Berkeley Big Game vs. Stren Original monofilament

[RB 77]

Both are alright. Stren seems more supple and manageable, while Big Game seems more abrasion resistant and durable. Choose accordingly to what your preference is.

[JWOA]

 big game gets my vote been using it for a whle

[islandbass]

I like big game as it is so economical. Stren is a solid line. 

 

Im going to share what I think is an odd story. If you’ve ever read my posts, for years, spinnerbaits were a nemesis, a “can’t even catch a cold with it” lure for me. I bought a filler spool of 14# stren for  salmon fishing probably back in 2007 that worked well but it’s been in my line box for years in the garage. 

 

Spinnerbaits, curse those things. It didn’t matter what I did. How I retrieved it, the rod I used, the hours of online research, the different types of line and strengths. I gave up on spinnerbaits probably back in 2009. 

 

In 2018, I decided to give spinnerbaits another go. Same results. I was out of 12# mono and needed some before going fishing but had none and I didn’t want to waste time going to the store. I stumbled across that 14# spool of stren and thought, “It’s thicker than I want to use but beggars can’t be choosers,” so I spoiled it up. 

To make a long story short, I caught my first spinnerbait bass. Not only that, I caught 7 bass on a spinnerbait in about 15 minutes time. Even got my first buzzbait bass. Guys, I started fishing in 2004. That 14 ^#*}*#*}^ years long!!!

 

Over the next few weeks, I was catching bass on spinnerbaits, ranging from strike kings to $1 Walmart specials, double willow or other blade combo. 

 

I had to analyze and investigate and what came to light was the 14# fluorescent blue line. This was the difference. I even used a different reel with 12# mono and 10#, no bites. Swap out for 14# fluorescent blue and WHAM!!!!

 

These ornery Pacific Northwest bass in my area were in tune with this. 

 

Now, I like big game and I use it but for spinnerbaits, I am going to have to go with stren’s fluorescent blue. 

 

Therefore, I had to go with the bait monkey option ... both lines. 

[primetime]

Both are really good lines, I like Stren because I have used it for years and if you like to watch your line for strikes, the original blue color is a line I have used for decades. I find that Stren, Big Game, Trilene XL are all quality and priced right. All are easy to handle but I have found that  for me, Trilene XL and Stren handle the best on both casting gear and spinning gear and rarely get twists etc...I use XL around cover and do not break off more fish than I would using a stiffer more abrasion resistant line. I actually think I break off more fish on FLuorocarbon that costs 4x the money at times.

 

Stren just doesn't adverstise much, but it is still pound for pound as good as any other mono imo. Just get whichever you like best in terms of color etc...

[Shimano_1]

I've used big game for years with great results and its usually cheaper. Win win