The avid angler understands the importance of choosing the right fishing gear. This includes everything from the clothing you wear to the fishing rod you use, right down to the type and size of fishing line you choose. Whether you fish professionally or recreationally, the point of fishing is to have fun and catch as many fish as you can.
Everything you do, from the moment you begin choosing gear to the moment you pull that fish into the boat or onto the shore, affects how successful you will be. Sometimes the type of line you need will depend on what you are fishing for, others it will depend on where you are fishing. Each type of fishing line is available in varied sizes.
The size of the fishing line is measured in pounds and is called a ‘test’. The size of fish you are catching determines the size of the pound test you will need. For instance, for small fish such as crappie and trout, you would choose a 4 or 6-pound test line. For larger fish, such as tuna or King Mackerel, a 30-pound test or more is needed.
Top 7 Best Fishing Line Reviews in 2022
1. Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line
Bass fishermen often use top-water lures. Bass are aggressive fish and will strike at fish moving near the top of the water. Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Monofilament allows you to work the lure across the top of the water with almost no line visibility.
A large-mouth bass will fight until the end – making catching one a great adventure. The elasticity of the Berkley Trilene allows the fisherman to “work” the fish in without fear of breaking the line. Berkley has been around for many years and is considered one of the best fishing lines available.
Bass fishing can be one of the toughest sports and in the competition circuit, the competition is fierce. It’s important to know the habits of the fish, the habitats in which they strive, and come prepared with the best equipment – from clothing right down to the type of fishing line and bait to use.
- Choice of colors, including clear, green, blue, and low-visibility green – allowing you to make the right choice for the water you are fishing
- Flexible for smooth casting with fewer twists or kinks
- Improved strength that gives it 20% more knot strength and 50% more strength
- While this line is great for casting and top-water fishing, some fishermen stated it could be difficult to feel a bite when below-water fishing
2. KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line
If you have mastered casting with a Baitcaster and prefer that type of reel to the spinning reel, the next thing you need is the best fishing line for your Baitcaster. KastKing Superpower Braided Fishing Line offers low memory to help you cast farther with fewer kinks or knots.
With a small diameter and almost no stretch, this line gives you more control over the swimming action of your lure and the braid makes it almost impossible to lose that gigantic fish while setting the hook or bringing it aboard.
- The small diameter provides more sensitivity
- The braid makes it more resistant to abrasion, allowing you to fish in almost any type of environment
- Because of the small diameter, you can spool more line onto your fishing reel
- This braided line is available in ranges from 10 to 150-pound test – and stands up to all environments
- Some customers stated the line is thicker than comparable braids and knots slip out too easily
3. Sensu Super Power Braided Fishing Line
Trout fishing is one of the most enjoyable sports. You don’t have to be an expert – you simply have to have the right equipment and basic knowledge for catching trout. Whether you are after brook trout, brown trout, or rainbow trout, be sure to choose the best fishing line for trout to be more successful.
Whether small or large, trout can put up a good fight when caught. While it’s advisable to use a clear monofilament line for catching line-shy trout, this braided line is small in diameter and its subtle color is something you can try out in trout catches.
Moreover, the smaller diameter also means you can spool more of the line on the reel. The zero stretch and the abrasion resistance is also a great feature to have in any fishing line.
- A low memory line means fewer wind knots
- Great for making knots
- Abrasion-resistant so catches heavy fish
- Smaller diameter line
- The line is a little stiff for the first few casts
4. SpiderWire Stealth Superline Braid Fishing Line
One of the most common types of reels is the spinning reel. Finding the best fishing line for your spinning reel is just as important as finding the best spinning reel. The better the line, the better your chance of getting the performance you are after.
Spiderwire Braided Stealth Superline is built for performance. This braided line is extremely sensitive so that you can detect bites quickly and is strong enough to land that large catch.
- Choice of colors includes camo, glow-vis green, hi-vis yellow, and moss green
- Color-Lock coating helps the line keep its color even after frequent use
- Extremely strong braided line with a tight weave made of strands of Dyneema PE microfibers
- Works great in tight spaces and dense cover – with color for almost any water
- Minimal friction when casting creates a smoother cast with fewer tangles
- While this Spiderwire works great in open water and vegetation, it can have poor abrasion resistance when fishing rocky bottoms
5. Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line
Walleyes are fun to catch and there are several methods that can be used for success. Walleyes tend to travel in schools, so once you find a school, the fishing could be great. Though live bait can be used successfully, jigs tend to be the most common type of lure for catching walleye.
Keeping this in mind as well as the fact that walleye, like large-mouth bass, often hide in rock or limb formations or vegetation and man-made or natural reefs, having the right fishing lines for catching walleye is vital.
Piscifun Improved Braided fishing line is abrasion resistant and durable best fishing line that can hold up to almost any underwater environment. This four-strand braid is designed to hold knots securely and is highly sensitive, allowing you to set the hook almost immediately once the fish bites.
- Available colors include black, gray, blue, green, white, yellow, and multicolor
- The small diameter makes this line almost undetectable to the fish
- Piscifun Braid can withstand many conditions
- In 4-strand or 8-strand, this braided line is built to be supple and strong
- A few fishermen stated the line becomes tangled too easily in the wind
6. Seaguar Invizx Fluorocarbon Best Fishing Line
Seaguar Invizx 100% Fluorocarbon fishing line is strong yet sensitive, giving you the advantage of instantly feeling a bite combined with the strength to land your fish. This fluorocarbon fishing line can be used for spinning reels and baitcasting reels as well as in fresh and saltwater.
The versatility of Seaguar Invizx makes this a must-have for your tackle box. As the name states, Invizx is practically invisible in the water. That big fish won’t know what hit him!
- The invisibility of this line makes it easy to trick the fish into thinking your lure is simply a live fish going by.
- Can be used for baitcasting reels and spinning reels
- Can be used for fresh or salt-water fishing
- Abrasion and UV resistant
- Because the fluorocarbon fishing line is the least stretchable line, all knots may not work with this line
7. Hi-Seas Grand Slam Monofilament Line
Saltwater fishing can turn into the experience of a lifetime when you hook into a large tuna, sailfish, or shark. If you are fishing from the kayak boat, chances are you are trolling.
Hi-Seas Grand Slam Monofilament gives you the strength you need to land that big saltwater fish. Hi-Seas is a tough monofilament fishing line that makes getting your catch into the boat a breeze.
- High impact strength and abrasion resistance makes this line work for large or small fish
- Colors include clear, smoke blue, green, pink, or fluorescent yellow – allowing you to find the right color for your fishing environment
- Hi-Seas monofilament is computer tested for breaking strength and diameter consistency so that you can count on it holding up when you most need it
- Some fishermen feel this line is stiffer than other monofilament lines, which may take some getting used to
Types of Best Fishing Line
There are three types of fishing line – monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon.
Monofilament
Monofilament is often the least expensive of the three types. Its line is transparent and is less visible than the braid. It also has more flexibility and elasticity, which allows movement as the fish pulls on the line and fights to break free. Monofilament has been around longer than braid and fluorocarbon and is often the go-to line for the beginning fisherman and the occasional fisherman.
Braid
Braided fishing line is the thinnest of the three types. However, the braid has almost no elasticity. No elasticity allows the fisherman to have more control over the action of a lure, but also makes it more difficult to reel fish in and can allow the fish to tear away from the hook because it has no elasticity.
The thinness of the braided line makes it better for trolling because it cuts through the water almost seamlessly. However, that same thinness can also slice a finger off. Another drawback to braid is its visibility when fishing top-water lures.
Fluorocarbon
The fluorocarbon fishing line is the most expensive of the three types. However, it has features that are attractive to the avid and/or professional fisherman. Fluorocarbon can be used for top-water or deep-water fishing – it is almost invisible in either setting. Fluorocarbon is resistant to abrasion and ultra-violet light which makes it last longer than other types of fishing line.
Fishing Line and the Environment
Fishing can be a wonderful way to spend quality time with your family, provides food recreationally and commercially, and is an exciting sport. Nature provides us with many outlets for fun, adventure, and nourishment.
However, along with using the natural bounties that the earth offers, we have the responsibility of leaving the least imprint we can on our natural resources. Here are a few ways fishermen can help in preserving natural resources:
- Dispose of trash, waste, and plastics properly – never dump into the water. Always dispose of litter in the proper receptacles.
- Recycle where possible – recycle used fishing line, hooks, and leaders.
- Use boats and vehicles only in approved areas so as not to destroy marine habitats.
- If your community does not have a recycling program for fishing line, think about starting one.
- Report pollution and dumping immediately to the proper authorities.
- Volunteer for beach, river, and lake cleanups.
Fishing lines should always be recycled – never thrown in the trash. Loose fishing lines can become snagged in natural habitats and cause damage. Turtles, fish, birds, and other wildlife can become entangled in loose fishing line, resulting in injuries and/or death. Many animals swallow fishing line, which can cause digestion problems and can result in the animal starving to death.
Whether you are a professional angler or a recreational angler, it is your responsibility to leave as insignificant an impact as possible on the environment to help preserve our natural resources for fishermen in the years to come. Have fun, but fish responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Long Is a Fishing Line?
A: The length of the fishing line found in the reel depends on the size of the reel and the fishing line’s diameter. Newer versions of fishing lines are more durable and thinner. This means that it will take a long time before you can change the fishing line on the reel.
When checking out fishing lines, lines with thicker diameter have an overall shorter length when you get them from the spool. This is something you need to remember if you are searching for a particular fishing line amount.
Q: Can a Fishing Line Go Under?
A: Depending on the kind of fishing line and lure you have, your line can either sink or not. If there is no weight on the fishing lines, they are afloat. However, if there is nothing attached to the line, it is likely you will have a lot of catch.
Q: What Is the Perfect Color for a Fishing Line?
A: There is no single best color for a fishing line because this depends on different fishing factors and conditions. The standard is to pair your fishing line to your fishing environment. Normally, many people choose a blue, clear, or fluorocarbon fishing line since there are fewer chances that fish can see these in the water.
A blue fishing line is great if the water is slightly blue since it can blend well in the water. A clear line can be invisible, but it is not completely translucent. Most people prefer a fluorocarbon line because it blends well in the water and is invisible.
Final Thoughts
Fishing, like most other outdoor activities, can provide hours of fun and excitement for you and your family. As with other sports, your success often depends on having the right equipment to get the job done. Before choosing the best fishing line, there are several things to consider. What type of fish are you after? What type of environment will you be fishing in?
Type of water, temperature, and other considerations can also have an impact on your success. Whether you fish professionally or recreationally, you can’t go wrong with a versatile fishing line that is sensitive enough to allow you to feel the first bite and strong enough to allow you to land the big one. After all, when it comes to fishing bragging rights – the bigger the fish, the better the tale.
