Best fishing lines
Nobody likes to spend the day on the water and come home empty-handed. To increase your chances of hooking that catch, you need to ensure you have the right equipment, including choosing the best type of fishing line for your skill level, needs and water conditions. There are four types of lines: mono, fluoro, braid and copolymer.
Types of fishing line
Monofilament
Monofilament, often called mono by anglers, is crafted from a single fiber of plastic, usually nylon. It is a smart choice for beginners because it is one of the cheapest options, offers good abrasion resistance and is easy to tie into knots. Mono has a bit of stretch to allow it to absorb shocks from hard hits, but this also means it is less sensitive to light bites. Other downsides of mono include its high weight and memory, as well as its water-absorbent properties.
Fluorocarbon
Fluoro is made from polyvinylidene fluoride. Compared to mono, fluoro is stronger and has better abrasion resistance, but it is also more expensive. It also has less stretch than mono and doesn’t absorb water, nor is it prone to degradation from UV exposure. One of its biggest advantages is the low refraction index, which makes it much harder to see than other line types. The negatives of fluoro are its large diameter and relative stiffness. It is more prone to wind knots when casting, too.
Copolymer
A copolymer is made from two materials instead of one, which allows manufacturers to tailor it for certain properties. This means there can be a lot of difference in how one copolymer line performs compared to another. Generally speaking, though, it combines the beneficial features of mono and fluoro with fewer of their individual downsides.
Braided
A braided line is made from multiple strands of synthetic fibers that are woven together. It has a much smaller diameter for its test than any of the other three types and, due to it having virtually no stretch, offers the highest level of sensitivity. Braid isn’t susceptible to degradation and has essentially no memory. Despite all of its benefits, braid is best reserved for experienced anglers as it can be challenging to work with. It is hard to tie secure knots in, frustrating to untangle and is rough on the hands. It also has poor abrasion resistance, so it must be checked regularly to ensure it is in good condition.
Best monofilament fishing lines
A highly abrasion-resistant choice, KastKing mono can often be used for a long time before you need to re-spool your reel. Most will find it casts smoothly and isn’t prone to wind knots, making it easy to use for beginners.
Explicitly engineered to have less stretch than competing lines, Ultracast offers good sensitivity for a mono and lets you effectively set hooks. It also has high shock strength, so it shouldn’t snap when aggressive fish hit it.
What Hi-Catch Diamond lacks in suppleness, it makes up for in abrasion resistance and knot strength. It’s a smart choice for trolling because it can handle the shock of hard hits, but it is a bit thick, so you may not be able to get as much of it on your reel as other options.
When it comes to quality for the cost, Berkley’s Big Game is hard to beat. It’s an economical choice that performs reliably and is available in a wide range of tests.
Best fluorocarbon fishing lines
With a finish that makes it nearly invisible underwater, Kovert can help you catch those timid species that require a lot of finesse. Conveniently, the package acts as a dispenser to help with spooling and ensure the line doesn’t completely unravel in your tackle box.
Intended specifically for freshwater applications, Red Label is a good line for lake and river anglers who want something lauded for its knot-holding strength. It casts smoothly, too, but some find it has too much memory.
Offering a high level of sensitivity, Vanish will help ensure you always feel those nibbles. The material doesn’t absorb water, so you’ll get consistent casting and lure performance all day long.
Best copolymer fishing lines
While many American anglers might not be familiar with this hybrid line, those who use it swear by it. It handles nicely and glides through the guides with minimal friction and noise.
Black Widow is a popular choice among salt and freshwater anglers thanks to its thin diameter and low absorption. This three-color camo option is designed for very low visibility to minimize the chances of a fish seeing it and being scared away.
This line has an almost neutral buoyancy, similar to mono, but has the low refraction index of fluoro, giving you the best of both worlds. This makes it well suited to lure fishing and jigging.
Best braided fishing lines
Whether you use a Daiwa reel or not, x8 is a great line to keep on your rod. It offers even wrapping during retrieval and a soft and smooth profile that causes minimal friction in the guides.
As with most braids, Monster W8 can be difficult to tie, but once you have a secure knot, there is little chance of it coming undone. It is reasonably priced and available in both high- and low-visibility options.
This line combines a thin diameter with a high tensile strength, so you’ll be able to load up your reel to tackle those big, deep-water species. Plus, with almost no stretch, you can feel every little nibble or bite, no matter how small.
SpiderWire UltraCast Invisi-Braid
Made from eight tightly woven strands that are crafted using a cold fusion process, Invisi-Braid is highly resistant to breaking under normal circumstances. Though difficult for fish to see, it is designed to be visible above the water so anglers can easily spot it.
Aptly named, Silky 8 has a smooth exterior that runs freely and almost noiselessly through the guides when casting. It is available in four colors and tests ranging from 6 to 80 pounds.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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