Is the most expensive line always the best line? 2025

Mike-in-WV reply :

After reading all the post on here about the different lines and whats the best line to use it can really make a new guys head spin :-/

Is the most expensive the best or not ? One of the reasons I ask is because I just talked to a guy who is a really great fisherman and has been at it for years. He suggested I try a line called "Red Cajun" in #10 or #12 test for my Abu Garcia 1003LP for the area I will be doing most of my fishing. It's only around $6.00 or $7.00 a spool. When I told him I never heard of it he just laughed and told me to try it anyway and that I would love it.

Anyone ever hear of this stuff or ever try it? Mike

Micro reply :

I've tried it. There are 3 different types: Red Lightning, Red Advantage, and Red Cast.

It seems Red Lightning is universally hated (high memory, lines breaks). Red Advantage is co-polymer line and is decent for awhile, but has alot of memory and I changed it quite often. Red Cast is fairly well regarded.

My personal opinion is that starting with a decent monfilament line - like Stren Original or Berkley Trilene XL - is the way to go. It's good line (always has been), and it's cheap so you can replace it more frequently.

The_Natural reply :

No... but sometimes it just happens to be a coincidence . I use Pline CXX for copolymer (not the most expensive), and Berkley Pro-Grade for fluorocarbon (one of the most expensive). You generally get what you pay for...that old saying generally rings true.

Mike-in-WV reply :

Thats the kind of info and opinions I needed. Thanks guys, Mike

roadwarrior reply :

When lines are compared, like all other equipment, the choice or recommendation generally boils down to somebody's favorite! No doubt, I fit right into that bracket myself. However, many of us have fished a variety of lines over the years. You probably need to try a few and see for yourself how they compare.

Lots of guys fish Trilene XL, 8 or 10 lb test on spinning tackle; Trilene XT or Big Game 12- 17 lb test on baitcasters. We have several Cajun Red fans on the board and various braids are big favorites, too. My favorite line for several years was P-Line CXX. I have tried Gamma, Maxima, P-Line Floroclear and many others.

What I am looking for in fishing line is strength, durability, manageability and stealth. For me, the "best line" for the trade-offs among these features is Yo-Zuri Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft.

In crystal clear water, I fish original Hybrid #4 (8.5 lb test) on spinning tackle. Otherwise, Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test) on spinning tackle, #12 (19.5 lb test) on baitcasting equipment. I am currently experimenting with original Hybrid #15 on a couple of baitcasters.

8-)

guest reply :

not imho.....

for example I think bps flouro is great line ..

not the most expensive by any means.

for mono I use off the shelf from Walmart berkley big game.

for braid it's power pro

none of the above are expensive for their class.

Popeye reply :

Ditto to what roadwarrior said. I really like the Yo-Zuri line on my spinning reels but have opted to spool my new baitcasters with Suffix braid (haven't gotten the opportunity to use the BC's yet - probably this weekend:o) The reason I went with Yo-Zuri is the increased strength with minimal line diameter. That stuff is STRONG and casts effortlessly. IMO:o)

Mike-in-WV reply :

Thanks for all the info and help guy's. I really like the idea of a line I can see well but disappears in the water. The Elk river can run really clear most of the time and it has allot of large rocks you can see when it's clear down at about 10'. There is also allot of overhanging trees and brush on the shore line. Poppers, Crawdads, Repalas and live minnows (creek chubs) seem to work great for Bass and Walleye.

I have been doing some reading and checking on the Berkley Vanish Red #12. What do you think of that? It's easy to see but disappears in the water.From what most of you have said I will need to try different lines to see what works best for my casting rod/reel setup but I'm just looking and thinking out loud as to what I may try first. Mike

Wayne P. reply :

I would not recommend Berkley Vanish to my worst enemy. The red line does not dissappear in the water. Just the red color does not look red as the line gets deeper in the water column as the color red is the first color that is filtered out due to the lack of light penetration. At depth, red appears as brown to black depending on the water color.

Mike-in-WV reply :

Thanks Wayne, Guess I can cross that one off my list. :)Mike

FishTank reply :

No way....

I have tried several lines in the past few years. For instance, last year I tried Gama Fluorocarbon. It is one of the most expensive lines out there. IMHO, it was great line but not worth the money. I since been using Berkley Trilene Fluocarbon. It has performed even better than the Gama at about 1/3 of the price.

I guess it boils down to which line you try and have the most luck and confidence with.

jdw174 reply :

Silver Thread is one of the cheaper lines out there and the only one that I use.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Not for a general line (for which I would recommend a mono like XL or Stren Original), but if you are looking for a fluoro line, do yourself a favor and try the Berkley Vanish. I know, everyone says it's crap, right? Well, I've been using it for 4 seasons now. No problems...no worries. As long as you know how to tie a good knot. I'll be using it this season too.

mattm reply :

I throw in a vote for P-line CXX. Have never tried several of the lines others suggested though. P-line is tough and you won't lose fish b/c of it. I don't want to highjack your thread, but I have a question I want to throw out to everyone. I just don't get the worries over line cost that i've heard in multiple threads on here. P-Line cost like $15-16 bucks for a 600 yd spool. You can get about 6 reels out of that and it lasts a good while. So that comes to 2.50 per reel for at LEAST a months use I would think. You can lose a 4.00 crankbait on the first cast, but nobody worries about that. To me line would be the last thing to skimp on b/c overall its not costing you that much per reel.

Mike-in-WV reply :

Quote
I throw in a vote for P-line CXX. Have never tried several of the lines others suggested though. P-line is tough and you won't lose fish b/c of it. I don't want to highjack your thread, but I have a question I want to throw out to everyone. I just don't get the worries over line cost that i've heard in multiple threads on here. P-Line cost like $15-16 bucks for a 600 yd spool. You can get about 6 reels out of that and it lasts a good while. So that comes to 2.50 per reel for at LEAST a months use I would think. You can lose a 4.00 crankbait on the first cast, but nobody worries about that. To me line would be the last thing to skimp on b/c overall its not costing you that much per reel.

You make a good point about the cost of line but my question was "does it really make a difference?" I know some guy's who will spend a fortune on the best rifle, Bow or whatever and then look for the cheapest arrow shaft or bullets they can find : Never made much sense to me either.

You change your line much more than I do but if I get to go 2 or 3 days a week in the summer I'm doing good and I'm retired! :'(

For me the best line would be what works best for meaning....Does it cast well, How bad is the memories, Will it land a #10 Bass or Walleye out of the rocks without breaking easily?

How long it last or what it cost means little to me within reason. I am on a retired mans budget managed by my financial adviser (my wife )

so I can't just buy the best there is of everything out there.

Thats the reason for my questions to begin with, so others can tell me what they have found to be the best regardless of cost.

Are those Texas Bass as big as they say they are. The one your holding sure looks great! Mike

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
...so others can tell me what they have found to be the best regardless of cost.

In that case, buy a spool of Sunline Defier 13 lb test. It's expensive, but an OUTSTANDING line.

http://mikesrxbaits.com/product_detail_T4_R114.html

8-)

Mike-in-WV reply :

roadwarrior, I can see the headlines now.... "West Virginia wife kills hillbilly husband over his purchase of fancy fishing line" ;D Mike

mattm reply :

Mike,

I enjoyed the reply. I wasn't really directing my question at you. I've heard many wonder about the cost of line, and I just don't get it. I don't use the most expensive line by any means. Even though its not cheap compared to others. However, I do use the line that I feel is the best. They could double CXX in cost, and until I tried something better thats what i'm using. As I stated earlier its pretty low cost for the usage you get out of it. I think even someone on a low budget that is a recreational fisherman could by pretty much whatever line they wanted. On the high end it may cost 15.00 more, but is going to last an entire season. Obviously I see the difference if you fish so much you change line every week or something. P-Line CXX in my opinion is the toughest and most abrasive resistant line on the market. If you are worried about rocks thats the way I would go. You can literally do stupid stuff with this line.

TournyFish001 reply :

Quote
I would not recommend Berkley Vanish to my worst enemy. The red line does not dissappear in the water. Just the red color does not look red as the line gets deeper in the water column as the color red is the first color that is filtered out due to the lack of light penetration. At depth, red appears as brown to black depending on the water color.

that transition red is by far the worst peice of $%it I have used to date!!!

Mike-in-WV reply :

Quote
Mike,
I enjoyed the reply. I wasn't really directing my question at you. I've heard many wonder about the cost of line, and I just don't get it. I don't use the most expensive line by any means. Even though its not cheap compared to others. However, I do use the line that I feel is the best. They could double CXX in cost, and until I tried something better thats what i'm using. As I stated earlier its pretty low cost for the usage you get out of it. I think even someone on a low budget that is a recreational fisherman could by pretty much whatever line they wanted. On the high end it may cost 15.00 more, but is going to last an entire season. Obviously I see the difference if you fish so much you change line every week or something. P-Line CXX in my opinion is the toughest and most abrasive resistant line on the market. If you are worried about rocks thats the way I would go. You can literally do stupid stuff with this line.

When you figure how many yards you get for $15.00 that really not expensive at all compared to some of the others. That price is not out of my reach at all. Most of the stuff I have bought for my spinning rods over the years have actually cost about $4.00-$7.00 for 250 yards.

My Fly line is not cheap and good leader is far from cheap too Nothing is cheap today Thanks again for the info and I have added P-Line CXX to my try list. Mike

Mike-in-WV reply :

Quote

Quote
I would not recommend Berkley Vanish to my worst enemy. The red line does not dissappear in the water. Just the red color does not look red as the line gets deeper in the water column as the color red is the first color that is filtered out due to the lack of light penetration. At depth, red appears as brown to black depending on the water color.

that transition red is by far the worst peice of $%it I have used to date!!!

Already scratched that off my list! :)Thanks Megatron!

Bud reply :

Quote
in that case, buy a spool of Sunline Defier 13 lb test. It's expensive, but an OUTSTANDING line.

I agree with Defier but if you want fluorocarbon go with sunline shooters

fourbizz reply :

Quote
You can literally do stupid stuff with this line.

LOL! Aint that the truth! CXX is good stuff.

FishTank reply :

Quote
In that case, buy a spool of Sunline Defier 13 lb test. It's expensive, but an OUTSTANDING line.

WOW

That stuff costs about $0.11 per yard.

Well I guess when I do the math it not quite as expensive per yard as Gamma Edge, $0.24 per yard, but both are great lines.

beechnut reply :

So many differant types of line out there it is confusing. Seems to me those super tough lines would be a pain to break off if you got a snag. As for myself I almost always use Stren clear blue. I have never had any problems with it at all. Not saying its the best because I have not used others but it works for me.

Mike I know what you mean about the Elk River and how clear it can be. I have fished it some in Braxton county Below the Sutton Dam and further down stream. It has to be the clearest River in the state.

Mike-in-WV reply :

Quote
So many differant types of line out there it is confusing. Seems to me those super tough lines would be a pain to break off if you got a snag. As for myself I almost always use Stren clear blue. I have never had any problems with it at all. Not saying its the best because I have not used others but it works for me.
Mike I know what you mean about the Elk River and how clear it can be. I have fished it some in Braxton county Below the Sutton Dam and further down stream. It has to be the clearest River in the state.

BN

Yep, The Elk is a great fishing river alright. 87 miles of fast, slow and pooled water and it can be clear enough to see to the botton in 20' of water. Lots of rock and trees.

I never fished up at the Dam but I do want to give it a try.Most of my fishing has been right around here in Clay and Clendenen area. I live in Valley Fork and my post office is Wallback. I'm abourt 2 mles off 79. Mike

5696

Is the most expensive line always the best line? 2025

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic