What's your favorite mono running line & why?

I found some of the hydro float 50#, I’m excited to try it out after a decade or more of big game solar collector. I like the idea of no stretch with long casts on big water. If it’s a bust it was $14 which in 2024 dollars is basically free.
 
clarkman said:
I honestly don't know what magically small would be....lol. That said, I actually do prefer something that just ticks the tiptop just for my own tactile senses. Then again, this is with 30lb, so it'll be easier than 40 or 50. I have received the spool of it, just haven't lined it up yet.
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Magically small is when the knotted line deforms when seated, to minimize air spaces, so the knot ends up smaller and tighter.

two random internet diagrams to illustrate
 

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I have a few spools of older "flat" or oval mono shooting lines; Cortland Cobra, Rio Slick Shooter, and AirFlo Memory Release Mono. How do modern mono shooting lines compare to my museum pieces?
 
I’m another fan of Berkeley big game solar in 30 or 40#. Cheap, stretches nice and straight after a fish and not too coily on a large arbour reel. I do treat it with kvd line and lure, it seems to lessen a lot of the tangles too.
 
G_Smolt said:
When you put a loop on the end, yes.

The most consistent loop knot I've found for HF is the single-strand bimini with 18-22 turns. It seats well, has zero slippage issues, and slides thru the guides like a greased pig.
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I ended up going with the Hydrofloat. Really like the feel of it. It's definitely not your typical braid and is stiff enough that I don't think I'll have issues with it knotting up. Now I just have to decide if I'm going with an OPST Commando or Airflo Scout.
 
Finally got to put in a little time casting with the Hydrofloat on Saturday. It casts really well. My experience is limited to the Commando Smooth, so I've never actually used real mono as a shooting line, but I like that the H-float is a little stiffer than the integrated running line on the Smooth. One of my biggest problems I have with the Smooth is that the running line frequently gets looped over the rod butt while casting if I'm not actively focused on it. I didn't have that issue nearly as much with the H-float.
 
clarkman said:
I ended up just ordering some 30lb. It specs out similar to the Stren I like.
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Now that I've had a chance to use it for a couple of trips, I really really like it. I never bothered stretching it out and it still worked really well. Just what I was looking for....not terrible to grip either when stripping.
 
What's the consensus on Rio slickshooter? Roughly the same price as SA flat mono, or is it a no because it's Farbank?
 
Non-circular (oval, flat) shooting lines work great in a dry setting (boat), ok in stillwater or in shallow water with limited current, but not great in knee-deep moving water. They have a tendency to orient perpendicular to current, which impedes release and decreases shootability. It is noticeable if you’re consistently gunning for very high line speed and distance, especially with lighter heads
 
SovDog said:
What's the consensus on Rio slickshooter? Roughly the same price as SA flat mono, or is it a no because it's Farbank?
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For me it was too stiff and had too much memory when fishing in cold conditions. I definitely prefer the SA absolute flat.
 
SculpinSwinger said:
For me it was too stiff and had too much memory when fishing in cold conditions. I definitely prefer the SA absolute flat.
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I'll have to give the SA a try then, haven't had any issues even in cold conditions (it's usually my hands that can't handle it before the line gets too stiff) but it's also the only mono I've tried.
 
SovDog said:
I'll have to give the SA a try then, haven't had any issues even in cold conditions (it's usually my hands that can't handle it before the line gets too stiff) but it's also the only mono I've tried.
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The SA gets easier to grip after being wet for a while. Some prefer the slick shooter.
 
cmann886 said:
I have and liked the 40 lb. What are you comparisons to the 30 as far as Tangles go? Would 30 lb be a good choice for 5 wt rods and under? Do you have any concerns with the spectra cutting the loop on your head?
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I think the 30 lb would work for lighter rods. Both stretch out with use and the coils disappear. No worries about cutting the loop on the head, but they all fail after a few years anyway and I end up with a replacement loop. We live in the same neck of the woods. Let me know if you want to try the 30 lb. I have a lifetime supply…. :D
 
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Creatch’r said:
I found some of the hydro float 50#, I’m excited to try it out after a decade or more of big game solar collector. I like the idea of no stretch with long casts on big water. If it’s a bust it was $14 which in 2024 dollars is basically free.
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Hey do you mind sharing where you found the 50# Hydrofloat? I haven't been able to find any and looking to replace some old running line this season.
 
western waters said:
Hey do you mind sharing where you found the 50# Hydrofloat? I haven't been able to find any and looking to replace some old running line this season.
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Amazon. It took some serious sifting through the weeds to find it but I eventually did. I couldn’t find it anywhere else in 50#.
 
I had been having pretty bad experiences with my OPST Lazar line so this thread was of interest to me. Early on, I tried quite a few different running lines and ended up settling on Amnesia. It has its issues, but it was $6, so I was content. I then tried casting my friend's rod with the Lazar line a couple of years ago and really liked it. Very supple, most of the memory worked its way out quickly and easy on the fingers. But I also found the loops liked to stick together more than in other lines I used and would shoot through the guides like that creating tangles. Happened enough that I was ready to try something else again. Went out and got the Nam line. Very disappointed in it to say the least. I really felt like I was fishing Amnesia line that was just rebranded. Felt and behaved exactly the same. I'll probably go back to using Amnesia since I have plenty of it.
 
Having used every imaginable brand/type running line out there, finds me at the end of the day back on the Big Game bandwagon.
(As an FYI - Big Game orange is the exact same line as the discontinued Stren Catfish.)

The logical next step for me is to give Sufix Superior a go, since I've been beating it up on CP rods for a few years now. 15# and 20# have zero coiling, tangling or casting issues, are easily mendable, and are appropriately strong and abrasion resistant for their diameter.

I'll be trying the 30#, 40# and possibly 50#.
Will share results.
 
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