From: kevin@turbo.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Kevin Ormerod)
Subject: Casting Monofilament
Originator: kevin@turbo
Organization: NCR Corporate Customer Services, MCPD-Columbia, Columbia, SC
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 92 18:15:08 GMT


This is the longer version of the answer to the question about brands
of monofilament fishing line.  This response is targeted toward fresh-
water and light saltwater baitcasting, spinning, and spincasting lines.

Fishing line -- as I see and use it!

DuPont MagnaThin
----------------
Absolutely the best all around line in my opinion, especially in the 6,
8, and 10 lb. catagories.  Has just the right combination of limpness
and spring for spinning use.  The moss green in clear water is
fantastic.  Seems to have just the right amount of stretch for light
line fishing. Excellent knot characteristics. Very durable.  Kind
of expensive.

Trilene XL and XT
-----------------
I used these for years, but I rarely buy them anymore.  There are just
too many better alternatives.  These are good performing lines and
are usually priced reasonably low. These lines tend to be on the
thick side.  

Trilene UltraThin
-----------------
Seems a little bit too stiff for use on spinning reels.  It also
seems to have an above average tendency to birdnest on a spinning
reel.  I think MagnaThin and AN40 are much better alternatives.

DuPont Stren
------------
The old standby, but for the same reason as the lines above I rarely 
buy Stren any more.  One exception -- I really like to use the 17 lb.
clear blue/fluorescent to throw a 1/2 to 1 ounce Carolina rig.  It
doesn't stretch much, is really easy to see a bite, and the 17 lb.
stuff really is more like 20 to 25 lb.  (underrated)

Silver Thread AN40
------------------
I like this stuff in line tests above 10 lbs. for baitcasting use.
It seems a little too springy on spinning reels and after several
hours of use it tends to birdnest.  This stuff is also very slippery
and that is why I don't use it in the lighter tests.  I do a lot of
split shot fishing with 8 lb. test line and use a 2 1/2 turn Trilene
knot.  This knot will slip with AN40.  It works ok with a polomar
knot, but if a polomar isn't drawn down just right with light line
it will have a tendency to fracture.  This has become my standard
baitcasting line in the 10, 12, and 14 lb. ranges.  The price is
reasonable and as a matter of fact, there have been so many give-
away offers lately, I seem to have several spools of the stuff.

Trimax
------
This is my second choice to AN40.  It has about the same characteristics
but it costs a little more.  Like the Silver Thread, there have
been so many give-aways that I have a lot of this stuff around too.
I particularly like 14 lb. Trimax for fishing top water lures like
the zara spook and the pop-R.  I like the brownish color.

Dupont 7/20
----------
This is a specialty line.  It is absolutely the finest line that I
have ever used for spinnerbait or buzzbait fishing in water that 
has a little color.  It is also good for heavy pitching or flipping.
I don't recommend it for use in wind or for other general use.  One
spool of the stuff will last for several years because you only have
to put 50 to 75 feet of the stuff on the reel.  see below.

General Tip
-----------
Unless you are fishing for bonefish or other spectacular species
that can make your drag sing I think you can save some money by
buying a 1/4 pound spool of cheap 15 lb. test line and use it as
a backing on all your reels.  Tie the good stuff on to the backing.
Usually, all you need is 50 to 150 feet depending on the fishing
situation.  Now you can afford to do the most important thing --
change your line often.  And while you are fishing, check your
line and re-tie often.

Disclaimer:  Most of the above is based on fishing clear to lightly
stained water.  If you fish in stained to heavily stained water 
then your best bet would probably be to stick with the medium to
heavier test lines (14 - 25) in the Stren or Trilene XT or XL
flavors.

In my opinion, most of the lines on the store shelves are pretty good.
I would suggest that a novice fishertype should buy any good name
brand line and spend extra time paying particular attention to
knots.
Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing