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1
Best Overall Fishing Line
SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo-Braid
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely strong
Great for casting
Blends in with the water
REASONS TO AVOID
Hard to break if you get a hook stuck
The SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo-Braid fishing line earned top marks in our testing, boasting a perfect combo of feel, strength, and low visibility when cast in the water. The line that we tested was a 20-lb variation, but the diameter of the line was fine and felt like an 8-lb test mono line. The slender line helped us add way more line on the reel than a 20-lb mono line would allow for. And you know what else we like? This line simply cast better than others, repeatedly casting beyond the rest of the mono and braided lines with ease. Want the ability to sneak up on some fish? The uncommon blue camo color of this line camouflages spectacularly in the streams and lakes we tested it in, allowing you to be more incognito when you cast. As for the line's memory, you hardly notice it at all—which you know is a great asset if you have ever had to manage wind knots.
When considering the negatives, the only complaint we could really come up with was that the line almost has too much strength. If a lure or hook happens to get stuck, it's likely that you will lose it or have to clip the line because it's too difficult to break. The unique blue camo color might not work perfectly in all bodies of water, either, so it's worth taking into consideration what type of water you will be fishing in with this line. If you want the fishing line that is the number one all-around after weeks of testing with our experts, you'll find it with the SpiderWire Stealth.
2
Best for Sneaking Up on Fish
Berkley Vanish
REASONS TO BUY
Nearly invisible in the water
Excellent sensitivity
Sinks fast
REASONS TO AVOID
Casting distance
It's difficult to land a trophy fish if you've spooked them all into hiding. That's precisely where the Berkley Vanish excels. When in the water, it was seemingly invisible, solidly living up to its name in our tests. Another nice feature is its impressive sensitivity. It allowed us to detect even the smallest bites and set the hook when a fish took the bait. It also features relatively low memory for a fluorocarbon line, which was a plus when casting, and it had the unique ability to sink faster than the other lines—something we appreciated when trying to drop a lure close to where a fish had just jumped.
The only real complaint we had about this line is its casting distance. While it beat out many of the monofilament lines we tested, it couldn't keep up with the braided ones in our tests. Overall though, if you want a nearly invisible line with great sensitivity and strength, the Berkley Vanish line is for you.
3
Best Bang for Your Buck
Berkley Trilene XL
REASONS TO BUY
Strong
Versatile
Sensitive
REASONS TO AVOID
Abrasion resistance
If you want the right combination of versatility, strength, and sensitivity at a low price, look no further than the time-tested Berkley Trilene XL. While this line lacks some of the fancy features found on the lines above, it makes up for it with quality and versatility. It had reasonably low memory for a monofilament line, which helped it resist kinks for better casting. Speaking of that, this was the best mono line when it came to casting performance. It ran smoothly through the guides on multiple rods and helped us place the bait right where we wanted it. It was also a very versatile fishing line, working equally as well in fresh and saltwater.
One of our few gripes about the Trilene XL was its abrasion resistance. While better than some of the other mono lines, it was still reasonably easy to break the line if ran over some rocks a few times. This meant we lost a few lures to the rocky lakeshore and riverbed. But if that minor flaw isn't a big deal for you, we recommend picking up the Berkley Trilene XL at a low price for a great product.
4
Best for Small Reels
KastKing Superpower Braided
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptional feel
Impressive casting distance
Small diameter
REASONS TO AVOID
Tying knots
Die bleeds
When it came to feel, KastKing SuperPower Braided line was about as sensitive as any line we've ever used. It consistently let us know when a fish was biting and helped us quickly set the hook as soon as they took the bait. It also gave us impressive casting distance and was respectable when it came to abrasion resistance. And being that it's a braided line, its diameter was far smaller than a similar mono line, meaning we could fit a lot of line on a small reel. This was especially beneficial when hiking out to a secret spot and wanting to bring the smallest and lightest gear possible.
The only downsides? For one, if you've ever tied a knot with braided line, you know how hard it can be. This line was no different and might even be more difficult than other braided lines. There was also the small issue of the die coming off on your hands when spooling it. Not a big deal, but not desirable, either. All in all, if you want a fishing line that will give you incredible feel, check out the KastKing SuperPower Braided.
5
Best for Everyday Fishing
Berkley Trilene Big Game
REASONS TO BUY
Abrasion resistant
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Low sensitivity
Lots of memory
If you need a no-frills fishing line that gets the job done in nearly any environment, look no further than the Berkley Trilene Big Game. It's wonderfully durable, resisting abrasion well. This was proven many times when we got a lure stuck in some rocks, and the line was nearly impossible to break even after scraping over the rocks many times. This line was also great for different fishing styles, whether it be casting with a lure or just dropping a hook with a worm on it. It was also one of the best when it came to knot strength. Once we tied a knot, we were confident it would hold.
Although it had many upsides, there were some downsides to consider. This line had the most stretch of all the lines tested. This diminished its feel quite a bit, so we missed more than a few bites, and trying to set the hook was a problem several times. It also has a fair bit of memory, so expect to have some issue if you leave this on the reel for an extended period. Overall, this line was great for a range of styles and techniques. So, if you need a line that can handle the rigors of everyday fishing, you might want to give the Berkley Trilene Big Game a try.
6
A Happy Medium
KastKing FluoroKote
Test Line Weight: 6-lb | Color: Clear
REASONS TO BUY
Strong
Easy to tie knots
REASONS TO AVOID
Less sensitive
Stretchy
Memory
If you like fluorocarbon line but don't like the higher cost, KastKing FluoroKote is a happy medium. It provides the time-tested strength and versatility of a mono line with a fluorocarbon coating that helps reduce the line's visibility in the water. And because it's mono, it still provides a good deal of flexibility compared to a full fluorocarbon line. We also found that this was one of the easier lines to tie knots with, which was a welcome relief after fishing with a braided line.
Unfortunately, because this is still a monofilament line, there were some drawbacks. While it was a little less stretchy than typical mono lines, it still stretched enough to hinder sensitivity. We were caught off guard a few times when a fish stole the bait, and when using a lure, it was hard to sense its movement through the water. If you want a happy medium between a full fluorocarbon line and a mono one, though, the KastKing FluoroKote is still a good bet.
7
Good for Fresh and Saltwater
Stren High Impact
Test Line Weight: 10-lb | Color: Smoke Blue
REASONS TO BUY
Versatile
Strong
REASONS TO AVOID
Too much memory
Casting distance
If you find yourself frequenting both lakes and ocean piers, the Stren High Impact may be the right choice for you. It works well on many spinning reels, and its traditional mono construction means you get great strength and abrasion resistance. Its classic, light blue color also blended into many different water environments, from turquoise lakes to dark blue ocean waters.
By our assessment, though, this line falls short in several areas. For one, it has a lot of memory. So, expect to have issues from time to time when casting. And speaking of that, this line scored very low when it came to casting. It didn't travel smoothly through the guides on multiple rods, and it was challenging to place the lure exactly where you wanted it. With all that said, the Stren High Impact Monofilament is reasonably priced and will get the job done in most situations. We just tended to prefer other lines that proved to be easier for us to cast.
8
A Strong but Lower-Quality Line
Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided
Test Line Weight: 8-lb | Color: Moss Green
REASONS TO BUY
Strong
Color blends in
REASONS TO AVOID
Frays easily
Line sticks together
Those who have experience with braided lines know they can have some drawbacks. Tying knots can be difficult, the line is more visible, harder to cut, etc. Unfortunately, the Power Pro Spectra Fiber Braided line was guilty of most of these during our test period, plus it had a few additional issues that the other lines we tested didn't have. One of the most annoying was its consistent ability to stick to itself on the spool. This meant many of our casts were stopped short when the line got to a certain sticking point. We also noticed this line frayed easily, leaving it vulnerable to breaking with a fish on the hook. And while it wasn't a big deal, we noticed it bled a lot of ink when handling it.
With all that said, we feel that this line isn't your best option. And while it did get the job done during our testing period (we did catch fish with it), its drawbacks became more pronounced the longer we used it. Our testers don't recommend this fishing line.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our lead reviewer, Kit Smith, is a life-long angler. He's fished streams, lakes, oceans, and bays for over three decades. Kit's initial fishing experiences include catching halibut and salmon in the San Francisco Bay and alpine stream and lake fishing in the Central Sierra. Later, he moved to Colorado to attend college, where he continued to perfect his angling craft. Kit spends a lot of his free time fishing and reading about fishing gear to stay up to date on the latest products and trends in the world of angling.
Testing took place in streams and lakes around Mammoth Lakes, California, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the coast of Southern California. To get a range of testing environments, we also fished from shorelines and boat decks. Kit got several fishing buddies involved to fish with him and give feedback on each product, and in the process, dozens of fish were hooked, landed, and released. This helped us get a lot of experience with each line. We gained insight through intentional in-the-field testing to get a feel for the sensitivity, as well as the versatility and memory. Once we understood each line's advantages, we compared them in side-by-side real-world use to tease out the differences. Our field testing, combined with side-by-side inspections and comparisons, both informed our overall assessments.
Analysis and Test Results
During field testing, the five metrics that we assessed for each fishing line are Strength, Memory, Casting, Versatility, and Knots. Below, we'll discuss the importance of each, as well as which lines stood out among the competition.
Strength
A line's strength is a crucial component to consider and can mean the difference between reeling in a trophy fish and coming up empty. If it's not strong enough, the line will likely break when it matters most. But strength doesn't only mean how much weight a line can handle; it also indicates how tough the line is when it comes to abrasion. Abrasion can happen against rocks, the side of a boat, or even the guides of your rod.
When it comes to maximum strength, the SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo-Braid and the Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon take the top spots. While the 20-lb SpiderWire line we tested takes the cake for the toughest fishing line, proving to be nearly impossible to break, the Berkley Trilene Big Game also ranks high in this category. Of course, strength can come at a cost, as we found out when getting a hook or lured snagged in some rocks. You'll most likely have to cut the line and probably lose your lure if either of these gets stuck.
Memory
This might be one of the most overlooked aspects of fishing line. Memory is a line's tendency to take on the spool's shape. The more it takes on this shape, the more memory it's said to have—and a lot of memory is not something you want your line to exhibit. In general, monofilament lines tend to have more memory, and braided lines tend to have less. This category's standout is the KastKing SuperPower Braided, with little to no memory even when left on the reel for extended periods.
With its classic monofilament construction, the Berkley Trilene XL also proved strong in this metric. While mono line is not typically known for having low memory, this one was impressive and showed only a little memory even after being on the spool for several weeks. The KastKing FluoroKote fits the low memory bill, too. It never spiraled off the reel and made for smooth casts every time.
Casting
When you're trying to drop your bait in a specific spot or get a lure to where a fish just jumped, casting distance and control is critical. There were some standouts based on this metric. The Berkley Trilene XL gave us impressive casting distance and accuracy on several different rods, especially for a mono line.
The true king of casting in our tests, though, is the SpiderWire Stealth. With a special coating and braided construction, this line made us look like pros every time we sent a lure flying. Of course, as one of the most expensive lines we purchased, we learned that casting performance comes at a cost.
Versatility
Having a line that can handle whatever fish you hook is certainly a desirable trait in a fishing line, but not all lines are created equal. The Berkley Trilene Big Game is the clear winner here. With its equally great performance in both fresh and saltwater and its ability to be used for many different fishing styles, this model is very versatile.
In contrast, while it's a high-quality product, the Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon is really only made for one type of fishing (freshwater). Because of that, it didn't score highly in the versatility metric, despite excelling in its niche.
Knots
With as many knots as you'll tie on a fishing trip, we think this is an important metric to include when assessing fishing line. Traditional mono lines are the clear winners here, which wasn't a surprise since monofilament lines are almost always easier to tie than braided ones. That said, one braided line did an admirable job in this category. The SpiderWire Stealth was much easier to tie than any other braided lines in our line-up and provided excellent knot strength.
One of the best lines tested was the Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon. It made tying many knots a simple task, including the ever-popular Clinch and Uni knot. But many of the mono lines were just as easy to tie, including the Berkley Trilene Big Game and the Stren High Impact Monofilament. If you get easily frustrated with a line that's hard to tie, you'll want to consider one of these fishing lines.
Conclusion
Fishing line is an essential piece of angling equipment, despite being frequently overlooked. But the right line could make or break (literally) your fishing outing. Before making a purchase decision, it's crucial to consider the type of fishing you prefer. Are you looking to fish off the bottom with bait, or are you staying near the surface with a lure? Whatever it is, we were sure to include a diversity of lines in our review so you could find one that suits your needs. We hope our research, tests, and analyses help you identify which product will best suit your needs. Now get out there, drop a line, and bring back a fish brag about.
FAQs
What's the strongest fishing line in the world? ›
Modern synthetic fiber-based braided line is the strongest fishing line on the market, and over 10 times stronger than steel, which brings along its own benefits and limitations.
What is the best all around fishing line weight? ›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 fishing line can fish not see? ›Fluorocarbon is the line that is most invisible underwater, while the braided line is the strongest, yet most visible above water. The same can be said about highly visible colors such as yellow and red.
Which line is best for bass? ›- MONOFILAMENT. A classic line option for any fisherman, monofilament is an individual nylon fiber that is usually inexpensive and is easy to work with. ...
- BRAID. Braided fishing line is another trustworthy option for bass fishermen. ...
- FLUOROCARBON.
Braided line's low stretch makes it a natural choice for sensitivity and connectededness when lure fishing. The thinner diameter allows the line to cast significantly further than monofilament.
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.
Is thicker line better for fishing? ›Thicker line decreases casting distance and accuracy
If you're not covering enough water, or placing your lure exactly where you want it to go, you'll miss out on fish that you might've otherwise been able to catch.
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 colors do fish see best? ›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.
What fishing line has no 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 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 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 most common fishing line? ›Monofilament fishing line, or “mono” is the most basic and most common fishing line out there. Made out of nylon extruded in a single, continuous filament and left untwisted, monofilament fishing line is a good all-around line that is smooth and a bit stretchy.
What line is best for topwater? ›For topwater braids, there is no better line than Sunline X-Plasma braided line, Asegai. The plasma coating on the line actually repels water so it does not get wet and sink. The line is super strong and very smooth. It ties great knots and leader knots.
What color line is good for bass? ›For spooky or pressured fish, the best fishing line for bass are clear, at least where the lure joins the line. When using opaque braids, think natural colors such as moss green if the lure is tied directly to the braid, or high visibility shades of yellow, green, or even pink if using a fluorocarbon leader.
What line is best for bass and trout? ›For trout fishing, for example, one might use a 4- or 6-pound test line. For bass/walleye/northern pike fishing, use 8-pound test and up. There are three basic types of fishing line: monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid. Monofilament line is the most popular.
What line is best for striped bass? ›Coastal Quickshooter XP: By far our most popular striped bass fly line. This line is one of the smoothest and easiest casting lines on the market for targeting stripers. It is an aggressive and overweighted line.
What line is best for catfish? ›Monofilament for catfish
Mono is tried-and-true for most catfish anglers–me included. Mono can be found just about anywhere you would purchase fishing gear. It is very inexpensive, strong, abrasion-resistant, and from a guide's perspective, it is very forgiving.
If you fish with line that's too heavy, you increase the risk of breaking your rod. Getting the right advice from your local tackle store will take the guesswork out of choosing a balanced outfit and it avoids using the wrong gear for the job.
What is 12 lb fishing line good for? ›for Panfish and a heavier test (8-12 Lb.) for Bass is a good rule of thumb. Don't worry, even 6lb Mono will work with all the classic, fundamental fishing tackle.
Can fish see my line? ›
It works to blend in with the water and becomes clear to fish. While it may seem unusual to tint a line type like fluorocarbon that is said to be virtually invisible, by all accounts, pink line loses its color and is hard for anglers and fish alike to see underwater.
What is the thinnest but strongest 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.
Which is better braid or mono? ›Mono line tends to be best for live bait fishing, trolling, and kite fishing. On the other hand, braided line works well for bottomfishing and jigging, fishing kelp, fishing structure, and casting plugs and lures.
What rod action is best for casting distance? ›As a rule of thumb, longer rods increase casting distance, while shorter rods provide better leverage. So if you'll primarily cast with 12- to 20-pound lines, consider a 7-foot, fast- to extra-fast-action rod for lures or live baits, or medium action for smaller lures or natural baits.
Is monofilament or fluorocarbon better? ›Toughness—Fluorocarbon is more abrasion resistant than standard nylon monofilament of the same diameter. Plus, while the sun's harsh ultraviolet rays weaken nylon over time, fluorocarbon shrugs off UV with no ill-effects.
What fishing line is better fluorocarbon or braid? ›Braid combats line twist better than mono or fluoro, and if used in lighter pound tests, it will outcast them as well. That's why you see so many Elite Series pros using braid as their main line, even when drop-shotting finesse baits.
What is the best fishing line mono or braid? ›Mono line tends to be best for live bait fishing, trolling, and kite fishing. On the other hand, braided line works well for bottomfishing and jigging, fishing kelp, fishing structure, and casting plugs and lures.
What are the disadvantages of fluorocarbon? ›The drawbacks of fluorocarbon can be summed up in a single word: inflexible. This is essentially a hard line which is what makes it water and abrasion resistant. However, there can be several serious issues that derive from this that an angler must be aware of. The first of these issues is knot failure.
What is fluorocarbon line best for? ›Comments: Fluorocarbon makes up just over a quarter of the fishing line market. It excels in clear water applications and its low stretch and greater durability make it popular for hard hook sets and fishing in cover.
What is the best leader line? ›If you are looking for a great quality monofilament leader line, Ande Monofilament is going to be the best bang for your buck. And if you want to pick up some fluorocarbon without breaking the bank, the Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon is a fantastic choice!
Does braided line sink or float? ›
Braided fishing lines are very flexible and can be easier to cast long distances. Braided line typically floats, and as such, is a common choice for topwater rigs, etc. One drawback of braided lines is that they are highly visible in the water, and thus visible to fish.
Can you use fluorocarbon as a main line? ›For freshwater, fluorocarbon coated monofilament makes a great main line for many fish especially walleye and trout. The sensitivity allows you to feel bites better for walleye and helps your line remain undetectable to the highly aware trout. Fluorocarbon leader line makes the best low-visibility leaders.
What color braided line is best for fishing? ›Green or dark grey colored braided line will match the environment you are fishing in and still give you the visual reference needed to know where your line is. The truth is, if your line gets close to the fish, the fish will feel it in the water before they see it.
What is 20lb braid equivalent to mono? ›For example, you can buy 20lb test Power Pro braided fishing line at a diameter of . 009” which is equivalent to 6lb mono at the same diameter.