I’ve spent a lot of time fishing with Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon throughout the past year or so. To be totally candid, I discovered it in a time of panic. I had a guide trip the next morning and I was totally out of my “normal” fluorocarbon. So I went to the local tackle store and saw the low price tag of Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line, so I bought a 200-yard spool and figured I’d give it a shot. To make a long story short, I bought three more 200-yard spools the next week.
I’ve been pretty impressed by it. Like most other fluorocarbons, it has its strengths and weaknesses. But for anglers looking for a solid product without breaking the bank, I think it’s a worthwhile purchase. I’ll quickly explain what I’ve learned while using it.
Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line is available at these online retailers:
Low stretch facilitates solid hooksets
I’m not a scientist and I don’t know the “actual” stretch rates of different fluorocarbons; nor do I know how you’d even figure that out. But I do fish an awful lot and it feels like Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line has a little less stretch than some of the other brands I’ve tested. It’s difficult to explain until you fish with it yourself, but it’s almost like you can feel a worm hook “pop” into the roof of the bass’ mouth when you set the hook.
Throughout my testing, this line hasn’t required ridiculous hooksets and exaggerate rod movements when trying to drive the hook, especially with the smaller diameters. This fluorocarbon has really shown itself to be a great option when making long casts that may require long-distance hooksets. When you combine this lack of stretch with the strength we discussed, you get a legitimate workhorse fishing line.
Smooth feel
When you remove a length of line from the original spool, you’ll instantly recognize how smooth it is, which gives it a very high-quality feel to the consumer. It behaves quite well on casting reels but it can be a bit wiry on spinning gear. The 6 and 8-pound tests will work just fine for a few trips on your favorite spinning gear, but they’ll definitely acquire memory after extended use or storage. I’ve been able to extend the life of this small-diameter line by applying a non-aerosal line conditioner the night before fishing and I have very few problems.
With that being said, the smaller diameters are outstanding choices for leader material. They’re tough as nails and the knot strength is tailor-made for connecting it to a braided main line when finesse fishing. You’ll run into very few, if any, line management issues when you put Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line on casting reels. It’s low maintenance and stays packed on the spool tightly.
It’s hard to ignore the price tag
As I’m sure you’ve realized, fluorocarbon prices are getting a bit ridiculous. If you’re like me, however, and appreciate inexpensive and affordable fishing gear, you’ll really appreciate Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line. With prices starting at $19.99 for a 200-yard spool, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
And to be clear, we’re not talking about some cheap fluorocarbon that’s going to break on you within a week. This is quality line and the price tag is a big deal to me. Heck, that’s what made me try this line for the first time. It’s also easy to find, which can be a big help. I live in a pretty rural area and when I travel to fish, I’m usually in rural areas. I’d estimate that 90 percent of tackle shops I visit throughout the country have a respectable stock of this line. So if you need to stock up and don’t have time to drive an hour to a big-box store, I’d be willing to bet you can buy this line locally.
Available Everywhere
This is a solid fluorocarbon at a solid price. Everyone has their brand allegiances, but don’t be afraid to try this stuff. It’s a quality product with a really big following.
Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line is available at these online retailers:
It’s plenty strong
You can have the most supple and sensitive line in the world, but it won’t do you any good if it breaks on the hookset. This is exactly why I always pay close attention to the strength of any fluorocarbon I test.
So far, Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line has passed with flying colors. I can say this with absolute certainty: I have never broken off on a fish with this line. It’s some stout stuff. I’ve been able to horse 6-pounders from underneath boat docks with 20-pound test and finesse big bass out of deep brush with 8-pound test and it has not let me down. It has proven to be very abrasion resistant and the knot strength has been impressive as well.
I use this line quite a bit for leader material when I’m finesse fishing and I never have to worry about knot failure. It’s even tough to break on purpose when you’re snagged in cover. I’d put this line against many other popular fluorocarbons when it comes to pure strength.
