Your Most Basic Mono

[Mobasser]

I've used both these lines over the years. Both have been good overall. These two lines are readily available at any place that sells tackle, and are still very popular.                                             My question is, does anyone else seem to notice that Trilene XL has changed?  I'm not sure what's happened here, but it's not the XL I've used in years past. I've been using Big Game mono on casting reels for years, with no problems. At least for now, I'll pick Stren between these two lines. Has anyone else noticed poor performance from XL? Also, I'm open to suggestions for a reasonably priced mono line for 6 or 8lb weight.

[garroyo130]

Yo Zuri Hybrid not a pure mono, but reasonably priced and works well

[dodgeguy]

Get Sufix elite. You'll never look back if what you want is a great handling mono.

[Boogey Man]

Stren Original in 6 to 14lb test on various reels here. Years ago I did the whole different line for different situations thing but decided to simplify things. Didn't notice a difference in my catch rates. But I mostly fish open water, no pads and only a moderate amount of wood cover. I use clear blue fluorescent because it's easy to see. Aging eyes ruled out clear or green lines?

[PourMyOwn]

I have noticed that Trilene XL has changed. It doesn't seem to be as supple as it once was. I scored a few spools at WM on clearance a couple of years back and it just wasn't the same. 

 

I'm still working my way through bulk spools of Silver Thread, when they are gone I'll be switching brands too. 

[Team9nine]

Never been a big fan of XL or XT. Used BG for nearly 20 yrs before making the switch to fluoro. Still what I throw on my 1 or 2 mono reels. Been using Stren for leaders now (w/braid) going on 3 years with no issues at all. Still have some old BPS Excel that was a great line at one time, but the newer stuff isn’t the same, so when the old spools are gone, I’m done.

[Catt]

Maxima Ultragreen 

 

Threw that for about 5 years, no complaints.

[Mojo Bass]

Sunline Supernatural mono….. It’s the only mono I use and it’s never let me down I looooove it 

[Captain Phil]

6 hours ago, Catt said:

Maxima Ultragreen 

 

Threw that for about 5 years, no complaints.

 

I don't use as much mono as I used to.  When it counts, Maxima is the best there is.  I'm always surprised that stores don't carry it.   

[Woody B]

I use 12 to 14 pound stren on my baitcasters.  It becomes a twisted up mess on my wife's spinning reel after a couple trips.  Due to the recommendation of a friend I put trilene xl on it, and it seems to be better.   

[OG Crankster]

I have been an XL guy for many years and never had any problems. Just spooled up some 8lb last night. Fished it today with zero issues as always.

[GreenPig]

I've never been a Trilene user, just started with Stren and it worked. For mono on standard gear I fish Stren Original.

[jbrew73]

Stren ftw.

[T-Billy]

9 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I've used both these lines over the years. Both have been good overall. These two lines are readily available at any place that sells tackle, and are still very popular.                                             My question is, does anyone else seem to notice that Trilene XL has changed?  I'm not sure what's happened here, but it's not the XL I've used in years past. I've been using Big Game mono on casting reels for years, with no problems. At least for now, I'll pick Stren between these two lines. Has anyone else noticed poor performance from XL? Also, I'm open to suggestions for a reasonably priced mono line for 6 or 8lb weight.

Well... I just bought a 3K yd spool of 6# XT if that tells ya anything about how I like it. Tough as any mono out there, low stretch, great knot and shock strength, really abrasion resistant and pretty low memory since they reformulated it. 10# and under are fine on spinning. It handles all my finesse work in 6# and 8#. It's also great in higher tests on casting, but I'm running mostly straight 832 on those rods these days.

[Hulkster]

I switched to Sufix Siege and never looked back. Its like a limp Big Game. Super strong yet limp enough to use on all my spinning rigs as well as baitcasting rigs. 

 

Which is a rare, if magical, combo. With a palomar knot I bend hooks on 6 pound test on a mepps #2 spinner. 

 

20 pound on my pike/musky rod I can't break when snagged. have to cut it. 

 

 

 

[Log Catcher]

I have to agree with @Hulkster on this. I have been using Sufix Siege for along time and very rarely ever have a problem with it. I never used the XL or XT. I used Stren years ago until I got a bad spool of it. I never bought any more of it.

[WRB]

There is a difference between Trilene XL and XT and it’s line diameter per labeled # test. 

Original XL was extra limp and XT was extra tough. Today no difference in the line except XL is .001 diameter smaller.

Big Game followed Trilene and has less memory then ZT so I changed in the late 80’s to Big Game 10 to 12 lb test mono day time and 15 lb for night fishing.

Since the early 80’s used Maxima UG 5 lb finesse spinning and still use it.

2010 I discovered Sunline Defier Armillo Nylon Mono 25 lb / .016D for swimbaits in lieu of 20 lb Big Game, game changer for me. Small dia mono with excellent performance, only down side is price.

Tom

[OkobojiEagle]

Berkley Sensation...

[bowhunter63]

Big Game 

[DitchPanda]

I  used stren growing up because that's what my dad used...to my knowledge its still a decent line. Now days I use trilene XL in 6-8lb for leader on spinning with braid and use 10-15 lb big game on casting for treble hook baits. No complaints with either. I had a 3.5lb largemouth wrap me around a piece of metal this week and it took me at least 20-30 seconds to get to her. My 8lb XL was chewed up but it didn't break.

[redmeansdistortion]

5 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

 

I don't use as much mono as I used to.  When it counts, Maxima is the best there is.  I'm always surprised that stores don't carry it.   

The Cabelas over where I used to live carried it.  I've been running that stuff for 20 some odd years, love it.  I also buy the leader spools for when I run braid, they're dirt cheap at Fish USA so I stock up whenever I'm buying other stuff.  The leader material is stiffer than the bulk spools, so much so you can almost weave a basket from it.

[Columbia Craw]

I haven’t used Trilene or Stren in a long time. There are so many quality lines available now.  I transitioned to braid for all my spinning and fluorocarbon for the majority of casting applications. When mono comes into play it’s Sunline Super Natural.  I’m sure there are others that perform great but I like this stuff and have confidence in it.

[WRB]

Mono line history is a little fuzzy now for me.

Stren was a DuPont Nylon ( New York-London) cooperative development product. The Fishing line extrusion division was in Louisiana and DuPont sold that company to a holding company that offered Suffix Fishing line. DuPont moved production to Brazil.

Tom

[flatcreek]

I use Sufix Siege on spinning and casting gear.Big Game on casting only.Both are very good lines and are economical 

[GReb]

I’ve been using McCoys mean green for 3 years and have no complaints. It’s consistent and lasts. Never cared for XL or XT. I tried Suffix but had a couple uncharacteristic break offs and put it on the shelf. The old Bass Pro mono from the 2000s was really good but the newer stuff is junk. I use a lot of mono and am quite happy with McCoys