Fishing Line (revisited)

This is my post from a like thread on Marty's board. With lines rapidly changing and improving I would like the most current opinions on the subject. Thanks. ...

I think all the lines have improved over recent years; as it should be. I recall the first time I tried Ande many years ago and it was crap. When I bought a spool of 20 lb. Ande Tournament Green while shopping in P.A. with Marty last year it wound up on a spare spinning reel and rod that I took up to Northern B.C. late last summer, to use as a backup rod and for casting and retrieving Mag Warts thru schools of huge Kings in slowish deep pools. I landed lots of 30 to 40 pounders with the 20 lb. Ande without any problems. We used 40 lb. superbraid on our level wind reels for floatfishing eggs; along with 30 lb. Maxima Chameleon leader (a lot of guys up there and on AK's Kenai R. use 40 to 60 lb. leader for the big Kings; which is a good idea in many cases). The superbraids are great stuff for floatfishing (strong and it floats); and for backbouncing because it's easier to pick up the lead and tap it with less rod movement due to the lack of line stretch. And it has great sensativity - enough so that I use it in less snagy water to driftfish with (when they do snag up, rather than just the leader, they are tough break free and what's left isn't good for the holes because they deteriorate so slowly). But I think a 1000 Series Lamiglass rod with Tuff Line (or Fireline or Spiderwire, etc.) will have greater sensativity than a $300+ GLoomis IMX with any quality mono on it! ...

While I've been a longtime Maxima mono user, I have been trying other lines lately. The Berkley Big Game is a very good line and is a value. And I used the Izorline Platinum on the Tillamook summer steelhead before and after the cleanup event Saturday for the first time. It was 10 lb. test and a transparent smoke color. I have to agreed with Kid Redneck on this line being very good; albeit only one day's experience with it. But I fished some very snaggy water and must have pulled free of a dozen snags with it. A few times it broke off the branch I was snagged on, and broke several times when the jig or other lure was immovably snagged in rocks. It seemed just as tough to break after about the 8th to 10th time as the first couple times. The knot strength is very good (wet it before snugging the knots as with all mono lines). In this line weight it casts and handles nicely. And compared to 10 lb. Ultra Green it does not inadvertantly coil off the spinning reel spool as much as the Maxima does. I think it is an immpressively good line - at least in this # test range - but I figure in the higher # tests also. My $0.02 worth.

RT

[sinker]

Just finished putting Maxima on my spinning reel. Went with the Ultragreen Mono.
Not so sure I'm gonna like it though. It seems to have a lot of memory to it. Kept wanting to loop up while I was putting it on.
About 10 years ago or so there was a line specifically for spinning reels. I think Berkeley made it. I loved that line, really limp, no memory. Went to buy some more about 6 months later and couldn't find it anywhere. Haven't seen it since.

[Joe Schwab]

I've tried all differnt kinds of mono but keep going back to Chameleon. This line takes abuse. I tried P-line at the urging of a very well known Kenai guide and tore it off in less than a week. It kinked and just didn't seem to have the rated strength. I have a large commercial spool of Ande pink that is great for leader material. But the reels are loaded with Maxima. I don't see a lot of people down here using the hot pink Maxima but on the Kenai where you had to run 4-5 lines backtrolling and keep them all straight in crowded conditions it was great. Very visible at all times. And it seemed to hold up as well as the Chameleon. I worry a lot about my lines and after every trip I cut back several feet on the mainlines and replace the leaders, regardless. Am trying the braided lines but not sold on them yet. I do like them for trolling spinners. Used all Tufline Plus for Halibut in Cook Inlet and it seems the way to go here on sturgeon.

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Izorline Platinum

You just have to make sure to wet the knot before clinching it.

The Maxima could have been looping on you because of its own twist. Flip the spool over and try it like you were before. I'm just not a big fan of Ande or Maxima unless it was 20# or heavier. They both have too much line memory for my liking.

[DanS]

I Maxima Crystal Ivory tried it last winter, it's a great line for bait casters, but anything above 8-lb test is too stiff for spinning reels. You'll notice the same thing with Maxima UG. The 8-lb test is **** tough line though, but like the rest of the Maxima lines, it's a little stiff. I guess that's the price you pay for the toughness and abrasion resistance. Quit badmouthing Maxima, redneck, or we'll have to put you on the oars ! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Berkley XL is nice and soft and falls off a spinning reel nicely, but it's crap as far as abrasion resistance goes. You must be vigilant looking for line nicks, or you'll pay the piper when you have a fish on.

I think I'm going to stick with the 8-lb. Maxima (UG or CI, whatever is available) when it comes to steelhead. Big fish will mean playing it careful, but that's just giving the fish a sporting chance [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I've never been that much a fan of the newer generation braided/gelspun/hydro-ultra-poly-wonder lines. The no-stretch feature is a big plus in certain applications, and I do use them occasionally, but I'm just not sold yet.

Keep up with the feedback here, guys. Of course it's a Ford/Chevy thing, but you can never get enough feedback on product performance as far as I'm concerned. What the hell else is a guy supposed to do.....buy a spool of every line out there to try it out? [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[Jim]

Primarily...Power Pro mainline...if I am using a leader Maxima Chameleon or Ultragreen depending on water color.

Pretty simple.....

Jim

[bob b]

Trolling for salmon,30lb.spiderwire saltwater fusion,leader 15 to 30lb maxima chameleon depending on location. Steelhead,15lb.max. crystal ivory,leader 6 to 15lb.depending on conditions. Sturgeon,50 to 80lb.spiderwire,leader same test of max. chameleon. I've spent to much time and money over the years experimenting,now I'll trust Maxima and Spiderwire to do the testing. Have tried fluorocarbon,yes I can read instructions,will never use this product again.

[Wog]

For line on my spinning reels I really like Ande green. It has great strength, and works well in low clear water situations.

For line on my casting reels I like Trilene Big game. Worked great this spring!

Going to try out Superbraids this fall. I have a friend who swears buy it for bobber fishing.

Bobber Down !!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[Sand Shrimp]

Ande is the line I use for steelhead fishing but I've only used 12lb.When using light line for summer steelhead I use Maxima ultragreen in 6-8 lb but I would like to find a line that works on spinning reels better than Maxima.RT, let us know how the Izorline holds up after a couple of trips and if the 6-8lb line is strong enough.

For Spring Chinook I'm very happy with Trilene Big Game.The last 4 Springer seasons I've used 15lb Big Game on all my rods and when getting snagged my 15lb Maxima leader will usually break instead of the Big Game and it cost's a lot less than Maxima.

[Fishin Magician]

I have tried almost all lines available and I prefer Maxima Chameleon in 15# plus on my baitcasters. I am really pleased with Izorline for lighter gear, I landed 2 summers Sunday and they both raked me on the rocks without breaking the line. It lays out nice off a spinning reel. For bobber fishing for nooks in the fall or in tidewater, I only use Tuff Line Plus. It floats, no stretch, awesome hooksets from long range, Etc. I only fish IMX drift rods and tried braided lines for a while , I tied an 8' bumper of mono on the end of it. It was too much like fishing lead to me, which I dont do. With lighter rods , I have seen a few guys blow up thier rods when setting the hook on a rock when drifting with braided line.My buddy swears by it , I suppose its all in your personal preferences. TITE LINES....... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ~~~~~~~John