Fishermen are overwhelmed with fishing line choices. Except for tournament lines, it appears as though most lines are much stronger than their rated breaking strengths. I used to use P-Line; in fact, I still have it on many of my reels. But I am giving serious thought to Big Game. I like Iroz at the heavier weights; i.e., 50 & 60 pound line. Since I only fish summer months, I do not use line heavier than 60 pound. However, since Izor 60lb breaks well over 80, it in effect gives me the ability to apply it to a wider variety of situations.

What lines do you guys use? Why? What would you consider to be the best line given the parameters of cost, strength, and user-friendly? (Line that is really nothing more the rigid wire drives me crazy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />)


Good fishing,

Leon

Leon
There are few men able to apply a consistent 25# of force through any fishing rod rig with out some kind of bracing to the boat or beach. If the line is abrasion resistent and needs little in the way of leader protecting the line, knots become the big issue.

The thin line makes it really tough on novice fishermen without level winds and even on spinning gear the super thin lines under heavy stress will burrow way down into a spool. This has cost me a bunch of money, time and extreme irratation, not to mention big fish lost.

The problems I have with the new ultra lines and such fall into several categories... The lines are hard on the wallet and the gear. The lack of stretch reduces the shock absorbing that mono does for the reel and the larger diameter does not cut the guides the way the thin stuff does.

Knots in heavy line retain more line strength. The knot strength issues with fancy lines mean I get to tie all of the gear on every time and that gets old... The wonder lines are very unforgiving.

The rods needed for the superlines need to be softer to protect the gear. Ordinary reels are not designed for the extra stresses.

A friend grabbed Tuff-line to bring a smallish halibut aboard and the 60# fish headed for bottom. He could not get his hand off the line and it cut him clean to the bone, all the way across the palm.

After giving the stuff several attempts I have decided to hate the new stuff and still love my Maxima. I use the stiff wirey stuff as you call it and simply deal with those issues. It is tough to use on a spinning reel.

I have had it come up in unbelievably shredded condition still holding the lure by a tag. I have tried several other brands of line and McCoy mono is another great line. The expensive grades of Ande were such a big disappointment I gave away bulk spools of the stuff after just a small bit of usage.
art

I don't fish for big halibut, although there is an Atlantic Halibut, so the strongest line I use is 20lb and mostly all I use is mono. I've tried the spiderwires ect. and saw little or no difference per the cost.
I go thru 8lb mono pretty quickly with my plugging rod, I constantly check for nicks and re-tie after every couple of fish.

The only benefit I see for the super lines is deep water and/or heavy tides in which case the smaller dia has less drag in the water and can be kept on bottom with less weight, also having less stretch for deep water makes jigging a bit easier.

Asside from that specialized application, mono is hard to beat for all around use.

Sitka,

I was referring to wirey mono such as Big Game Supreme as rigid wire. In fact, P-Line CXX is about as rigid as I can handle.

I have not used Spectra. I might use it if I were able to fish when big fish are caught. As it is now, straight 60lb monofilament is the heaviest I use. We fish the summer months, and it is very rare to see fish much over fifty pounds. In fact, in the four or so years we have been fishing saltwater, the heaviest fish I have seen landed was about 130 pounds (YFT).

Also, Spectra has its problems on boats. Apparently it will cut right through other lines. As long as I can get by w/o it, I will continue to use straight mono. In fact, I have complete confidence in 60lb Izor to land everything we'll run into while fishing off the coast of Baja during summer months.

I am going to give Maxima a try. I have been hearing good stuff about it.


Good fishing,

Leon

Leon
Most of the guides I have the most respect for use Maxima 100% of the time.
art