chatterbaits. Reaction baits that I want the fish to get a really good bite on before I set the hook. It is very tough stuff. I also use about a 5 ft. leader of it for my jig rod for low visibility-my main line on that rod is 30# braid. I caught my PB on the aforementioned spinnerbait rod and I've had to literally drag big fish as heavy as 7 lb. out of heavy brush and from under a dock with the jig rod. Since it's so cheap, I usually change it out twice a year. I also use it for a cheap backing on my reels that I use braid on to save $$$. Also, keep a check on the end of it when you catch multiple fish. If you store your rods where it can get really hot/cold or near a heater, check it before heading out. It can get brittle from the elements.

 

I use the clear line. Since I'm using it mainly for moving baits, I'm not concerned with the sensitivity. I use 20# braid on my spinning combos. But I will still use a leader of BG sometimes.

[Catt]

My #1 line of choice is 15# Big Game Mean Green ?

 

Berkley Big Game is the highest abrasion resistance mono on the market.

 

With any monofilament the less you fish the more coils you will experience.

 

As for line conditioners, throw that in the trash!

 

For the price of Big Game I simply re-spool

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, Tyler. said:

Man everyone is all about this stuff. I may have to try it out or the Berkley Trilene XL smooth casting line. How does the Big Game hold up for memory? Comparable to similar market price mono.

I've tried XL on BCs, but its a bit too stretchy for me, and no where near as rugged as BG. For cranks or JBs in open water it works ok.  BG is about par with most other monos for memory, but it's not an issue unless its really cold out, then it becomes a wonderful toy that's fun for a girl and a boy.

[burrows]

I don't recommend big game unless your using it for backing now all the old timers here will push mono on you because they are accustomed to it or used to it but I found myself asking this very question not to long ago and I'm telling you go with copoly, floro or briad always, times have changed and mono is useless in my opinion.

[Catt]

I've fished braided Cotton, Dacron, Micron, Suture Material (Silk), Micro Dyneema®, Kevlar, & Spectra.

 

Fluorocarbon has as much stretch as mono with far less abrasion resistance & shock absorption.

 

Copolymers in my opinion does nothing that Impresses. 

[Mobasser]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

My #1 line of choice is 15# Big Game Mean Green ?

 

Berkley Big Game is the highest abrasion resistance mono on the market.

 

With any monofilament the less you fish the more coils you will experience.

 

As for line conditioners, throw that in the trash!

 

For the price of Big Game I simply re-spool

My favorite for casting reels also. Tough, affordable- seems like it's tailor made for baitcasters.

[Fishingmickey]

Old timer... Humph young whippersnappers thinking we don't know nothing bout them new falooting high dollar expensive scientific lines.

[LCG]

I have loved using braid, but my favorite rod has micro guides and leader through the guides doesn't work for me regardless of knot. 

 

So it's either short leaders or spool up with straight big game mono. Fluorocarbon is too much trouble for my liking. 

 

Figured it's cheap enough to try it out for a season. Still haven't made up my mind if fish care about line (braid, colors, etc). 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Burrows said:

I don't recommend big game unless your using it for backing now all the old timers here will push mono on you because they are accustomed to it or used to it but I found myself asking this very question not to long ago and I'm telling you go with copoly, floro or briad always, times have changed and mono is useless in my opinion.

They are so cute at that age....

[ChrisD46]

22 hours ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

It definitely has some memory.  I would be very skeptical about using it for spinning, however, I don't even notice it when using bait casting.  Pull the trigger on some big game, if your looking for great value you won't regret it.

*I recently  saw Big Game #8 lb. in Academy , I couldn't believe it as #10 lb. was as small as I thought Big Game came .

18 hours ago, Catt said:

I've fished braided Cotton, Dacron, Micron, Suture Material (Silk), Micro Dyneema®, Kevlar, & Spectra.

 

Fluorocarbon has as much stretch as mono with far less abrasion resistance & shock absorption.

 

Copolymers in my opinion does nothing that Impresses. 

*FC line is like an ex- girlfriend that you have a love / hate relationship with ! ... I appreciate  how invisible it can be in clear water along with the sensitivity - but that is all . FC line doesn't rebound after stretching the way a good mono / co-poly does ; too many stretches and the FC line will break . FC Knots ? - Don't even get me started ...

[Hulkster]

up here in Canada we can get 8 and 6 pound big game in the 1/4 spools (at Canadian tire for example). I have used the 8 on spinning gear.

 

I have used 12 on baitcasting gear, but I found that another 'tough' line Sufix Siege is just as strong and abrasion resistant but it is much more limp and more slick so it casts way farther on casting gear. So I switched to Siege from Big Game.

 

however, it is much more expensive as you cannot get it in the cheap bulk spools like you can Big Game. However, for me its, worth it, I use 10 on spinning and 12 on casting gear. its awesome stuff.

[Tyler.]

3 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*I recently  saw Big Game #8 lb. in Academy , I couldn't believe it as #10 lb. was as small as I thought Big Game came .

*FC line is like an ex- girlfriend that you have a love / hate relationship with ! ... I appreciate  how invisible it can be in clear water along with the sensitivity - but that is all . FC line doesn't rebound after stretching the way a ghood mono / co-poly does ; too many stretches and the FC line will break . FC Knots ? - Don't even get me started ...

I wouldn’t mind some 8# as you know the lighter the line the easier it is to cast.