Better than XT?

[kidyslas]

I've been using Trilene XT green forever on both baitcaster and spinning reels. I like fishing jig-n-pigs and worms and hate having the line sawn off in the rocks and such, and XT table-edges (is this a new term?) well on the water's surface tension and has very low stretch and visibilty. Is there something better nowadays that meets my requirements but has less memory?

[flechero]

Nice to see another XT diehard here.  I've tried a number of lines over the past 2 seasons and keep running back to XT.  I can't find ANYTHING that holds up better in the rocks and trees.  I haven't tried the new Berkley MAXX yet but they say it's XT tough but more spinning reel friendly.  When I run out of XT I'll try it.

For strength and low visibility, Yo-Zuri Hybrid is about like XT but less visable but, if you throw a backlash, the Yo-Zuri will kink and have a tremendous weak spot. (sometimes breaking on the next cast- sending your lure "out to sea."  (the high Fluoro content which makes it so less visable also makes it kink like that)

Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft is good on spinning gear, but careful not to buy it by #rating... the #6 is actually rated 11 lbs. break strength.  Most people use #4 and #6 for spinning... the #8 and above are pretty stiff.

[Hookemdown.]

Wow, I thought I was the only one here who liked XT.  Cheap, reliable, durable, CHEAP, good castability, CHEAP.....

I've never found a line with a more bang for the buck than XT.  But I will say this,  Hybrid Ultra soft is what I use on my spinning rods now.  I use #4

[justfishin]

I always used XT for flippin in the rough stuff. This stuff is tough as nails. Its the best for abrasion as far as I am concerned. I switched to Stren Dura Tuff last year because my buddy is on a FLW tour and gives me tons of free stuff. Its great too but, I still like XT. Fish the Lower Potomac around the Zebra Mussels and you had better have on at least XT 20lb test. When flippin piers in DC or Duck Blinds and such I even go to 25lb test.

[roadwarrior]

Although I am not currently using XT, I agree that this is a good line for most baitcasting applications. However, for spinning gear, memory and stiffness are big issues with me. I have used a number of fishing lines over the years and continue experimenting, but so far nothing I have tried compares to the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft. Give the #6 a try on your favorite spinning combination. I think you'll like it, a lot!

[kidyslas]

Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft is obviously the big favorite for spinning reels. I'll give it a try.

I kind of suspected there'd wouldn't be many baitcasting alternatives to XT, given its qualities.

Thanks everybody!

[roadwarrior]

That's not what I meant. There are MANY alternatives for baitcasters, XT is just one of them.

I prefer Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test) because I hate memory on baitcasting equipment, too.

[Hawgin]

Well RW, last year I decided to switch to ultra soft on my spinning rod, and I love it.  Now you've convinced me to give up my suffix elite in favor of #12 ultra soft for baitcasting.  

I'm not giving up my fenwicks for loomis' so don't even start.

[GAMEOVER]

I cant stand Yo-Zuro Hybrid at all.. its way too stiff. Hybrid works better on casters then spinning gear. However, I really REALLY like Yo-Zuris Cobra if you can even find it anymore. I think they stopped making it which really gets me kinda mad.

[roadwarrior]

Cobra was discontinued because it was an embarassment to Yo-Zuri.

[Hawgin]

I was given a spool of x-tex cobra, and I think it was meant to be a joke.   I used it for about a week and then peeled it off my reel.  I wouldn't even use it as backing for braid.  

I think the original hybrid is good line, but it is a little stiff in cold weather, and in heavier size lines (15# +).  During summer I've never had a problem with it.   RW and I were both referring to Hybrid Ultra Soft which is an entirely different line completely.

[ThaKing]

I wouldn't even use it as backing for braid.

.

just curious over this, in what ocasion would u use that set up? i just never tried that b4 and wondered.. thanks

[Hawgin]

Whenever I use a braided line like Power Pro, or Suffix I will put about 50-70 yds of eight to ten pound mono on my reel first thing, and then I will tie my braid to that and spool the braided line on it.  I do this for two reasons.  One I can use less braid, which is more expensive, and two it keeps the braid from slipping on the spool.  

I wouldn't use the cobra as backing because I found that line to be extremely slick, and I had a hard time keeping it tight on the spool.  The last thing you want is to have your backing slip under your braid.

[burleytog]

I'd rather fish used line dredged off the bottom of a lake than X-Tex Cobra.

It stayed on the reel for all of a week.  Fished it 20 minutes and knew it wasn't worth burning.

[justfishin]

I read about Cobra X- Tex when it first came out and rushed to get some. That was probably the worst line I have ever tried. It was total junk. I actually respooled my flippin reel with XT in the boat one morning because it was so bad. Easy RW,lol. ;D

[burleytog]

The funny thing is that I've seen almost as many good reviews of X-Tex as I have bad.

All I know is that while Hybrid and Hybrid US are good lines, X-Tex was just plain horrible.

[kidyslas]

RW, are you using Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 on your baitcasters for jig n pig and worms?

[Redlinerobert]

Sufix braid....

[roadwarrior]

RW, are you using Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 on your baitcasters for jig n pig and worms?

"Ultra Soft #12 on all baitcasters" would be correct, but I fish soft plastics on spinning tackle and #6 Ultra Soft. If I fished worms on baitcasting gear, I would use #12.