Monofilament fishing line is a basic fishing line that is widely used by both freshwater and saltwater angels. Clear nylon monofilament is what most anglers think of as a monofilament line and was first sold in 1938. Advances in monofilament have made the line thinner, softer, and less visible to fish. Monofilament by definition is a single strand of plastic or polymer that is extruded into a single stand. Technically fluorocarbon is a type of monofilament as well but that is considered a separate type of line by most anglers.
There are many types of monofilament that each have different characteristics and performance. For spinning reels and baitcasting reels, a smooth, thin, light line with little memory is best. For conventional fishing reels, the thickness of the line is less important but a soft line with low memory is still preferred. Knot strength and abrasions resistance are also important factors to consider. Monofilament lines can be different colors including clear, green, blue, camo, smoke, high visibility yellow, and high visibility orange.
Here Are the Best Monofilament Fishing Lines
1. Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.40 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.026 |
| Color | Clear, Low-Vis Green, Fluorescent Clear-Blue |
| Length in Yards | 110, 300, 330, 1000, 2600, 3000, 9000 |
| Made in | USA |
This is a new and improved Berkley Trilene XL smooth casting. This line is designed to be smooth which is good for spinning reels, baitcasting reels, and conventional reels. The improved line is 20 percent more flexible and has a 50 percent increase in wet knot strength. This line is labeled as smooth casting, super strong, and maximum manageability.
Trilene Big Game is decent for conventional reels but not great for spinning reels. This is the Triline that works best on spinning reels. This line is also sensitive and resists line twists and line kinks which is important when using a spinning reel with a monofilament line. The 20 pound line diameter is .40mm which is very thin for mono line. Thin line make it less visible to the fish so this is plus when fishing for leader shy fish such as trout, salmon, perch, crappie, snapper and tuna.
2. Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.40 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.033 |
| Color | Clear |
| Length in Yards | 300 |
| Made in | USA |
SpiderWire Ultracast Ultimate is a clear monofilament fishing line. This line is made of a co-polymer resin that is 33 percent stronger than stadard monofilamnt. The result is a thiner less visible line for any line of the same strenght. SpiderWire is known for their braided fishing lines but this is a top quality monofilanet line.
This line has low stretch which makes it sensitve and good for quick hook sets. Monofimant line abosrbs water and the knot strentgh can be reduced when saturated with water. This line has good knot strength even when wet. The line is a bit stiff and has memory so it is not the best for baitcasting reels. It is a good line for jigging and trolling with convetioal reels.
3. Berkley Trilene Sensation Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 20 |
| 17lb Diameter | 0.38 mm |
| 17lb Cost Per Yard | $0.053 |
| Color | Clear, Low-Vis Green, Blaze Orange, Solar |
| Length in Yards | 330, 3000 |
| Made in | USA |
Berkley Trilene Sensation is a quality monofilament fishing line. The line is made from multiple nylon polymers. It has the highest strength-to-line diameter of any Berkley Trilene line. The line is labeled as strong thin and ultra-sensitive. In the specifications, the line diameter is given for a 17-pound line because a 20-pound line is not available for this type of line.
The blaze orange line is ultra visible to help anglers see the line above water. This hi-visibility line color should be fished with a leader for fish that are line shy. Low-visibility green and clear are good colors for low visibility underwater.
4. Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Line
| Pound Test | 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 130 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.010 |
| Color | Clear, Coastal Brown, Green, Solar Collector, Steel Blue, Ultra Clear |
| Length in Yards | 235, 440, 595, 650, 1175, 1480, 2380, 3270, 5280, 6000, 7140 |
| Made in | USA |
Berkley Trilene is one of the most widely using fishing lines. It is an average quality monofilament line found at a reasonable price. There are six line color options to best match the color water and lighting conditions. Clear and ultra-clear are good for clear water and bright sunny days. Green is a very popular color for stained water in lakes and green murky ocean water. The solar collector is a high visibility line that is easy for an angler to see above water and at night with fluorescent light or black light.
This line works ok on spinning reels but works great on conventional reels. It is strong, absorbs shocks, and is abrasion-resistant. Berkley first introduced the Trilene line in 1959 and now has several types including Big Game, XL Smooth Casting, XT Extra Tough, Big Cat, TransOptic, and Sensation. Several of these will be reviewed later in this article. All of these Trilene lines are made in the USA.
5. Ande Premium Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 200, 300, 400 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $.09 |
| Color | Premium Pink, Premium Green, Premium Clear |
| Length in Yards | 167, 333, 500, 1500, 3000 |
| Made in | USA |
Ande Premium Monofilament is known for being one of the least visible monofilament lines. It is even used as a lower cost leader material. Snapper and bottom fishermen commonly use Ande premium pink as a low visibility leader line. This line has good knot strength, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance. It great fishing line for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
6. Berkley Vanish Nylon Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.40 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.062 |
| Color | Clear, Clear Gold-Transition, Clear Red Transition |
| Length in Yards | 110, 250, 350, 2000 |
| Made in | USA |
Berkley Vanish is one of the best fishing lines on the market. This is a fluorocarbon fishing line which is technically a type of monofilament. This article is mostly dedicated to standard nylon monofilament but this is a great line to use so it was added to the list.
When using a monofilament line with under 10-pound test I would highly recommend using this line. It is actually thinner, less visible, and more abrasion resistant than most nylon monofilament fishing lines. For heaver line sizes it is not a soft as top quality monofilament lines. However, it does still work well on conventional reels. A fluorocarbon line can be less visible to fish since the index of refraction of light is a closer value to the index of refraction of water. I really like to use this line with 4 pound test to fish for trout.
7. Stren Original Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.035 |
| Color | Clear, Clear Blue Fluorescent, Hi-Vis Gold, Low-Vis Green |
| Length in Yards | 10, 250, 300, 330, 1000, 2400 |
| Made in | USA |
Stren line is an average-quality monofilament fishing line. This line is very similar to Berkley Trilene. Stren line was developed by Dupont in 1958 as a thin soft monofilament. At that time monofilament lines were very stiff and not widely used. Trilene and Stren came on the market at about the same time and both became very popular and widely used. Clear blue fluorescent is a good line to use at night as it becomes hight visible to the angler under a blacklight.
This is Stren Original line and is still made in the USA. The line has a good balance of strength, line stretch, sensitivity, and abrasion resistance. For this reason, it remains a widely used fishing line today.
8. Sufix Superior Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 130 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.46 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.012 |
| Color | Clear, Hi-Vis Yellow, Smoke Blue |
| Length in Yards | 110, 275, 1095, 2405, 4810 |
| Made in | China |
Sufix Superior is a quality low-cost monofilament fishing line. It is labeled as high tensile, controlled stretch, and shock-resistant. This line is soft and spools nicely on all types of reels. The line has good stretch and is good to use when fishing for fast aggressive fish like wahoo, sailfish, tarpon mahi-mahi, and kingfish.
This line in a 30-pound test works great for inshore and offshore spinning reels setups. I have used this line to catch mahi-mahi, tarpon, snapper, barracuda, kingfish and many other type of saltwater fish. On conventional reels for big game fish the 60-pound mainline works well. I have used the 60 pound line to catch mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, sharks, and marlin and never had any issues. When fishing freshwater 6-20 pound line works well on spinning and baitcasting reels and a 20-30 pound line is good for conventional reels.
When buying a fishing line in bulk this is a good option. Just remember that most monofilament has a shelf life of 2-3 years. The monofilament line does break down from UV light and should be replaced at least once a year on the reel. When running charters it is common to have to re-spool one reel just about every day. Lines get messed up for lots of reasons but most often the line gets twisted from novice anglers reeling why drag is going out on spinning reels.
9. Berkley Trilene XT Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.027 |
| Color | Clear, Fluo clear-blue, Low-Vis Green, Solar |
| Length in Yards | 220, 250, 300, 330, 1000, 3000 |
| Made in | USA |
Berkley Trilene XT is an extra tough monofilament fishing line. This line is very similar to Trilene Big Game but is made to be more flexible and more abrasion-resistant.
This is a good line for conventional reels but it a bit stiff for spinning reels. It might be a bit tougher and flexible than standard Trilene big game but is more expensive per foot.
10. Sufix Elite Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $.035 |
| Color | Clear, Low-Vis Green, Hi-Vis Yellow |
| Length in Yards | 330, 1000, 3000 |
| Made in | Taiwan |
Sufix Elite is a quality monofilament fishing line. This line works well in both freshwater and saltwater. It is also a good line to use on spinning, baitcasting, and conventional fishing reels. Sufix is a fishing line made by Rapala.
Micro resin technology allows this advanced line to have high knot strength and tensile strength. The line is soft and flexible which makes casting easy. An advanced winding process reduces line memory on the spool. If you are looking for a better monofilament line this would be a great option to try.
11. Momoi Hi-Catch Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 6, 12, 16, 25, 50, 80, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.40 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.026 |
| Color | Clear, High Visibility Yellow, Smoke |
| Length in Yards | 188, 253, 280, 563, 1013, 1450, 2535, 3050 |
| Made in | Japan |
Momoi Hi-Catch Monofilament is a very popular monofilament fishing line for saltwater anglers. It is a basic nylon monofilament but is thinner than most lines on the market for a given line strength. The line also has good flexibility, stretch, abrasion resistance, and knot strength. This line is most commonly used for inshore and offshore fishing but it also can be used in freshwater fishing.
12. Hi-Catch IGFA Nylon Mono-Line Tournament Line
| Pound Test | 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 130 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.042 |
| Color | Fluorescent Yellow |
| Length in Yards | 412, 662, 780, 1320, 1900, 3300, 3600 |
| Made in | Japan |
Momoi High-Catch IGFA is Tourmanet Grade Monofilament line. The fluorescent yellow line offers high visibility above water to help track lines to prevent lines from crossing and getting tangles. This line has an average thickness to strength ratio but is made with strict strength and quality control. It is a great line to use when trolling offshore. Bass Pros shops has Momoi High-Catch Diamond which is very similar fishing line.
13. Berkley ProSpec Chrome Premium Monofilament
| Pound Test | 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 130 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.008 |
| Color | Ocean Blue, Clear, Blaze Orange |
| Length in Yards | 725, 1090, 1760, 2380 |
| Made in | USA. |
Berkley Prospec Chrome comes in 1 pound spools. This is a premium monofilament and works well for spoiling large conventional reels for big game saltwater fishing. The line is abrasion resistant and has good knot strength.
Blaze Orange is a high visibility monofilament line above the water. This is great for seeing lines and preventing tangles. Clear is good for fishing on bright days and in clear water, blue is good for low light and stained water.
14. Hi-Seas Grand Slam Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 130, 200, 300 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.23 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.010 |
| Color | Clear, Fluorescent Yellow, Green, Pink, Smoke Blue |
| Length in Yards | 210, 260, 300, 535, 750, 1060, 1480, 2120, 5300, 10,700 |
| Made in | Portugal |
Hi-Seas Grand Slam monofilament line is an average quality reasonably priced fishing line. It is labeled as ideal sensitivity, high knot strength, abrasion-resistant, and smooth casting. Grand Slam Mono is under the umbrella of AFW fishing brands.
A grand slam when fishing is when an angler catches three of similar types of fish on a single day. For example, with billfish, this can be blue marlin, black marlin, white marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, swordfish, or spearfish.
15. Hi-Seas Quattro Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 8, 10, 12, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 130 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.024 |
| Color | Camouflage |
| Length in Yards | 150, 300, 500, 1000, 1500 |
| Made in | Portugal |
Hi-Seas Quattro is a camouflage monofilament line. There are several multi-color camouflage braided lines available but this is the only one I know of that is a monofilament line. The colors do not change at specific line intervals for this monofilament line so it is not metered. A metered line can be a great way to estimate line depths. It does have four different colors that can help break up and blend the line into the background. The colors are dark and this is a good line to use in low-light and murky water. The dark line is easy to see above the water during the day.
16. Maxima Ultragreen Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.43 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $.041 |
| Color | Ultragreen |
| Length in Yards | 660, 900, 2000, 2300, 2630, 3300 |
| Made in | Germany |
Maxima Ultragreen is a quality strong monofilament fishing line. There is also Maxima Ultragreen leader material that is great for making salmon leaders. The line has good tensile strength, knot strength, and holds up well even in the hard mouths of salmon. I have used this line in Alaska to catch salmon, ling cod, rockfish, and halibut. It is great line for the water color in the pacific northwest including California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, and Alaska.
The grayish-green tint of this line is less visible in stained green water very common in lakes and oceans. This is a very popular line to use when salmon fishing. It is very uncommon for lines to break when using this line. For trolling reels a 30-pound line is good and when fishing from shore and in streams, 10-20 pound line works well for salmon.
17. Yo-Zuri Hybrid Clear Monofilament Line
| Pound Test | 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.438 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.022 |
| Color | Clear |
| Length in Yards | 600 |
| Made in | Japan |
Yo-Zuri Hybrid is made of both nylon and fluorocarbon. It is a patented line that is made by bonding both types of resin in the extrusion process. This allows the line to have positive attributes of both types of lines including low-visibility, little absorption of water for high wet knot strength, abrasion resistance, and UV light resistance to line breakdown.
18. Kastking Fluorokote Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 25, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.38 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.043 |
| Color | Clear |
| Length in Yards | 260, 300 |
| Made in | China |
Kastking Fluorokote is a nylon monofilament line that is coated with a thin layer of fluorocarbon. This is an interesting concept and there are several other lines that also use the process including P-Line Floroclear and Runcl PowerFluoro.
This Kastking line shows a very thin line diameter for a given strength. Sometimes I think KastKing over markets their products which are made in China. I do not see why this nylon line would be thinner than every monofilament and most fluorocarbon lines on the market. It would be worth measuring the line diameter and testing the tensile strength, knot strength, and abrasion resistance to other well-established fishing lines.
19. Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 |
| 20lb Diameter | 0.45 mm |
| 20lb Cost Per Yard | $0.013 |
| Color | Clear, High-Vis Green, Low-Vis Green, Smoke Blue |
| Length in Yards | 400, 490, 650, 860, 1000, 1275 |
| Made in | USA |
Stren High Impact Monofilament fishing line is an average quality affordable fishing line. It is labeled as super shock-resistant and durable. This line works well on saltwater reels and freshwater reels. Due to its low cost, this is a good line to spool on large conventional reels.
Stren Original line was reviewed above. This High Impact version is actually found at a lower cost and has similar line characteristics and performance. The low cost of this line makes it a good line to use as a backing material on large reels. High visibility green is a good color to see at night with fluorescent and black lights.
20. Trout Magnet SOS Fishing Line
| Pound Test | 2, 4, 6 |
| 4lb Diameter | 0.20 mm |
| 4lb Cost Per Yard | $0.021 |
| Color | Clear |
| Length in Yards | 350 |
| Made in | China |
Trout Magnet SOS fishing line is specifically made for trout fishing. SOS stands for Strong, Obscure, and Small. This is a basic nylon monofilament. The diameter of lines under 6 pounds is small and a fishing line this size is nice and flexible. This is a low-cost option but almost any clear line would work. When trout fishing I think 4-pound Berkley Vanish is the best line to use. It is tough, thin, and offers reduced line visibility in the water.
Monofilament vs BraidLine Diameter Chart
The chart below shows the average line diameter for a monofilament line and braided line. Depending on the brand of line these diameters do vary. Fourcrabon line diameters are typically slightly smaller than monofilament line diameters. Smaller line diameters for each type of line typically means a less visible line. However, a braided line is more visible than a monofilament even though it is thinner. When targeting leader shy fish using a thin monofilament or fluorocarbon line is best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best saltwater monofilament fishing line?
The best saltwater monofilament line is Sufix Superior Monofilament. It is a reasonably priced line that offers high stretch, good knot strength, and minimal line memory. The line comes on large spools and works well on both spinning reels and conventional reels. For big game offshore fishing, a 60-pound line is a good pound test. For inshore and offshore spinning reels a 30-pound test line is good.
Make sure to store the line out of the sun as the monofilament line breaks down from UV light. A monofilament line should be changed out on the reels every few months of use. The line on the spool it comes on should last for two or three years if stored properly. Ande Premium monofilament and Momoi Hi-Catch are also good saltwater monofilament lines.
Does a monofilament fishing line go bad?
Yes, a monofilament line does breakdown and go bad for several reasons. First, the line breaks down for UV light. Monofilament line should be stored in an opaque container if possible to prevent UV break down. Second, a monofilament line breaks down over time, typically the shelflife of monofilament is around 2-3 years. If stored properly it may last longer.
Finally, a nylon monofilament line breaks down as it absorbs water and then dries out. The line absorbs water which actually decreases knot strength. This is why anglers refer to a wet knot strength and a dry knot strength. When a line absorbs water and dry outs for many cycles it can weaken the line. This is why it is good to replace the line every few months.
What fishing line is better mono or fluorocarbon?
A monofilament line and fluorocarbon line both have advantages and disadvantages depending on the fishing situation. The advantages of fluorocarbon are the line is less visible, abrasion-resistant, does not absorb water, sinks fast, and is sensitive due to its low stretch. The disadvantages of fluorocarbon are that the line is less shock absorbent, less flexible, and more difficult to manage due to high line memory. For this reason, fluorocarbon is typically only used a the main fishing line if it is under a 10-pound test line.
The advantage of a quality monofilament line is that it can absorb shocks and is a soft flexible line that is good for casting. A soft flexible line is also easier to use on conventional reels and baitcasting reels.
Is braid stronger than mono?
Braid line is stronger than a monofilament line for a given thickness of the line. However, that is not the only factor to consider when selecting a fishing line. Even though the braided line is thinner the monofilament line is still likely less visible to the fish. A braided line has very little stretch with is good for line sensitivity and setting the hook. However, a monofilament line is better and absorbing shocks for fast-moving thrashing fish. This means that a 20-pound monofilament line would be less likely to break than a 20-pound braided line. However, knot strength would also come into play in this situation.
Does the color of the fishing line matter?
Yes, the color and type of fishing line can be important for underwear and above water line-visibility. Underwater a clear or color line the matches the background can help a fishing line blend in and be less visible to the fish. A fluorocarbon line has an index of refraction close that that of water which can reduce light reflecting off the line. The fishing line that is thinner is also less visible than a thick version of the same type of line.
Above water, a high visibility yellow or high visibility orange can be easier to see. This can help prevent lines from crossing resulting in fewer tangles. At night there are some fishing lines that are visible under a black light to allow lines to be tied and kept tangle-free without having to use bright lights that take away an angler’s night vision and possibly spook fish.
What fishing lines can be seen under a black light?
When night fishing many anglers use a black light or fluorescent lights to shin off the edged of the boat. Some lines will reflect this light and be easily visible to the anglers. Any fluorescent line should light up under a black light. Stren’s Original in clear blue fluorescent and Stren’s High Impact in high visibility green are two of the most popular monofilament lines to use. Power Pro now offers the Super8Slick V2 moon-shine color which is a braided line that will also show up under a black light or fluorescent light.
What pound fishing line should I use?
The best pound fishing line really depends on what fish is being targeted. In streams when fishing for trout a four-pound line is best. When fishing in lakes and ponds for crappie and small bass an 8-pound monofilament line is a good choice. In freshwater for big bass, hybrid striped bass, and catfish a 20-pound braided line with a 5 foot 20-pound fluorocarbon leader is my favorite line setup. For northern pike and musky, a 30-pound braided line with a 30-pound steel leader is a good setup.
When fishing in the ocean for small yellowtail snappers, mango snappers, porgy, grunts, and fluke a 20-pound line is a good choice. The leader size can be from a 10-20 pound test depending if the fish are being leader shy. For inshore and offshore big game fish on spinning reels, a 30-pound monofilament or 50-80 pound braided line is typically used. When trolling offshore for big fish like marlin, tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi, a 60-pound monofilament line or 80-100 pound braided line is commonly used. For a really big bluefin tuna 130-pound monofilament line on a size 80 plus class reels is a popular setup.
Is 150 yards enough fishing line?
For spinning tackle, 150 yards is about how much fishing line and average size reel will hold. This is typically enough line but when catching large fish from a boat the fish might have to be chased with the boat to gain line back to prevent the reel from running out of line. In shallow water, this is a decent game plan. When fishing in deep water offshore the fish can swim deep so having more line capacity can be important. When fishing for tuna for example it is common to use a much bigger spinning reel with 300 plus yards of 80-pound braid on the reel with quality strong drag. For freshwater fishing, 150 yards is almost always enough line if the fish can be chased with the boat.
What size fish can I catch on a 10-pound line?
In 1995 a 573-pound blue marlin was caught on a 4-pound test fishing line. So several hundred-pound fish can be caught on a very light fishing line. This is because fish are neutrally balanced and even a light line adds resistance. Also when a fish realizes it is hooked the fish often swims away very fast which tires them out. Line resistance can help tire a fish but sometimes adding more resistance actually gives the fish a better chance of getting away and breaking the line. I have caught large 30-pound plus kingfish which are very fast aggressive fish with the drag set under 10 pounds.
It is important to not try and lift a fish out of the water with the line if the fish weighs anywhere near the strength of the line. Most fishing knots make the line strength only 80 percent the strength of its rated value. Also, when a fish thrashes this puts higher forces on the line that can cause it to break. A fish should be netted or gaffed if it is going to be brought onto the boat when using a light fishing line.
What is the best 4-pound fishing line?
My favorite four-pound test fishing line is Berkley Vanish 100 percent fluorocarbon fishing line. A 4-pound test line is so thin that even fluorocarbon is flexible enough to be fished on spinning reels. This means that a low-visibility line with abrasion resistance can be used without having to add a leader. A four-pound line is most commonly used for trout and panfish which use light lures. The thin lightweight fishing line allows these lures to be cast a reasonable distance. If really light lures are used a fly fishing rod and reel are needed.
Why does my fishing line keep tangling?
There are two common reasons lines get tangled. On baitcasting reels and conventional reels, a backlash is the most common reason a line gets tangled. This happens with the spoon gains momentum and spins faster than the line coming off the tip of the fishing rod. The result is that loose line builds-up on the spool while the spool is still spinning which can cause a real mess. If the line has memory lots of fishing line can jump off the spool like a spring coil making the tangle worse very quickly.
The key to prevent this is to always have resistance on the spool when letting out a fishing line. Resistance can be added with your finger, line clicker, or with a resistance setting on the reel. To fix a bid nest keep resistance on the spool and slowly pull the line out until all the loose line is pulled off the reel.
On a spinning reel, the most common reason for a line to get tangles is that the line gets twisted first. The most probable cause of this is that the angler is reeling as drag is turning the spool in the opposite direction. This quickly tangles the line the next time the line is cast out. To fix this all the twisted line needs to be taken off the reel. Luckily most often the line is twisted near the end of the line. When catching a big fish with a light drag setting is when this happens the most often.
How do you prevent line twist?
Fishing lines getting twisted is most commonly a problem on spinning reels. This can happen for two reasons. First, if the lure spins and a swivel is not on the line it can twist the line. Over time this can build up and create tangles when casting. To prevent this a good ball bearing swivel should be used.
The second reason a fishing line gets twisted is that the angler reels when the line is not coming back on to the spool or the drag is going out. The rotor of the reel brings the line in a circle but the spool is not moving or is actually moving in the opposite direction. This twists the line. To prevent this the angler should be mindful of this or a heavy line with heavy drag should be used which makes it less likely the anger will reel over the drag. The line twist happens most often as people try and keep the tension of a big fish when using a light line and light drag.
Is fishing line stretch bad?
Monofilament fishing line has stretch to it. This can be a good thing as it can act as a shock absorber for a fast swimming fash or when a fish makes big head shakes. Without the line stretching the line can break. When fishing for wahoo and swordfish with a braided fishing line a shock leader is added just for this purpose.
The stretch of a line does make it less sensitive to feeling fish bites. A static braided line or fluorocarbon line with less stretch is more sensitive. When fishing really deep a line with less stretch is better for feeling bits and setting the hook quickly. This can largely be overcome though by using circle hooks.
How do you spool a fishing reel?
When spooling a reel the first thing to check is how much fishing line should go on the spool based on the line size. Then thread the line through the eyes of the fishing rod. Make sure the bail is open on a spinning rod and then tie the line to the spool with your favorite fishing knot.
Now the line is ready to be added to the reel. Make sure there is resistance added to the line. The easiest way to do this is by placing the line spool into a bucket of water. The spool spinning in the water provides resistance. If more resistance is needed have the line go through two fingers that are pinched together. It is best to spool a monofilament line tightly and spool it the day before you go fishing so the line memory matches the fishing reel spool. Soaking the spool in water for 10 minutes also helps set the line memory to the spool of the reel.
Does fishing line strength decrease when wet?
Yes, when fishing with a monofilament line the wet knot strength is less than the dry knot strength. This is because a monofilament line absorbs water. A fluorocarbon line absorbs less water and the line strength remains about the same when wet. Braided fishing line strength is also the same in and out of the water. It is possible for the line to become slicker and having knots pull through if not initially seated properly. Always wet knots and pull hard before clipping the tag end.
Is a monofilament line good for a baitcasting reel?
A monofilament line is a good line to use with a baitcasting reel. It is important to always have some resistance on the spool when using a monofilament line or the spool can become bird nested. For beginners using a baitcasting reel, it is much easier to use a braided line. A braided line is thin, flexible, and does not have line memory so it is much less likely to get tangled. It is important to use a fluorocarbon leader when bass fishing though so the line is less visible to the fish.
Captain Cody Wabiszewski
Captain Cody has worked on charter fishing boats in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska. Growing up in Pennsylvania Cody has also done extensive freshwater fishing including bass fishing tournaments. Cody strives to provide detailed information about the best fishing gear and tactics to help both novice and experienced anglers have a more productive and enjoyable time on the water. Cody also has a background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience but really only takes pride in being good at one thing and that is fishing!
FAQs
What is the best mono fishing line reviews? ›
Our favorite is a surprise winner - Stren Original. While it's been around for a very long time, Stren delivers the goods, making it our choice for the best monofilament fishing line. Incredibly abrasion resistant, sensitive, long-casting, and easy to tie, there's a lot to love about this inexpensive performer.
What is the best color monofilament fishing line? ›Clear. Clear monofilament is a good choice if you are concerned about fish being able to see your line underwater. While the properties of fluorocarbon may make it less visible underneath the surface, clear monofilament works well in all situations.
What monofilament has the least memory? ›If you want a line that has little to no memory, the KastKing SuperPower Braided line is your best bet. It never spiraled off the spool and was straight as an arrow even after weeks on the reel. With its classic monofilament construction, the Berkley Trilene XL also proved strong in this metric.
What is the strongest thinnest fishing line? ›Braid. Braid is very strong for its diameter, and it has virtually no stretch. Because it's the thinnest of the line types (by breaking strength) and very soft, it casts well. Because it's the most opaque and visible of the line types, many anglers choose mono or fluoro in clear water.
What is the longest lasting fishing line? ›Braid. Braided fishing line has the longest shelf life of all the line types. With a careful watch over it and some luck, braid could easily last you a decade.
What is #1 fishing line? ›Fishing Line Type #1: Monofilament
Monofilament is the line most fishermen know quite well, even those who only fish periodically. A monofilament line is a single strand line and is not constructed of multiple filaments like braided line. Monofilament, like fluorocarbon, is made by extrusion.
MADE IN USA - KastPro 4 carrier Spectra braid fishing line is proudly manufactured in the USA in our ISO 9001 and Aerospace AS 9100 certified facility to ensure the highest quality possible.
What is the best all around fishing line size? ›In freshwater, a 4-12 lb test is standard. For small trout and sunfish, a 4 lb test is okay. For bass or general freshwater fishing, 6-8 lb test is the norm. In saltwater, 12-15 il test is standard when using light tackle for smaller species, while 17-20 lb test allows you to target bigger fish.
What are the 3 most popular types of fishing lines? ›What Are the Three Main Types of Fishing Line? Anglers have three main options when it comes to fishing lines. They include monofilament lines, braided lines, and fluorocarbon lines. Depending on their unique characteristics, they are most effective for different fishing methods, tactics, and conditions.
What fishing line has the least memory? ›Most braided lines have little memory and don't coil significantly on a spool. Nylon monofilament lines are especially prone to coiling, with cheap bulk products, and strong high-diameter lines, more likely to have significant memory.
What color are fish attracted to the most? ›
Bright neon flashy colors attract mostly trout, while bigger darker-colored lures attract largemouth bass. Fly fishing flies attract all species of fish and resemble nature the most. Colors do matter so having the same lure or bait in a different color is a good idea.
What color fishing line can fish not see? ›Like camouflage, green line blends into its surroundings and makes a good choice for anglers looking to keep their line invisible to fish. On the other hand, green may be more visible than clear in very clear water. Overall, green is a good line color choice for many different situations.
What color is easiest for fish to see? ›On one end of the spectrum, reds and oranges are most readily absorbed in water, so these colors are most visible in shallow water. Darker blues and purples penetrate the deepest. Yellow and greens are in between.
Should I soak mono line before spooling? ›Always prior to spooling up with mono, leave your line submerged in a bucket of warm water. This will allow the water to soak into the line helping not only when you come to wind the line on but also allowing the line to bed down property on your spool.
What is the toughest fishing line? ›Fishing lines made from different materials vary in abrasion resistance. The four main types are fluorocarbon, monofilament, copolymer and braid. All things being equal in terms of diameter, fluorocarbon is usually the most abrasion resistant.
What fishing line sinks fastest? ›Sink Rate—Fluoro sinks faster than mono, so it's not the best fishing line for topwater lures and small baits you want to suspend in the water column. On the flip side, fluoro is perfect for pinning bait close to bottom and getting more depth from weightless presentations.
What is the easiest fishing line to use? ›Line Type: Monofilament
Mono is a good, basic starting point and will do everything you need. It is forgiving when you are reeling in fish, the line is easy to tie, and the product will not break your bank.
Monofilament is neutrally buoyant by nature and is effective in fishing topwater lures as well as lures which require a line to neither sink nor float, such as hard jerkbaits.
What is the most common used fishing line? ›Monofilament Line
Advantages : Monofilament is the most popular type of fishing line and comes in a great variety of strengths and colors. Mono is less expensive than other lines, stretches to absorb shocks, is abrasion resistant, and uniformly round in cross section, which helps keep it neat on the spool.
Line Strength
It should roughly match the weight of the species you are fishing for (e.g. use line in the 30-pound test for tuna in the 30-pound range). A typical line to cast for trout would be 4-pound test. Consider braided line of 30-pound test or more if you go after large game fish.
How much fishing line should you put on your real? ›
Casting reels should be between an eighth of an inch from the top and all the way to the top. If you get too much line on them, you'll get a weird sound when you cast. Spinning reels should be all the way full, right to the top. If you get too much line on them, the line will jump off the spool in coils.
What line do pro fishermen use? ›Braided line is the norm when fishing around heavy cover like flooded bushes and trees that can cause plenty of abrasion. If fishing thick, matted grass, braid is the answer; if fishing the edges of the grass, go with harder-to-see fluorocarbon.
What did Native Americans use for fishing line? ›Native Americans made cord and thread from the fibers of many plants, trees (including evergreen roots), and other materials such as animal sinew and rawhide. [Cord from soaked sinew or rawhide strips needs to be dried in a tightly stretched position or the twists will loosen.]
Why is KastKing so cheap? ›KastKing keeps cost down in several ways and passes the saving on to the consumer. The biggest saving is that KastKing does not use distributors for fishing tackle products. Most manufacturers of consumer good sell their products to a warehouse distributor that typically adds 20% to the cost.
What line is best for river fishing? ›While some more advanced anglers don't like its stretch, for a beginner, a six-pound monofilament line is an ideal choice. Another increasingly common option for use in rivers and other clear water situations is a fluorocarbon line.
What is the shelf life of monofilament fishing line? ›There is no official answer for the life of these products, but we've compared estimates from various fishing publications and have gathered that monofilament has an average shelf life of two to three years, while fluorocarbon lines can last up to seven or eight years without losing its edge.
How do I reduce the memory of my monofilament fishing line? ›Stretching: One good method of removing memory from fishing line is to stretch it out. Take 50 to 75 feet of line off the reel, then tie the end to a strong object and work your way up and down the line, stretching it as you go. You should see a noticeable difference after just a few minutes of doing this.
What are fish not attracted to? ›Petroleum Distillates: All petroleum and their distillates are a repellent to fish. Common petroleum distillates on a boat are diesel, unleaded gas, motor oil, reel oils and marine grease. If you get any of these things on your hands, make sure to wash them thoroughly before touching your lures or lines.
What do fish like the most? ›Common live foods suitable for pet fish include ghost shrimp, crickets, worms, and feeder fish. For omnivorous fish, you can also provide lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and other green vegetables.
What is the most attractive fish? ›Mandarinfish. This is no doubt one of the worlds most beautiful fishes. It's naive to the Pacific and are usually found in th warm waters from the Ryukyu Islands to Australia. The mandarinfish is characterized by its vivid colors and beautiful patterns.
Why use purple fishing line? ›
Deep Purple Filament (DPF) is a low-diameter monofilament that offers optimum castability and a super-suppleness that hugs the contours of the lakebed while excess line is pinned from vision and touch thanks to a fluorocarbon coating.
Are fish smart enough to see fishing line? ›Fish can perceive our line and may be put off or even spooked by them, but it is not because it is a fishing line. There are plenty of line-shaped objects in the wild and underneath the surface of the water – but instead, whether the lure is perceived as food.
How do you know if a fish is on your line? ›To detect these bites you need to watch your line to know when you get bit. These bites are common with jigs or weightless baits. If your line starts moving when the bait should be sitting on the bottom then you have a bite. Another thing to watch for is if your line stops moving when it should be moving.
What color light doesn't scare fish? ›Green Light and White Light are the most common colors used to attract fish to Boats, Docks and Piers because they are brighter and will attract fish from a greater distance.
What color do fish see best in murky water? ›Use a Bright Color
My experience leads me to white or chartreuse as the best lure color for muddy water. Those are the colors that I reach for when it's apparent that fish are not going to be using their vision as the primary means of finding my lure.
Braid proved to be the better choice compared to traditional monofilament line in terms of casting distance for both experiments. The first test with a heavier weight showed a 7% advantage to the braid. And the updated test with wet lines that were both newly spooled showed a whopping 30% advantage for the braid.
What line is best for distance casting? ›Braided line in the 20- to 40-pound range is a good choice when fishing in open water with a clean bottom, and for extreme distance. For snag-infested waters, turn to monofilament no heavier than 25-pound test.
What is the difference between monofilament line? ›There are two types of leader material to choose from – monofilament (often called mono) and fluorocarbon. Mono is supple and soft with more stretch, while fluorocarbon is a stiffer material giving it greater abrasion resistance. Fluorocarbon sinks faster and absorbs light, making it virtually invisible in the water.
What is the difference between monofilament fishing line? ›Whereas monofilament consists of a single strand of nylon, braided fishing lines are constructed of multiple strands of synthetic fibers woven together. The advantage is a thinner line that's abrasion-resistant, and has little stretch and high sensitivity.
What rod action is best for casting distance? ›Fast action rods are great for most applications where a short to long casting distance is involved and single hooks are the rule, such as worm and jig fishing. Medium and medium-fast rods will usually provide a little more casting distance and still provide adequate hooksetting power.
Can you cast farther with heavier line? ›
Line size can be a drag
The short of it a heavier, thicker line will not cast as well as a thinner, lighter line will. So 10-pound line will throw a lure much farther than 20-pound line will. There is less drag on the line in both the guides and in the air.
Certainly the most obvious metric, length is the distance the rod covers from tip to butt. A rod's length affects casting distance, accuracy, and hook set leverage. Longer rods (over 7 feet) will cast farther than shorter rods of the same power and action, and shorter (<under 7 feet) rods will be more accurate.
What is the disadvantage of monofilament? ›Disadvantages of Monofilament Line
Monofilament line is less abrasion resistant than fluorocarbon line, making it less suitable for fishing in heavy cover, rocky water, or around structures.
General Rules for Monofilament
For small trout and sunfish, a 4 lb test is okay. For bass or general freshwater fishing, 6-8 lb test is the norm. In saltwater, 12-15 il test is standard when using light tackle for smaller species, while 17-20 lb test allows you to target bigger fish.
The Palomar Knot is the strongest fishing knot in many situations. This knot only has 3 steps making it extremely powerful and very basic. Since there are not many twist and kinks in this knot it makes it extremely tough to break. It can be used on Braided line and Mono-filament.
How often should you change monofilament fishing line? ›Monofilament lines should be changed at least once a year, though many anglers recommend changing them after every fishing trip. Their durability depends on how much you use them: If you are a heavy fisher, you should change monofilament line 3 to 4 times a year. Moderate fishers can change it 2 to 3 times a year.
What size fishing line is most versatile? ›17-pound test. This is probably the most versatile line size I use. Whether I'm fishing a squarebill in fairly thick cover, a spinnerbait or a generic Texas rig around docks and shallow cover, I'm most likely spooled up with 17-pound fluorocarbon line.
What strength fishing line should I use? ›Line Strength
It should roughly match the weight of the species you are fishing for (e.g. use line in the 30-pound test for tuna in the 30-pound range). A typical line to cast for trout would be 4-pound test. Consider braided line of 30-pound test or more if you go after large game fish.