Personally I can't tell that much difference in them, except for the price. One works about as good as the other. Anyone have any thoughts on this.
David1123
Has the "slickest running line out there" property actually been lab-tested against all other running lines??
If so, where are the published results? or is this "in-house"/"commercially sensitive" data?
If so, where are the published results? or is this "in-house"/"commercially sensitive" data?
David1123
I do like the OPST running line a lot, I just think its way too expensive. I've only used mine a few times and I need to cut it back 15 or 20 feet already, too many nicks in it. With the Berkley line after I cut it back a few times I just trash it and put on another 50 cents worth. But I do think the OPST short Skagit lines are really great. By far the best Skagit line I've ever used.
I do like the OPST running line a lot, I just think its way too expensive. I've only used mine a few times and I need to cut it back 15 or 20 feet already, too many nicks in it. With the Berkley line after I cut it back a few times I just trash it and put on another 50 cents worth. But I do think the OPST short Skagit lines are really great. By far the best Skagit line I've ever used.
Davd1123
Both lines are different for sure and I believe they both do the same job equally well. When I was just getting into two handed fishing I talked to a sales associate at a major west coast fly shop and he explained to me all about the different kinds of running lines they sold. I asked him which one did he use and he said "none of them, I use Berkley Big Game".
Both lines are different for sure and I believe they both do the same job equally well. When I was just getting into two handed fishing I talked to a sales associate at a major west coast fly shop and he explained to me all about the different kinds of running lines they sold. I asked him which one did he use and he said "none of them, I use Berkley Big Game".
You can't buy OPST lazar running line in bulk (where you have more than 2 reels to fill), but you can buy Berkley Big Game (solar green) in bulk.
For $32, you get 50m (164 feet) of the lazar line mono [roughly comparable in price to almost all other "specialised" aka overpriced mono 'running' lines]
When you buy in bulk (more than 50m spools), Big Game mono 40lb is available for $1.00 per 80 feet (~$2.00 per 164 feet).
Now, anyone try to persuade me that OPST lazar running line is 16 times better (slicker, more 'hydrophobic', more durable, impervious to memory, and performs in a wide range of temperatures) than Berkley Big Game mono?
Answers on a postage stamp, please
For $32, you get 50m (164 feet) of the lazar line mono [roughly comparable in price to almost all other "specialised" aka overpriced mono 'running' lines]
When you buy in bulk (more than 50m spools), Big Game mono 40lb is available for $1.00 per 80 feet (~$2.00 per 164 feet).
Now, anyone try to persuade me that OPST lazar running line is 16 times better (slicker, more 'hydrophobic', more durable, impervious to memory, and performs in a wide range of temperatures) than Berkley Big Game mono?
Answers on a postage stamp, please
Hello,
Have been fishing Lazerline for about a year. I've found it works well in cooler climates, however, just spent a week in the mid-west fishing it hard for small mouth bass in 80 degrees of heat: Found it bunched and tangled. Just returned to the PNW and fished Puget Sound this evening for Pinks and Silvers with the same running line-same result; tangles and a lot of kinks. I trashed the line. Thinking of just going Berkley Big Game. Maybe fishing a few sessions with Berkley Big Game and when the line beignis to tangle/kink, replace with 100ft of relatively inexpensive Berkley Big Game.( note: had the same issue with Rio Slickshooter in warmwater)
Have been fishing Lazerline for about a year. I've found it works well in cooler climates, however, just spent a week in the mid-west fishing it hard for small mouth bass in 80 degrees of heat: Found it bunched and tangled. Just returned to the PNW and fished Puget Sound this evening for Pinks and Silvers with the same running line-same result; tangles and a lot of kinks. I trashed the line. Thinking of just going Berkley Big Game. Maybe fishing a few sessions with Berkley Big Game and when the line beignis to tangle/kink, replace with 100ft of relatively inexpensive Berkley Big Game.( note: had the same issue with Rio Slickshooter in warmwater)
In my experience flyshop workers often times fish what is cheapest or what product reps give them to fish. I wouldn't equate what a person uses with comparative quality of products.
As the saying goes...
... ya can't please all of the people, all of the time. The fact is, that we all don't do things exactly the same or perceive things exactly the same. I just got off of a week long video shoot for OPST using a Lazar line that had already been in use since early June. We fished for a week in 85+ degree weather for bass and pike and I had
no problems whatsoever with my line and did not incur any damage to the line during that angling session. I do not 'baby' my equipment, but I also don't do abusive actions to it either such as walk on my line or pull aggressively on it when it tangles around my reel or butt guide, etc. I do employ actions to promote the longevity of my line, such as de-twist it if'n it gets twisted, or mitigate any possible sources of abrasion (on one of my reels, the drag knob is heavily knurled and if/when my runner gets caught around it that knurling can abrade the runner, so I wrapped it with rubber tape).
Personally, I perceive quite a difference between the Lazar and Big Game. However, if'n an individual cannot distinguish a difference, or does not feel that there is much of a difference, then by golly don't don't buy the Lazar... seems like a pretty simple decision process to me! Do I think that the Lazar is 16times better than the Big Game? No... but if'n I used that same line of reasoning for rods or reels or hooks or feathers, etc., boy would my tackle lineup be different than what it is now!
And, one note of interest... how many flyfishers would in fact be using Big Game at all if it hadn't been 'exposed' here on these Speypages by... ?
... ya can't please all of the people, all of the time. The fact is, that we all don't do things exactly the same or perceive things exactly the same. I just got off of a week long video shoot for OPST using a Lazar line that had already been in use since early June. We fished for a week in 85+ degree weather for bass and pike and I had
no problems whatsoever with my line and did not incur any damage to the line during that angling session. I do not 'baby' my equipment, but I also don't do abusive actions to it either such as walk on my line or pull aggressively on it when it tangles around my reel or butt guide, etc. I do employ actions to promote the longevity of my line, such as de-twist it if'n it gets twisted, or mitigate any possible sources of abrasion (on one of my reels, the drag knob is heavily knurled and if/when my runner gets caught around it that knurling can abrade the runner, so I wrapped it with rubber tape).
Personally, I perceive quite a difference between the Lazar and Big Game. However, if'n an individual cannot distinguish a difference, or does not feel that there is much of a difference, then by golly don't don't buy the Lazar... seems like a pretty simple decision process to me! Do I think that the Lazar is 16times better than the Big Game? No... but if'n I used that same line of reasoning for rods or reels or hooks or feathers, etc., boy would my tackle lineup be different than what it is now!
And, one note of interest... how many flyfishers would in fact be using Big Game at all if it hadn't been 'exposed' here on these Speypages by... ?
David1123
I mainly looked at 164 ft. of line for $32.00 vs. 595 yds. of 25lbs. BG for $9.00. I really do think that OPST products are some of the best I've seen on the market, mainly their short Skagit heads. On some of the tight spaces I fish their a God send, it just seemed there mono running lines are a bit over priced. But if this new mono running line is as durable and performs the way they claim it does then I'll say the price is not a factor. I've only used mine maybe 6 hours at most, and that's not really giving it a fare test.
I mainly looked at 164 ft. of line for $32.00 vs. 595 yds. of 25lbs. BG for $9.00. I really do think that OPST products are some of the best I've seen on the market, mainly their short Skagit heads. On some of the tight spaces I fish their a God send, it just seemed there mono running lines are a bit over priced. But if this new mono running line is as durable and performs the way they claim it does then I'll say the price is not a factor. I've only used mine maybe 6 hours at most, and that's not really giving it a fare test.
David1123...
... it's all a matter of priorities and/or perspective. If economy is the primary concern, then the Big Game is unbeatable in my opinion. Before 'we discovered' the Lazar, Big Game was in fact my preferred runner over all others. Its price and durability were its most positive characteristics and I used it for many years because of those attributes. The major downside to Big Game in my experience, is its memory. This is/was especially so in colder weather conditions where I often had to stretch the Big Game several times per fishing session. I still think that Big Game is a great running line, but I find that I prefer Lazar because of its reduced coily-ness. As for soaking fly reel spools in water to alleviate coiling... sounds like a nice trick to keep in mind, bu for now I cannot justify the corrosion possibilities to my Hardy's.
... it's all a matter of priorities and/or perspective. If economy is the primary concern, then the Big Game is unbeatable in my opinion. Before 'we discovered' the Lazar, Big Game was in fact my preferred runner over all others. Its price and durability were its most positive characteristics and I used it for many years because of those attributes. The major downside to Big Game in my experience, is its memory. This is/was especially so in colder weather conditions where I often had to stretch the Big Game several times per fishing session. I still think that Big Game is a great running line, but I find that I prefer Lazar because of its reduced coily-ness. As for soaking fly reel spools in water to alleviate coiling... sounds like a nice trick to keep in mind, bu for now I cannot justify the corrosion possibilities to my Hardy's.
If you have to soak your spool for 30 minutes before you fish, I would want another option. I would not want my old Perfects soaking and the backing soaking as well. Plus, my other reels (Mohlin, Saracione and Olson) don't have eaily removable spools.
I fish 70-80 days a year and the 30 minutes plus tear down and assembly of the soaking method makes the OPST worth it to me.
I fish 70-80 days a year and the 30 minutes plus tear down and assembly of the soaking method makes the OPST worth it to me.
David1123
Just strip some of your running line out into a bucket of warm water, it doesn't have to be really hot just room temperature. You don't have to do this every time you go fishing either. I did this once and three days later it was still coil free. I think this works because the line absorbs the water relaxing it. The first time I did this I was using a Ross CLA reel that doesn't need oiling. I've never had to straighten a line ever. I've done this with BG and Slick Shooter. I believe I learned this trick here on the Speypages.
Just strip some of your running line out into a bucket of warm water, it doesn't have to be really hot just room temperature. You don't have to do this every time you go fishing either. I did this once and three days later it was still coil free. I think this works because the line absorbs the water relaxing it. The first time I did this I was using a Ross CLA reel that doesn't need oiling. I've never had to straighten a line ever. I've done this with BG and Slick Shooter. I believe I learned this trick here on the Speypages.
jfc
talking about fishing $500 - $1000 reels, and then worrying about the "economy" of shooting line?
talking about fishing $500 - $1000 reels, and then worrying about the "economy" of shooting line?
the Hardy's I'm refering to...
... are the older, leaded/lead-finished models. They corrode on the inside of the spool, under the area where the backing is, especially if that backing is Dacron. A more obvious visual is the appearance of a fine, white powder around any spool ventilation holes. The presence of this is a sure indicator of an established corrosion action occurring under the backing. Older, lead-finished Hardy's should be thoroughly 'aired out' after every fishing session... that is if you want to keep them in tip-top condition.
... are the older, leaded/lead-finished models. They corrode on the inside of the spool, under the area where the backing is, especially if that backing is Dacron. A more obvious visual is the appearance of a fine, white powder around any spool ventilation holes. The presence of this is a sure indicator of an established corrosion action occurring under the backing. Older, lead-finished Hardy's should be thoroughly 'aired out' after every fishing session... that is if you want to keep them in tip-top condition.
David1123
The last several days I've been doing a side by side comparison between the Lazar line and Berkley Big Game and there really is a considerable difference between the two. The Lazar line is much more user friendly, it floats, it doesn't coil, the knots tie much smaller, it even seems to be more durable. I like to fish a couple of times a week during the trout season and if it lasts all season long like I think it will, it definitely is worth the price. The only problem I have with it is sometimes it slips though my fingers, but then all mono running lines do.
The last several days I've been doing a side by side comparison between the Lazar line and Berkley Big Game and there really is a considerable difference between the two. The Lazar line is much more user friendly, it floats, it doesn't coil, the knots tie much smaller, it even seems to be more durable. I like to fish a couple of times a week during the trout season and if it lasts all season long like I think it will, it definitely is worth the price. The only problem I have with it is sometimes it slips though my fingers, but then all mono running lines do.
I like the lazar line alot, and can tell a big difference, but as others have said if you cant tell a difference then there is no point in spending extra money on it. However, if you can tell an appreciable difference then why not buy it? I assume you guys have spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars on rods, reels, lines, and trips. So if this line works well then I dont see the argument that its too expensive at $30 being a good argument.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
