Is Momoi worth the extra $$$$?

I had new line put on my reel at J & M last year in October, and the guy behind the counter recommended Momoi Illusion 10 lb for Spanish. The price was reasonable for one reel I thought, but since I had never had a reel spooled professionally before I really didn't know what to expect. The line was good. It cast very well, held up to hand lining big spanish over the rail without breaking, and didn't seem to have any wind loop or memory problems -- but I only used it two days and I condition my line with Reel Magic regularly.

Well, Santa brought me some gift cards and I've been looking online -- it only comes in 300 yard spools or 1 lb spools. The 300 yards will be around $14 with shipping and the 1 lb around $95. It's from twice to three times as expensive as other "premium" lines.

Anyone else have long term experience with Momoi Illusion? Does anyone know why it is so expensive compared to other lines? I've read all the online reviews I could find and they are about equally mixed between those who hated it and will never buy it again and those who loved it -- but neither had any long term experience.

Any help and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm mainly thinking of my light and medium tackle rigs for spanish, kings, reds, and the inevitable bycatch.

Rich

I started using it earlier this year and will never use another line again. That stuff is amazing, extremely limp for great casting, very good abrasion resistance, and tough as nails. I use the 16# on my king rigs. The thing that made me love it is when I decked a 21# king earlier this year that was foul hooked behind the head. I had my drag on my reel tightened almost all the way(which that reel has nearly 30# of drag) and the king was still pulling line without it snapping. Like I said, I use it on all my reels and love it!

I also switched to it this year after John landed that 40+ pound king on it.

I also landed a nearly 40# Jack with it also.

The momoi illusion is awesome stuff but it don't matter that much. The super cheap stuff made in china is bleh, rots real fast but most of the proven lines have been decent to me. I've used berkely big game, illusion, hi-catch, and ande and they all catch fish. The momoi is the smoothest and smallest line diameter mono per line strength i've used but like you said it will cost you quite a bit. I've been using big game and hi catch to save a little money.

[size=12pt]I use Big Game and have no issues with it. Just ask MS PAT in Navarre about mono line.[/size]

[size=10pt]I gotta agree with brother Fin on this.[/size]

[size=10pt]Berkley Trilene Big Game is the best value in mono today. [/size]

I personally don't use the illusion, but every reel I have is spooled with momoi in one form or another. I must say that their damond braid is quite a fine line as well. It is probably one of the roundest braids on the markets, so you don't encounter the number of wind knots that you would with other brands. Also a big advantage to it is knot performance. Knots tie much easier and hold better with the momoi than others I have used in the past.

If you are a "frequent fisher" and also respool frequently from losing chunks of line, it would be tough to keep the practice up at that price and the durability of the standard lines won't be an issue anyway. If you're an infrequent fisherman but when you do go it has to count, go with the best you can get.

The real deal per yard on lines is in the commercial-size spools, but the price is a killer and storing it so it doesn't deteriorate requires some modest effort. If you've got a couple of like-minded buddies, a bulk spool (say 5000 or 10000 yards) is a real deal, but be sure it is fresh. The reason Radio-Shack's batteries test better than Wally-world's is that they are fresher. If a bulk spool has been sitting a couple of years and then goes on sale, you had better hope it was stored in good temperatures.

I will just stick to getting my line from John. It hasn't failed me yet and I have caught some huge fish on it.

Thanks for the feedback. When I drive down from Arkansas it usually takes all night to get there early Thursday....fish all day and Friday and sometimes a little on Saturday before heading back. Trying to maximize my fishing time.....but it is sounding more and more like a trip to J&M to get line put on might be my best option.

Midwestexile...I bought a bulk spool of another brand of line. It was rotten from the time I opened the box and a complete waste of money. I'm a little spooked about buying those, especially at these prices.

Fin, I've had some great experience with Big Game myself. I've had trouble trying to brake that stuff on purpose -- but the casting distance I got out of the Illusion was very impressive. I knew it stood up to the two days of spanish fishing with flying colors -- but at these prices two days isn't much experience to go on.

Yep....its settled.....I'm going to J&M. Hey John, do you take Academy gift cards? :)

[quote author=Rich1 link=topic=413.msg3662#msg3662 date=1325081330]
[size=10pt]Yep....its settled.....I'm going to J&M. Hey John, do you take Academy gift cards?[/size] :)
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[size=12pt]I always ask Santa for J & M Gift Cards only, and that’s the only thing on my list![/size]

Every line manufacture offers me free line except for one,Momoi.The day I quit using Illusion on my king rod is because something better has come along.The only problem I've ever had with it, is being too strong to pop off fish at the pier.I never change out a whole spool of line on my reels,I either top shot whatever backing is on the spool or blood knot mono to mono.If you pay attention you may see one or two splices peel of my reel on a long run.I don't care how strong or fresh my line is 200 yards down in the spool because seldom do you have more than 5lbs of drag applied.That top 50yds is a different story,that line is always in the water and when you have a big fish close to the pier,it better be flawless.

hi vis 16 lb high catch Momoi for me and my wife, she deserves the best, Thanks Pete and John for turning me onto that great line. Please keep on selling it. :headbang:

[quote author=john g link=topic=413.msg3664#msg3664 date=1325090256]
Every line manufacture offers me free line except for one,Momoi.[size=14pt]The day I quit using Illusion on my king rod is because something better has come along.[/size]The only problem I've ever had with it, is being too strong to pop off fish at the pier.I never change out a whole spool of line on my reels,I either top shot whatever backing is on the spool or blood knot mono to mono.If you pay attention you may see one or two splices peel of my reel on a long run.I don't care how strong or fresh my line is 200 yards down in the spool because seldom do you have more than 5lbs of drag applied.That top 50yds is a different story,that line is always in the water and when you have a big fish close to the pier,it better be flawless.
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Thank you, sir. That is exactly what I was hoping to hear. See you in April.

[quote author=Rich1 link=topic=413.msg3613#msg3613 date=1324902265]
[size=10pt]I condition my line with Reel Magic regularly. [/size]
Rich
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[size=12pt]Anybody got a review on Reel Magic?[/size]

I personally don't use Illusion on spinning reels, it is too stiff for my liking. I do like its qualities on conventional reels, the way I fish conventionals.

This is the best advice you will ever read concerning fishing line:[quote author=john g]I don't care how strong or fresh my line is 200 yards down in the spool because seldom do you have more than 5lbs of drag applied.That top 50yds is a different story,that line is always in the water and when you have a big fish close to the pier,it better be flawless.
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Opinions are cheap concerning one line over another, no matter how heart felt or true any one opinion may be. This isn't an opinion, it is a fact. A fact that any fisherman, that is qualified to state an opinion, should know and understand. If they truth were to be known the first 5 feet are the most important, several times more important than the next 145 feet of the first 50 yards.

This is also good advice:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the original pier pest

I will just stick to getting my line from John. It hasn't failed me yet and I have caught some huge fish on it.

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The reason this is good advice is because good fresh line from a reliable source is better than line of questionable heritage that may have the same label. No matter what brand or type of line you chose to use, get it from a reputable store that moves a lot of fishing line and stocks its shelves from reputable distributors.

For the most part,all lines are equal when one or more of these conditions take place:gets old,chaffed,used with bad guides,poor knots,froze-up line roller,too much UV,and last but not least,way too much drag the first few seconds after a fish is hooked.If I could only have a dollar for every time I've seen a fish hooked and the person freaks out and grabs the drag knob and locks it down till you hear that POW!!! and they have no clue why it happened,hmmmm,guess the line must have been bad.........

Fin, be glad to share my opinion on Reel Magic for what it's worth. I like Reel Magic because it doesn't just go on the line, but the reel, the rod, the guides -- it provides an extra measure of protection all around from harsh conditions. I started using it while living in Missouri. Crappie fishing in January, it kept the ice off your rod guides noticeably longer. It makes a big difference casting. All it takes is one or two wind loops and I'm squirting it down again. Casts further, less memory, fewer loops. I prefer the pump spray or trigger spray bottles, only because I'm a little paranoid about whatever they use for propellant on the spray cans. I don't go fishing without it.

DRH, I had no problems with the 10 lb illusion being too stiff on my spinning rods Just the opposite, I've never had anything of that test that cast as smooth or as far on any spinning rig I've ever used. Again, I'm used to 4 and 6, so 10 usually feels awful to me -- but illusion didn't.

My experience, very rare to see a fish lost due to line failure. It's usually the operators fault/malfunction. When I'm broke off, I can pretty much tell you why as soon as it happens. Never blamed it on bad/old/stale line.

[quote author=PurpleNGold link=topic=413.msg3708#msg3708 date=1325216641]
My experience, very rare to see a fish lost due to line failure. It's usually the operators fault/malfunction. When I'm broke off, I can pretty much tell you why as soon as it happens. Never blamed it on bad/old/stale line.
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[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=413.msg3709#msg3709 date=1325217504]
[quote author=PurpleNGold link=topic=413.msg3708#msg3708 date=1325216641]
My experience, very rare to see a fish lost due to line failure. It's usually the operators fault/malfunction. When I'm broke off, I can pretty much tell you why as soon as it happens. Never blamed it on bad/old/stale line.
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+2
I was on a braid kick for a while because all the monos I was using were too stiff and had too much memory. Whenever I was suggested this, I never looked back. Wher can you get that reel magic by the way? Would love to get some.

[size=12pt]Justin, I have seen Reel Majic at the Foley Wally World.[/size]

Ok. Thanks Bob.

Reel magic does help well with on the go conditioning.

I will endorse illusion for its superior strength, but I still prefer the feel of yozuri hybrid--which is also very strong and reliable at a reasonable price.

Quite honestly, though, an experienced angler will rely moreso on practising the skill of working the fish and reel rather than the brand of line. Better line can, in some situations, make up for our ineptitudes or mistakes in handling a hard running or heavy fish.

John G's advice of keeping a solid top shot is spot on no matter what you do. That first 25-50 yards is the most critical. Master the double uni OR blood knot, and you will save yourself a lot of headaches and money. I personally top shot every reel, putting basic cheap line in the middle and quality on top. Your spools of quality line will last so much longer.

[quote author=Rich1 link=topic=413.msg3662#msg3662 date=1325081330]

Midwestexile...I bought a bulk spool of another brand of line. It was rotten from the time I opened the box and a complete waste of money. I'm a little spooked about buying those, especially at these prices.

[/quote]

So true. I once bought 4 spools of 130lb Sigma that were over 5000 yards each -- for $2 a spool! How long had they been in the warehouse for someone to let them go for that price (even if it was in a store in Kentucky where the demand for 130lb is -- limited).

Ive also heard fabric softner is used on nets, Id assume IF it works on nets it should work on fishing line. If nothing else, itll smell good!!

I dont like using the BPS Mono in saltwater. It may just be but it seems to get brittle after the first couple trips to the pier. Sunday before I pierd my king I hooked up on one who scarfed a cousin of his and faught for a few minutes to have the line break. After some R&D I could break the line with my hands and stripped it there on the pier for some good ole BIG Game!!! ;)