Real owners rate these about evenly: 84% of 32 Berkley Trilene Big Game owners recommend it, vs 88% of 68 for the Berkley Trilene XL.
Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score
Owners of both monos describe cheap, reliable line that casts nicely and stays manageable on the reel, and both are trusted as everyday all-around choices, with owners of each noting a fair amount of stretch. The Trilene XL's fans highlight its low memory, smooth long casts, and easy knotting, calling it ideal for ultralight and light-lure work, but note the stretch softens hooksets, it's less sensitive than braid, and a few see break-offs or knot slips. The Big Game's owners reach for its toughness, spooling it freely because it's strong and hard to break on big fish and very abrasion resistant in snaggy water, though they flag line memory and coiling that creep in after time on the reel and heavy stretch that demands a hard hookset. Anglers doing ultralight, clear-water finesse fishing gravitate toward the Trilene XL for its low memory. Those chasing big, hard-fighting fish or needing cheap heavy line for abrasion-heavy water and leaders lean toward the Big Game. Neither is simply better; the choice hinges on whether light finesse or heavy, break-proof toughness is the priority.
“I would say the 20lb line is actually 25lb just labeled as 20 to make it appear way stronger than other name brands”— @lindajones1592 on YouTube
“unless you're a tournament fisherman, old line works fine.”— @dalefurrer3486 on YouTube
“the last year's line comes off the reels like a coil spring that doesn't cast well”— @peterhuneven1727 on YouTube
“I recommend mono as it is a bit more forgiving, cheaper, and casts further.”— MagicGuava12 on Reddit
“I fish with 4-6 lb test Berkley Trilene XL Smooth casting on a 7' ultralight Ugly Stik.”— Andy-Tate on Reddit
“Trilene xl is trash. Is doesnt perform well in my experience”— @shehatelayne4654 on YouTube
Owners of both monos describe cheap, reliable line that casts nicely and stays manageable on the reel, and both are trusted as everyday all-around choices, with owners of each noting a fair amount of stretch. The Trilene XL's fans highlight its low memory, smooth long casts, and easy knotting, calling it ideal for ultralight and light-lure work, but note the stretch softens hooksets, it's less sensitive than braid, and a few see break-offs or knot slips. The Big Game's owners reach for its toughness, spooling it freely because it's strong and hard to break on big fish and very abrasion resistant in snaggy water, though they flag line memory and coiling that creep in after time on the reel and heavy stretch that demands a hard hookset. Anglers doing ultralight, clear-water finesse fishing gravitate toward the Trilene XL for its low memory. Those chasing big, hard-fighting fish or needing cheap heavy line for abrasion-heavy water and leaders lean toward the Big Game. Neither is simply better; the choice hinges on whether light finesse or heavy, break-proof toughness is the priority.
Owners point the Berkley Trilene Big Game at anglers chasing big, hard-fighting fish like sharks and catfish, and budget-minded fishers wanting cheap, near-unbreakable line.
Owners point the Berkley Trilene XL at ultralight and spinning-reel anglers targeting trout and panfish, and budget-minded anglers wanting reliable all-around mono.
The most-cited downside of the Berkley Trilene Big Game is develops line memory and coils after time on the reel. For the Berkley Trilene XL, it's stretchy, softens hooksets.