Izorline Platinum and Trilene Sensation
Two Solid Co-Polymers

For decades the Northwest has been the territory of Maxima fishing line.  With good reason too.  Maxima’s Chameleon and Ultragreen lines provide consistent quality from spool to spool, and most importantly, they don’t break.  Sure they’re a little thick in diameter per their ratings, perhaps padding their odds a little, but in the end a line will be judged on its strength, and Maxima is very strong.

The expansion, maybe explosion, of side-drifting throughout the region has left Maxima in a precarious position.  Anglers are gravitating toward high-visibility mainlines for side-drifting as the enhanced visibility enables the boat operator to control the presentation much more easily, and Maxima’s high-visibility line, called Fibre Glow, seems to be a non-starter.  Anglers love pearl pink Corkies, but neon pink line, as Fibre Glow is colored, seems to be over the top. 

As with most tackle there are options, and in terms of high-visibility mainlines for spinning reels Izorline Platinum and Trilene Sensation are two excellent choices.

Izorline has had a prominent position in Washington State for many years, but it is now making its way into Oregon.  It would be hard to imagine a brighter line than Izor’s hi-vis yellow.  Not only is it visible in the open air, it’s visibility extends five to ten feet into the water under clear water conditions.  Super easy to track for the boat operator, it also is a very nice handling line for the angler. 

On a spinning reel, Izorline strikes a great balance between suppleness and stiffness.  Too soft and lines seem to catch on every reel part and rod guide that presents an opportunity.  Too stiff and lines spring off the spools, seemingly at their own will, and are difficult to tame.   Izorline goes where and how you want it.  In casting it runs straight through the guides, without slap.  It spools great and is not prone to tip wrapping.  In terms of strength, I’ve fished it in some inhospitable waters, even tangled with some unexpected chinooks while steelhead fishing, with no problems or unexpected breakage.  Izorline is good stuff.

Everything has its weaknesses; just sometimes you have to look harder than others to find them.  For Izorline, one weakness is perception and one perhaps real.  Izorline’s intense color may be difficult for some to handle.  If you fall into thoughts about line spooking fish, this may be a tough product for you to fish.  It’s a perception issue, but confidence is big in fishing.  On the real issue, the stiffness of the line may cost you a few feet on the cast.  Izorline is not rigid in the guides, but it is not super smooth either.  If maximum distance is a premium need, there are longer casting lines. 

Trilene Sensation matches up extremely well against Izorline Platinum.  Sensation is tough as nails.  With an angler in my boat hooked up on a big chinook with 10lb. Sensation (steelhead fishing), the fish wrapped four rocks in the course of the battle.  Wrapped to the point where I had to row to the spot to get the line freed, the line did not break.  The abuse it took was impressive. 

On the reel, Sensation is a bit softer than the Izor.  It flows well through the guides and may outcast Izorline by a few feet.  For that extra distance, the line can loop a bit here and there, but it’s not problematic.  For color, the Solar finish is less extreme than Izorline’s yellow, yet still easy to see.  If you feel bright lines spook fish, Sensation won’t make you nervous like the Izorline, just uneasy.

Both of these lines are excellent choices for your reels.  Give either a shot without concern.  I’ve fished and continue to fish 10lb. in each brand on side-drifting rods and find them both very strong and very good to work with in terms of knots, fish fighting and general casting and handling.