Igv'e been using Ande line for over ten years now, neve touched another line. I know many of you use Berkeley Big Game. So decided to given it a try,spooling up #15 on my Abu. My opinion guys about this stuff is its abosolute garbage. So far it hasn'nt shown much durability,it has now stretch and it is very kinky. For many who use Bekeley and havent tried Ande, try it. Didnt relize thay were going to be so different. Now in know why used Ande for so long!! Anybody have and Opinions?
Berkeley BIG Game Opinion
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I've used Big Game now for more than 10 yrs and I'm very happy with it.Everything from 15 lbs up to 80.Never had any problems with stretch or kinks.For 20 yrs prior to that I used Ande and was very tired of the memory coil in it.If I use less than 12 lb for the real light stuff I use Stren,very limph on a baicaster.This week I did spool my shark reels with MOIMOI Diamond for the first time,heard some good things about it.
See how it holds up.
paulie
See how it holds up.
paulie
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I agree with Paulie
I made the switch from Ande Pink to Big Game many years ago and never looked back.
I use the 30lb clear for inshore blackfish and the heavier bass chumming jobs, 17lb for inside the bay chumming and before I switched my fluke rods to spectra lines, I used Big Game Green solar in 14lb test for that as well, both inshore and off.
I find the EXACT opposite results from what you report. In my experience, its the Ande, not the BG that has too much memory coil and is WAY too stretchy. Geez, hang that pink stuff up on a deep water snag and its like trying to break a rubber band. Not good, but strangely Ande is and was the "Standard" codfish line nearly forever. Strange that it hangs in there with such a huge share of the market and yet so many lines are now available that handle so much better in that application.
Back to your specific complaint - maybe you got a bad or real old spool of the BG line?
Also, in the 15lb, you might give the Berkeley XL a try - its very limp and thin. Or like Paulie suggested, the original Stren is a good choice in the lighter tests.
I also hear good things about that Momoi stuff. If I were a blue water guy, I'd try it, but inshore, I don't see any need to use anything but BG in for my mono needs.
Just my $0.02 worth.
rgds, Leprechaun
I made the switch from Ande Pink to Big Game many years ago and never looked back.
I use the 30lb clear for inshore blackfish and the heavier bass chumming jobs, 17lb for inside the bay chumming and before I switched my fluke rods to spectra lines, I used Big Game Green solar in 14lb test for that as well, both inshore and off.
I find the EXACT opposite results from what you report. In my experience, its the Ande, not the BG that has too much memory coil and is WAY too stretchy. Geez, hang that pink stuff up on a deep water snag and its like trying to break a rubber band. Not good, but strangely Ande is and was the "Standard" codfish line nearly forever. Strange that it hangs in there with such a huge share of the market and yet so many lines are now available that handle so much better in that application.
Back to your specific complaint - maybe you got a bad or real old spool of the BG line?
Also, in the 15lb, you might give the Berkeley XL a try - its very limp and thin. Or like Paulie suggested, the original Stren is a good choice in the lighter tests.
I also hear good things about that Momoi stuff. If I were a blue water guy, I'd try it, but inshore, I don't see any need to use anything but BG in for my mono needs.
Just my $0.02 worth.
rgds, Leprechaun
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A good question.
The "Lep stick" is about as stiff and powerful as that Shilaleigh, but its gray not brown. And a bit straighter, though not all that much.
That's actually mu personal signature Avatar from the Shamrock Boat Owner's Club site, but strangely on that site its animated, its actually walking, but here it just comes up as a fixed image. Must have something to do with the file size, I guess.
rgds, Leprechaun
The "Lep stick" is about as stiff and powerful as that Shilaleigh, but its gray not brown. And a bit straighter, though not all that much.
That's actually mu personal signature Avatar from the Shamrock Boat Owner's Club site, but strangely on that site its animated, its actually walking, but here it just comes up as a fixed image. Must have something to do with the file size, I guess.
rgds, Leprechaun
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I always thought that Ande line.....which I use almost exclusively.....is most durable and has very good memory qualities. Another favorable attribute is that the backlashes in conventional reels are fewer and less severe with Ande line. I found that out the hard way.
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I've been using Berkely for years, and I thinks it's great. Although their are some other lines that would work better in certain applications, Berkely is a great middle of the road line.
Capt. H
Capt. H
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Captbush, I love Berkeley Big Game and Ande. I heard and had experienced FAKE Big Game from a few sporting goods stores. The ones in 1/4 size. I wont mention the names of the establishments.
I learned about the fake line from a very good friend. I noticed the ones I bought from these stores were not like the ones I got from an online store. The store bought were like you describe and they are not strong.
So becareful! It is also possible the big game you got is old. I only use 10# BG for many years and Ande. Both got their different uses.
I learned about the fake line from a very good friend. I noticed the ones I bought from these stores were not like the ones I got from an online store. The store bought were like you describe and they are not strong.
So becareful! It is also possible the big game you got is old. I only use 10# BG for many years and Ande. Both got their different uses.
I have used Big Game a number of times and find it O.K. Ande is like rope;very stiff but strong.My personal favorite is Hi-impact the Dupont boys know what their doing! I have the oportunity to try many different lines being a tackle Rep.I also find Suffux to be very good.
I think with line you kind of get what you pay for though their are some expensive lines that fish like crap.
I think with line you kind of get what you pay for though their are some expensive lines that fish like crap.
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Mono
I have been using Big Game for a long time and I have had no complaints (12lb up to 80lb). I used to use Ande, but found that for me it had more memory and dried out quicker.
Occasionally I buy a 1/4lb spool of Ande. Sometimes you find a really fresh spool that has very little memory and is durable, but it isn't as consitently good like Berkely Big Game. Like Tuna Toys said, I agree that the Suffix line looks like good line, but I havn't used it yet.
Asking someone their favorite line can become a big debate. At the shop when people ask me what line I think is best, I don't have a straight answer for them. I know guys who swear by Ande and other brand lines. I like Big Game; whatever floats your boat. Just my opinion.
Makomagic jr
(This post edited by Makomagic on 02/16/2003)
I have been using Big Game for a long time and I have had no complaints (12lb up to 80lb). I used to use Ande, but found that for me it had more memory and dried out quicker.
Occasionally I buy a 1/4lb spool of Ande. Sometimes you find a really fresh spool that has very little memory and is durable, but it isn't as consitently good like Berkely Big Game. Like Tuna Toys said, I agree that the Suffix line looks like good line, but I havn't used it yet.
Asking someone their favorite line can become a big debate. At the shop when people ask me what line I think is best, I don't have a straight answer for them. I know guys who swear by Ande and other brand lines. I like Big Game; whatever floats your boat. Just my opinion.
Makomagic jr
(This post edited by Makomagic on 02/16/2003)
It is interesting that fishermen in Florida love Ande line while the west coast fishermem regard the P-line Cxx as their number one choice.
I read the result of the tensile strenth and resistance to abrasion for 20 pound mono line on Sportfishing Magazine in 2001.
For Tensile Strength,
1. Remington Ultra
2. Australian Platypus
3. Berkley Trilene Sensithin
4. Platypus Super-100
5. Super Silver Thread
For Resistance to Abrasion
Stren Original outlasted any challenger
Also, among braided lines, Western Filament's Tuf line ranks first in tensile strength test and second in Resistance to abrasion test(first is Mason Tiger Braid).
I read the result of the tensile strenth and resistance to abrasion for 20 pound mono line on Sportfishing Magazine in 2001.
For Tensile Strength,
1. Remington Ultra
2. Australian Platypus
3. Berkley Trilene Sensithin
4. Platypus Super-100
5. Super Silver Thread
For Resistance to Abrasion
Stren Original outlasted any challenger
Also, among braided lines, Western Filament's Tuf line ranks first in tensile strength test and second in Resistance to abrasion test(first is Mason Tiger Braid).
GREAT THREAD on someting that really does not have a definitive answer when it comes to lines.
First, it was true that a few years ago, their was A LOAD of BERKELEY BIG GAME in the smaller 1/4lb size spool, that was not from the factory, going around. The labels were exactly the same, and the color was pretty similar, but it was some off brand 'bulk' monofilament that was being passed as BIG GAME.
Berkeley happens to have a load of loyal followers and out on the CALIFORNIA long range boats, BIG GAME happens to be one of the more popular lines for tuna fishing.
Our experience in the Bay, found it to be a very tough line that would hold up over a couple of seasons. It is noticeably thicker then Jinkai, Silver Thread and Momoi, but much more limp then Ande line. It has EXCELLENT knot strength, and very good abrasion resistance. One problem was that when you first used it, a 'powdery' dust would come off the line. Another is that the clear colored line would turn cloudy white after a few trips. Not a big deal when bottom fishing, but tuna fishermen when fishing in clear waters would notice a difference in how many bites they would get on the chunk.
I would recommend it, in the heavier lb tests, from 30 and up. Their 50 and 60lb line happens to be pretty indestructible. If i had to choose Ande or BIG GAME, BIG GAME would win hands down. Its a newer product then the original Ande, but its just around a better line for the dollar.
I am going to paste a link in of the BEST SITE on comparing MONOFILAMENT LINES. Kilsong brought up a excellent review done by SPORTFISHING MAGAZINE. One must remember that their is no perfect line, and that you have to balance, abrasion resistance, limpness, diameter, wet knot strength, shock absorption, and price when purchasing a line. One company may make lines in the lighter pound tests that are very good, while their heavier lines are not as good. I would choose from a handful of lines, when filling up your baitcasters, boat reels, and your tuna reels.
LINE TEST COMPARISONS FOR LINES FROM 10-400LB TEST
EC NEWELL MAN*
First, it was true that a few years ago, their was A LOAD of BERKELEY BIG GAME in the smaller 1/4lb size spool, that was not from the factory, going around. The labels were exactly the same, and the color was pretty similar, but it was some off brand 'bulk' monofilament that was being passed as BIG GAME.
Berkeley happens to have a load of loyal followers and out on the CALIFORNIA long range boats, BIG GAME happens to be one of the more popular lines for tuna fishing.
Our experience in the Bay, found it to be a very tough line that would hold up over a couple of seasons. It is noticeably thicker then Jinkai, Silver Thread and Momoi, but much more limp then Ande line. It has EXCELLENT knot strength, and very good abrasion resistance. One problem was that when you first used it, a 'powdery' dust would come off the line. Another is that the clear colored line would turn cloudy white after a few trips. Not a big deal when bottom fishing, but tuna fishermen when fishing in clear waters would notice a difference in how many bites they would get on the chunk.
I would recommend it, in the heavier lb tests, from 30 and up. Their 50 and 60lb line happens to be pretty indestructible. If i had to choose Ande or BIG GAME, BIG GAME would win hands down. Its a newer product then the original Ande, but its just around a better line for the dollar.
I am going to paste a link in of the BEST SITE on comparing MONOFILAMENT LINES. Kilsong brought up a excellent review done by SPORTFISHING MAGAZINE. One must remember that their is no perfect line, and that you have to balance, abrasion resistance, limpness, diameter, wet knot strength, shock absorption, and price when purchasing a line. One company may make lines in the lighter pound tests that are very good, while their heavier lines are not as good. I would choose from a handful of lines, when filling up your baitcasters, boat reels, and your tuna reels.
LINE TEST COMPARISONS FOR LINES FROM 10-400LB TEST
EC NEWELL MAN*
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This IS an interesting thread
JP - That's an interesting observation. I find just opposite - My experience is that Ande, not Big Game gets much stiffer in the colder weather.
Wonder how this can be explained?
rgds, Leprechaun
(This post edited by Leprechaun on 02/16/2003)
JP - That's an interesting observation. I find just opposite - My experience is that Ande, not Big Game gets much stiffer in the colder weather.
Wonder how this can be explained?
rgds, Leprechaun
(This post edited by Leprechaun on 02/16/2003)
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I done more than my share of very coldwater fishing, ANDE becomes piano wire when it's cold and forms coils off the rod tip. Some people find this desireable when dead sticking cod or togging. It a tough line with good abrasion resistance and knot strength. In fairness, I've never tried Ande tournament that much but beleive it to be softer.
Big Game would be my choice, it is softer than Ande but still very strong and has good abrasion resistance. Ever try to bust off fresh 30 lb Big Game ?? Good Luck. This stuff has guts and then some.
I've compared Big Game to many other mono's while blackfishing (I'm talking 30 lb), my criteria, while subjective, are based around what it takes to break the line when hung in the bottom. The offshore MONO's (Momoi, Jinkai, Quatro, etc) tend to be softer and do not have the abrasion resistance or the knot strength. They seem to cut through themselves with certain knots that hold just fine with Big Game or Ande.
Big Game and Ande are much tougher than the offshore brands , but Big Game handles and casts better.
Inshore I like Big Game, offshore (50 lb +) I like Jinkai or Momoi.
Big Game would be my choice, it is softer than Ande but still very strong and has good abrasion resistance. Ever try to bust off fresh 30 lb Big Game ?? Good Luck. This stuff has guts and then some.
I've compared Big Game to many other mono's while blackfishing (I'm talking 30 lb), my criteria, while subjective, are based around what it takes to break the line when hung in the bottom. The offshore MONO's (Momoi, Jinkai, Quatro, etc) tend to be softer and do not have the abrasion resistance or the knot strength. They seem to cut through themselves with certain knots that hold just fine with Big Game or Ande.
Big Game and Ande are much tougher than the offshore brands , but Big Game handles and casts better.
Inshore I like Big Game, offshore (50 lb +) I like Jinkai or Momoi.
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