There can be no more strenuous test for a monofilament fishing line than to end up on a charter boat. I am constantly asked what brand of lines we use, why we have a preference for that particular brand and what brand would I recommend.  It is mainly because anglers require different properties in a line and subject their lines to different rigors of use that I have always been hesitant to recommend a particular brand of fishing line.

Over the years we have fished with many different brands of lines and enjoyed varying degrees of success.   Basically they all initially do what they are supposed to, what makes one line better is when it retains its design properties longer than the others on the market.

Our requirements in a fishing line are basic and primarily include durability, fishability, and accurate line class rating. Over the past few years I have been using Berkley Trilene Big Game line on all the reels on the boats and it has certainly met, if not exceeded our requirements.   But let me rather quantify my findings.

Durability: The last thing any charter operator wants on his boats is a broken line.  Firstly the client is disappointed at loosing a fish, secondly it usually means the loss of an expensive lure but most importantly, there is now a distressed fish swimming around with a lure jammed in its mouth and trailing a length of fishing line.   The life expectancy of that fish has just been reduced to zero and really, fishing is not just about killing fish.   Although there are many factors which can lead to broken lines, line fatigue is the highest contributor.   It is for this reason that we immediately change lines that start to show signs of fatigue.

Line fatigue is caused by constant exposure to the sun's UV rays, continual emersion in salt water, stretch and contraction, heat of the sun, age and the abrasion of the guides on a fishing rod.  Generally a particular brand of line will excel in durability in one or two of these causes but seldom will you find a line which resists all.

I have found that Berkley withstands these rigors far better and for much longer than most other lines we've used.  Not that it doesn't suffer from fatigue because it does, but the nice thing about it is that it lets you know when it's time to change the line.   I use the blue colour line as I believe that a solid colour line is less prone to absorbing UV rays than a clear line.   When  the line looses its shine and the blue starts to fade, the time has come to change it.   Although it will certainly last a few more trips, I have found that the risk of broken lines is just not worth it.

Fishability: Basically it indicates how the line feels to the angler, because there must be total confidence in the line you use.   It's no good fishing with a line which is not comfortable or is just outright annoying.  Factors making up fishability include touch (supple or hard), memory (does it lie straight or curl up when it comes off the spool) and stretch.

Berkley has a very nice feel, it is soft yet not spongy, fairly low memory so there is very little spool curl and just enough stretch to assist the angler on a big fish while not enough to make setting the hook a difficult task.

Accurate Line Class Rating: When it comes to fishing in tournaments and claiming records it is imperative that the line does not exceed the specified breaking strain.  For this reason manufacturers produce lines rated to IGFA line class specifications.  Many IGFA rated lines will break at varying degrees below the specified class but that can be more hindrance than a help.  The object is to use a line which consistently breaks on or slightly below the specified strain - without getting weaker during a long fight.

I have found that Berkley IGFA rated Trilene breaks closest (and never over) to the specified strain than most other brands and it withstands fights of three to four hours quite comfortably.

 

Although Berkley Trilene Big Game is at a slight price premium the benefits make it far more economical in the long run.   We now only have to change lines every 15 to 18 trips where we were changing at 6 to 8 before.   We loose very few lures, if any, through line breaks and the lines feel good to fish with.   I have all the confidence in the world in fishing with Berkley, which is half the battle won.

A few tips to protect your lines from fatigue :

1. Minimise exposure to the sun

2. Avoid contact with solvents

3. Wash lines in fresh water after every trip

4. Pack lines firmly on to the reel

5. Regularly check your guides for cracks, chips or breaks

6. Store your reels in a dry, cool and dark place when not in use

7. Change the top 150 meters of line regularly

8. Constantly check for nicks or abrasions in the line

Please discard old or waste fishing lines responsibly - in the waste bin back on land. You'll be surprised just how many marine creatures, fish and mammals we find entangled in old fishing line - it is just not fair.