I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, but.......

[Stingray23]

I need help choosing line. I've tried a bunch over the years from Berkley including XL, XT, sensation, Maxx, Vanish, and fireline. I'll tell you right now, the Vanish sucks. I've had it a few times on my spinning reels and line easily nicks, and the knot strength is terrible. I will say one thing in favor of Vanish, its very sensitive. maybe others have faired better with it, but I have not. The Maxx has too much memory and is overall OK. The XL is nice and smooth and so is the sensation. I had fireline back when it first came out and really dont remember much about its characteristics. I know flourocarbon is whats popular today and would like to try another brand that might be better overall. If it helps, these are the following rod/reel combos I mostly use and for what presentations I will use them for.

Spinning:

Quantum Tour Edition PT 6'6"/Med/F/6-12lb-Quantum Energy PTi30(finesse fishing)

Quantum Tour Edition PT 6'0"/Med/Mod./6-12lb-Quantum Catalyst PTi30(finesse fishing/accurate casting)

Casting:

Quantum Tour Edition PT KVD signature series 6'10"/med-hvy/mod./12-25lb-Quantum Energy E770PT burner 7.0:1(mostly spinnerbaits)

Quantum Tour Edition PT Gary Klein Signature series 7'0"/med-hvy/mod.(parabolic bend)/12-25lb-Quantum Energy E750PT 5.1:1(mostly crankbaits)

Quantum Tour Edition PT Tommy Biffle Signature series 6'10/Hvy/Fast/15-30lb-Quantum Energy E760PT 6.3:1(pitching and flipping/ deep water jigging and worming)

BPS Extreme Woo Daves Spinnerbait rod 6'6"/med/mod./8-17lb-Quantum Accurist AC500PT 6.2:1(spinnerbaits, topwater)

BPS Extreme Woo Daves Crankbait rod 7'0"/med/mod./8-17lb-BPS David Fritts DF10S 5.2:1(all crankbaits)

BPS Extreme Woo Daves Worm rod 6'6"/med-Hvy/fast/10-20lb-Quantum Accurist AC570PT 7.0:1(plastics)

[burleytog]

PLine CXX is what every other line strives to be.

Trilene 100% Flouro isn't bad.

[djmax22]

I have tried a lot of line over the years and I keep coming back to Yo-Zuri hybrid and ultrasoft, XPS mono and fluorocarbon (with KVD conditioner), PLine flourocarbon, Sunline and Power Pro to name a few. Pline CXX always was unmanageable for me.

[Sam]

Depends on where you fish.

Personally, I like Yo-Zuri Hybrid and Ultrasoft for most applications.

For treble hook baits, I use Stren mono.

Heavy cover and frogs I use braid.

But nothing is in stone.  I use various brands, including Vanish, Berkley, Silver Thread and am considering Big Game this year.

Most of my line problems are caused by me not taking the time to run the line over my thumb nail to check for nicks, scrapes and cuts plus the fact that I hate taking the time to retie my baits after a few fish.

Over the years you will find your "perfect" line, but it will take time.

Ask other guys you meet what lines they use and add it to the information you will receive on this post.

One word of advice.  When you hear a pro state he uses a certain line, be sure he is hawking that specific line.  He may or may not use it in tournaments but he is being paid for his endorsement.

I ask guys what lines they are using just for the information for future reference.

Here are Ike's tips on lines.  Take it or leave it:

Mono for treble hook baits.

Flouro and copoly for all other baits.

Super lines and braid for heavy cover and deep water.

Fishing line - a science unto itself.

Happy New Year!  

[roadwarrior]

Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear:  Ultra Soft #12 (.013" diameter, 19.5 lb test)

8-)

[NOVA Angler]

Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear: Ultra Soft #12 (.013" diameter, 19.5 lb test)

roadwarrior,

I've heard some reviews that say the ultra soft turns a milky white color.  Have you seen that in your experience?

-NOVA

[roadwarrior]

No, but the Ultra Soft "clear" is milky white to begin with.

I prefer green which blends pretty well, but if your water

is gin clear get some KVD Line & Lure Conditioner and give

the #6 original Hybrid a try (green). This line is virtually

invisible. In stained water the smoke color is the ticket.

Although I will continue to recommend Ultra Soft for

maximum manageability, I am going back to original

formula. I find it performs nearly as well when treated

with KVD and is less visible than Ultra Soft.

8-)

[Stingray23]

I mostly fish clear resivours with lots of rocks, and clear-stained lakes with lots of weeds and bottom structure.(trees, rock piles..)I always use 8lb test on my spinning gear and my baitcasters vary from as low as 10lb-14lb, though I'm gonna put at least 17lb on my pitching/deep water rod this spring.With so many options out there it can be confusing to pick a good line out. I would like a very sensitive managable line for my spinning gear since they will be used for finesse fishing. I know I will need heavy, abrasive resisitent line for my pitching rod/reel but am alittle wary of using braid. I didnt really like it when I first tried it out many yrs ago. and as far as my cranking rods I'm gonna use Trilene XL. Probably for my spinnerbait rods too, though I'm not 100% sure. My worming rods I also need something sensative and little stretch, but abrasive resisitent.

[jig]

stingray,you are right about the vanish - easily the most horrific line i have ever tied on.If I were you I would try the 100% trilene flouro though.I have been using it for a while now and it is very strong and manageable.Holds knots good too.

[Tin]

Trilene 100% or Seaguar.

[Chris at Tech]

I've had luck with Sufix brain, BPS Florocarbon and Pline Premium CX.

[Stingray23]

Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear: Ultra Soft #12 (.013" diameter, 19.5 lb test)

8-)

RW, is this the line you suggested?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10201217_100017000_100000000_100017000_100-17-0?ordProd=Y&CMID=BOTTOM_selectitems#itemDetail

[ProCraft Joe]

I use power pro braid with either seaguar or berkley 100% leaders and berkley XL for crank baits. I usually have 1 mono caster in the boat and everything else is braid.

[Certified Public Angler]

Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test)

Baitcasting gear:  Ultra Soft #12 (.013" diameter, 19.5 lb test)

8-)

RW, is this the line you suggested?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10201217_100017000_100000000_100017000_100-17-0?ordProd=Y&CMID=BOTTOM_selectitems#itemDetail

Actually this is the ultra soft to be more specific,

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20180-cat600394&rid=&indexId=cat600394&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat600394&id=0030185

[Stingray23]

So the fluorocarbon should be conditioned while you're spooling up or sprayed on after spooling? I've never tried it out before and was looking to get the KVD conditioner. And how often do you do it?