I'm Done! 2024
Gundog reply :
So fishing season is about to kick off here in Northeaster PA and I was getting my gear ready as I always do. Started with spooling up my new Pflueger President XT reel with Trilene XT 12# mono like I always do. Only problem is this year its far worse than its ever been. I'll always struggled with fresh mono off the spool because of line memory. But its never been this terrible. Not only is there a ton of memory but also serious line twist. Normally I'm use to some memory but after a little prodding I can straighten it out and get it useable. How I do it is string the line out for about a day till the memory disappears but now I'm on day 4 and this line shows no sign of straightening out. Also the twist in the line has a mind all its own. I'm thinking its time for braid but I hate the idea of putting another knot between me and the lure. Also I'll have to learn to ty a Alberto knot or Crazy Alberto or whatever. And I'm gonna have to carry line with me so if I break off I can replace the leader. This complicates something that use to be very simple.
KP Duty reply :
Hmm. Line memory should be at its lowest point coming off of a fresh spool. Maybe it was a spool that had been sitting on the shelf several years.
mrpao reply :
Have you tried Berkley XL?
It is much easier to handle on spinning reels.
On my spinning reels, I either have braid or berkley XL.
Berkley XL is thinner and more limp than the XT that you are using.
lmbfisherman reply :
Yes it can be annoying to replace the leader. I use a leader moreso because it saves me money. 
I'm surprised about the Trilene but I use XT 10lb and don't usually have an issue. I guess maybe the 12lb has issues?
J.Vincent reply :
Haven't used XT since the late 90s....when I did use XT , the one characteristic I liked was its very good abrasion resistance , but it still wasn't good enough to offset the line memory issues. Once I was spooled up with XT, I would often have to tie off to a fence or dock post and walk out 100 feet of line and stretch the line with my hand it helped greatly. Spray a shot of Line conditioner and then reel in 20 feet, spray another shot of line conditioner and reel in another 20 feet...etc etc until I was fully spooled up. This works but it's not a perfect solution.
Gundog reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 11:47 PM, mrpao said:Have you tried Berkley XL?
It is much easier to handle on spinning reels.
On my spinning reels, I either have braid or berkley XL.
Berkley XL is thinner and more limp than the XT that you are using.
The extra thickness is why I use XT. My first fishing trips in the spring are going to be along a rocky river throwing spinnerbaits, crankbaits and other lures that will get hung up. Using thick mono did two things. First it was abrasion resistant, and the second was it did allow me to break it off when I did get hung up.
On 3/18/2019 at 11:48 PM, J.Vincent said:Haven't used XT since the late 90s....when I did use XT , the one characteristic I liked was its very good abrasion resistance , but it still wasn't good enough to offset the line memory issues. Once I was spooled up with XT, I would often have to tie off to a fence or dock post and walk out 100 feet of line and stretch the line with my hand it helped greatly. Spray a shot of Line conditioner and then reel in 20 feet, spray another shot of line conditioner and reel in another 20 feet...etc etc until I was fully spooled up. This works but it's not a perfect solution.
I have had it stretched out and after 4 days its still not straight. Worse part is the twist. Stretched out it feels like the line is nicked up but when you loosen it you can see the twist. Tried to get the twist out before stretching it but couldn't. Even unspooled it into a bucket of water and pinched the line between my pointer finger and thumb while reeling it slowly in. No luck.
Log Catcher reply :
If you want to stay with mono I would recommend Sufix Siege. I've had very good luck with it including abrasion resistance.
J.Vincent reply :
Sounds like you have covered your bases , maybe it's a Bad batch of line or maybe it was stored for a long time....also the nicks in the line you are talking about was something I remember getting often with XT, it was like the line would get micro abrasions after being stretched or weathered and then absorb water but when it would dry out the line would feel chalky or scratchy....this happened consistently with XT but usually only after a few outings or if the reels were left on the deck of the boat exposed to sunlight for too long. After I quit using XT, I went to Pline, then went to Spiderwire Mono, then quit using Spiderwire Mono and went to Cajun Line Red Lightning. Yes it's red (although they do make green and blue) and yes it's considered budget line, but every problem I had with XT is gone. The best part about it , it's affordable and it casts better than XT while still maintaining a similar amount of abrasion resistance. I use it now for 80% of my fishing and it's great; oddly enough the reviews are either Love it or hate it
Joshua van Wyk reply :
I fish braid to leader on most of my rods and I've never had any issues, learning the Albright knot was actually easier for me to learn than most other knots. I've broken off a few times and I've NEVER broken at the connection knot, always at the lure. I make my leader around 6 or 7 feet long because I retie quite a bit.
Scott F reply :
Contrary to popular opinion, using braid does NOT require using a leader.
kjfishman reply :
After I spool a reel I go outside and tie the line to my mail box and walk the line out and stretch it then reel it back in.
NYWayfarer reply :
I use Trilene XT for baitcasters, Trilene XL for spinning reels. Since I use spinning reels for finesse and light lure presentations I won't spool anything greater than 8 pound line on them. Any line 10 pound and above is going on a baitcaster.
I use a Piscifun line spooling station. It rotates the spool the line is on as you are loading it on your reel. Once you get the hang of it, those line twist issues are solved.
Some line conditioner might help in this case.
J Francho reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 1:25 AM, NYWayfarer said:Some line conditioner might help in this case.
KVD L&L. Always. Any line. 
Derek1 reply :
I decided to just go strait braid this year.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 1:46 AM, Derek1 said:I decided to just go strait braid this year.
I am also going to try straight braid again. I bought a spare spool for one of my spinning reels just for that purpose.
microotter reply :
Do you guys ever go straight braid with high visibility colors?
Jcj90 reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 1:46 AM, Derek1 said:I decided to just go strait braid this year.
On 3/19/2019 at 2:43 AM, NYWayfarer said:I am also going to try straight braid again. I bought a spare spool for one of my spinning reels just for that purpose.
I do it with my spinning reel when the grass comes up with my senkos. Although wind and weightless plastics with braid is the worst
On 3/19/2019 at 2:46 AM, microotter said:Do you guys ever go straight braid with high visibility colors?
No I always use green just a confidence thing tho
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 11:51 PM, Gundog said:The extra thickness is why I use XT. My first fishing trips in the spring are going to be along a rocky river throwing spinnerbaits, crankbaits and other lures that will get hung up. Using thick mono did two things. First it was abrasion resistant, and the second was it did allow me to break it off when I did get hung up.
I have had it stretched out and after 4 days its still not straight. Worse part is the twist. Stretched out it feels like the line is nicked up but when you loosen it you can see the twist. Tried to get the twist out before stretching it but couldn't. Even unspooled it into a bucket of water and pinched the line between my pointer finger and thumb while reeling it slowly in. No luck.
Trilene XT is thicker in diameter than any other line manufacture pound for pound in a comparison test. You could use Trilene XL which is more manageable or pick another quality mono of your choice known for its limpness. Take the rated diameter of your 12 lb XT which is .015 in & compare it to an equal diameter of a different line in a higher pound test & use that instead of the XT. For example Trilene XL in 17lb test is the same diameter .015in. This will give you the extra thickness you want but with a more manageable line.
Gundog reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 12:58 AM, Scott F said:Contrary to popular opinion, using braid does NOT require using a leader.
Fishing a rocky river from shore when you can't wade around (spring time the river gets between 5 and 7 feet where I'm fishing) makes running straight braid impossible if not extremely expensive. Sometimes I get hung up on multiple casts in a row.
On 3/19/2019 at 12:24 AM, Joshua van Wyk said:I fish braid to leader on most of my rods and I've never had any issues, learning the Albright knot was actually easier for me to learn than most other knots. I've broken off a few times and I've NEVER broken at the connection knot, always at the lure. I make my leader around 6 or 7 feet long because I retie quite a bit.
@Joshua van WykDo you ever have problems with the knot getting stopped at the rod eyes? That's another reason I'm not to excited about going to a leader.
Scott F reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 3:17 AM, Gundog said:Fishing a rocky river from shore when you can't wade around (spring time the river gets between 5 and 7 feet where I'm fishing) makes running straight braid impossible if not extremely expensive. Sometimes I get hung up on multiple casts in a row.
Throughout the summer, I fish nothing but rocky rivers, but never from shore. 2 things, first, if you use lighter braid, you can break off the lure without losing almost any line at all. Second, if you are getting hung up that often, you need to change what you are doing. How many casts do you lose while you are trying to get unsnagged and then retieing? How much is it costing you in lures? There are plenty of ways to catch bass that don’t require you dragging the bottom where you are getting hung up. Plenty of baits that don’t get hung up too.
fishballer06 reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 1:44 AM, J Francho said:KVD L&L. Always. Any line.
This.
Also, since it's a cheaper mono (notice I didn't say low quality), try replacing it. Perhaps you just got a bad spool, which does happen from time to time. Go buy another spool from a different store than the one you bought your current spool from, and spray that line with Line & Lure immediately. You'd be amazed what that $7 bottle does to line.
Brad Reid reply :
Back to using straight mono for a comment.
I might suggest that if you plan to use 100 yards or more of it, just drive to a park or another large open area, maybe a shopping center lot when it's not busy. Carry along your new line spool, tie the line end around something, a mirror on your car maybe, then just stroll off unwinding line off the line spool some distance longer than you will put onto your reel and just stretch it really thoroughly repeatedly. Don't overdue it but just give it a good stretching. You could do it as it is now, all spooled onto your reel, too, then reel the line back on.
While I don't use any, I suppose if you have spun out the line from a reel to stretch it, you could apply a line conditioner to a hand towel and retrieve the line under a bit of pressure through the towel to apply it. Some swear by it; I have never sensed the need to apply it.
If not this or other ideas, time to head to straight braid or braid to a fluoro or mono leader! If you don't like mono, you will likely hate straight fluorocarbon main lines I suspect!
Hope it works out for you one way or another!
Brad
JLBBass reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 11:28 PM, Gundog said:So fishing season is about to kick off here in Northeaster PA and I was getting my gear ready as I always do. Started with spooling up my new Pflueger President XT reel with Trilene XT 12# mono like I always do.
12# XT on spinning reels!
Jaderose reply :
If I can tie an Albright with my arthritic, sausage-like fingers, so can you. Pull off 3/4 of that mono and get some 8lb Sufix 832 and tie it to that mono with this fancy new knot you've learned. Make sure the spool is flat and label is up. Fill up your spool. Enjoy fishing. I literally just finished doing this.
https://www.***.com/fishing_knots/albright-special
I also like the Alberto. Another easy and strong knot.
https://www.***.com/fishing_knots/alberto-knot
Joshua van Wyk reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 3:17 AM, Gundog said:Fishing a rocky river from shore when you can't wade around (spring time the river gets between 5 and 7 feet where I'm fishing) makes running straight braid impossible if not extremely expensive. Sometimes I get hung up on multiple casts in a row.
@Joshua van WykDo you ever have problems with the knot getting stopped at the rod eyes? That's another reason I'm not to excited about going to a leader.
If I'm using micro guides then I feel the knot go through but it almost never hangs up.
The Bassman reply :
I'm giving Sufix Advance a try on some of my BC. Will see if it's the best of both worlds like it's marketed. I'm like @Scott Fas far as spinning goes. Just can't improve on straight braid because of its manageability and casting distance.
LionHeart reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 3:17 AM, Gundog said:Fishing a rocky river from shore when you can't wade around (spring time the river gets between 5 and 7 feet where I'm fishing) makes running straight braid impossible if not extremely expensive. Sometimes I get hung up on multiple casts in a row.
@Joshua van WykDo you ever have problems with the knot getting stopped at the rod eyes? That's another reason I'm not to excited about going to a leader.
Any man willing to go through this much to get rid of line memory, certainly has what it takes to learn the FG knot. Passes through fairly small guides better than any other knot, and I would argue possibly stronger than any other knot if properly tied.
On 3/19/2019 at 3:17 AM, Gundog said:
On 3/19/2019 at 3:17 AM, Gundog said:
On 3/19/2019 at 3:17 AM, Gundog said:
Not sure why this posted four times. My phone does the weirdest things on this forum some times
BoatSquirrel reply :
Braid is the only reason I went back to spinning reels. Alberto knots are easy and FGs just take some practice.
Anyone on this feed loves fishing enough to dedicate a few minutes of youtube time to learn these knots.
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 11:28 PM, Gundog said:So fishing season is about to kick off here in Northeaster PA and I was getting my gear ready as I always do. Started with spooling up my new Pflueger President XT reel with Trilene XT 12# mono like I always do. Only problem is this year its far worse than its ever been. I'll always struggled with fresh mono off the spool because of line memory. But its never been this terrible. Not only is there a ton of memory but also serious line twist. Normally I'm use to some memory but after a little prodding I can straighten it out and get it useable. How I do it is string the line out for about a day till the memory disappears but now I'm on day 4 and this line shows no sign of straightening out. Also the twist in the line has a mind all its own. I'm thinking its time for braid but I hate the idea of putting another knot between me and the lure. Also I'll have to learn to ty a Alberto knot or Crazy Alberto or whatever. And I'm gonna have to carry line with me so if I break off I can replace the leader. This complicates something that use to be very simple.
Is this a spinning reel or casting reel? Because 12 pound XT which has a thicker than normal diameter could work for a casting reel but that is really thick line for a spinning reel. If you wanted to stick with straight mono I'd stay in the 6 to 8 pound test range.
fin reply :
You can go straight braid, but if you get hung up a lot you will have to re-spool sooner than if you use a lighter weight leader. I use the Alberto myself. It took me a while to get the hang of it - it's important that you pull the right tag when tightening. If you don't do it right, you may send your favorite lure into orbit like I did.
I only loop 4 times, not 7 like the illustration. It gives you a smaller knot and I've never had one break at the knot.
After you get used to it, you'll wonder why you ever used anything other than braid.
KDW96 reply :
What size reel are you putting 12lb line on?
Boomstick reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 11:48 PM, lmbfisherman said:Yes it can be annoying to replace the leader. I use a leader moreso because it saves me money.
You have to remember XT 12lb is like XL 14lb line. I would expect one to be running a catfish-sized spinning reel to get that to be able to get acceptable handling out of 14lb line.
I would try 10lb XT or even better, 10 or 12lb XL and see what happens if you aren't sure about using braid. I use braid on most of my spinning setups except one without issue -- including on my Avid X which has micro guides -- but I'm only using 12lb braid with nothing larger than a 8lb fluorocarbon leader.
On 3/19/2019 at 12:16 AM, Log Catcher said:If you want to stay with mono I would recommend Sufix Siege. I've had very good luck with it including abrasion resistance.
Sufix Siege is a fantastic line, but not too dissimilar from Berkley XT although my experience with the latter is much more limited than with Siege, so maybe it does have memory issues.
FCPhil reply :
Straight braid or bust!
WRB reply :
Your problem with mono line is it's to big in diameter resulting in spring off the spool of you spinning reel. Maximum mono, coploy or FC line is .011D! Spinning reels 2000-3000.
Sunline Super natural 10 lb test or Armillo Defier 11 lb test or any other brand under .011D will work. Berkley 12 lb XT is .015D way to big dia for a spinning reel under 4000-5000 size.
Tom
Gundog reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 9:45 AM, KDW96 said:What size reel are you putting 12lb line on?
On 3/19/2019 at 7:29 AM, Fishin' Fool said:Is this a spinning reel or casting reel? Because 12 pound XT which has a thicker than normal diameter could work for a casting reel but that is really thick line for a spinning reel. If you wanted to stick with straight mono I'd stay in the 6 to 8 pound test range.
It is a spinning reel. It is a Pflueger President XT 30. I've spooled spinning reels in that same size with 12# XT and like I said, it was tough at first but would calm down after stretching the line. I still have it stretching and have been trying unsuccessfully to get the twist out. I also bought a spool of 150 yds. of 40# Gliss. Not really sure what to do with it but since it was only $7 I might as well throw it on this reel and see how it does. I will look at the FG and Alberto knots and see which is easier for my arthritic hands and nearsighted eyes.
J Francho reply :
I would not use 12 lb. anything on a spinning reel. It's rare that I find an 8 lb. line line that behaves. I typically use 6 lb. line, or equivalent diameter.
Fishes in trees reply :
How confusing.. .. After reading the entire thread, and taking a break to go to the Pflueger web site where I find out that there is such a thing as a Pflueger President XT Baitcasting reel and a Pflueger President XT spinning reel, it took a long time to find out that it is a spinning reel that is being discussed.
At this point I'd weigh in with several others in the opinion that 12 lb test anything is a little too much for a spinning reel. If the OP got decent performance out of this combination in the past - good for him. I don't have an answer. Another option to resolving the stretch/twist issue - try tying a ball bearing swivel to the line prior to stretching it. At my house, I can stretch out a hundred yards of line if I feel like it, but it's been a long time since I've felt that way.
I've found the best way to resolve line twist issues is to drag the line behind the boat for a quarter mile or so and then reel it up tight - maybe not an option in this case.
Question #next - Is this a new spinning reel? I've purchased spinning reels in that past that were just line eaters. They could take new untwisted line and in one afternoon, turn that line into a twisted mess that had to be thrown away.
IMO the first generation of Mitchell skirted spool reels (late to mid 80's) were famous for this. I realize that this is a different brand but every so often it happens.
Log Catcher reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 4:04 AM, The Bassman said:I'm giving Sufix Advance a try on some of my BC. Will see if it's the best of both worlds like it's marketed. I'm like @Scott Fas far as spinning goes. Just can't improve on straight braid because of its manageability and casting distance.
I was planning to try Sufix Advance but so far the reviews I have seen on it are not very good. It is quite a bit more expensive than Sufix Siege.
Gundog reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 11:02 PM, Fishes in trees said:How confusing.. .. After reading the entire thread, and taking a break to go to the Pflueger web site where I find out that there is such a thing as a Pflueger President XT Baitcasting reel and a Pflueger President XT spinning reel, it took a long time to find out that it is a spinning reel that is being discussed.
At this point I'd weigh in with several others in the opinion that 12 lb test anything is a little too much for a spinning reel. If the OP got decent performance out of this combination in the past - good for him. I don't have an answer. Another option to resolving the stretch/twist issue - try tying a ball bearing swivel to the line prior to stretching it. At my house, I can stretch out a hundred yards of line if I feel like it, but it's been a long time since I've felt that way.
I've found the best way to resolve line twist issues is to drag the line behind the boat for a quarter mile or so and then reel it up tight - maybe not an option in this case.
Question #next - Is this a new spinning reel? I've purchased spinning reels in that past that were just line eaters. They could take new untwisted line and in one afternoon, turn that line into a twisted mess that had to be thrown away.
IMO the first generation of Mitchell skirted spool reels (late to mid 80's) were famous for this. I realize that this is a different brand but every so often it happens.
I like your idea about a swivel. That is something I hadn't thought of. I will try that. And yes, it is a new reel. Sorry about the baitcaster/spinning reel confusion. I didn't look to see if there was a baitcaster with the same name.
soflabasser reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 2:46 AM, microotter said:Do you guys ever go straight braid with high visibility colors?
Have used orange and yellow braid with success but prefer fishing with green braid.
On 3/19/2019 at 9:45 AM, KDW96 said:What size reel are you putting 12lb line on?
I use a size 4000 spinning reel when using 12 pound test mono.
long island basser reply :
I use braid in 15, 20 and 30 lb on all my spinning, no leaders.
Gundog reply :
Update on the situation: I had off work today so I went to the local Cabela's to buy some line. I was staring at the different brands of braid and I noticed so Sufix Advance. On the box it said "low memory". I bought 330 yds of 8#. I took the advice of many who replied to this topic saying I should drop down to a more manageable diameter. Took it home and immediately tried to spool up my spinning reel with it. It was worse than the Trilene. I didn't even get the spool full. Too many twists and I couldn't straighten them out without it kinking. The old adage "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." applies here. Never again will I spool a spinning reel with mono. Ain't worth the aggravation.
Jcj90 reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 9:01 AM, Gundog said:Update on the situation: I had off work today so I went to the local Cabela's to buy some line. I was staring at the different brands of braid and I noticed so Sufix Advance. On the box it said "low memory". I bought 330 yds of 8#. I took the advice of many who replied to this topic saying I should drop down to a more manageable diameter. Took it home and immediately tried to spool up my spinning reel with it. It was worse than the Trilene. I didn't even get the spool full. Too many twists and I couldn't straighten them out without it kinking. The old adage "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." applies here. Never again will I spool a spinning reel with mono. Ain't worth the aggravation.
Are you making sure the line is coming off the filler spool counter clockwise?
Gundog reply :
Fixed the problem once and for all. I'm officially a braid guy now. It was so easy. Took less than 15 minutes, no hassle, no stretching, no twisting. Should have done it years ago. The line I went with was the Gliss 40# and an Albright knot to a 12# floro leader. I hate trying new things in the spring because that is prime time for Susquehanna smallmouths and I usually don't have a big window when the fat females are biting. So any hiccup will ruin one of the few chances I get to snag hawgs. Hope this change turn out in my favor.
J Francho reply :
That looks pretty sloppy for braid. Did you spool up with some pressure on the braid?
Scott F reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 8:31 PM, Gundog said:Fixed the problem once and for all. I'm officially a braid guy now. It was so easy. Took less than 15 minutes, no hassle, no stretching, no twisting. Should have done it years ago. The line I went with was the Gliss 40# and an Albright knot to a 12# floro leader. I hate trying new things in the spring because that is prime time for Susquehanna smallmouths and I usually don't have a big window when the fat females are biting. So any hiccup will ruin one of the few chances I get to snag hawgs. Hope this change turn out in my favor.
That spool is over filled. You will have problems. You should take some line off before you use it.
Jaderose reply :
Holy crap! That's a helluva mess...lol
rangerjockey reply :
You've got about 40 yards too much line on it. If you filled like that with mono its no wonder you had issues.
MN Fisher reply :
A spinning reel should never be that full.
Log Catcher reply :
I don't know about Gliss but any braid I have seen recommends using a mono backing on it before you put the braid on. Hope it works out for you okay.
fin reply :
You'll get wind knots with that much line. The reel in this picture has about the right amount of line on it - the line should not come above the level of that bevel in the front of the reel. Wind knots are one downside of braid on a spinning reel. They call them wind knots because you get them casting into the wind, for one thing. They're caused by line twist and not keeping the line tight when winding onto the reel. You can cut off the extra line now, or wait until you have a knot that forces you to cut it off.
On 3/21/2019 at 2:31 AM, Log Catcher said:I don't know about Gliss but any braid I have seen recommends using a mono backing on it before you put the braid on. Hope it works out for you okay.
A lot of newer reels have a coating on the spool that makes backing unnecessary.
Log Catcher reply :
On 3/21/2019 at 2:32 AM, fin said:You'll get wind knots with that much line. The reel in this picture has about the right amount of line on it - the line should not come above the level of that bevel in the front of the reel. Wind knots are one downside of braid on a spinning reel. They call them wind knots because you get them casting into the wind, for one thing. They're caused by line twist and not keeping the line tight when winding onto the reel. You can cut off the extra line now, or wait until you have a knot that forces you to cut it off.
A lot of newer reels have a coating on the spool that makes backing unnecessary.
I did not know this. Guess I need to wake up once in a while.
fin reply :
On 3/21/2019 at 2:38 AM, Log Catcher said:I did not know this. Guess I need to wake up once in a while.
The only reason I know it is because I had to shop for a new reel.
Gundog reply :
I know I overdid it with the braid. I have to respool it also because its loose in some spots. Still got a couple weeks before the weather turns and the bite turns on.
Allaroundfishing reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 12:58 AM, Scott F said:Contrary to popular opinion, using braid does NOT require using a leader.
Last year at my highschool state championship on lake Norman we were skipping docks with shaky heads and wacky rigs, I used spider-wire 12lb braid in the moss green color and I caught just as many fish as my partner who was using 10lb fluoro, i even caught a 3.5lb brute of a spot that had me all wrapped up in a brush pile. The only bad thing about braid is some people cant stand the fact it sometimes catches wind more than other line types.
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