I am very serious about my choice of fishing lines. It took me years of experimentation to come to the realizations I have now. Fishing line is the most critical link between you and your quarry. It simply does not pay to skimp on this essential piece of tackle. I’ve fished many different brands of line, from Garcia Royal to Tectan to Triple Fish Camo back to Stren and Trimax. I’ve liked some, despised others and sent even more back to manufacturers stating my disgust for their product. I’m THAT serious about line. One fact you must realize is that like anti-freeze products, there are only a small number of factories that produce monofilament fishing line.

I am not sponsored by a line manufacturer, so my conclusions in this shootout are genuine and practical. Both dry and wet knot tests and tensile strength tests were performed. I tested the fixed weight capacity of a line by tying a swivel to both ends of a 3 foot piece of said test line. The top went to a digital scale. The bottom swivel went to a weight. I had to guess the approximate breaking point due to no accurate reading at the time of breakage. I took many things into consideration such as abrasion resistance and knot strength, diameter, and memory. There are so many traits to line that it might be impossible to find “the complete” line. I used similar pound tests lines from several of the most popular brands and pitted them up against one another for a no-holds-barred, "losers leave the table with your tail through your legs" shootout.

First, I will describe the combatants and what they are supposed to offer, then, I will test each one and give you the results. There were two test periods, the fall of 2002 on Long Island and the spring of 2002 on Long Island. Each line was tested under similar conditions for equal amounts of time. I rated them based on a scale of 10 points. 10 being the highest possible score.

Triple Fish Camo 6 and 8lb
The Claim- Camo line from Triple fish is a unique monofilament line that incorporates a florescent strip every few inches to make the line less visible underwater and more visible to the angler. This is a low memory line that has good knot strength and abrasion resistance.

The Truth- Triple Fish line is quite unique from most run of the mill fishing lines. It alternates color every 12 inches or so. This line changes from hues to green to those of brown and really disguises itself nicely in the aquatic environment. This is its selling point. In all, the line has decent thin diameter, good knot strength, and tensile strength. I really like it for my UL fishing. It has minimal memory, which is a good advantage in a lighter line. This line was my main line several summers ago, as Terry Baksay turned me on to it. I do not have many negative things to say about it, although I did ultimately change to a different brand. I always change my line frequently and never leave line on my reels during the winter. I did notice that line left on a rod for extended periods of time had a loss of overall strength.

Earthworm’s opinion- Triple Fish Camo is a decent middle of the road line that I can recommend for stealth capability. I would use it for light tackle applications. I could see it being a fantastic line for trout anglers and line shy species. 6lb line failed at over 8lbs of fixed weight. 8lb line failed at over 12lbs of fixed weight. Rating- 7.25

Berkley Sensation 8lb
The Claim- Crafted with a complex polymer technology, Sensation offers incredible sensitivity, strength, and control. It boasts low 20% stretch and has remarkable resistance to abrasion. Plus its thin diameter ensures total manageability over presentation. Light baits are easier to cast, crankbaits run deeper, and spinnerbaits run truer.

The Truth- This line by world leader in line technology was supposed to capture the essence of the companies early thin diameter ultra light line, UltraThin, which was my all time favorite. Sensation offers a thin diameter package with low memory and less stretch. It is also touted as a sensitive line due to less overall stretch when compared to other mono’s. Well, something was lost in the translation because in my opinion, this line sucks! It was a tremendous disappointment when I first used it in the spring of 2002 on a day when the bass were slamming my prototype tubes. I lost the first five bass I attempted to set up on, as the line snapped. This was a brand new, fresh spool of 8lb test. I could break the line as I pulled it with steady tension from my hands. This only got me mad, as the last fish that broke off was a truly nice largemouth whose head came out of the water and looked like a toad. I know some guys swear by the heavier tests, but my second attempt (different spool) with this line had about the same success as the initial “go” at it. Poor knot strength, poor tensile strength, and poor shock resistance. I didn’t get to see its abrasion resistance or memory because it simply failed me.

Earthworm’s opinion- Sensation is not a good line in light pound test. Berkley should reformulate it AGAIN to get it right! Better yet, bring back the old Ultra Thin! I know my problem was not unique to me as I’ve heard many other people complain about this line. Rating- a generous 5.5

Bass Pro Shops Excel 8lb
The Claim- Manufactured under strict quality control standards to give you a line formulated for superior resistance to abrasion. Excel is soft, smooth, and limp allowing for extra long casts. It also features limited line stretch and high impact shock strength so there’s no surprise when you set the hook.

The Truth- Now, do not laugh at this choice. This line has become very respected in the fishing community. There was a period when this was my line of choice, mostly because I could afford it. This line to me is Berkley Trilene XL with a BPS label. It is limp, has standard diameter, middle of the road memory, good strength all around, and is inexpensive. It has decent abrasion resistance as well. On larger spooled reels its memory is not a problem. I tested it in green and immediately realized why I used it for so long. It is simply a good all-purpose line. Excel is a serious player in the line industry and should be in your consideration for good tough mono.

Earthworm’s opinion- Excellent choice line for budget conscious anglers. Good all around, basic line. I used 6lb Excel to take a bass over 9lbs several years ago. It likely severely over tests so don’t try to set any IGFA records with it. Excel line failed at over 12lbs of fixed weight. Rating 7.25

Bagley’s Silver Thread Excalibur 6lb and 8lb
The Claim- Researchers teamed up with serious anglers to design this superior copolymer line. Demands were tough: exceptional wet knot strength, extreme flexibility, and most importantly, unexcelled abrasion resistance. The result of their efforts must be fished to be appreciated. This line is soft with very little memory and coupled with its thin diameter delivers long smooth casts that no mono can duplicate. Excellent wet knot strength was achieved and Excalibur is 10X more abrasion resistant than ordinary monofilament lines. These features mean you can fish the toughest cover with no worries. Fish with power of finesse, Excalibur can do it all.

The Truth- This is a line I really enjoy using. This line is touted as a thin diameter, abrasion resistant line and it delivers the goods. I used both the clear and green and got consistent results with excellent strength, low memory, super thin diameter, and great abrasion resistance. Excellent limpness and above average sensitivity. I do not have anything bad to say about this line, other than it is such a pain in the arse to find a place that sells it. If I could get it regularly, it would be my clear #1 choice.

Earthworm’s opinion- This line is a winner. It may be the ultimate Ultra Light line. It is my top choice for light spinning gear. 6lb Excalibur failed at over 9lbs of fixed weight. 8lb line falied at over 12lbs of fixed weight. Rating 8

Gamakatsu
Here is an interesting copolymer line by the hook guys. Gammie line is quite strong, supplying above average knot and tensile strength. I was impressed by shock resistance as I purposely tried to break it, but couldn’t. G-Line has good abrasion resistance and standard diameter. It has good knot strength as well. My biggest complaint was a bit of memory. On larger spooled reels this may not have been a big problem, but it is not a finesse line.

Earthworm’s opinion- G-Line is a solid performer for conventional applications. I would not pick it to be one of my top light lines. I see a spot for it as I beef up my tackle for heavier fishing. Gammie line failed at over 14lbs of fixed weight. Rating 7

Stren Magnathin 8lb
The Claim- Longer, smoother casts, precise presentation, and maximum lure control. Incredible strength to diameter ration for less line profile to spook fish. Smaller line size makes it sink faster so you can get to the fish quickly.

The Truth- I’ve never been a big fan of Stren lines. It seems to me that they always coil and snarl on me. I do not know why. Magna Thin is a decent line that has low memory, good tensile strength, thin diameter, great knot strength, and is limp. I experienced few problems with this line. I enjoyed its “made for light tackle, easy to cast” traits. Never thought I would like a Stren line, but this one was pretty good. I noticed that it was not a good abrasion resistant line, but I did take into consideration that it is a thin diameter line and that is common for them.

Earthworm’s opinion- MagnaThin is a decent line, but not better than Silver Thread. I would still like to shoot whomever designed the spooling machines for Stren products. They just do not wind on right for me. Magnathin failed at over 12lbs of fixed weight. Rating 7.25

Yo Zuri Hybrid 8lb
The Claim- This advanced line uses a double coating of fluorocarbons to create low stretch solidarity and sensitivity unmatched by lesser lines. The unique coating also gives it abrasion resistance equal to fluorocarbon while still retaining a solid core that sends the hook home when you lay into it.

The Truth-This is the line that changed it all for me. This was the one I tied on that day I was having problems with the Sensation. Hybrid is a cross between fluoro and mono. It is UV resistant, abrasion resistant, strong as hell, and has great knot strength. It is a bit thicker than standard lines and for this reason, it does have some memory. The 8lb test was fine on my Stradic 2000FG, but I would not use heavier Hybrid on spinning gear. I used this line throughout the whole 2002 season. It was my main line and choice for tournaments. It simply does not fail. It is actually hard to break, even if you are trying to purposely make it fail. I broke off on one fish all season.

Earthworm’s opinion- Hybrid is my new and current favorite line. It has all of the qualities I seek in a fishing line. The only negative is that it is slightly prone to memory. If you can keep that in check, you won’t have many problems with it. Yo-Zuri line severely overtests…lets keep it at that! Rating 8

Yo Zuri Cobra X Tex
X Tex is a line that I’ve secretly been using for some time now. It is everything that Hybrid isn’t, which really doesn’t give it that much room for improvement. The one difference that I noticed in the Cobra is the absence of memory. This line has the same toughness and strength that I’ve come to love in Hybrid. It is super strong and abrasion resistant and goes on the spool like a dream. It is as perfect a mono as one could ever hope to fish with. X-Tex is a perfect line for light tackle applications. From Drop Shotting to light jigging, this line fishes like a dream. Great knot and tensile strength, great shock resistance, and a stealthy package make this the top line in the shootout.

Earthworm’s Opinion- If you haven’t gone out and bought Tectan yet, go buy the Cobra X Tex! You won’t be disappointed in this line. It is THAT good!! X-Tex line overtested and broke at 14lbs. Rating 9

Tectan
The Claim- Now with even better knot strength, the most important factor of them all. Abrasion resistant, the perfect underwater camouflage. “Jetzt mit noch hoherer knotenfestigkeit!” Oh, how true that is!!!

The Truth- I’ve heard people complimenting this line for years. German engineering is known to be superior. Thanks to John Proto for supplying me with a spool of 8.8lb Tectan. Out of the package this line looked like a winner. With a tiny diameter, I would guess close to 4lb., I was blown away by it. It has all the things I look for in a UL line. Thin diameter, great knot and tensile strength, limpness, and low memory. This line is a perfect example of how light lines should start out; with true thin diameter and suppleness. I tested this line in winter of 2002. I used it for stripers and white perch. It was perfect in all aspects. I’m pretty sure that this is the only line I tested that doesn’t over exceed its true breaking point. In other words it does not over test. I’m not sure if it is a true IGFA suitable line, but my guess would be that it is.

Earthworm’s opinion- Tectan is a great line. I highly recommend it for all light tackle applications. Tectan broke at 9.5lbs. Rating 8.75

Berkley Vanish 6lb
The Claim- This all new revolutionary line represents a breakthrough in fluorocarbons. Scientists have altered the molecular structure of the line to create a virtually invisible line. It is extra sensitive to detect bites, yet offers shock absorbency for fighting power after the hookset. The soft, low memory formula casts well and is ideal for both spinning and casting gear.

The Truth- I tested Vanish 6lb simply because I couldn’t find a lighter weight fluorocarbon line. Vanish right out of the package is stiff. It is nearly transparent in the water and has kick-ass abrasion resistance. It was extremely durable and strong. For Fluorocarbon, it had standard diameter, but the memory was murderous. I fished the 6lb on a Stradic 2000 FG for several days straight as I was on a specific pattern. By the end of each day I had to respool due to hellish snarls and coils. This would be a great jig line. It has little stretch and awesome brute strength. Vanish was very sensitive due to its low stretch properties.

Earthworm’s opinion- Not for spinning reels. Baitcasting only...but for this, it is a top performer. A good Berkley line. Vanish broke at 9lbs. Rating 7.25

Spider Wire super Mono 8lb
The Claim- Strong, thin and sensitive. Blended copolymers deliver a superior mix of abrasion resistance and smoothness.

The Truth- From a company that built itself up on braided line, this line was a complete surprise to me. I used this line in 8lb test and was impressed by its thin diameter, limpness, and low memory. It was a good abrasion resistant line. SW was also quite strong as I had trouble breaking it. I used the clear line on a medium action spinning rod. On the test day, I was tubing. I had taken several good bass on it up to 3lbs. I felt that the SW didn’t have a ton of stretch and was fairly sensitive because of this fact.

Earthworm’s opinion- SW is a decent line. I can recommend it with honesty, knowing that whoever chooses to use it should like it as well. This is a good all around basic line. Spiderwire failed at 11.5lbs of fixed weight. Rating 7.25

Rating scale: Strength | Value | Memory | Diameter | Abrasion | Sensitivity | Limpness

• Triple Fish: 7 8 7 7 7 7 7
• Sensation: 2 5 7 8 0 8 8
• Excel: 8 9 7 6 8 7 7
• S.Thread: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
• G-Line: 8 6 7 6 8 7 7
• Magna: 8 6 8 8 6 7 8
• Hybrid: 10 8 6 7 9 9 6
• X Tex: 10 10 9 8 9 9 8
• Tectan: 9 10 9 9 7 8 8
• Vanish: 10 6 5 6 10 8 5
• SW Mono: 8 8 7 7 7 7 7

Earthworm’s top-three picks: #1 Yo-Zuri Cobra X-Tex, #2 Tectan, and #3 Silver Thread. The Hybrid is a great line in itself, but the newer Cobra X-Tex makes it obsolete. I am not currently sponsored by any manufacturer that makes line. These tests were based on my experiences and testing that was done to formulate the results of this shootout. Thanks to everyone who helped out and provided me with sample spools of line.