Maxima or Berkley Big Game?
This descussion forum seems to be slowing down a little, so I figured I'd throw out a new topic. I've been using Berkley Big Game line for years but recently I've switched to Maxima Ultra Green and find the line to be much more abrasion resistant. I can't fairly say that I've caught more or less fish one line or the other just thought I'd like to hear what your guys think.
http:www.geocities.com/hookemlarge/

Maxima is the #1 choice on any baitcaster or ocean reel for me, but I find berkley has less memory and is easier to work with when using a spinning reel. my $0.02

I personally have tried a number of lines.IE:Ande,Berkley,Maxima,Stren,Izorline just to name a few.I do prefer maxima of all these.Ultra green works well on baitcasters, and marine green works well on spinning reels.That's my two cents.
Brett

I totally agree that Maxima is the best but the price is so high I've had to stop using the stuff.

It's OK for some weekend warrior who only own one or two outfits but I have 20 different outfits I use for different applications and keeping Maxima on all of them is just too expensive.

So I've gone to Ande Green which is an acceptable substitute.

I've been buying bulk spooled Maxima from West Coast fishing tackle they have the best price. Does anyone use florocarbon for leaders, I was thinking about trying it, but you talk about EXPENSIVE WOW! I hate loosing Drennan floats let alone a bunch of florocarbon line. Maybe I'm just cheap?

It's really important to compare lines of equal diameter not breaking strain (lb test). maxima lines of a given rated strength are much thicker than most comparable lines. 14 lb Stren for example is about the same diameter or even thinner than 10lb maxima. That's one reason most people find Maxima lines are so much more reliable. But then you can use Stren or Berkley or whatever of a higher breaking strength and still get the same amount of line on the spool.

I've used flourocarbon a fair bit. Buying larger spools (ie Berkley Vanish) cuts the price per meter as compared to the leader spools. The biggest advantage of flourocarbon is that it sinks - which makes it good for a nymph fishing fly leader. I've haven't found it's lower refractive index gets me anymore strikes than standard mono.

Saturday, March 30, - 04:28 pm <17468&page=9/2291">
Well here's my 2 cents.

Sure we can discuss all the pros and cons with line characteristics. But I have to admit that Maxi's been the true winner when it comes to main lines.

I made the mistake of trying some Berkley one time and I'll wear on a stack of bibles I'll never change from Maxima. For a main line to load on your reel, you can't beat it period.

As for a leader, I sure wish I could get some of the old Diawa Carbon Reflex. Was expensive, but man, when 4lb. fishes like 10lb., well need I say more. Diawa PLEASE! bring some back into production.

Sunday, March 31, - 09:13 am <17470&page=9/2291">
Florocarbon.....personally I think it's a huge expense in the larger pound tests, offers zero advantage, fattens wallets, and I refuse to use the stuff. As a destination area, pressure from visiting anglers got the stuff stocked on the shelves...the same anglers that take great delight in "fighting" a steelhead for "all it's worth" meaning they probably just killed that fish. Anyway, here is another take on florocarbon: http://www.sltrib.com//mar/0319/tuesday/tuesday.htm

Sunday, June 30, - 11:19 pm <18041&page=9/2291">
I'll add this. Been a hardcore Maxima guy since day one. Use chameleon alot on the plunking rods. Use UG on all my baitcasters. Spinning rods are a no no as most can attest to. Doesn't work well except on VERY light lines.

On abrasion resistance. I have seen a few different independent (and one superline companies) line evaluation. Maxima was always one of the top lines for abrasion. That is they put the lines a machine and measured breaking point. I know most of the companies above (including most superlines) snapped at 1-4 revolutions. Maxima was like 32 revolutions. The superline company (I can't remember which one) was at like 56 revolutions. Not bad I'd say. I don't like using superlines, and since my Maxima isn't broke, I'm not fixing it.

Thursday, July 04, - 07:48 am <18054&page=9/2291">
There was an earlier post that suggested maxima was pricey.....in this market, it is the same price as berkley...Off the bulk spool: 4.50 a hundred yards under 20 pound test, and 6.00 a hundred yards over 20 pound test. A 7000C holds about 150 yards of 40 pound, so a refill is all of 9.00.

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