Berkeley Big Game vs. Stren Original monofilament

[EGbassing]

Stren monofilament is more expensive, but does the quality reflect the price, or is the Big Game better? I'm going to buy a bulk spool of one of these for all around stuff. Which should I go with?

[redmeansdistortion]

Big Game gets my vote.  I've been using it a good decade or so now without issue.  I was a Stren guy before, but the low price of Big Game got my attention and it works great on baitcasters.  Big Game, while good, is far too stiff for spinning tackle so it will be best used on a casting setup.  I was a Stren guy prior and my only complaint is that knots came undone from time to time.  I've never had that issue with Big Game.

[TBAG]

Never used Stren but I've been using Big Game for years on some of my baitcasters. I have no complaints and a plus, it's super cheap and readily available.

[Todd2]

Both are pretty good lines. But I give the edge to Stren. Handles better (less memory) and matches BG in abrasion resistance (if not a little better). Plus comes in my favorite clear blue fluorescent. Think of Stren as being somewhere between XT and XL, if you are familiar with those lines.

[Glaucus]

Big Game. Stren is just a legendary name that is pretty mediocre to poor in modern times. 

[EGbassing]

9 minutes ago, Todd2 said:

Both are pretty good lines. But I give the edge to Stren. Handles better (less memory) and matches BG in abrasion resistance (if not a little better). Plus comes in my favorite clear blue fluorescent. Think of Stren as being somewhere between XT and XL, if you are familiar with those lines.

I've used XT, but I don't know what XL is.

30 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Big Game gets my vote.  I've been using it a good decade or so now without issue.  I was a Stren guy before, but the low price of Big Game got my attention and it works great on baitcasters.  Big Game, while good, is far too stiff for spinning tackle so it will be best used on a casting setup.  I was a Stren guy prior and my only complaint is that knots came undone from time to time.  I've never had that issue with Big Game.

I used to use Stren but I don't remember what it was like. I think I'll go with big game though.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, EGbassing said:

I've used XT, but I don't know what XL is.

For mono, the only thing I use is Trilene XL - stands for eXtra Limp, vs XT which is eXtra Tough.

 

Never tried Big Game, never saw the need for it in my fishing. If I go over 12# test, then out comes the braid.

 

I do use Stren - but only the Flourocast.

[Bankbeater]

When I started fishing I used Stren.  I kept hearing about Big Game and tried it.  Now I haven't fished with Stren in years.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, EGbassing said:

I'm going to buy a bulk spool of one of these for all around stuff. Which should I go with

 

Berkley Big Game $6.68 for 900 yds at Wally World ?

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, EGbassing said:

    .....   all around stuff. .....

  You didn't say whether your "all around stuiff" includes spinning gear or not. If it does, Stren is the choice. If you only use casting gear, then I vote for Big Game.   jj

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, EGbassing said:

I've used XT, but I don't know what XL is.

I used to use Stren but I don't remember what it was like. I think I'll go with big game though.

XT is pretty much the same as Big Game IMHO. XT stands for extra tough. XL stands for extra limp. I think without fact checking that XT is a slighty larger diameter then XL and is about the same diameter as Big Game for the rated breaking strength. I used to use the XL for many many years until fluorocarbon and Sun line came along.  

[The Bassman]

Stren.  Bill Dance wouldn't be caught without it.....until High Seas pays him more money again.

[Hulkster]

if you would like a mono that works well on both spinning and casting, try Sufix Siege.

 

its as strong as Big Game but much more limp, limp enough to use on spinning gear.

 

its about the only mono I've found that has properties that is good on both spinning and casting hear. and its abrasion resistant too. but it is thick like Big Game though. same diameter.

[jbrew73]

I used to be a stren user but I switched to big game about the same time I switched to sunline sniper for bottom contact lures.   Big game now feels like a rubber band to me and I’m thinking of going back to stren just to see if stren is actually better or if my perception of nylon mono as a whole has changed.

 

i have one reel spooled in sunline defier based on wrb’s recommendation of it and to be honest it is way better than big game but obviously cost more.

 

Line  price is not a major influence to me considering how much I spend on rods. I think quality lines that help me detect bites is a must have for my rigs .  

[newyorktoiowa57]

I like suffix siege for what its worth.  

[Todd2]

24 minutes ago, jbrew73 said:

I used to be a stren user but I switched to big game about the same time I switched to sunline sniper for bottom contact lures.   Big game now feels like a rubber band to me and I’m thinking of going back to stren just to see if stren is actually better or if my perception of nylon mono as a whole has changed.

I don't think you'll notice too much difference between Stren and BG in terms of sensitivity. At least I can't and I have both on several different rods. Neither will be as sensitive as fluoro but when you factor in price and knot strength, mono still has a place in my boat. I do have braid on a couple and have used fluoro in the past some too. 

[Boomstick]

Fatter diameter Stren has knot strength that is similar to flurocarbon but Big Game does not have any knot strength issues and is cheaper so Big Game gets my vote

 

If I'm going to spend more on a better line, I'm going with Sufix Siege (Trilene XT isn't bad either)

[NYWayfarer]

Simple answer, use both. Go with Stren 4-8# line on finesse spinning setups and Berkley Big Game 10# or greater for baitcasters.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

Simple answer, use both. Go with Stren 4-8# line on finesse spinning setups and Berkley Big Game 10# or greater for baitcasters.

This gets my vote.  Both lines are cheap and do a good job.  Personally I like Big Game better but one of my fishing buddies uses Stren and never has any issues. 

[NYWayfarer]

6 minutes ago, FishTank said:

This gets my vote.  Both lines are cheap and do a good job.  Personally I like Big Game better but one of my fishing buddies uses Stren and never has any issues. 

Stren 8# clear blue fluorescent is still one of my go to choices for mono lines. Used it for many, many years faithfully.

[bowhunter63]

Big Game,Never had problems with it for years now.

[Stephen B]

Stren easily for me. More supple and manageable with less memory. Big Game is stiff IMO. I think that Trilene XL and Stren are worth the price increase for me. I'm good friends with a PF employee and he says that Stren is across the board the best mono line across the board in terms of cast ability, knot strength, suppleness, and abrasion resistance among all Pure Fishing branded monofilaments as they have tested them in some simulation. 

 

[Todd2]

1 minute ago, Stephen B said:

 Been told by a Pure Fishing buddy that Stren is across the board is the best mono line across the board in terms of cast ability, knot strength, suppleness, and abrasion resistance among all Pure Fishing branded monofilaments as they have tested them in some simulation. 

 

I agree with your buddy. 

[Stephen B]

Just now, Todd2 said:

I agree with your buddy. 

Me too. I could definitely see it. I like Stren and Trilene XL but usually fish Stren Original. Great Line. 

[Boomstick]

On 2/26/2019 at 9:10 AM, NYWayfarer said:

Simple answer, use both. Go with Stren 4-8# line on finesse spinning setups and Berkley Big Game 10# or greater for baitcasters.

Well said. I use 2lb and 4lb Stren for trout and it's perfect for that. I usually use Sufix Siege in 8+lb test line but will use Big Game if I'm in a pinch.