Line rec - please refresh my memory

[sideways2]

If you have read my intro I've been away from the sport the better half of two decades. Back in the day I used Silver Thread AN40 and Excalibur along with some Maxima, the odd Stren product and a couple that don't exist anymore. I do not use anything Berkley... have never had any luck with that brand... Stren is not the same... and I am not interested in braid or fluoro... strictly mono and on spinning reels only... 8 and 10lb test.

 

Here is what I can access locally:

 

Sufix - Pro Select, Elite and Siege

P-Line: CX and CXX

Maxima: Ultragreen - although this is gone way up in price where it's about 50-60% more than the two previously mentioned so it's probably out

 

Amazon:

 

Ande and Sunline both have had some favourable press.

 

That's pretty much it.

 

Other than Maxima I have not used any of those brands. I would appreciate any comments or insight on these or if you have any other recommendations that I can look to see what I can source, that would be awesome!!

 

Thanks kindly!!!

[moguy1973]

P-Line CX Premium is my go to non-braided line.  It's amazingly strong for the rated test strength and pretty abrasion resistant.  It's usually fairly affordable too.

 

That said, I've pretty much switched all my fishing rigs over to straight braided except for a few I use in extremely clear water.  For that I like either regular Power Pro or Power Pro Super Slick 8.  If you aren't looking at braided line on a spinning reel you are missing out on some casting distance.  The CX Premium does fairly well at 8-10lbs though and doesn't retain too much memory.  Used to use Yo-Zuri Hybrid and it would get horrible memory in it on a spinning reel.

[sideways2]

Thanks for the reply!!

 

I've reserve braid for casting reels. I've worked with Spiderwire, PowerPro and Tuf-Line back in the day but at the moment I just want to outfit a couple of spinning reels.

 

Ya... I would like low memory with a pretty abrasion resistant... Excalibur was good for that!! That's the wish LOL!!

[Vilas15]

I like Sufix Seige, seems less stretchy and tougher than the elite which handles better. You could probably step down to 6 and 8 lb Siege on a spinning reel since the diameter is high for its rating and it feels like the breaking strength of the 10 lb I use on baitcasters is much higher than that. It's tough to break off a snag.

[galyonj]

1 hour ago, Vilas15 said:

Siege[...]diameter is high for its rating and it feels like the breaking strength of the 10 lb I use on baitcasters is much higher than that.

That's how it goes. I've seen a few guys on here talk about it, but I first learned about that (now seemingly-obvious) relationship from posts by @WRB. I look way harder at diameter when I'm deciding which line to use on a given presentation/combo.

 

Like YZH is way strong-for-rating. Note that it's also a fat line compared to its test rating, too. So if I want to use 6lb for the leader on my finesse rod I can probably go down to 4lb, get a smaller diameter, and still  have close to a 8lb real-world test rating to base how brave I wanna be with what I cast into.

[Fishes in trees]

Over the choices you've given yourself, I'd choose Suffix over P-LIne.   For a whole bunch of reasons, I don't like P-line.   I wouldn't even use it to hang pictures.

 

Now my advice - forget about experiences with line 20 years ago.  Line technology had changed considerably in the past 20 years.   Consider going with a braid or a hybrid fused like like Fireline or Nanofil or any of the Asian braids that are available over the internet.

Initial cost might be a little more (wake up call - nearly all fishing related products have going up in costs over the past 20 years), but good braid can last for years, where back in the day I thought if I got half a season out  of a spool of mono I was doing great.  In the long run braid is actually cheaper.

Should you try a line like nanofil - you'll be amazed how much more casting distance you can get AND 8 lb nanofil is MUCH thinner and MUCH stronger than the 8 lb line you remember from your past fishing experiences.

 

My advice is to do your research and due diligence on lines that are available now - don't stay tied into notions of what was good and/or great line 20 years ago.

[sideways2]

28 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

Now my advice - forget about experiences with line 20 years ago.  Line technology had changed considerably in the past 20 years.  

...

My advice is to do your research and due diligence on lines that are available now - don't stay tied into notions of what was good and/or great line 20 years ago.

 

Absolutely!! Couldn't agree with you more... which is why I signed up here and why I'm asking these questions. AND no better people to ask than Bass people!! That I don't think has changed... I find the information provided is the most reliable especially on gear!! I mean the amount you fish and catch and the amount of use you put your gear through beats any Walleye or Pike person I know LOL!!!

 

I'm giving an insight of what I used to use. I realize things have changed and in some cases changed greatly!! I like braid... not saying I don't... but I don't care for tying leader line on. I don't like tying knots which is why I use a palomar... super easy for me to do... my hands and eyes don't work as well as they should these days.

 

If I use jigs or spoons or cranks I tie directly on. Without a leader, braid is just harder to work with when switching out. I do use wire leaders quite often and have used them with braid to great success but like I said previously,  I would like to reserve that for casting reels. Spinning reels for me are much easier to start back in with.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

I've tried P-Line CX twice.  Not had good luck with it so won't be going for a third try.  It does handle well.  CXX is a tough line, but a bit too much memory for a spinning reel.  Also large diameter for its size.  I personally wouldn't use any heavier than 6# CXX on a spinning reel.

 

I like Neon Tangerine Siege.    As already stated, Elite handles very well, but is a bit stretchy.  Both have larger diameters so you could drop down in strength.

 

I've got 3000 yard spools of 8# and 12# AN40.  Nice line.

 

Not tried Ande, but as you said, it gets good reviews.

 

Are you willing to use a co-polymer?  McCoy Mean Green is said to handle very well, but again, large diameter for strength.

[sideways2]

Mean Green was one of the lines I've was wanted to try way back when but was not available to me... and is still not.

 

Third party amazon... 10lb 250yd is $48.00CAD... US is 10 bucks which is $13.00 CAD

[roadwarrior]

BPS/ Cabela's  has Seaguar InvizX on sale for $12. Give #8 a try,  I think you

will like it a lot!

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/seaguar-invizx-fluorocarbon-fishing-line

[sideways2]

Thanks for the Seaguar mention.

 

I'm in Canada though so checking in at the local Cabelas stock the InvizX is $30 while the Red Label is $18... no sales up here...sadness...

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Ive never really liked Stren,  I got a whole bunch of it for my Bday as a kid in the late 90s and I had issues with break offs that I didn't get with Trilene.  I know this a Berkley product but Trilene Big Game is easy to find, inexpensive, really strong and an all around good line.  I use it in the winter when fluro gets really hard and has memory issues because of the cold water. 

Consider using braid for one of your spinning reels.  The low stretch can actually make a rod feel like it has more power compared to using it with mono.  Sensitivity is great and the hi viz lines are a huge advantage techniques where you don't have contact with the bait, you can see the bite.

[Steveo-1969]

Do you have access to Sufix Advance Monofilament locally? This is the lowest stretch/most sensitive monofilament I've tried yet. Look at the diameter to determine what pound test will work for you on a spinning reel though. 

[sideways2]

7 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Do you have access to Sufix Advance Monofilament locally? This is the lowest stretch/most sensitive monofilament I've tried yet. Look at the diameter to determine what pound test will work for you on a spinning reel though. 

 

Yup I do... I have access to all Sufix lines locally... sounds like that's the way to go... thanks!!

40 minutes ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

...

Consider using braid for one of your spinning reels.  The low stretch can actually make a rod feel like it has more power compared to using it with mono.  Sensitivity is great and the hi viz lines are a huge advantage techniques where you don't have contact with the bait, you can see the bite.

 

I actually am yes... I'll probably grab a couple spare spools and use one for braid down the line.

 

For the most part I will be shore fishing... I don't plan on owning a boat any time soon nor does my buddy own one... strictly shore fishing for the foreseeable future.

[moguy1973]

4 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

Over the choices you've given yourself, I'd choose Suffix over P-LIne.   For a whole bunch of reasons, I don't like P-line.   I wouldn't even use it to hang pictures.

Let me guess, the P-Line you used was Fluoroclear? 

 

I've pulled myself across the lake in my kayak with 10lb CX Premium to get a snag out without it breaking.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

4 hours ago, sideways2 said:

I actually am yes... I'll probably grab a couple spare spools and use one for braid down the line.

If you have 30 or 40 yards of braid left on a filler spool, you have more than enough for a lighter spinning gear.  Just use cheap mono to fill most of the spool and spool the braid over top.  The only problem with braid is it soaks in water, so it freezes in the winter. 

 

4 hours ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Do you have access to Sufix Advance Monofilament locally? This is the lowest stretch/most sensitive monofilament I've tried yet.

Ive used the Siege and it was good, it reminded me of the older Trilene Inshore as far abrasion resistance and color goes.  I'll get a spool of the Advance and see how it does this winter.

[Junk Fisherman]

On 11/13/2020 at 2:40 PM, moguy1973 said:

Let me guess, the P-Line you used was Fluoroclear? 

 

I've pulled myself across the lake in my kayak with 10lb CX Premium to get a snag out without it breaking.

 

Don't be hating on Flouroclear-lol.  It's great line if you use it for the right application.  15 lb Flouroclear for chatterbaits, 10 lb for jerkbaits, and 25 lb on my A-rig reel.  The line is cheap and just floats off the spool when it is fresh.  I don't use it for anything that I am working on the bottom since it is not very abrasion-resistant.

 

Overall, I have been a big P-Line user over the years from CXX to their original Fluorocarbon to still using their Flouroclear.  But I have switched over to Gamma since it is more abrasion-resistant which is vital to my smallie fishing.

 

To answer the OP's questions:  P-Line, Berkley 100% Flourocarbon, the different Seaguar versions, and Gamma flouroocarbons have all been very good to me.  I used CXX 6 lb on spinning reels for a few seasons a long time ago and that was strong, durable line.  Their 8 lb flourocarbon was always good to me as well.  Another option is Big Game.  That is still my line of choice for topwater and I will use 10-12 lb on my crankbait rig in a pinch.  It is cheap and reliable.  

[sideways2]

Morning

 

I found some 1000yd spools of Sufix Siege for just under 20 bucks shipped which is a pretty good price around here. Question... clear or smoke green with this line??

 

Thanks!!

[redmeansdistortion]

Stick with the Maxima, it's still the best mono out there.  I've been through many of the flavor of the day lines posted in this thread and keep going back to the Maxima.  I use it for everything from trout and panfish to king salmon.  

[roadwarrior]

On 11/14/2020 at 7:22 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

 

Don't be hating on Flouroclear-lol.  It's great line if you use it for the right application. 

Hanging pictures?

 

[sideways2]

1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Stick with the Maxima, it's still the best mono out there.  I've been through many of the flavor of the day lines posted in this thread and keep going back to the Maxima.  I use it for everything from trout and panfish to king salmon.  

 

Thanks for the reply!!

 

At this point in time I'm rebuilding...everything!!... so the consensus was Sufix so I'll stick with that seeing it's a good value... I need to spread out my $500+ bucks as much as possible LOL ?

[redmeansdistortion]

10 minutes ago, sideways2 said:

 

Thanks for the reply!!

 

At this point in time I'm rebuilding...everything!!... so the consensus was Sufix so I'll stick with that seeing it's a good value... I need to spread out my $500+ bucks as much as possible LOL ?

The Sufix is pretty good line too.  All of the lines mentioned here are good, but we all have which one we prefer.  I completely understand working within a budget.  Gotta get the most for your money.

[Junk Fisherman]

6 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Hanging pictures?

 

 

Maybe but it works very well for what I use it for.  

[roadwarrior]

Well, it's been a decade or more, but I was one of the first to fish the line when

it was introduced. The line had little tensile strength and broke when casting. I

tried three spools, one from another retailer.  The line was basically unfishable.

 

At the time P-Line was my go-to and I still use CXX on one rig for treble hooks.

I really wanted the Floroclear to work.